Why Linux and DevOps Go Hand in Hand

Linux has had a profound effect on DevOps. It has forced the rethinking of processes and procedures due to the combined scalability, portability and source code that is processor independent from a build, compile, test and deploy perspective. There are tremendous opportunities in a number of DevOps-related career pathways, and having a solid understanding of Linux will set you up for a successful DevOps career.

Linux has a number of niche markets that allow IT pros move into specialized areas both vertically and laterally. Careers in the internet of things (IoT), embedded, client-based and server-based Linux systems all benefit equally from a career path oriented around the objectives covered by CompTIA Linux+.

But when it comes to DevOps, a Linux career path can traverse the Linux system scalability and portability trees with ease. From small to big scale, small to big data, the traditional functions of DevOps allow IT pros to work in any of these areas or to easily move from one to another.  

Standardized Build, Compile and Test Processes

Because Linux development can be single or multi-architecture, the build and make processes handle single and cross-platform compile and test processes with little to no effort on behalf of the DevOps pro. Through Linux networking, the same processes can be used to patch or deploy almost any application to one or more processor architectures or to one or thousands of Linux servers, workstations or IoT devices just as easily.

This is due to how Linux handles development, testing and deployment consistently across all platforms, architectures and all sizes of Linux distributions with only slight differences than what are normally handled in the build processes.

Scalability and Portability Across Architectures

Unique to the Linux OS, this benefit is possible because the operating system, administration and development processes and procedures are truly scalable and portable thanks to its UNIX roots. This is because a Linux DevOps career path remains focused on portable, scaled development and is hardware and software agnostic.

This allows IT pros to focus on the processes and procedures rather than the operating system design, which is ideal and normally almost impossible to accomplish. It also allows for a range of both lateral and vertical career movement offering almost limitless opportunities in the workforce.

If a DevOps pro decides to move on to large-scale systems, like the IBM Z series Mainframes, working for large organizations can easily be the focus for an entire career. That same person could just as easily center their career around the cloud or a large commercial applications development house that focuses on Linux DevOps for virtual machine or container development across many processor architectures.

Emerging Opportunities for Linux DevOps

Mainframe or Server, Cloud, Virtualization or Containerization, Intel, ARM or MIPS. Mix and match from the above list, and the Linux DevOps career path fits anywhere in the matrix. In more than 40 years of hardware and software development, there has never been a case where these rules could ever be applied.

The key is that machine virtualization and full processor emulation are built into and managed by the Linux kernel – unique to commercial-grade operating systems. This allows for cross-platform development from one processor architecture to another. It also means complete development, debugging, testing and deployment for many application types can be done completely on the host system of an Intel- or ARM-based computer and built, tested and deployed to the target systems directly from the host cross-development system.

These very features add career doorways that simply have never existed before. The Linux DevOps career path touches every technical area of Linux OS like no other. The growth potential into areas like software developer is natural. But some new areas are emerging that are changing the face of Linux DevOps forever.

These new and exciting growth areas are in part due to the reorganizing of the systems development and systems programming processes that have evolved over the past several years. A few years ago, these processes were centralized under the systems group, a carryover from the days of traditional mainframes. And these new Linux DevOps opportunities are growing very quickly, providing secure career growth for years to come.

Site Reliability Engineering

This is the new decentralized systems group of the 21st century – teams that include software engineers, systems architects, software infrastructure support and systems operations development and support. Linux DevOps specialists are members of these teams.

The processes and rules that have been a part of Linux DevOps are still there, but the Linux DevOps specialist now works within a team led by a systems engineer who both collaborates with and leads a team of skilled software developers working in a specialized area – applications for the server, desktop or cloud, device interface applications or specialized database or communications applications that are mission critical and require 100% uptime. This exciting new role allows Linux DevOps pros to work alongside software developers to develop incremental updates that morph an application from one generation to another with no system or application downtime.

Production Engineering

Similar to site reliability engineering (SRE), production engineering is the core team that updates, modifies, tests and patches the Linux core system, which includes the kernel, device drivers, memory management, and peripheral interfaces, peripheral software subsystems, and real-time monitor and control systems.

These groups, like SRE groups, have a systems core engineer, and the same staff as SRE, but with the responsibility of maintaining the system uptime at 100% by developing and testing patches to the Linux system while it is running. These teams have a Linux DevOps specialist who is responsible for building, testing and deploying core Linux system components to maintain live updates, allowing 100% uptime of all systems and applications relating to these respective systems.

