Newbie here
 

Hi...am considering learning the basics of linux administration and our company supports Redhat. Unfortunately, I can't afford to use a license software for my self-study...can anyone recommend the nearest free lINUX package to be used for educational purposes with LINUX? Thanks and God bless!

Welcome to LQ!!!

You can use CentOS for practice which is rebuild of Red Hat. It is open-source, you get updates for free, community support.

You did not mention which version of Red Hat your company is using. If they are using RHEL 7 then you can use the following guide to practice on CentOS 7: https://access.redhat.com/documentat...trators_Guide/

If they are on RHEL 6: http://gutl.jovenclub.cu/wp-content/...nistration.pdf

This book is highly thought of (I haven't used it myself)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Practical-Fe...dp/B00M0OL2VU/
You can see the contents by looking at a previous edition. Everything said of Red Hat will be true of CentOS.

As you see, I use CentOS, having moved over the years from Red Hat (before it became commercial only) via Fedora (versions 1 to 14), and I'm a very satisfied user!