Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3: Red Hat Enterprise Linux Step By Step Guide
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# Chapter 1. Getting Started

From booting up to shutting down, whether you are working or playing, Red Hat Enterprise Linux provides tools and applications to help you get the most out of your computing environment. This chapter guides you through some basic tasks that you can perform on your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system.

# 1.1. Setup Agent

The first time you start your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system, the Setup Agent is presented. The Setup Agent guides you through the configuration of your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system. Using this tool, you can set your system time and date, add users to your system, install software, register your machine with the Red Hat Network, and more. Setup Agent allows you to configure your environment at the beginning, so that you can get started using your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system quickly.

Figure 1-1. Setup Agent

The Setup Agent first prompts you to read and agree to the License Agreement, which discusses your rights in using Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Click Yes, I agree to the License Agreement and click Next to continue.

| Important
| You must agree to the License Agreement to continue using Red Hat Enterprise Linux. If you choose No, I do not agree at the License Agreement screen, the machine prompts you to either re-read the agreement or decline and shutdown your system. You cannot use Red Hat Enterprise Linux without first agreeing to the License Agreement.

Figure 1-2. License Agreement

The Setup Agent allows you to manually set your machine's date and time, which adjusts the clock on your computer's BIOS (Basic Input Output System). To set the day, month, and year on your system, use the calendar interface. To set your time in hours, minutes, and seconds, use the provided text boxes.

You may also synchronize your date and time automatically with a network time server — a computer that sends accurate date and time settings to your system through a network connection. Check the box labeled Enable Network Time Protocol and use the drop-down menu to select the time server you want to use. Once you have set your time and date, click Next to continue.

Figure 1-3. Date and Time Configuration

Next, you should create a user account to use on a routine basis. It is not recommended to log in to your root account for common computing tasks, as you may damage your system or unintentionally delete a file. The Setup Agent lets you enter a username, an optional full name for the account, and a password (which you must enter twice). This creates a user account that you can use to log into your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system and which has its own home directory on the system to store files.

Figure 1-4. User Account

The Setup Agent probes your system for sound cards and attempts to configure the correct settings for use with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. You can then click the Play test sound button to play a sound sample. If you can hear the sample, select OK and your sound card configuration is complete.

Figure 1-5. Sound Card

To register your system with Red Hat Network and receive automatic updates of your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system, choose Yes, I would like to register my system with Red Hat Network. This will start the Red Hat Update Agent — a utility that guides you step-by-step through the registration of your machine with Red Hat Network. Selecting No, I do not want to register my system skips the registration. For more information about Red Hat Network and registering your machine, refer to the Red Hat Network documentation at http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/RHNetwork/.

Figure 1-6. Red Hat Network Registration Client

To install Red Hat Enterprise Linux RPM packages that you did not install during installation, software from third-party providers, or documentation from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Documentation CD, you can do so at the Additional CDs screen. Insert the CD containing the software or documentation you want to install, click the Install... button, and follow the instructions.

| Note
| If you are installing a package from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Installation CDs, you must insert CD 1, click the Install... button, choose the package(s) or component you want to install, and, if prompted, change the CD.

Figure 1-7. Installing Additional Software

Now that your system is configured, you are ready to log in and start using Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Press Forward to exit the Setup Agent.

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