IntroToLinux

Continuous Assessment Lab: Linux Installation

🎯 Lab Objectives

This is a mandatory continuous assessment lab that contributes to your final grade. You must complete this lab before the next class session.

Goals:

• ✅ Install and configure both Linux distributions
• 💻 Set up working virtual machines (or alternative solutions)
• 🔧 Verify both systems are operational
• 📸 Document your installations

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⚠️ Important Information

### Assessment Details - **📊 Weight**: Part of 20% Continuous Assessment (Together with the other CA Labs) - **⏰ Deadline**: Before the start of next lab session - **📝 Deliverables**: Screenshots/documentation of both working installations - **✅ Requirements**: Both AlmaLinux 10.1 AND Ubuntu 24.04 must be running

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📋 Requirements

You must have BOTH of the following Linux distributions installed and running:

Required Distributions

Distribution	Version	Type	Purpose
🔴 AlmaLinux	10.1	Minimal	Enterprise Linux experience
🟠 Ubuntu	24.04.3 LTS	Desktop	User-friendly environment

Installation Options

Choose ONE installation method:

1. 💻 Virtual Machines (Recommended)
   • Both distros in separate VMs
   • Using VirtualBox, VMWare, UTM, QEMU, etc.
2. 🪟 WSL2 (Windows only)
   • Both distros as separate WSL instances
   • Quick and integrated solution
3. 🐧 Native/Dual Boot (Advanced)
   • One or both as native installations
   • Best performance but more complex
4. 🔄 Hybrid Approach
   • Mix of methods (e.g., one VM + one WSL)
   • Use what works best for your setup

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📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

Part 1: AlmaLinux 10.1 Installation

#### 1️⃣ Download AlmaLinux **ISO Location:** ``` https://ftp.belnet.be/mirror/almalinux/10.1/isos/x86_64/AlmaLinux-10-latest-x86_64-minimal.iso ``` **File Details:** - 📦 Size: ~2GB - 🔧 Type: Minimal installation (no GUI) - 🎯 Purpose: Server/command-line practice #### 2️⃣ Create Virtual Machine **Recommended VM Settings:** - 💾 **RAM**: 2GB minimum (4GB recommended) - 💿 **Disk**: 20GB minimum - 🖥️ **CPU**: 2 cores - 🌐 **Network**: NAT or Bridged **VirtualBox Example:** 1. Click "New" 2. Name: "AlmaLinux-9.3" 3. Type: Linux 4. Version: Red Hat (64-bit) 5. Allocate memory: 2048 MB 6. Create virtual hard disk: 20 GB, VDI, dynamically allocated 7. Settings → Storage → Add ISO to optical drive 8. Start VM #### 3️⃣ Install AlmaLinux **Installation Steps:** 1. Boot from ISO 2. Select "Install AlmaLinux 10.1" 3. Choose language 4. **Installation Destination**: Select disk 5. **Network & Hostname**: Enable network, set hostname 6. **Root Password**: Set a strong password (remember it!) 7. **User Creation**: Create a regular user account 8. Begin Installation 9. Wait for completion (~5-10 minutes) 10. Reboot #### 4️⃣ Verify Installation After reboot, login and run: ```bash # Check OS version cat /etc/os-release # Check network connectivity ping -c 4 google.com # Check disk space df -h # Check memory free -h ```

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Part 2: Ubuntu 24.04 Installation

#### 1️⃣ Download Ubuntu **ISO Location:** ``` https://ftp.belnet.be/mirror/ubuntu-releases/24.04.3/ubuntu-24.04.3-desktop-amd64.iso ``` **File Details:** - 📦 Size: ~5GB - 🖥️ Type: Desktop (includes GUI) - 🎯 Purpose: User-friendly Linux experience #### 2️⃣ Create Virtual Machine **Recommended VM Settings:** - 💾 **RAM**: 4GB minimum (8GB recommended) - 💿 **Disk**: 25GB minimum - 🖥️ **CPU**: 2 cores - 🌐 **Network**: NAT or Bridged - 🎨 **Display**: Enable 3D acceleration (if available) **VirtualBox Example:** 1. Click "New" 2. Name: "Ubuntu-24.04" 3. Type: Linux 4. Version: Ubuntu (64-bit) 5. Allocate memory: 4096 MB 6. Create virtual hard disk: 25 GB, VDI, dynamically allocated 7. Settings → Display → Video Memory: 128 MB, Enable 3D 8. Settings → Storage → Add ISO to optical drive 9. Start VM #### 3️⃣ Install Ubuntu **Installation Steps:** 1. Boot from ISO 2. Select "Install Ubuntu" 3. Choose keyboard layout 4. **Updates and Software**: Normal installation 5. **Installation Type**: Erase disk and install Ubuntu 6. Select timezone 7. Create user account (name, computer name, password) 8. Wait for installation (~10-20 minutes) 9. Restart when prompted 10. Login to your new Ubuntu desktop #### 4️⃣ Verify Installation Open Terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run: ```bash # Check OS version lsb_release -a # Check network connectivity ping -c 4 google.com # Check disk space df -h # Check memory free -h # Update system sudo apt update ```

