Tutorial2: Unix / Linux File Management

UNIX / LINUX FILE MANAGEMEN

Main Objectives of this Practice Tutorial

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Tutorial Reference Material

Course Notes / Software		Linux Command/Shortcut Reference		YouTube Videos
Course Notes: PDF | PPTX Tutorials: Vi Reference Sheet Les Czegel's Week 2 Notes (HTML)		Directory and File Management Commands pwd cd ls mkdir rmdir cp mv rm , rm -r	Text File Management Commands cat more , less touch file find diff Text Editors vi nano	Brauer Instructional Videos: Basic File Actions (touch, ls -l, cp, cp -r, mv, mkdir, mkdir -p, rm, rmdir, rm -r), Relative-to-home Paths Reading/Writing to Files (echo, stdin, stdout, stderr, >, >>, 2>, cat, more, less, man, date, diff, diff -y, find, wc

Unix / Linux File Management Concepts

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INVESTIGATION 1: MANAGING DIRECTORy FILES

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Part 1: Creating / Removing Directories

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Perform the Following Steps:

1. x

Part 2: Creating / Copying / Moving / Removing Files

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Perform the Following Steps:

1. x
   
   

In the next section, you will learn how to connect to your Matrix server account from a different computer
(for example: your laptop computer at Seneca College or your computer at home).

Part 2: Access your Matrix Account From your own computer within or outside the Seneca College Network

You will learn how to connect to your Matrix Linux account from your own computer whether it be a laptop computer or your home computer.

This would be useful if you want to access your Matrix Linux account on your own computer to practice Linux commands or perform your assignment outside of the scheduled class-time.

We will be learning to use a different SSH application called "Putty". In this way, you will be exposed to a few SSH applications to help you decide which SSH application you are most comfortable.

Perform the following steps:

1. Click on the following link to download the Putty executable file:
   http://the.earth.li/~sgtatham/putty/latest/x86/putty.exe
   

   Putty Application Icon
   
   
   NOTE: If you are interested in downloading and installing other SSH applications (including the
   SSH Secure Shell Client application used in part 1), refer to week 1 links in the ULI101 Weekly Schedule.
   
   
2. The putty executable file does not install the Putty program: Instead, run this program, by opening a file manager, moving to the Downloads directory and double-clicking on the putty.exe file.
   
   
   

   Putty Configuration Window
3. The Putty configuration window will appear.
   
   You can configure the SSH application to adjust elements such as the window size and text font type and text font size. We will be showing you how to configure your SSH Secure Shell Client, but the other applications can allow you to configure their settings.
   
   
4. To change the size of your shell window, click Window
   
   
5. Change the rows and columns to larger values.
   
   
6. To change the font size, under the Window section, click Appearance
   
   
7. In the left window under Font Settings, click the Change button.
   
   
8. Select a larger font size and click Apply
   
   
9. You will return to the Putty Configuration window.
   
   
10. To login to your Matrix Linux account, click on Sessions
    
    
11. In the Host Name sectionand enter the text: matrix
    
    NOTE: You can use the hostname matrix since you are located inside Seneca's network.
    If you where located outside Seneca's network, then you would need to enter the full domain name: matrix.senecac.on.ca
    
    
    

    Login to Matrix Server
12. Click on the Open button and the Putty session window should appear.
    
    
13. Enter your username when prompted.
    
    
14. Enter your password when prompted.
    
    
    

    Dialog Box to Share Public Key on Remote Server
15. When connecting securely from the putty application for the first time, a dialog box will appear to share a "public key" with your Matrix account in order to make your interaction between your workstation and the remote Linux server secure within the network (i.e. encrypted to prevent unauthorized access by other users)
    
    
16. Click the Yes button to share your public key.
    
    NOTE: If you encounter an error message, this can occur for several reasons:
    1. You mis-spelled the name of the server
    2. You mis-spelled your Matrix username (same username that you connect to my.senecacollege.ca)
    3. You have CAPS LOCK on by mistake (your username should be lowercase only).
    4. You mis-spelled your password (same password that you connect to my.senecacollege.ca)
    
    If you encountered an error logging in, issue the same steps to connect to your Matrix account,
    but carefully check your server name, username and your password. If you continue to experience the same problems,
    you can go to the computer help desk in the learning commons to get help.
    
    
    

    Putty Shell Command Line Interface
17. If you followed the login sequence correctly, the Putty Shell window will appear where you can issue Linux commands.
    
    
18. To exit your Matrix session, type the following command and press ENTER: exit
    
    NOTE: You should notice that the Putty application window will disappear.
    
