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Requirements

Here you will find the tools that you need to get started, as well as important recommendations on your training environment.

Tip

Essentially all you need is a clean, comfortable space and a relatively modern laptop or desktop running a Linux Operating System. Below are details that you will likely want to consider if you decide to pursue training seriously.

Environment

The physical and digital worlds mirror one another, and your physical space is just as important as the hardware and software that you operate. When possible, try to use a dedicated space. An office or spare room may be ideal, however if space is constrained, just ensure that when you are at your workspace you are able to “shift” into ‘focus mode.’

  1. Begin Where You Are
    • The most important thing is that you train. Resist the urge to buy new equipment, unless necessary. You can (and likely will) upgrade gear throughout your journey.
  2. Clean Space
    • Ideally very little is in your field of view. Your monitor, necessary peripherals, and perhaps notebook/writing tools (if desired) are all you need.
  3. Desktop
    • This can be any solid work surface, as sturdy as possible, clean and clutter-free. If you have to take everything on your desk and put it on the floor during training, so be it. Sitting or standing desks are fine, just be comfortable and take breaks if your body asks.
  4. Seat
    • Be comfortable.

Hardware

The digital world is spawned from the physical, and your ability to manipulate this world will start with the physical tools you wield.

Tip

Please visit the Community Forum for examples, or ask for help in the Community Chat.

  1. Laptop or Desktop

    • Mobile devices, including tablets, are NOT built to be productive devices. If you must/strongly prefer to use a mobile device, it MUST run Linux, and you need to augment it with a keyboard and mouse (or trackball), at minimum.
    • Getting started on older hardware (even 10-15 years old) is fine, but as you progress, you will come to appreciate more powerful compute and/or particular features. Upgrade when it is sensible for your progression and your budget.
    • If you decide to purchase hardware, consider the addage: “Buy once, cry once.” Consider options carefully. It is generally better to research while building funds for proper gear than to make cheap purchases on a whim. See the forum/chat for more help.
    ItemMinimum-ish SpecRecommended Spec
    CPU2012 or newer / 4 Cores2016 or newer / 8+ Cores
    RAM8GB16GB+
    Storage256GB SSD512GB+ SSD or NVMe

  2. Home Network

    • Get the fastest option available to you. 1Gbps speeds are becoming widely available and are not expensive (more than this is usually bottlenecked by your hardware - this will be discussed in Networking courses).
    • You need a bare minimum of 50 Megabits per second (Mbps) download speeds from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
    • If you are in a rural area, Starlink may be your best option.

  3. Mobile Device

    • Not immediately required - see Mobile Devices courses for hardware details.
    • Only Linux and Graphene operating systems are covered.

Software

These tools reside soley in the digital space. Be aware that software is abundant, but quality software is not.

  1. Operating System
    • Linux or BSD ONLY
    • Debian-based is recommended to start
    • If you have never used Linux, ZorinOS is a great option
    • You will understand and demo several OSes throughout your training, and you will develop preferences.