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📸 Documentation Requirements

You must submit proof that both systems are working. Take screenshots of:

For AlmaLinux ✅

1. Login screen showing successful boot
2. Terminal showing:

   cat /etc/os-release
   hostname
   ip addr show
   

3. Successful ping to external site (e.g., ping -c 4 google.com)

For Ubuntu ✅

1. Desktop environment after successful login
2. Terminal showing:

   lsb_release -a
   hostname
   ip addr show
   

3. System Settings → About showing Ubuntu version

Screenshot Tips 📷

For VMs:

• VirtualBox: Menu → View → Take Screenshot
• VMWare: Menu → VM → Capture Screen
• UTM: Built-in screenshot feature
• Or use host OS screenshot tools

For WSL:

• Windows + Shift + S for screenshot
• Show terminal with both distros

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📤 Submission Guidelines

### What to Submit Create a **single document** (PDF preferred) containing: 1. **📄 Title Page** - Your name and student ID - Date of submission - Lab title: "CA Lab - Linux Installation" 2. **🔴 AlmaLinux Section** - Screenshots as specified above - Brief description of your setup (VM specs, installation method) - Any issues encountered and how you solved them 3. **�� Ubuntu Section** - Screenshots as specified above - Brief description of your setup - Any issues encountered and how you solved them 4. **💭 Reflection** (2-3 sentences) - What did you learn? - Which installation was easier/harder and why? ### Submission Details - **📍 Where**: Toledo Ultra → Assignments → "CA Lab: Linux Installation" - **⏰ Deadline**: Before next lab session (check course schedule) - **📝 Format**: PDF, DOC, or DOCX - **📏 Max size**: 10 MB - **🏷️ Filename**: `LastName_FirstName_CA_Lab_Installation.pdf`

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✅ Grading Rubric

Your submission will be evaluated on:

Criteria	Points	Description
AlmaLinux Working	35%	Installation successful, screenshots complete
Ubuntu Working	35%	Installation successful, screenshots complete
Documentation Quality	20%	Clear screenshots, organized submission
Reflection & Learning	10%	Thoughtful reflection on the process

Total: 100 points (contributes to your 20% continuous assessment)

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🆘 Getting Help

If You Encounter Problems

1. 📖 Check the documentation
   • Review 02-downloads.md
   • Check troubleshooting section
2. 💬 Use Discussion Forums
   • Post on Toledo Ultra Discussions
   • Include error messages/screenshots
   • Describe what you’ve already tried
3. 🏢 Office Hours
   • Visit lecturer office hours
   • Bring your laptop if possible
4. 🤝 Collaborate (but don’t copy)
   • Help each other troubleshoot
   • Share solutions to common problems
   • But submit your own work and screenshots

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💡 Common Issues and Solutions

Issue: VM is very slow

Solutions:

• ✅ Allocate more RAM (if host has enough)
• ✅ Enable VT-x/AMD-V in BIOS
• ✅ Use minimal installation (AlmaLinux)
• ✅ Close unnecessary host applications

Issue: Can’t download ISO files

Solutions:

• ✅ Use alternative mirror sites
• ✅ Try downloading on campus network
• ✅ Use torrent downloads (if available)
• ✅ Ask lecturers for USB installation media

Issue: Installation hangs or freezes

Solutions:

• ✅ Verify ISO integrity (check MD5/SHA256)
• ✅ Re-download ISO file
• ✅ Increase VM resources
• ✅ Try different virtualization software

Issue: Network not working in VM

Solutions:

• ✅ Check VM network settings (NAT recommended)
• ✅ Restart VM
• ✅ Check host firewall settings
• ✅ Try bridged networking instead

Issue: Not enough disk space

Solutions:

• ✅ Free up space on host system
• ✅ Use external HDD for VMs
• ✅ Consider WSL2 (uses less space)
• ✅ Use minimal installations

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🎯 Success Checklist

Before submitting, verify:

• ✅ AlmaLinux 9.3 is installed and boots successfully
• ✅ Ubuntu 22.04 is installed and boots successfully
• ✅ Both systems have network connectivity
• ✅ You can login to both systems
• ✅ All required screenshots are clear and readable
• ✅ Document is properly formatted and organized
• ✅ Your name and student ID are on the document
• ✅ File is named correctly
• ✅ Submitted before the deadline

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🚀 Bonus Challenges (Optional)

Want to go further? Try these optional extras:

• 🌟 Install Guest Additions/Tools for better VM integration
• 🌟 Set up SSH access to both VMs
• 🌟 Create VM snapshots for backup
• 🌟 Configure shared folders between host and VMs
• 🌟 Install additional software packages
• 🌟 Customize the desktop environment (Ubuntu)

Note: Bonus challenges are not required but show initiative!

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📚 Learning Outcomes

By completing this lab, you will:

• ✅ Understand the Linux installation process
• ✅ Gain experience with different Linux distributions
• ✅ Learn virtualization basics
• ✅ Develop troubleshooting skills
• ✅ Build confidence working with Linux systems

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