Linux for DevOps: Master the Foundation

Step 2 of the DevOps Roadmap

Learn about the file system, package managers, managing services, checking logs, bash scripting, permissions, pipes, output redirection, text manipulation tools, process monitoring, networking tools, CLI editors etc.

Pick Ubuntu if you have little to no experience.

Why Linux for DevOps?

Linux is the backbone of most DevOps infrastructure:

• 95% of servers run Linux
• Container platforms are Linux-based
• Cloud instances primarily use Linux
• Most DevOps tools are Linux-native

What You'll Learn

Linux Fundamentals

• File System Structure

  • Root directory and hierarchy
  • Important directories (/etc, /var, /usr, /home)
  • File types and permissions
  • Symbolic and hard links

• User & Permission Management

  • User accounts and groups
  • File permissions (rwx)
  • sudo and root access
  • Access control best practices

System Administration

• Package Management

  • APT (Ubuntu/Debian)
  • YUM/DNF (RedHat/CentOS)
  • Installing and updating software
  • Repository management

• Service Management

  • Systemd service control
  • Starting, stopping, enabling services
  • Service status monitoring
  • Creating custom services

Command Line Mastery

• Essential Commands

  • File operations (ls, cp, mv, rm)
  • Text processing (grep, sed, awk)
  • Archive management (tar, gzip)
  • Network utilities (curl, wget, ssh)

• Text Manipulation

  • grep for pattern matching
  • sed for stream editing
  • awk for data processing
  • Regular expressions

Bash Scripting

• Script Fundamentals

  • Variables and parameters
  • Conditional statements
  • Loops and functions
  • Error handling

• Advanced Scripting

  • Input/output redirection
  • Pipes and command chaining
  • Background processes
  • Cron job automation

Process & System Monitoring

• Process Management

  • ps, top, htop commands
  • Kill signals and process control
  • Background and foreground jobs
  • Process priorities (nice, nohup)

• System Resources

  • CPU usage monitoring
  • Memory utilization
  • Disk space management
  • Network activity tracking

Log Management

• System Logs

  • /var/log directory structure
  • syslog and rsyslog
  • journalctl for systemd logs
  • Log rotation strategies

• Log Analysis

  • tail and head commands
  • Log filtering techniques
  • Real-time monitoring
  • Log aggregation basics

Hands-on Projects

Project 1: System Health Monitor

Create a bash script that:

• Monitors CPU, memory, and disk usage
• Alerts when thresholds are exceeded
• Logs system metrics hourly
• Generates daily summary reports

Project 2: Automated Backup System

Build a comprehensive backup solution:

• Automated file backups with tar
• Database dump automation
• Remote backup synchronization
• Backup verification and cleanup

Project 3: Log Analysis Dashboard

Develop log processing tools:

• Parse Apache/Nginx access logs
• Extract error patterns and statistics
• Generate usage reports
• Alert on suspicious activities

Project 4: Server Provisioning Script

Create deployment automation:

• User account setup
• Software installation
• Security configuration
• Service deployment

Course Modules

Module 1: Linux Basics

• Linux distributions overview
• File system navigation
• Basic commands and utilities
• Text editors (vim, nano)

Module 2: System Administration

• User and group management
• Package installation and updates
• Service configuration
• Security hardening basics

Module 3: Bash Scripting

• Script structure and syntax
• Variables and control flow
• Functions and parameters
• Automation techniques

Module 4: Monitoring & Troubleshooting

• Process monitoring tools
• Log file analysis
• Performance optimization
• Common troubleshooting scenarios

Lab Environment

• Ubuntu 22.04 LTS virtual machines
• Pre-configured practice scenarios
• Real-world simulation exercises
• Cloud-based lab access

Prerequisites

• Required: Programming for DevOps course
• Basic computer literacy
• Willingness to use command line

Learning Path

This is the second course in the DevOps roadmap. After completing this course, continue with:

1. Networking & Protocols - Network fundamentals
2. Git & GitHub for DevOps - Version control
3. Docker Containerization - Container technology

Tools & Technologies

• Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
• Various CLI tools and utilities
• Virtual machines
• Shell scripting
• System monitoring tools

Certification

Upon completion, you'll receive a certificate demonstrating your Linux system administration skills essential for DevOps roles.

Master the foundation of DevOps with Linux expertise!