Linux Unhatched
A free introduction to Linux. Learn basic command-line navigation, installation, and configuration in your browser.
Learn Linux in your browser
NDG Linux courses open a live Linux machine beside the course text, from your first commands to LPIC-1 exam topics.
Linux courses on NDG Online
Linux Essentials
Learn the fundamentals of the Linux operating system, command line, and open-source concepts. Aligned with the LPI Linux Essentials certification.
Introduction to Linux 1
Build foundational Linux system administration skills: file management, package installation, user permissions, and basic networking. Aligned with LPI LPIC-1 (101-500) certification objectives.
Introduction to Linux 2
Advance your Linux administration skills: shell scripting, system services, networking fundamentals, and security. Aligned with LPI LPIC-1 (102-500) certification objectives.
Red Hat Academy member? The RHEL System Administration labs are on the Red Hat Academy page.
Where to start
Each course builds on the one before it. Three of them align with Linux Professional Institute (LPI) certification exams.
- Step 1 Linux Unhatched Your first commands: move around the file system, and list, copy, and move files. 8 hours · Free
- Step 2 Linux Essentials Command-line navigation, users and groups, file permissions, and basic shell scripts. 70 hours · Free Aligned with LPI Linux Essentials (010-160)
- Step 3 Introduction to Linux 1 Package management with dpkg and RPM, partitions and file systems, networking, and Bash scripts. 70 hours · $29.95 Aligned with LPIC-1 exam 101-500
- Step 4 Introduction to Linux 2 System services and scheduled tasks, SSH, the boot process, logging, and network services. 70 hours · $29.95 Aligned with LPIC-1 exam 102-500
Already work at the command line? Start at Introduction to Linux 1. The certifications are awarded by the Linux Professional Institute.
The lesson and a Linux terminal, side by side
The course text sits on the left and an Ubuntu virtual machine on the right. Type the commands as you read about them, with nothing to install or configure.
Course text by chapter
Chapters show each command with its syntax, options, and sample output.
A live Linux machine
An Ubuntu virtual machine runs next to the reading, so you practice each command where you read about it.
Built-in quizzes
Quizzes inside the course check what you have covered so far.
Linux training in practice
How a college, a hosting company, a university, and a teacher used NDG Linux courses.
Common questions
Do I need to install Linux to take these courses?
No. Each course runs a Linux virtual machine in your browser, next to the course text. There is no distribution to download and no virtual machine to set up.
Which Linux course should I start with?
If you are new to Linux, start with Linux Unhatched, a free 8-hour introduction to the command line, then take Linux Essentials. If you already work at the command line, start with Introduction to Linux 1.
Do NDG Linux courses prepare me for a certification?
Linux Essentials aligns with the LPI Linux Essentials (010-160) exam. Introduction to Linux 1 and 2 align with the two LPIC-1 exams, 101-500 and 102-500. The certifications themselves are awarded by the Linux Professional Institute.
Can I teach these courses to a class?
Yes. Verified educators get free evaluation access to NDG Online, create classes, and track learner progress. Courses connect to any LTI 1.x-compliant LMS with grade passback.