Registration deadline: Thursday, August 27, 2026

Dates: September 9 to December 16, 2026
Schedule: Wednesday evenings, 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Delivery mode: Online
Language of instruction: English
Duration: 45 hours

*Cost: $225 – see eligibility requirements*.

Description

This 45-hour course is a foundation course built for learners who do not have prior Linux experience and who want to develop skills that encompass shell, services, and automation.

Specifically, in this course learners will :

  • Navigate the Linux filesystem, manage users/groups, and configure permissions.
  • Master advanced Bash scripting to automate complex repetitive tasks.
  • Manage running system services using Systemd (systemctl, journalctl).
  • Configure SSH for secure remote access including key-based authentication.
  • Schedule recurring jobs with cron and understand SELinux/AppArmor basics.
  • Monitor system performance with tools like top, htop, iostat, and vmstat.
  • Troubleshoot boot processes, recover corrupted systems, and manage logs.
  • Install, update, and manage software packages (APT, YUM/DNF, Snap).
  • Understand Linux networking: interfaces, routing tables, and firewall rules.

Prerequisites and Other Course Information

Prerequisites

  • Basic computer literacy — ability to install software, manage files, and navigate a graphical interface.
  • No prior Linux or command-line experience required; the course starts from absolute zero.
  • A personal computer capable of running a virtual machine is required for hands-on labs (see hardware below).
  • You must ensure that you have a stable internet connection and a device capable of supporting a Teams meeting with a working microphone and camera. It is also your responsibility to verify that your device is compatible with the applications and/or software covered in the course, if applicable.

Hardware Requirements

  • CPU: Dual-core processor or better (quad-core recommended for smoother VM performance).
  • RAM: Minimum 8 GB (16 GB recommended to run one or two Linux VMs concurrently).
  • Storage: At least 30 GB of free disk space for VM images and lab snapshots.
  • Network: Internet connection for package management (APT/YUM) and downloading VM images.

Software Requirements

  • Virtualization platform: VirtualBox (free) — students will install and run Ubuntu Server and/or CentOS/Rocky Linux as VMs.
  • SSH client: Built-in terminal on macOS/Linux; Windows users will use Windows Terminal with OpenSSH or PuTTY.
  • Text editor: nano and vim (covered in-class); VS Code with Remote-SSH extension recommended for convenience.
  • No paid software required — all distributions and tools used are free and open-source.
  • OS: Any — the host OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux) is used only to run VirtualBox; all course work happens inside the Linux VMs.

Attendance and Virtual Classroom Behavior

This course requires your individual presence and your active, consistent and sustained participation in your individual work.  Your individual responsibilities are to complete the work assigned, to be online and ready to work within the first five minutes of the class.

Active Participation

While the use of the camera remains optional, active participation implies that the learner takes part in discussions, answers and asks questions, either verbally or via the chat integrated into the meeting and participates in group and/or individual exercises.  The instructor’s feedback is taken into account to validate that a learner’s participation has met the expectations for issuing the certificate.

Electronic certificates of completion will be given to students who have attended and actively participated in 80% or more of the scheduled classes.  We will no longer issue paper certificates.

Register to this course