    
19. It is recommended to repeat these steps with connecting to your Matrix account from a Seneca lab workstation until you become comfortable with the process.
    
    

In the next investigation, you will learn how to issue Linux commands and how to setup and perform the first two sections of the online ULI101 assignment #1.

INVESTIGATION 2: USING THE LINUX SHELL / ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS

In this section, you will learn how to use the Linux Shell. Topics in the section include:

• Learn the Linux command structure (arguments and options)
• Learn how to get help for Linux commands with manpages (man command).
• Learn Basic Shell Editing
• Learn how to perform online assignments.
• Perform the first two sections of online assignment #1.
  
  

Part 1: Using the Linux Shell

The Bash shell in Matrix allows you to interact with your account by issuing commands.

Some Linux commands can be issued by entering the Linux command line without arguments (e.g. pwd, date, ls, cal),
but some Linux commands can be issued with arguments (e.g. cal 2002, cd /bin, ls -la ).

Linux Command Structure

command argument1 argument2 ...

An argument can be a pathname, text, option, etc.

For example:

• The ls command displays a listing of filenames in the current directory
• The ls /bin command displays a listing of filenames in the /bin directory (as opposed to your current directory)
• The ls -l command displays a detailed listing of filenames in the current directory
• The ls -l /bin command displays a details listing of files in the /bin directory

Getting Help with Linux Commands

With the Linux OS containing over 2500 commands and utilities, it is good for a Linux user or sysadmin to learn about how to use commands “on-the-fly”.

The man command can provide information on how to use a command (i.e. usage, arguments, options, examples).
The commands are classified into sections or “volumes”.

Perform the Following Steps:

1. Make certain that you are logged into your Matrix account.
   
   
2. Issue the following command: man man
   How many volume numbers are contained in the man pages (like executable commands/programs, games, or system administrator commands)?
   
   
3. Press the letter q to exit the man command.
   
   
4. Issue the Linux command to get help with the command: ls
   
   NOTE: You can use the following short-cut keys within the man command to
   help navigate throughout this utility to get help with the ls command (refer to table below):
   
   

   Keyboard Shortcut	Purpose
   ENTER	Move down one line
   SPACEBAR	Move one screen down
   <ctrl><f>	Move one screen up
   /pattern/	Search for Pattern
   q	quit man utility

   
   
5. Navigate through the man utility for the ls Linux command and note the option letters that correspond to the following:
   
   • Include directory entries whose names begin with a dot
   • List in long format
   • Recursively list subdirectories encountered
   • Sort files by size
   • Display a slash (`/') immediately after each pathname that is a directory
   
   
6. Exit the man utility for the ls command.
   
   
7. Issue the ls command for each of those option letters you wrote down to see how this command differs for each option.
   
   NOTE: The man utility can be used with the -k option to help list Linux commands that match a text pattern that is contained within the help screen for a Linux command.
   
   
8. Although we will not be learning about pipeline commands (using the | character) until later, try issuing the following pipeline command: man -k copy | grep 8
   How this this pipeline command make it easier to obtain information regarding man command?
   
   
9. If you wish to change your password, you can change it by issuing the command: passwd
   What option for the passwd command can be used to change user info (such as name)?
   Hint: use the manpages for the passwd command.
   
   NOTE: You are NOT required to change your Matrix password for this tutorial. The Matrix server is "synched" with the my.senecacollege.ca server, so it is better to have your Matrix password changed at the same time that you change your myseneca password.
   
   

Command Line Editing

Learning shortcut keys in any OS terminal will allow you to be more productive as a sysadmin. You will focus on learning a few common Bash Shell keyboard shortcut keys and learn where you can access online help for additional shortcuts (if required).

Perform the Following Steps:

1. Type the following Linux command, but DON’T press the ENTER key: cd /bin
   
   
2. Press the ctrl-a key combination. What happens?
   
   
3. Press the alt-F key combination (ESC+F for Mac OSx). What happens?
   
   
4. Press the ctrl-w shortcut. What happens?
   
   
5. Type the following command: ls
   
   
6. Press the ctrl-e key combination and press ENTER
   
   
7. Press the up arrow key. What happens?
   
   
8. Press the ctrl-u key combination. What happens?
   
   
9. Press the up arrow key combination, and see what happens when you press BACKSPACE , <ctrl><BACKSPACE> and <ctrl><h>. Why is it important to know those series of key combinations?
   
