MASTER OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

A
Case Study Report
for
“Title – FEDORA OPERATING SYSTEM”
ACADEMIC YEAR / BATCH: 2022 - 2024
SUBJECT : OPERATING SYSTEMS
YEAR / SEM : II

S.NO. REGISTER STUDENT NAME MAXIMUM MINIMUM

NUMBER MARK MARK

1. 22P011 HARISH B V

2 22P01159 NAVEEN KUMAR Y L

3. 22P01161 NITHIN A N

Faculty-in-Charge Head of the Department

(Mr. N. Prabhakaran) (Dr. Alli)
 FEDORA
OPERATING
SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Fedora is a popular Linux distribution that is known for its emphasis on open-source
software, cutting-edge features, and community-driven development. It serves as a
foundation for other Linux distributions like Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Let's delve
into various aspects of Fedora.

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

Fedora was initially released by the Fedora Project in 2003, sponsored by Red Hat. It aimed
to provide a rapidly evolving platform that showcases the latest open-source technologies.
The development model focuses on collaboration and community involvement.

ORIGINS AND PHILOSOPHY

Fedora, a prominent Linux distribution, traces its origins back to the Fedora Project, a
community-driven effort sponsored by Red Hat. The project's foundational principles center
around the promotion of open-source software, collaboration, and innovation. These
principles align with the broader open-source philosophy of empowering users with control
over their computing experiences.

CONTINUATION OF LEGACY
The name "Fedora" has its roots in the classic Unix hat tradition, symbolizing a user's role as
an administrator. Fedora's legacy dates back to the original Red Hat Linux distribution, which
was later split into the community-driven Fedora Project and the enterprise-focused Red Hat
Enterprise Linux (RHEL).

COMMITMENT TO OPEN SOURCE

At its core, Fedora OS embodies the ethos of open-source software, where transparency,
collaboration, and code sharing are paramount. It serves as a testing ground for new
technologies and features that often find their way into RHEL. This approach allows Red Hat
to refine and enhance its enterprise offerings based on community feedback and real-world
usage.
UPSTREAM CONTRIBUTIONS
Fedora's impact extends beyond its own ecosystem. By actively contributing to upstream
projects and collaborating with the broader open-source community, Fedora helps shape the
direction of various software components. These contributions contribute to the overall health
and advancement of the open-source ecosystem.

CUTTING EDGE INNOVATION

One of Fedora's defining characteristics is its focus on being on the cutting edge of
technology. With each release, Fedora introduces the latest software versions, features, and
tools. This approach is particularly attractive to developers, enthusiasts, and those who want
to explore and experiment with emerging technologies.

DIVERSE EDITION SPINS

Fedora caters to a wide range of user needs through its diverse editions and spins. From
Fedora Workstation's user-friendly environment for developers and creatives to Fedora
Server's robust capabilities for hosting various services, and from the streamlined Fedora
CoreOS optimized for containers to Fedora IoT for embedded systems, each variant is
carefully crafted to address specific use cases.

COMMUNITY DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT

Central to Fedora's identity is its vibrant and engaged community. Contributors from around
the world collaborate on packaging software, testing, documentation, design, and more. This
collaborative effort not only ensures the quality of Fedora releases but also fosters a sense of
ownership among users.

ECOSYSTEM SYNERGY
Fedora's connection to Red Hat's enterprise solutions is a symbiotic relationship. Innovations
that originate in Fedora often mature and stabilize in RHEL, providing businesses with a
tried-and-tested platform. Conversely, the insights gained from enterprise deployments
influence the development of Fedora, reinforcing its real-world relevance.
FEATURES
FEATURES OF FEDORA OS

1.ECOSYSTEM SYNERGY:
Fedora's connection to Red Hat's enterprise solutions is a symbiotic relationship. Innovations
that originate in Fedora often mature and stabilize in RHEL, providing businesses with a
tried-and-tested platform. Conversely, the insights gained from enterprise deployments
influence the development of Fedora, reinforcing its real-world relevance.

2.EDITIONS AND SPINS:

Fedora offers different editions tailored to specific use cases, such as Fedora Workstation for
desktop users, Fedora Server for server deployments, and Fedora IoT for Internet of Things
devices. Spins provide alternative desktop environments like KDE Plasma, Xfce, and LXQt.

3.PACKAGE MANAGEMENT:
Fedora uses the DNF package manager, which handles package installation, updates, and
removal. The packages are provided through software repositories, ensuring easy access to a
wide range of software.

4.RPM PACKAGING:
Fedora employs the RPM packaging format to bundle software, making it easier to distribute
and manage applications.

