Chapter 1. Quick Start Installation

Linux is an extremely powerful operating system. It can be installed in a number of different configurations: for example, as a single desktop, as a file and print server, or with a custom combination of components. Linux can be installed to occupy the entire file system of your computer or to co-exist with another operating system (such as Microsoft Windows). This "Quick Start" chapter assumes that you will be turning your computer over to Linux in its entirety.

As you are quite possibly all too aware, Windows computers running on the Intel platform come with a mind-boggling array of hardware peripherals, components, and configurations. Although it is becoming somewhat more mainstream to purchase an Intel-compatible machine with Linux preinstalled, most likely you will be installing Linux on a machine running Windows.

The combination of a flexible and powerful operating system and the possibility of installation on a huge variety of hardware leads to complex installation issues.

As explained in the introduction, Linux itself is freely distributable software. A large part of the value added by Red Hat—and some other Linux vendors—is the software these vendors have added to make installation of the Linux operating system (and the software running on Linux) easier.

This "Quick Start" chapter is intended to show you how to install Linux using the CD that accompanies this book. It covers a typical installation and does not attempt to troubleshoot all possible problems. (You'll find lots of information on customizing Linux in the other chapters in Part I of the Red Hat Linux 6: Visual Quick Pro Guide.)

In other words, the goal of this chapter is to get you up and running on Linux with no pain and in no time at all.