CSC1030 Systems and Data Management Flashcards

CSC1030 Systems and Data Management Fundamentals - Module 1 (Systems) Practical Exercises (Weeks 1 and 2)

1.1 Explore the Course VM-1 hosted on the Azure Labs platform

• Register for the Azure Labs Course VM-1 (see URL provided in StudyDesk Announcement).
• Start and connect to the AzLabs Course VM-1 using the Remote Desktop app on your computer.
• Open the Windows Terminal (PowerShell) within the VM.
  • To exit PowerShell, type exit.
• Run the Ubuntu (WSL) app.
  • To exit Ubuntu, type exit.
• Start Hyper-V and run the headless Debian that is already installed.
• Log in to the VM:
  • First as usqstudent (password: initial1stPw)
  • Then as root (password: initial1stPw)
• Exit and shut down the VM from the Hyper-V window.
• Important Reminders:
  • Always stop the VM in the Azure Labs portal when finished.
  • Virtual resources are subject to the university's Acceptable Use policy.
  • VMs are not being backed up.

1.2 Linux Distributions

• The course uses various Linux distributions.
• neofetch is a tool to display information about a distro.
  • It may or may not be pre-installed.
  • Usage: Use neofetch in the Ubuntu (WSL) app.
  • Try to use neofetch in the headless Debian on Hyper-V.

1.3 The Shell in Linux and in Windows

• Focus is on Command Line Interface (CLI) using a "Shell".
• Ubuntu (WSL) and headless Debian in Hyper-V automatically provide a terminal for shell commands.
• Try these simple commands in either Linux machine:
  • $ date
  • $ df
  • $ cal
  • $ free
• On Windows, PowerShell can be used; some commands work on both Linux and Windows.
• In the Windows Terminal, try:
  • whoami
  • hostname
  • pwd
  • ls
  • dir
• These commands can be tried in Linux for comparison.
• Focus is primarily on Linux shell commands for automation, but PowerShell uses different commands ('cmdlets').

1.4 Use of man pages

• The man command is very useful.
  • Example: $ man ls
• Man pages provide detailed help for shell commands.
• Navigation:
  • Space bar: step through the man page.
  • b: go back.
  • q: quit and return to the command line.
• Find options to modify the output within the man page for ls (e.g., change how a file size is reported).

1.5 Commands to navigate the filesystem

• Focus on file manipulation will increase in Module 2.
• Understanding the current directory is essential; commands act on objects (files) within this directory by default.
• Check the man pages for pwd and cd:
  • $ man pwd
  • $ man cd
• Try the following commands in the Ubuntu WSL app:
  • $ pwd
  • $ ls
  • $ ls /usr/bin
  • $ cd /usr/bin
  • $ pwd
  • $ ls
  • $ cd
• Navigate to /etc and list all files in the "long listing" format (using the -l option).

1.6 Upgrading, and Installing Software

• Linux often requires manual upgrades for the OS and programs, although automation is possible.
• Debian-based distros use the apt package manager.
• Update the system using:
  • $ sudo apt update
  • $ sudo apt upgrade
• Check if a package is installed using which:
  • $ which neofetch
• Install new programs after updating the system using apt install:
  • $ sudo apt install neofetch
  • $ sudo apt install tree
  • $ sudo apt install wget
  • $ sudo apt install batcat
• CLI commands are emphasized for enabling automation, despite the availability of GUI tools.
• Man pages are available for newly installed programs.
  • Example: $ man wget
• Install neofetch on the headless Debian VM running in Hyper-V, logging in as root (since usqstudent lacks sudo privileges).

1.7 Processes

• Try the following commands:
  • $ ps -u usqstudent
  • $ top
• Processes can run in the foreground and background.
• Commands typed in the shell run in the foreground by default.
• Services ('daemons') run in the background and start when the system boots, listening for connections from clients.

1.8 Environment Variables

• Create environment variables in the shell:
  • $ MYNEWVAR=thevalue
• Example: Create a variable called COURSECODE and set its value to CSC1030.
• Check the current value of a variable using echo:
  • $ echo $PATH
• The $ symbol is needed to get the value but not to set it.
• The variable PS1 controls the prompt's appearance and can be changed and printed like any other variable.

1.9 Looking at text files (pagers)

• In the Ubuntu (WSL) app:
  • $ cd ~
  • $ pwd
  • $ wget https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.txt
  • $ ls
• View the content using:
  • $ more gpl-3.0.txt
  • $ less gpl-3.0.txt
  • $ cat gpl-3.0.txt
  • $ head gpl-3.0.txt
  • $ tail gpl-3.0.txt
• Use space bar to advance pages in more or less, and q to exit.
• Understand the differences between these commands.
• Question: How can I see more or fewer lines when using head or tail? (Check the man pages.)

1.10 Edit an existing text file (vi, nano)

• nano and vi are the CLI text editors of choice.
• Learn the basics of both for working in headless machines.
• Also, learn to use a sophisticated GUI text/code editor like VSCode.
• Use of 'vim':
  • Open the downloaded file: $ vi gpl-3.0.txt
  • Initially in 'Command Mode'. Use arrow keys to move.
  • Press i to enter 'Insert Mode'.
  • Type characters. Use Enter and Delete.
  • Press Esc to exit 'Insert Mode' and return to 'Command Mode'.
  • Enter 'Last Line Mode' by typing : (in command mode).
  • Type wq and press Enter to save and quit (w = write/save, q = quit).
• Use of 'nano':
  • Achieve the same outcomes as with vi but using nano.
  • nano provides help at the bottom of the screen and does not use separate modes, making it easier to learn.

1.11 Hypervisor

• Return to Hyper-V.
• Explore the program to understand how to create new VMs, remove existing ones, and modify settings.
• Other software hypervisors for your own computer include VirtualBox and VMWare Workstation.
• Hypervisors allow running different virtual machines side-by-side (e.g., on macOS).
• The VM-1's Hyper-V has a pre-installed headless Debian VM (no Desktop Environment).
• Do not delete this VM as it will be used in assessment items.
• The Debian headless is a guest, and Hyper-V is the hypervisor running on the host machine.
• Windows 11 host is itself a guest, running as a VM on the Azure Labs platform (nested virtualization).
• Experiment with creating a new VM in Hyper-V. (Time-consuming, so not done in the Prac Session.)
• Use the StudyDesk Forum for questions.
• To create a new VM, point Hyper-V to an ISO file (several are in the Windows host's Downloads folder).
• Refer to the provided external website walkthrough for help.

1.12 WSL

• A Linux app (Ubuntu) is pre-installed in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on the Course VM-1 Windows 11 machine.
• A WSL app is similar to a full virtual machine but faster and simpler to use (though with some drawbacks).
• Use the Microsoft Store to download and install a second Linux app that is different from Ubuntu and Debian (e.g., Kali Linux).
• Kali Linux is a popular distro for learning ethical hacking; more information available from the Kali project page.
• (Note that several Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Kali, Mint, Pop!_OS, are derived from Debian, which is known for its stability.
• Other distributions, such as Red Hat and Arch, are not derived from Debian.)
• After downloading and opening the app, a minimal installation process will occur.
• Use usqstudent as the new account with password initial1stPw (for ease of access, despite not being a general security best practice).
• Security is managed by the Azure Labs portal, keeping VM-1 private to you and the course team.