Abstract

The rapid digitalization of various societal sectors in Ukraine, including public services, banking, e-learning, and logistics, emphasizes the need for enhanced practical IT competencies among students. Despite the widespread availability of digital devices, educational curricula often lack tasks that provide hands-on experience with configuring networks and operating systems. This study aimed to address this gap by updating the curriculum of the "Information Processes and Methods of Their Algorithmization" course to focus on practical tasks that involve creating and configuring information resources. To achieve this, the Debian operating system was chosen due to its flexibility, low resource requirements, and compatibility with outdated hardware. Key tasks included configuring services for business and home use, such as remote server access, secure file sharing, web hosting, and office environments with essential software like LibreOffice and Thunderbird. Performance metrics, including memory usage and disk space utilization, were evaluated for different configurations of the operating system, demonstrating its efficiency even on low-resource systems. The results highlight Debian as a cost-effective and adaptable solution for both educational and small-scale business needs, fostering practical IT skills while minimizing hardware expenses. In comparison, Ubuntu Server was found to be more advanced yet resource-intensive, making it better suited for corporate environments. This study underscores the potential of open-source solutions like Debian for improving IT education and promoting their broader adoption in academic and business contexts.