Linux + Red Hat + 🪟 Windows (Quiz Prep Notes)
1. Basic Linux Knowledge
• Linux → Open-source operating system kernel (developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991).
• Distributions (Distros) → Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat, CentOS, Debian, etc.
• Kernel → Core of OS, manages hardware + software interaction.
• File System Hierarchy:
o /home → User files
o /etc → Configuration files
o /bin → Essential commands
o /var → Logs, variable data
o /root → Root home
• Users: Root (superuser), Normal users
Kernel
• Definition: The core part of an Operating System that acts as a bridge between
hardware and software.
• Responsibilities:
o Process management (CPU scheduling, multitasking)
o Memory management (allocation, swapping)
o Device management (drivers, I/O control)
o File system management
o System security & permissions
• Types of Kernels:
o Monolithic Kernel → All OS services run in kernel space (e.g., Linux).
o Microkernel → Only core functions in kernel space; rest in user space (e.g.,
Minix, QNX).
o Hybrid Kernel → Combination of both (e.g., Windows, macOS).
• Kernel in Linux: Monolithic, but modular (supports loadable kernel modules like device
drivers).
• Kernel in Windows: Hybrid kernel.
2. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
• RHEL = Red Hat Enterprise Linux, a commercial distro based on Fedora.
• Mostly used in servers, enterprises, cloud, and security environments.
• Package Manager:
o Older versions: yum (Yellowdog Updater Modified)
o Newer versions: dnf (Dandified YUM)
• SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux) → Extra layer of security in Red Hat.
• System Management Tools:
o systemctl → Manage services
o firewalld → Firewall management
• Subscription Manager → RHEL requires license/subscription for updates.
3. Common Linux Commands
File & Directory
• pwd → Print working directory
• ls → List files
• cd <dir> → Change directory
• mkdir <dir> → Make directory
• rmdir <dir> → Remove empty directory
• touch file.txt → Create empty file
• cp file1 file2 → Copy file
• mv file1 file2 → Move/Rename file
• rm file.txt → Remove file
File Viewing
• cat file.txt → View file content
• less file.txt → View file page by page
• head -n 10 file.txt → Show first 10 lines
• tail -n 10 file.txt → Show last 10 lines
User & Permission
• whoami → Show current user
• id → Show user ID & group
• su - → Switch user (root)
• chmod 755 file → Change permissions
• chown user:group file → Change ownership
Process & System
• ps → Show running processes
• top → Real-time process view
• kill <PID> → Kill process
• uname -r → Show kernel version
• df -h → Show disk usage
• free -m → Show memory usage
Package Management (Red Hat)
• yum install httpd → Install package (old)
• dnf install httpd → Install package (new)
• rpm -qa → List installed packages
Service Management (Red Hat)
• systemctl start httpd → Start Apache
• systemctl stop httpd → Stop Apache
• systemctl enable httpd → Enable at boot
• systemctl status httpd → Check status
4. Windows Basics
• Developed by Microsoft (Bill Gates, 1985 onwards)
• Proprietary (paid license)
• Kernel: Hybrid
• File System: NTFS, FAT32 (case-insensitive)
• Security: Lower (target for malware/viruses)
• Usage: Desktops, offices, gaming
5. Linux vs Windows Comparison
Feature Linux (Red Hat) Windows
License Open-source (RHEL = commercial) Proprietary, paid license
Cost Mostly free; RHEL = subscription Paid license
File System Ext4, XFS, Btrfs (case-sensitive) NTFS, FAT32 (case-insensitive)
Security High (multi-user, SELinux) Lower (more malware/viruses)
User Access Root (superuser), normal users Administrator, standard users
Package
YUM / DNF / RPM .exe, .msi installers
Manager
Automatic updates (Windows
Updates Manual or controlled (yum/dnf)
Update)
Customizability Highly customizable (open-source) Limited (closed-source)
Widely used (over 70% of web
Usage in Servers Rare in servers, common in desktops
servers)
Performance Lightweight, runs on old systems Heavy, requires more resources
Command Line Powerful (bash, shell) CMD/PowerShell (less powerful)
Shortcut Tricks for Quiz
• If Server-related → Linux/RedHat.
• If Desktop/Office/Gaming → Windows.
• If Security → Linux wins.
• If User-friendly GUI → Windows wins.
• Think of Linux in 3 words → USER, FILES, PROCESSES.
