What are the common features of linux operating system and minimum hardware requirement to install linux on any system?
Answers
Following are some of the common features of Linux Operating System:
-> Portable − Portability means software can works on different types of hardware in same way. Linux kernel and application programs supports their installation on any kind of hardware platform.
-> Open Source − Linux source code is freely available and it is community based development project. Multiple teams work in collaboration to enhance the capability of Linux operating system and it is continuously evolving.
-> Multi-User − Linux is a multiuser system means multiple users can access system resources like memory/ ram/ application programs at same time.
-> Multiprogramming − Linux is a multiprogramming system means multiple applications can run at same time.
-> Hierarchical File System − Linux provides a standard file structure in which system files/ user files are arranged.
-> Shell − Linux provides a special interpreter program which can be used to execute commands of the operating system. It can be used to do various types of operations, call application programs. etc.
-> Security − Linux provides user security using authentication features like password protection/ controlled access to specific files/ encryption of data.
The minimum hardware requirements to install Linux on any system are mentioned below:Motherboard and CPU Requirements:-Linux currently supports systems with an Intel 80386, 80486, Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium II, and Pentium III CPU.
Memory Requirements: Linux requires very little memory to run compared to other advanced operating systems. You should have at the very least 8 MB of RAM; however, it’s strongly suggested that you have at least 16 MB. The more memory you have, the faster the system will run. Linux can support the full 32-bit address range of the 80×86; in other words, it will utilize all of your RAM automatically. Amounts of RAM greater than 64 MB need a boot-time parameter. Hard Drive Space Requirements: The amount of hard drive space you will require depends greatly on your needs and the amount of software you’re installing. Linux is relatively small as Unix implementations go; you could run a complete system in 10 to 20 MB of space on your drive. However, if you want to have room for expansion, and for larger packages, such as the X Window System, you need more space. If you plan to allow multiple users to use the machine, you need to allocate storage for their files. Monitor and Video Adapter Requirements: Linux supports all standard Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA, IBM monochrome, and Super VGA video cards and monitors for the default text-based interface. In general, if the video card and monitor coupling works under another operating system such as Windows, it should work fine with Linux. Original IBM CGA cards suffer from “snow” under Linux, which is unpleasant. (If you have one of these cards, you might want to donate it to a museum anyway.)