OBJECTIVE:
To expose students to FOSS environment and introduce them to use openI am very happy to see this in Anna University Syllabus. Great initiation
source
packages
1. Kernel configuration, compilation and installation : Download / access
the
latest kernel source code from kernel.org,compile the kernel and
install it in the
local system.Try to view the source code of the kernel
2. Virtualisation environment (e.g., xen, kqemu or lguest) to test
an applications,
new kernels and isolate applications. It could also be used to
expose students to
other alternate OSs like *BSD
3. Compiling from source : learn about the various build systems
used like the
auto* family, cmake, ant etc. instead of just running the
commands. This could
involve the full process like fetching from a cvs and also
include autoconf,
automake etc.,
4. Introduction to packet management system : Given a set of RPM or DEB,
how to build and maintain, serve packages over http or ftp. and
also how do you
configure client systems to access the package repository.
5. Installing various software packages
Either the package is yet to be installed or an older version
is existing. The
student can practice installing the latest version. Of course,
this might need
internet access.
Install samba and share files to windows
Install Common Unix Printing System(CUPS)
6. Write userspace drivers using fuse -- easier to debug and less
dangerous to
the system (Writing full-fledged drivers is difficult at student
level)
7. GUI programming : a sample programme ? using Gambas since the students
have VB knowledge. However, one should try using GTK or QT
8. Version Control System setup and usage using RCS, CVS, SVN
9. Text processing with Perl: simple programs, connecting with database
e.g.,
MYSQL
10. Running PHP : simple applications like login forms after
setting up a LAMP stack
11. Running Python : some simple exercise ? e.g. Connecting with
MySql database
12. Set up the complete network interface usinf ifconfig command liek
setting
gateway, DNS, IP tables, etc.,
Resources :
An environment like FOSS Lab Server (developed by NRCFOSS containing the
various
packages)
OR
Equivalent system with Linux distro supplemented with relevant packages
Note:
Once the list of experiments are finalised, NRCFOSS can generate full
lab manuals
complete with exercises, necessary downloads, etc. These could be made
available on
NRCFOSS web portal.
TOTAL: 45 PERIODS
LIST OF EQUIPMENTS:
Hardware:
Minimum Requirements:
- 700 Mhz X86 Processor
- 384 MB of system memory (RAM)
- 40 GB of disk space
- Graphics card capable of 1024*768 resolution
- Sound Card
- Network or Internet Connection
Software:
Latest distribution of Linux