5.FEDORA COREOS:
Introduced to focus on containerized application deployment, Fedora CoreOS provides a
minimal OS tailored for running containers.

6.FEDORA SILVERBLUE:
This variant emphasizes an immutable desktop environment, separating the base OS from
applications to enhance stability and security.
COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION:
Fedora's development model is community-driven and open. Contributors include developers,
testers, designers, documentation writers, and more. The Fedora Project welcomes input from
volunteers worldwide.

LICENSING AND PHILOSOPHY:

Fedora strictly adheres to free and open-source software principles. It prioritizes software
freedom and aims to provide users with complete control over their systems.

SECURITY AND UPDATES:

Fedora emphasizes security through features like SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux), which
enforces mandatory access controls. Regular security updates and patches are released to
maintain system integrity.

CHALLENGES
1.SHORT LIFECYCLE:
The relatively short support lifecycle for each release can be challenging for businesses or
users seeking long-term stability.
2.CUTTING EDGE NATURE
While Fedora's focus on new technologies is an advantage, it can also lead to potential
instability or compatibility issues with older hardware or software.

USE CASES
Fedora is suitable for a wide range of use cases, including:

1. Development workstations for programmers and software developers.

2. Server deployments, especially for those looking for up-to-date software.
3. Containerized applications and microservices with Fedora CoreOS.
4. IoT devices and embedded systems with Fedora IoT.
RELEASE
CYCLE
 RELEASE CYCLE
Fedora follows a predictable release cycle that ensures users have access to the latest
features and technologies. This cycle consists of three stages:

1.RAWHIDE:
This is the development branch of Fedora. New features and updates are introduced here first
for testing. It's a rolling release model, constantly evolving and potentially unstable.
2.BETA:
Before a major release, there’s a beta phase where a more stable version is made available for
testing by the community. This helps identify and fix issues before the final release.
3.STABLE RELEASE:
The stable release is the culmination of development efforts. It's thoroughly tested and
intended for general use. Each stable release is supported for about 13 months, after which
users are encouraged to upgrade.

PACKAGE MANAGEMENT:
Fedora employs the DNF package manager, which replaced the older Yum. DNF offers faster
performance and better dependency resolution. Users can use DNF to install, update, and
remove software packages. The ‘dnf’ command is used for package management tasks.

FEDORA MODULLARITY:
Fedora introduced the concept of modularity to enable different versions of software to run in
parallel on the same system. This is particularly useful for applications that need specific
library versions. Modularity ensures flexibility and compatibility for various use cases.

DESKTOP ENVIRONMENTS:
Fedora Workstation comes with the GNOME desktop environment by default. GNOME
provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface. However, Fedora also supports other
desktop environments through its Spins program, allowing users to choose their preferred
environment during installation.
COPR:
Fedora users can make use of Copr, a build service that allows individuals to create and share
their own software repositories. This is useful for developers who want to provide bleeding-
edge or specialized software to the community.

SELINUX:
Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux) is a major security feature in Fedora. It provides
mandatory access controls, allowing administrators to finely control the actions that processes
can perform. While it enhances security, it can be complex to configure and troubleshoot for
those unfamiliar with its workings.

FEDORA PROJECT GOVERNANCE:

The Fedora Project operates under the guidance of the Fedora Council, a group responsible
for setting high-level strategy and policies. Technical decisions are made by various teams,
such as the Fedora Engineering and Steering Committee (FESCo) and the Fedora QA team.

RPM PACKAGING:
The RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) format is used for packaging software in Fedora.
This format includes all the files required for an application, along with metadata. RPM
packages are installed using the ‘rpm’ or ‘dnf’ commands.

COMMUNITY PACKAGING:
The Fedora community is diverse and global, with contributors from various backgrounds.
These contributors work on packaging, development, testing, documentation, design, and
more. The Fedora Community provides avenues for collaboration and learning.
EDITIONS AND
SPINS
EDITIONS AND SPINS:
Fedora offers different editions tailored to specific user needs:

1.FEDORA WORKSTATION:
This edition is designed for developers and desktop users. It features the GNOME desktop
environment, developer tools, and a polished user experience. It's optimized for productivity
and creative work.

2FEDORA SERVER:
Geared towards server deployments, this edition provides a minimal installation for server
tasks. It supports various server roles and technologies, including web servers, databases, and
networking services.

3.FEDORA IOT:
Fedora IoT aims at powering the Internet of Things devices. It provides a lightweight and
secure foundation for embedded and edge computing scenarios.

4.FEDORA SILVERBLUE:
This edition introduces an immutable desktop, separating the OS from applications using
container technology. This enhances system stability, security, and simplifies rollbacks.

