Hi, I'm going to be going on a security basics course soon and need to know the following so that I can run knoppixstd without too many issues:

1 what an IP address, subnet and default gateway are for and how to configure them
2 How to use/navigate around Linux using only the console
3 How to mount a partition using only the console

I know "what an IP address, subnet and default gateway are for" but have only configured them in damnsmalllinux before using the GUI and not using a console.

if someone can point me to a good book or tute for the command based stuff then I should be good playing by myself.

Probably the best source is in one of the moderator's sig's:
XavierP has the Linux: RUTE Users Tutorial and Exposition listed, and that is probably going to give you the most info that is relavent to nearly any distro.

I'll give you quick answers though, and then you can research them in that manual to understand them better:

1. 1 what an IP address, subnet and default gateway are for and how to configure them?

To connect a computer onto a network (being internet, intranet, LAN, whatever term is being used). You configure them with ifconfig and route.

2. 2 How to use/navigate around Linux using only the console?

Well, this is kind of an open ended question. You use a shell (usually bash) and then short commands to move around, such as cd, cd .., cd /path. You also list contents of directories with ls. You show your present directory with pwd. Using the console to me would simply mean typing these commands into it. You also use the console to compile, to run terminal based applications (mpg123), compile a kernel...

3. How to mount a partition using only the console?

Using mount An example for your first partition on your primary IDE drive:
mount /dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1
You have to have the mount point /mnt/hda1 created first. You also have to have a filesystem on the device. Using fdisk you create a partition, then using mkfs.DESIREDFS, you create the filesystem. So, for ext3:
mke2fs -j /dev/hda1
Would create an ext3 partition on /dev/hda1. Then, you pass that to mount with the -t option if it doesn't figure it out on it's own:
mount -t ext3 /dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1

HTH

Cool

Thanks Master C.
I did need the quick how to and I will spend some more time going through the links you suggested.
Now does creating a partition necessarily create a mount point? I'm assuming yes but I'm not sure.
ie, if I create a partition(say during install) of /dev/hda1, would that mean the mount point is already created or do I need to do something else to create it?
Thanks

elmurado,

I am by no means an expert. in fact, I still consider myself a novice. along those lines, I feel very connected to your confusion, so let me try and suggest a few things to get you in the right direction. Realize that Master C might post right after me and tell me i'm wrong though =P

About mounts: check the /etc/fstab file to see what mounts linux has set up for you, and also what mounts you have set up for linux if any.

Also, you might be wondering if /etc/fstab is a file or a directory... its a file. it takes a while to get the hang of distinguishing files from folders on forums like this cuz its not colored appropriately like in the console. linux isn't as dependent on file extensions as windows is, so in plain text you really can't differentiate between a file in /etc called fstab and a folder in /etc called fstab. you'll get the hang of common directories as you use linux, and itll get easier.

About using the console: the biggest hump for me was being able to view text files in the console. when I said to "check the /etc/fstab file", it might be unclear as to how you're supposed to do that without opening a GUI word processor. you're going to want to research, use, and become familiar with any of the common text-based word processors. The one I use is "vi", so to check that file above, you'd type in "vi /etc/fstab". (realize that only the superuser can MODIFY that file by default so it might say read only at the bottom).... and you can use arrow keys to navigate the document. this word processor is REALLY weird compared to the programs i was used to in windows... there's a command mode where you can do weird commands using : and /, which I'm not familiar with... then there's an insert mode where you can add text (hit i to go into insert mode). Google up a storm on vi, or another editor (i don't know of any others), and that will REALLY help you out when you have to alter configuration files using only the console in your class. here's a link to get started: http://atlas.scs.carleton.ca/~youngsoo/misc/vi.html

Thanks yimboli. I can see what you mean about the text files in the console. I was also getting confused with the file/dir differentiation so thanks for the tip.
also, thanks for the mounts listing-I didn't know that. Another steep learning curve coming up! Which makes things interesting....