   
10. Press the ctrl-u key combination to clear the line.
    
    
11. Press the ctrl-l key combination. What happens? What is the advantage of using this key combination then issuing the clear command?
    
    

Part 2: Performing Online Assignments

You are required to perform 3 online assignments during this course. This online assignment is used to teach and reinforce Linux commands are techniques as well as using Linux commands to perform tasks and tests students on their knowledge of issuing Linux commands.

In this section, you will learn to select the correct section for your online assignments, how to perform the first two sections of assignment #1, how to verify that you successfully completed both sections, and how to exit your online assignment #1.

Perform the following steps:

Initial Assignment Window to Allow Student to Select Correct Course Section.

1. In your Matrix account, issue the following command:
   ~uli101/assign1
   
   
2. A screen similar to the one displayed on the right will appear.
   
   WARNING: You need to select the CORRECT section for the course which you belong to.
   If you do NOT select your correct section, your assignment may not be recorded for marks!
   
   
3. Select the letter(s) corresponding to the correct ULI101 section and professor and press ENTER
   
   
4. After you have selected your course section, There will be a screen that provides several important notes before proceeding.
   Please take a few moments to read those notes and press ENTER to proceed.
   
   
   

   Main Assignment Window to View Which Sections Need to be Completed.
5. The assignment main menu will then be displayed.
   
   NOTES:
   • Near the bottom of the window, you will see "You are currently registered to" followed by the section letter and instructor name. Double-check your course timetable to confirm that this the correct section letter. If you have selected the WRONG section, type C in the menu selection area and press ENTER. You will return back to the original window to select your correct course section.
     
     
   • Near the top of the window displays the sections to complete in the assignment. You are NOT required to complete all sections at the same time. You can check the assignment #1 link on the ULI101 main WIKI page to note the due date for assignment #1. Sections that are NOT completed will be displayed in reverse text with a blue background. On the other hand, when you compete a section, then the section will appear as regular text
     (i.e not in reverse text).
     
     
     

     Main Assignment Window to Confirm Which Sections Have or Have Not Been Completed.
   • If you want to verify that you have completed sections for the assignment, look for the text "Marks earned so far for ULI101 Assignment:" and it will show how many sections have been completed. When it shows all sections completed, then your assignment is finished and you should receive full marks provided that you have selected your correct course section.
     
     
6. At the menu assignment #1 window, enter 1 in the menu selection area to begin the first section called "Introduction to Unix Commands".
   
   
7. When you have completed this section, you will be returned to the main window.
   View the contents of this window to confirm that you completed this section.
   
   
8. When you have time this week, enter 2 in the menu selection area to begin the first section called "Basic Unix Commands".
   
   
9. When you have completed this section, you will be returned to the main window.
   View the contents of this window to confirm that you completed this section.
   
   NOTE: Although you are NOT allowed to use reference sheets for course evaluations, it is recommended to create one for your personal use, and write down Linux commands, their arguments and options, so your can successfully perform quizzes, midterm exam, and final exam.
   
   
10. Proceed to the next section to perform additional practice. Linux is about "doing"! The more practice questions you perform, the better mark you will achieve for this course and have a better foundation of issuing Linux commands to be more productive in your future courses.
    
    

LINUX PRACTICE QUESTIONS

The purpose of this section is to obtain extra practice to help with quizzes, your midterm, and your final exam.

Here is a link to the MS Word Document of ALL of the questions displayed below but with extra room to answer on the document to simulate a quiz:

https://ict.senecacollege.ca/~murray.saul/uli101/uli101_week1_practice.docx

Your instructor may take-up these questions during class. It is up to the student to attend classes in order to obtain the answers to the following questions. Your instructor will NOT provide these answers in any other form (eg. e-mail, etc).

Review Questions:

1. What is a “Linux Cluster”? What is an advantage of using a Linux cluster?
2. List three unique server names at Seneca college and briefly explain the purpose of that server.
3. List the steps to connect and login to your Matrix Linux server account from a workstation in a computer lab at Seneca College.
4. List the steps to connect and login to your Matrix Seneca College account on your laptop or your home computer.
5. List 3 unique ways to log-out of your Matrix account (not including closing the SSH window or application).
6. What is the difference between a Linux command and an argument?
7. What is the purpose of a Linux command option?
8. What character(s) is used to separate commands and arguments?
9. Create a table listing each Linux command, useful options that were mentioned in the online assignment #1 and command purpose for the following Linux commands: pwd , cd , ls , cal , date , who , w , whoami , who am I , clear

Tutorial2: Unix / Linux File Management