On-site Classes On-site: course

For in-person instructor-led classes you should receive an email 4-5 days before the course starts containing class information. If you haven't received the email two days before the class starts, please open a ticket at trainingsupport.linuxfoundation.org.

Or you can download the document (which covers all classes) from here.

You should receive an email about this course 4-5 days before the course starts containing class information. If you haven't received the email two days before the class starts, please open a ticket at trainingsupport.linuxfoundation.org.

You can download the class preparation document from here.

You can download a welcome document specific to your course by first clicking on the course below.

You will need to bring your own computer to class (ideally a laptop) in order to participate in class, and do the practice labs throughout the course. Your computer will have to have minimum specifications, and the appropriate SW installed in order to successfully complete the course.

Any recording of classes is forbidden.

Virtual Classes Virtual: course

For virtual instructor-led classes you will receive an email 4-5 days before the course starts containing class information. You will also receive a calendar invite with instructions for joining the virtual class. If you haven't received the email or calendar invite two days before the class starts, please open a ticket at trainingsupport.linuxfoundation.org.

You can download the generic welcome document (which covers all classes) from here.

You should receive an email and calendar invite about this course 4-5 days before the course starts containing specific class information, and instructions for joining the virtual class. If you haven't received the email two days before the class starts, please open a ticketat trainingsupport.linuxfoundation.org.

You can download the class preparation document from here.

You can download a welcome document specific to your course by first clicking on the course below.

  • We use Zoom for both the screen share and the audio
  • You will need a headset with microphone for the best audio (and to maintain the best audio for everyone else)
  • The use of a webcam is optional

Any recording of classes is forbidden.

Choose a course:

Download this tool and verify your computer is ready for an LF course

A list of HW and SW requirements for your Linux computer can be found at the bottom of this page. However, the following ready-for.sh script automates checking that your Linux computer meets minimum requirements, installs missing software, and downloads course material tarballs in order to prepare for class.

Running this before class, ideally somewhere with fast Internet, can save a lot of time during class time (we can't guarantee fast internet depending on where the class is taught).

This script only works on Linux. It does not work on MacOS nor Windows.

When you run the script, it might ask for a password. Enter your own login password. (If you're curious, it uses sudo - even installs and sets up sudo if needed).

  1. Download ready-for.sh v10 (md5sum 4741a3a1eaa2169eda8fd005c3a8a204)
  2. Make the script executable 
      Usage: ready-for.sh [options] [course[=version]]
      --distro               List current Linux distro
      --build-dir            Location of directory used for labs in the course
  -i  --install              Install missing packages for the course
  --fix --fix-missing        Skip uninstallable packages
  -f  --force-download       Redownload everything
  -r  --remove [--all]       Remove installed packages for the course
  -l  --list                 List all supported courses
      --no-cache             Don't use previously cached output.
      --no-check             Don't check for HW requirements.
  -C  --no-course-files      Don't install course files
  -E  --no-extras            Don't download extra materials
  -I  --no-install           Don't check installed packages
  -R  --no-recommends        Don't install recommended packages
  -S  --no-suggests          Don't install suggested packages
  -N  --no-vm                Don't download virtual machine
      --update               Update to latest version of this script
      --verify               Verify script MD5sum
  -V  --version              List script version
  -v  --verbose              Turn on extra messages
  -y  --yes                  Answer 'yes' to every question
  -h  --help                 What you just typed to see this
  -H  --advanced-help        Even more esoteric options for debugging

Example: ready-for.sh --install LFD420

You can ask for a specific version of a course like this:
         ready-for.sh LFD420=V2.4.3
  3. Run script with the appropriate six character course number (LFD420 in the example below)
  4. If the previous step told you there were missing packages, run it with --install to download/install any missing packages (it will prompt you for your sudo password)

It says something went wrong. What do I do?

  1. Was a package not found? Try installing only the strictly required packages. Sometimes a recommended package is the problem. 
    $ ./ready-for.sh --no-recommends LFD420
  2. Was there a warning? It might have told you what you can do about it on the next line. 
    WARN: /home/jsmith only has 13 GiB free (need at least 30 GiB)
PASS: However, BUILDHOME=/mnt/build has 138 GiB free
  3. Was there a failure? Usually that means you need to have a better CPU, more RAM or more free disk space. If you don't resolve that before the course, you may have troubles which slow you down in class. 
    FAIL: Only 1 GiB RAM (require at least 4 GiB)
  4. Did you fix an error and ready-for still isn't saying it isn't fixed? Try running it with the --no-cache option (output is cached for latency reasons, but gets in the way if you've managed to fix things) 
    $ ./ready-for.sh --no-cache LFD420
  5. If there are still errors, or you are unsure, you can probably wait to get help from your instructor on the first day of class. However, for now at least, download the course materials: 
    $ ./ready-for.sh --no-install LFD420

What about using a Virtual Machine for the course?

You can't use a Virtual Machine for this course.

You are highly discouraged from using a Virtual Machine for this course:

  • Compiling is slower on a VM (you are sharing your CPU with another OS, and using a simulated hard drive)
  • Any potential VM problems (usually surrounding USB3 pass-through) can cause distractions to learning
  • It is sadly quite common to lose 1/2 a day to debugging HW pass-through to Virtual Machines in courses which use this feature

Give me alternatives to running a Virtual Machine!

If you can't run Linux natively, may we suggest the following options (where your local policy allows):

  1. Repartition and dual boot Linux (so native boot Linux from a partition on your existing hard drive)
  2. Run Linux natively from an external USB3-SSD (or USB3 hard drive), or very fast USB thumb drive (not all thumb drives are equal). Some suggestions (around USD $100-ish):
  3. Just for the class, swap your computer's internal HDD for a new internal SSD (or hard drive) and install Linux natively (cheap, fast, easy, and the most popular solution). Some suggestions (around USD $100-ish):
  4. Bring your personal laptop (which presumably is already running Linux) to class
  5. Use a VM with the knowledge that it will likely cause problems

For a more detailed explanation of all the possible methods of installation, please view a more comprehensive explanation here.

If your computer isn't powerful enough to run a virtual machine, you may elect to use a cloud service provider like AWS.

What does my Linux computer need for the course?

These numbers apply to the Linux machine you will use for the course. If you plan to use a Virtual Machine for this course, the following numbers apply to the Virtual Machine Guest, *NOT* the host operating system.

Fetching course list...