In this chapter, we will explain a few basics about Linux. You will also find out how you can change to a graphic user interface and how to reboot and shut down your RevPi.
- Establish access to the RevPi base module via a terminal.
- Save your data before doing anything of a critical nature to your system, see Backing Up Data.
Linux Basics
Linux was developed as a multi-user system. Originally, various users worked on a Linux system who were managed by an administrator (user: root).
The Linux file system is structured accordingly. Linux saves files in a file directory tree. It begins with a root directory /(rootfs).
File | Contents |
/ | The root directory is at the very top of the hierarchy. |
/bin | Programmes that every user can use e.g Shells. |
/boot | All the files necessary to boot the system. |
/dev | Device files that are used as an interface to hardware. You can find entries here for all hard disks and their partitions. |
/etc | Configuration files that contain the programme settings or basic system information. |
/home | Home directory for all users. A separate file has to be set up for every user that is comparable with “My Documents” on Windows. Every user has full access rights. |
/lib | The system’s function libraries. Don’t change anything here! |
/proc | Interface to the kernel. Every current programme is listed in a sub-directory. These files contain information about the latest programme status. There is additionally a directory structure with data about the kernel and the system hardware. |
/root | The home directory for the system administrator (root). It lies on the root directory so that the system administrator can also access his files whenever a fault makes it impossible to access other partitions. |
/sbin | Programmes of the system administrator. |
/tmp | Temporary place for files. |
/usr | Installed software |
/var | Status information of the various programmes. Log files are good for searching for errors. |
/opt | (optional software) Commercial software or very big programmes that don’t directly belong to the system like for example KDE, Firefox usw. |
User Administration
When you log on your RevPi, you are automatically in your home directory as User pi@RevPi
. You will recognize it by the symbol ~
after your user name. In your home directory, you have the full access rights to all your files. Here is where you can archive and administer, for example, documents, videos or audio files.
You need system administrator rights for some functions. An example is the shutting down the RevPi.
Reboot and Shut Down RevPi
By writing sudo
before your command, you will be given system administrator rights for the specific command.
- Enter command
sudo reboot
to reboot the RevPi. - Enter command
sudo shutdown
to shut down the RevPi. - Enter command
sudo shutdown –h 0
to shut down the RevPi with no delay.
Linux Graphical User Inerface (GUI)
- Enter command
startx
to start GUI. - Enter command
sudo revpi-config enable gui
to boot directly to GUI.
Alternatively, enable / disable boot to GUI with RevPi Status or with Cockpit.
The GUI requires at least 40 MB of RAM. If you only need it occasionally and are not working in desktop mode, only start the GUI when you need it.