In addition to editions, Fedora offers Spins that come with alternative desktop environments.
Some Spins include KDE Plasma, Xfce, LXQt, Cinnamon, and more. Users can select their
preferred environment during installation.

FEDORA LABS:
Fedora Labs provides curated images for specific use cases like Astronomy, Design Suite,
Robotics, Scientific Computing, Security Lab, and more. These are pre-configured
environments with software relevant to each field, allowing users to dive into their work
directly.
FEDORA INFRSTRUCTURE:
The Fedora Project runs a comprehensive infrastructure to support its development and
distribution. This includes build systems, software repositories, bug tracking, documentation
platforms, and more. This infrastructure is maintained by both Red Hat employees and
community volunteers.

FEDORA OBJECTIVES:
The Fedora community sets specific objectives for each release cycle, addressing various
aspects of the distribution. These objectives could focus on improving certain features,
enhancing user experience, or refining development processes. Community members
collaborate to achieve these goals.

FEDORA SILVERBLUE AND ATOMIC WORKSTATION:

Silverblue is part of the Fedora Workstation family and follows a new paradigm. It provides
an immutable operating system using the OSTree technology, which enables atomic upgrades
and rollbacks. This minimizes system breakage due to updates and ensures consistency.

FEDORA COUNCIL AND WORKING GROUPS:

The Fedora Council oversees high-level strategic decisions, while working groups focus on
specific areas such as desktop environments, security, and cloud technologies. These groups
collaborate to shape Fedora's direction and ensure its relevance across various domains.

FEDORA BADGES AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:

The Fedora Badges program encourages community participation and contribution. Users can
earn badges for their involvement in various activities, from packaging software to
documentation writing. This gamified approach boosts engagement and recognition within
the community.

FEDORA MAGAZINE AND DOCCUMENTATION:

The Fedora Magazine provides articles, tutorials, and news related to Fedora and open-source
technologies. It's a valuable resource for users to learn about the latest developments, tips,
and tricks. The Fedora Documentation project provides detailed guides and manuals to help
users make the most of their Fedora experience.
FEDORA CLASSROOM AND EVENTS:
Fedora Classroom hosts online workshops and sessions to teach users about Fedora and open-
source tools. Additionally, Fedora participates in events like conferences and meetups to
connect with users, share knowledge, and gather feedback.
FEDORA WORKSTATION37
FEDORA SILVERBLUE35

Fedora Released Versions

Color Meaning
Red Release no longer supported[23]
Green Release still supported
Blue Future release
Project Name Version Code name Release date Kernel version
1 Yarrow 2003–11–05 2.4.19
2 Tettnang 2004–05–18 2.6.5
3 Heidelberg 2004–11–08 2.6.9
Fedora Core
4 Stentz 2005–06–13 2.6.11
5 Bordeaux 2006–03–20 2.6.15
6 Zod 2006–10–24 2.6.18
7 Moonshine 2007–05–31 2.6.21
8 Werewolf 2007–11–08 2.6.23
9 Sulphur 2008–05–13 2.6.25
10 Cambridge 2008–11–25 2.6.27
11 Leonidas 2009–06–09[24] 2.6.29
12 Constantine 2009–11–17[25] 2.6.31
13 Goddard 2010–05–11[26] 2.6.33
14 Laughlin 2010-11-02[27] 2.6.35[28]
15 Lovelock 2011-05-24[29] 2.6.38[30]
16 Verne 2011-11-08[31] 3.1.0
17 Beefy Miracle 2012-05-29[32] 3.3.7
18 Spherical Cow Late 2012[33] 3.6
Fedora 19 Schrödinger's Cat 2013-07-02 3.9
20 Heisenbug 2013-12-17 3.11
21 2014-12-09 3.17
22 2015-05-26 4.0
23 2015-11-03 4.2
24 2016-06-21 4.5
25 2016-11-22 4.8
26 2017-07-11 4.11
27 2017-11-14 4.13
28 2018-05-01 4.16
29 2018-10-30 4.18
30 2019-04-30 5.0
31 2019-10-22 5.3
32 2020-04-21
SOME IMAGE VERSIONS OF FEDORA
FEDORA CORE1 FEDORA CORE2

FEDORA CORE3 FEDORA CORE4

FEDORA CORE5 FEDORA CORE6

CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION

In summary, Fedora OS is not only about the software but also the processes, community,
and philosophy behind it. Its structured release cycle, package management, commitment to
open-source values, and diverse use cases have contributed to its position as a respected and
widely used Linux distribution.