Glossary & Appendix
Glossary of Terms
Section titled “Glossary of Terms”Distro (Distribution) A specific version of Linux that includes the kernel, system utilities, distinct software packages, and configuration tools. Examples include Ubuntu, Debian, Rocky Linux, and Fedora.
GUI (Graphical User Interface) A visual way of interacting with a computer using items such as windows, icons, and menus, used by most modern operating systems. Linux servers often run without a GUI (headless) to save resources.
Kernel The core component of an operating system. It manages the operations of the computer and the hardware, most notably memory and CPU time.
LVM (Logical Volume Manager) A device mapper framework that provides logical volume management for the Linux kernel. It allows for flexible resizing of partitions.
LTS (Long Term Support) A product lifecycle management policy for computer software, stable for a longer period than standard editions. Ubuntu LTS releases need to be supported for 5 years.
Package Manager
A collection of software tools that automates the process of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing computer programs. Examples: apt (Debian/Ubuntu), dnf (RHEL/Rocky).
POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface) A family of standards specified by the IEEE Computer Society for maintaining compatibility between operating systems.
Repository (Repo) A storage location for software packages. Linux systems use repositories to download and update software securely.
Shell A computer program which exposes an operating system’s services to a human user or other programs. In general, operating system shells use either a command-line interface (CLI) or graphical user interface (GUI).
SSH (Secure Shell) A cryptographic network protocol for operating network services securely over an unsecured network. It is the standard method for remote Linux administration.
Systemd A software suite that provides an array of system components for Linux operating systems. Its main aim is to unify service configuration and behavior across Linux distributions.