Linux and Servers
Lesson 1 / 20
Pingvi
What Linux is and why servers run on it
Kernel and distribution, the terminal, where to practise
Chapter 1. Linux basics
15 minutes
4 questions
Linux is a free and open-source operating system. Its core (kernel) was started in 1991 by a Finnish student, Linus Torvalds. Today a large share of internet servers, Android phones, routers and supercomputers run on Linux. This very site runs on a Linux server (Ubuntu).
Kernel and distribution
| Concept | What | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kernel | the central part that talks to the hardware | the Linux kernel |
| Distribution | kernel + programs + package manager — a ready system | Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Linux Mint |
One of the most popular choices for servers is Ubuntu Server (this course uses Ubuntu commands).
Why servers use Linux
- Free — no licence fees.
- Stable — runs for months without a reboot.
- Light — no graphical interface, only what's needed.
- Remote control — everything via text commands over SSH (chapter 2).
The terminal
A server has no mouse or windows — only a terminal: you type a command and get text back.
ubuntu@server:~$ whoami
ubuntu
ubuntu@server:~$ date
Tue Oct 13 16:00:00 UTC 2026
ubuntu@server:~$ is the prompt: user ubuntu, computer server, current folder ~ (home), $ — a regular user
(# means root, the all-powerful administrator).
Where to practise
| Option | For |
|---|---|
| WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) | Windows 10/11 — install Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store |
| VirtualBox + Ubuntu | any computer, a separate virtual machine |
| A free cloud server | real server experience (many providers have trial tiers) |
💡 Linux is case-sensitive:
File.txtandfile.txtare two different files.