It’s an exciting time for Linux DevOps careers – and anyone who wishes to pursue a career in Linux. There are many careers paths that can be pursued with a CompTIA Linux+ certification and other certifications to round out your IT skills. These are just a few of the endless possibilities to explore and grow into Linux over a prosperous lifelong career.

CompTIA A+ Through the Years: A Discussion with 4 Certified IT Pros:

Computers from the ’90s might as well be ancient artifacts. These relics of the past are likely best suited for museum showcases, but for those who earned early editions of the CompTIA A+ certification, they were critical stepping stones to career growth. With the launch of the new CompTIA A+ (Core Series), this entry-level IT certification continues to serve as the gateway to a rewarding career in tech, much as it did more than 20 years ago. CompTIA brought together four people who have earned CompTIA A+ over the years to compare what it was like then to what it’s like now.

CompTIA A+ as an Entry to IT

Launched in 1993, A+ was CompTIA’s first certification exam. The offering began as a way to standardize skills for PC technicians in a manner that showed they could work on any machine, not just a specific manufacturer’s configuration. Today, employers demand CompTIA A+ certification as a way to validate skills and understand an applicant can perform the role from day one. Chris Hodson, a chief information security officer (CISO), data protection officer and Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP) board member, said that for as much as technology has changed since he earned his CompTIA A+ certification in 2002, the exam continues to open doors. “For all the changes, the principles are very much what they used to be,” Hodson said. “It’s as relevant today as it was back then.” Fellow panelist Lianne Vuong echoed this sentiment. The IT support technician for Beaufort Underwriting Agency Ltd credits CompTIA A+ for beginning a rewarding career. “I was 16 and passed my A+,” she said. “It was the stepping stone to the career I have today.” Nazir Hanif has moved into project management for Barclays since earning his CompTIA A+ in 2012 and said the exam gives him an edge even today. “I can get into the lower-level details with the people doing provisioning and understand what they’re doing,” Hanif said. “It is a stepping stone into the technology world, and it broadens your horizons to know what different types of technology are involved.”

Why Employers Value CompTIA A+

Beyond setting up careers for success, CompTIA A+ is a great tool for technicians as they move into management roles. Thomas Wales, the head of customer services for EMEA at OVH, says it helps him pick the right candidates for the job. “If that’s on the CV, it’s kind of like ‘we can work with this person.’ I know that they’re willing to learn … and they will understand the base concepts,” Wales said. It’s a true time saver for building a brilliant team, Hodson echoed. “It saves me 45 minutes in grilling you,” he said. The four panelists pose with their CompTIA A+ logosHanif said the leg up in the hiring process is just the beginning to CompTIA A+ benefits. “I actually carry around all of my CompTIA [certification] cards,” Hanif said. “There’s always that thing in the back of your head that you are a certified professional, and it gives you some confidence.” Vuong said the confidence from earning CompTIA A+ started paying off in her first interview when she was asked to assemble a computer. “I remembered back on the 901, that was on the exam,” she said. “I did it, and my bosses were impressed.” Hanif said the problem-solving skills required to master CompTIA A+ don’t fade, even as his job roles have changed. “It’s a factor that differentiates you. I got the cert at 16, and I still kick into trouble-shooting mode,” Hanif said. “It becomes part of your natural character.”

How Preparing for CompTIA A+ Has Changed … and Stayed the Same

Hanif said in the days of yesteryear before online study options, like the CompTIA CertMaster suite of products, test takers had to practice hands-on skills in person or study the old-fashioned way. Fast track your career. Click here to subscribe today and save 10 percent on CompTIA products.

“I remember carrying around this massive CompTIA book,” Hanif said. “It was so big. I used to go on a one-hour-15-minute journey to where I worked and to the training center, and people would look at me.” Each panelist shared their unique manner of studying for the exam, ranging from flash card quizzes to explaining it to others. “I would just highlight everything, write it down, speak about it and take notes,” Vuong said. While Hudson said practice exams and relearning what you didn’t get right the first time are crucial, there’s no quick fix for last-minute jitters. “Being nervous is innately associated with something you care about,” Hudson said. “As long as you’re prepared, you’ll do the job. You put the hours in, and you’ll get the results out.”

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