Hey guys I'm beginner to the Linux operating system. So I'm looking for ideas and help. I just begin school in networking and security, and I've learnt that Linux is a commonly used platform for business, so I figured that I should start getting my self comfortable with it. So I'm reaching out to anyone who wouldn't mind helping me out with information. So here's what I have in terms of hardware; 1 windows 10 laptop, that I'm using for both my daily life and school. I'm looking to purchase a new computer that I could experiment with /on. I would like to maybe add a server to my fake network. Just to learn how to do it. I'm not sure what to get, either another labtop, or a desk top. Also I don't know how I would go about getting a Linux operating system onto the new computer, that I will be purchasing. And lasly, for now, could someone tell me how I can best set up a fake network in the Linux operating system in order to practice with.

Also, if anyone has any suggestions please feel free to let me know.

N.w. I love computer networking but i'm not a computer genius or geek. I just like it and am willing to learn.

Hi shay0 and welcome to LQ.

I would suggest experimenting with Linux on the computer which you do have either using a virtual machine or booting to live media. These will start you getting comfortable with Linux. This will also give you insight to what you prefer for when you consider adding a second system to be a Linux only box.

As far as a network goes, I recommend you get a computer with two NIC interfaces. Have one programmed for the general internet address so that you may be able to get online and search for things as well as perform updates to software. Have the other one programmed for your local private network, where you also will have to have some other device to address on that network. The local network can be any legal IP address scheme you choose. Unless you do something special such as running routing software, these two networks will be kept separate from each other.

Happy computing!

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Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

We all started with Gnu/Linux as a new user. At times you may get frustrated but if you do your research then success will be yours. I agree with rtmistler that you can use existing hardware if it has the available storage & enough CPU & RAM to use a Virtual Machine on Windows 10 Laptop. Look at Virtual section of Slackware®-Links to get links for VM to run as host on your machine to experiment with Gnu/Linux clients.

Along with your text the following links may help to enhance your Gnu/Linux experience. Some may seem dated but are still valid to help a beginner.
Hope this helps.
Have fun & enjoy!

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shay0,

A very warm welcome to LQ.

How refreshing to hear such a positive attitude.

You are several points up in my book already.

My advice would be to get a good used desktop PC, instead of new and save yourself some money.

Example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-XPS-630...zgAAOSw2x1XJ8F

There is no need to pay the “Windows tax” on a new PC and generally speaking Linux is happier on established hardware, as opposed to “cutting edge”.

rtmistler’s advice is sound, as usual, and I can strongly recommend this Intel NIC which will work out of the box and act as a second network adapter to the already installed one:
https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Gigabit...=EXPI9301CTBLK

Which Linux distribution you use is up to you.

Have a look at Distrowatch:
http://distrowatch.com/

In my opinion, you will not go far wrong with Linux Mint 18.1 MATE 64 bit:
https://www.linuxmint.com/

https://www.linuxmint.com/

http://arstechnica.co.uk/information...ux-just-works/

http://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-m...esktop-period/

Enjoy learning how to use Linux.

1 members found this post helpful.

And,from another: https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...ux-4175597771/

Thank you guys I truly appreciate your help..... to work I go... I'll be back if I have any trouble or questions.

I've been using PCs for over 20 years - the first one ran MsDos 3.1 - and over many years I upgraded several times, sometimes buying ready-built machines, sometimes assembling them myself but always with MsDos or Windows as the operating system. I had a couple of attempts at switching to Linux but, by then, I was so entrenched in Windows I found it difficult to let go.

Fast-forward to 2016 and a new PC with Win 8.1 which, within a short time upgraded itself to Win 10 and I now find myself spending more time battling with Windows than I do with getting on with work. Those M/soft people now seem more interested in tracking everything I do rather than letting me get on with some work! (Mostly spreadsheet a/cs etc).

The bottom line is that I've finally decided to ditch Microsoft and get to grips with Linux.
I occasionally buy Linux mags and have several installation disks I can try out. BUT, what I didn't realise, the new PC has obviously been designed to just use Windows and it won't even boot from the DvD drive. I was hoping to dual boot to either Linux or Win 10 but can't see how that's achievable now so I popped the bios battery hoping to stop Windows interferring and install Linux on a clean machine but all that achieved was to stop the PC working at all (even after battery re-inserted) and I can't even boot Win 10 now. Writing this on my wife's Win10 laptop.

So, unless anyone has some advice on how I might resurrect my PC with a view to installing Linux, I guess I'd have to rip out the mobo and replace it.

BTW. I have no problems with my data - I learned a long time ago to keep my data away from Windows. i.e. I've kept it on a separate drive (backed up to a fast USB drive)

Harry

Hi Harry - Welcome to the forum.

Firstly, you are introducing a new topic in someone else's thread here, so I will ask a moderator to move both your post and my answer to a new thread. This will help both the original poster here as well as yourself in receiving the appropriate assistance.

As to your issue, I'll admit - it's a new one for me, and that after 32 years of computer fun ;-) ... Here's what I would do: use your wife's PC to download a BIOS/Firmware update for your computer, write it to the media the manufacturer suggests you boot from, and boot your own PC from it to restore/update your BIOS/firmware. I really don't believe that a problem such as this can't be somehow user-corrected. Afterwards, get back to us once you've been able to restore your PC to Windows functionality and we can help you with your Linux objective.

Good luck !

Top of the forum: https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...xp-4175502495/

You might then be interested in GNS3 to simulate your network.

1 members found this post helpful.

I found the following invaluable in learning Linux: the packkage provides thewhich will quickly determine if a file exists and where it is: will search a file(s) for a text stringwill search the /etc directory for any files that contain "hi there".

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Thank you to all those that responded to my post you guys have been very helpful in getting me on the right path to success in this venture. Truly appreciate it.

Hello guys, I took your advice to use a virtual box and run Linux in it. I also upgraded my laptop, my old PC was far from sufficient for expanding my knowledge, it lacked the RAM and memory I needed. Any how, I down loaded and installed Oracle Virtual Box on my laptop and also downloaded CentOS 7 x86_64 ISO version. with the help of youtube I was also to configure a virtual Hand drive for the Linux OS. all seems well while setup even after the starting the program. The OS appears to be running when it gave me the option of testing it. But after that the screen went black and nothing else is happening. Also the at top of the screen is states that CentOS is running but the screen is just black. could anyone help me in fixing this issue. Thanks.

Hi... it does take a bit of 'insightful debugging' to determine exactly what is alive/dead!
What was happening (&how long before) it 'went black'? Try: Ctrl+Alt+F1 Also: Alt+SysRq+s
Tell more details about "the option of testing it": what was done, what happened, ...
Here's one: Solution is to set the Linux version in VirtualBox to be 64 bit!

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Thanks, I had to change the virtual box to 64 bit and everything worked as it should. Thanks alot for the advice.