First thing you should learn: Start with the basics of Linux (preferably RedHat or Ubuntu), networking fundamentals, and bash scripting. These are the core foundations every DevOps engineer must master to manage servers, troubleshoot effectively, and automate tasks across infrastructure.
Why Linux is Essential in DevOps
Linux is more than just an operating system — it’s the foundation of modern DevOps practices. Thanks to its stability, flexibility, open-source nature, strong security capabilities, and a massive community of support, Linux has become the go-to platform for automating deployments, managing servers, and running cloud-native applications. Whether you’re working with containers, CI/CD pipelines, or cloud infrastructure, mastering Linux is a must for any aspiring DevOps engineer.
📚 Best Resources to Learn Linux and Bash
If you would like to read references or documentation we recommend to read the Red Hat System Administration you can download it from here
🌐 Websites:
- 🔗 LinuxJourney – Interactive Linux lessons from beginner to advanced
- 🔗 The Linux Command Line – Free book-style guide to CLI and bash scripting
- 🔗 OverTheWire: Bandit – Gamified way to master the Linux terminal
- 🔗 TutorialsPoint – Unix/Linux – Comprehensive tutorial with Bash scripting
- 🔗 ShellCheck – Bash script analyzer and linter for writing clean, bug-free scripts
▶️ YouTube Channels:
- Arabic channels (RedHat Linux System Administration I (RHCSA) Mohamed_Alaa
- 🎥 freeCodeCamp.org – Linux for Beginners – Full Course
- 🎥 NetworkChuck – Fun, engaging Linux + Bash tutorials
- 🎥 The Linux Foundation – Official channel with professional insights
- 🎥 LearnLinuxTV – Server-focused Linux training
- 🎥 TechHut – Linux tools, system tweaks, and scripting tips
🚀 Why Start a Career in DevOps?
DevOps professionals are in high demand as companies shift to automated, cloud-based infrastructures. Learning DevOps gives you hands-on skills in cloud computing, containerization, automation, security, and monitoring — all while improving software delivery speed and reliability.
🔹 1. DevOps Fundamentals – Learn the Basics
✅ Key Skills to Learn:
- What is DevOps and why it’s important
- Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- Linux command-line usage
- Basic networking (IP, DNS, HTTP/S, ports)
- Shell scripting essentials
🛠️ Essential Tools:
- Git, GitHub
- Linux CLI, SSH
- HTTP/S, DNS lookup, curl
🌐 Top Learning Resources:
🔹 2. Programming & Scripting for DevOps
✅ Languages to Learn:
- Bash (essential for scripting on Linux)
- Python (powerful for automation and tools)
- YAML (used in Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD)
🌐 Top Resources:
🔹 3. Learn CI/CD – Continuous Integration & Delivery
✅ Key Concepts:
- Automating builds, tests, and deployments
- Creating and maintaining CI/CD pipelines
🛠️ Popular Tools:
- Jenkins
- GitHub Actions
- GitLab CI/CD
- CircleCI
🌐 Learning Platforms:
🔹 4. Configuration Management & Automation
✅ What to Learn:
- Infrastructure provisioning using automation tools
- Writing playbooks and manifest files
🛠️ Tools to Master:
- Ansible
- Puppet
- Chef
🌐 Resources:
🔹 5. Containerization with Docker
✅ Why Docker Matters:
- Enables application packaging and deployment in isolated environments
- Improves development consistency across systems
🛠️ Key Concepts:
- Images, containers, Dockerfiles, volumes, registries
🌐 Learning Resources:
🔹 6. Kubernetes – Container Orchestration
✅ Core Skills:
- Container orchestration, scaling, and management
- Pods, services, volumes, deployments
🛠️ Tools:
- Kubernetes
- Helm
- Minikube
🌐 Resources:
🔹 7. Cloud Platforms & Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
✅ DevOps Cloud Skills:
- Cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
- Deploying and managing infrastructure using code
☁️ Top Cloud Providers:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
🛠️ IaC Tools:
- Terraform
- AWS CloudFormation
🌐 Learning Platforms:
🔹 8. DevOps Monitoring & Logging
✅ Why It Matters:
- Ensure system reliability and visibility
- Troubleshoot and prevent downtime
🛠️ Tools:
- Prometheus
- Grafana
- ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana)
- Datadog
🌐 Resources:
🔹 9. DevSecOps – Security in DevOps
✅ Learn To:
- Integrate security into CI/CD
- Manage secrets
- Perform vulnerability scanning
🛠️ DevSecOps Tools:
- HashiCorp Vault
- Snyk
- Trivy
- Aqua Security
🌐 Resources:
🔧 Bonus: Hands-On Labs & Projects
👨💻 Build Projects Like:
- A CI/CD pipeline using GitHub Actions
- Dockerized Node.js app deployed on AWS with Terraform
- Kubernetes deployment with autoscaling and monitoring
🌐 Interactive Labs:
💬 Join DevOps Communities
Ready to kickstart your DevOps journey? Bookmark this roadmap, start practicing with real-world tools, and build projects to showcase your skills.
Need help creating a personalized DevOps learning path or certification plan? I’d be happy to help — just ask! 🚀
see the next article it will be how to start with linux and bash and some tricks and hand on projects.