Introduction to the RaspberryPi

Duration: 3 Days

Course Background

The goals of this course are to get attendees up to speed with the basics of setting up and running applications on Linux systems. The course will cover not only Linux running on the Raspberry Pi, but, also regular Linux running either standalone or on VMWare running on a Window platform. In this way attendees will be introduced to Linux in general, and to Linux on the RaspberryPi in particular. Attendees will also learn how to set up and configure RaspberryPi's and connect up displays, mice and keyboards, as well as how to connect RaspberryPi's to computer networks.

At the Linux user level the course covers key topics essential to understanding Linux such as logging on, Linux file systems, TCP/IP networking, user accounts and security, the Linux boot process, terminals and serial ports, and basic shell programming.

Each attendee will be given a RaspberryPi to take with them after the course, and, much more importantly the knowledge and confidence to apply their new found skills not only to Linux running on a PC or a RasbperryPi, but to other Linux devices also.

This is a practical hands on course with the split between theory and practice being about 50% theory and 50% practice

Course Benefits

Getting started with Linux is a daunting task, and Linux on a small embedded system such as the RaspberryPi appears to be even more daunting. There are so many things to learn all at once. This includes such things as finding your way around linux, as well as understanding a whole host of commands and utilities. Worry not - the whole point of this course is to expose all these mysteries in a logical, structured and understandable way.

You'll learn fundamentals such as user accounts, Unix permissions and access control. You'll gain confidence in finding your way around Linux system installations using standard Linux commands.

You'll become familiar with the vi editor and be able to use it proficiently to create and modify files. You'll learn, the principles of how Linux boots, both on PCs (GRUB, LILO) and on embedded systems (U-Boot).

You'll get a good introduction to working with the standard Unix tools and utilities (including the BusyBox toolset on the RaspberryPi). You'll also learn how to set up and configure disk based, in memory, and flash file systems.

You'll gain the skills needed to configure ethernet and serial communications ports and TCP/IP networking. And you'll learn how to use package managers (both RPM and APT) to install software.

Course Prerequisites and Target Audience

Attendees should have some familiarity with using computers and possibly some basic programming experience, e.g. with JavaScript, or Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). You are not required to be Linux experts, or even to have much experience with Linux systems. A positive attitude to open source software is, however, very helpful, as well as an enthusiasm for exploring and playing around with new technoloties. The goals of this course are to get. The course will cover not only Linux running on the Raspberry Pi, but, also regular Linux running either standalone or on VMWare running on a Window platform.

Course Outline

Getting Started

Starting up Linux on a PC and starting up Linux on a RaspberryPi
Logging on to Linux
Linux as a multi-user, multi-tasking operating system
Accessing the command line (terminal and desktop)
Accessing and using manual pages

Working with the command line and the shell

Introduction to command shells
Understanding command syntax
Executing commands at the command line
Common command line tasks
Piping and redirection
Managing user accounts
Performing RPM and APT package related operations

Managing directories and files

Understanding the filesystem hierarchy standard (FHS)
Changing directories and listing directory contents
Creating, viewing and appending files
Copying and moving files and directories
Creating directories
Deleting files and directories
Finding files on linux
Managing file permissions and ownership

Basic use of the vi text editor

Understanding and viewing processes

Viewing processes from the command line
Understanding the runlevel concept
Understanding the concepts underlying multiuser processes, multitasking and multi-threading

Managing the network configuration

Basic network configuration
Overview of the network-related command-line tools

Managing user access and security

Basic Linux user security features
Managing Linux users and groups
Managing and securing the linux user environment
Securing files and directories with permissions

Setting up a linux file system

An overview of the various types of Linux filesystems
Overview of configuring linux filesystem partitions
Overview of configuring and managing a linux file system
Backing up and restoring a file system
Working with Flash File Systems and SD/MMC cards

Understanding System initialisation

Overview of bootloaders and the Linux boot process
Overview of run levels and system settings
Overview of startup shell scripts and services

Connecting a system to the network

Network components and architecture
Configuring a network connection
Configuring and managing routes
Testing a network interface
Enabling network services

Installing and Configuring Linux