OS Lab 1 - Installing Linux

This laboratory establishes the working environment for the remainder of the course. By the end, you will have a clean Ubuntu 24.04 LTS virtual machine, a shell-first workflow via Windows Terminal using SSH, and two verification screenshots.

Expanded introduction

Linux (course context)

Linux is a kernel that manages hardware resources and provides core services such as process scheduling, memory management, and device I/O. In practice, learners interact with complete GNU/Linux distributions that combine the Linux kernel with user-space tooling, a package manager, and configuration defaults. In this course, most activities occur in the POSIX shell environment with GNU/Linux extensions because this is the most direct setting for exploring processes, filesystems, permissions, pipelines, and scripting. The shell and standard utilities are defined by the POSIX specifications to promote portability across Unix-like systems (see the references below).

Ubuntu and distributions

Ubuntu is a widely used GNU/Linux distribution that emphasizes sensible defaults, extensive package repositories, and strong hardware and cloud support. It is a pragmatic choice for instruction because it balances stability with access to current toolchains and documentation.

Ubuntu LTS releases

Ubuntu provides two release types: interim releases on a 6‑month cadence and Long-Term Support (LTS) releases every two years. LTS releases receive five years of standard security updates, with optional extended coverage through Ubuntu Pro/ESM. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS ("Noble Numbat") has standard support through April 2029. This stability reduces environmental drift during a semester and simplifies troubleshooting and grading.

Virtual machines for teaching

A virtual machine provides an isolated, reproducible environment. You can experiment freely, take snapshots, and return to a known state when needed. This approach minimizes host-specific issues and keeps attention on operating-systems concepts.

Why the GUI appears only once

After initial verification, work proceeds primarily in the shell. This aligns the lab activities with the course focus and reduces overhead. The Ubuntu desktop is used only to confirm a successful installation and to capture one required screenshot.

Objectives and deliverables

You will

• Provision Ubuntu 24.04 LTS in VirtualBox on Windows (via the referenced installation guide).
• Perform a brief post-install verification in the Ubuntu GUI.
• Enable SSH on the VM and connect from Windows Terminal.
• Install and run fastfetch to verify system details.

Submit to the LMS

• Screenshot #1: fastfetch running in the Ubuntu GUI Terminal.
• Screenshot #2: fastfetch running in Windows Terminal after SSH into the VM.

Host prerequisites (Windows 10/11)

• Virtualization enabled (Task Manager → Performance → CPU → Virtualization: Enabled).
• ~30 GB free disk; ≥8 GB RAM (allocate ≥4 GB to the VM).
• VirtualBox, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Desktop ISO, and Windows Terminal installed.

Installation (external tutorial)

Follow this tutorial to create the VM and install Ubuntu 24.04 LTS in VirtualBox on Windows. When finished, return to this guide for the post‑installation steps.

• How to Install Ubuntu 24.04 Virtual Machine on a Windows PC (Automatic Addison).

Networking choice during VM creation: use Bridged Adapter so the VM obtains a LAN IP address, which simplifies SSH from Windows Terminal.

Post-installation: one-time GUI verification and update

1. Log in to the Ubuntu desktop.
2. Open Terminal (Activities → search "Terminal").
3. Verify basic network connectivity:

ping -c 2 ubuntu.com

1. Update the system:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

You will install fastfetch shortly and take the first screenshot.

Terminal primer

The following commands will be used frequently throughout the course.

Help and documentation

command --help
man command     # press q to quit

Navigation and files

pwd
ls -la
cd ~/; mkdir lab1 && cd lab1
touch notes.txt
nano notes.txt   # Ctrl+O (save), Enter, Ctrl+X (exit)
cp notes.txt notes.bak
mv notes.txt notes.md
rm -i notes.bak

Viewing and searching

ls -la | less
less /etc/os-release
grep -n "NAME" /etc/os-release

Processes

ps aux | less
top

Packages

sudo apt update
apt-cache search curl

Enable SSH in Ubuntu (inside the VM)

Install and start the SSH server:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y openssh-server
sudo systemctl enable --now ssh
sudo systemctl status ssh   # should indicate "active (running)"

Determine the VM’s IP address (assuming Bridged networking):

hostname -I      # select the LAN IPv4 address (e.g., 192.168.x.y)
# or:
ip -br a         # locate the UP interface (e.g., enp0s3) and its IPv4 address

Install and run fastfetch (inside the VM)

fastfetch provides a concise system overview (OS, kernel, CPU, memory, GPU).

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y fastfetch
fastfetch

Windows Terminal + SSH (primary workflow)

Open Windows Terminal (PowerShell profile), then connect to the VM:

ssh youruser@VM_IP

On first connection, accept the host key (type yes) and enter your Ubuntu password.

Verify and run:

whoami
hostname -I
fastfetch

Optional: create a Windows Terminal profile that launches ssh youruser@VM_IP for quicker access in future labs.

Submission

Upload both images to the Lab 1 assignment in the LMS:

• fastfetch_gui_<yourname>.png
• fastfetch_ssh_<yourname>.png

Focused troubleshooting

VM offers only 32-bit or fails to start

Enable Intel VT-x/AMD-V in BIOS/UEFI. Ensure that no other hypervisor is reserving hardware virtualization.

No network or cannot SSH

VirtualBox → VM Settings → Network → Adapter 1: Bridged Adapter.

In Ubuntu:

ip -br a               # confirm an IPv4 address is assigned
systemctl status ssh   # should be active (running)
sudo systemctl restart ssh
ping -c 2 8.8.8.8      # basic connectivity check

Authentication issues

Use the username created during installation and re-enter the password carefully (no characters echo in the terminal).

fastfetch not found

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y fastfetch

References

• Ubuntu release cycle and support windows (including 24.04 LTS): Ubuntu Release Cycle.
• Ubuntu 24.04 LTS support horizon (standard support through April 2029): Ubuntu Release Cycle and vendor communications.
• POSIX shell and utilities overview: The Open Group Base Specifications Issue 7, 2018 edition.
• Installation walkthrough used for this lab: How to Install Ubuntu 24.04 Virtual Machine on a Windows PC (Automatic Addison).