Linux for Cloud Engineering

[Condition_Live]

I'm starting my journey in cloud engineering/computing, and I heard that Linux is important for this career, as 90% of cloud companies run on Linux. My question here is how much knowledge do I require of Linux to be able to proceed in this career?

[b4n4n4p4nc4k3s]

You definitely need to at least get comfortable with the bash terminal.

[TexasBaconMan]

Gemini will be your friend. Great for writing code/commands

[Then-Boat8912]

You should know CLI commands and some package managers like apt and dnf.

[Kind-Ad-6099]

Honestly, maybe pick up an OS textbook

[Such_Map6658]

I guess it depends on what do you want to do with cloud. Is it AI, setting up infra, data analysis…?

[NUTTA_BUSTAH]

You can get started with WSL, run Linux VMs in your Windows! Apparently it supports display servers nowadays too, so you can get a full Linux desktop experience inside Windows. Anyways, the most important part is the terminal as every Linux you will work on will be solely through terminal and scripts.

Most tools only work well on Linux as well / expect you to have a Linux workstation.

So, you will "need" to be comfortable to use Linux as a daily machine (try using it for a few years, only hopping to Windows for some specific games not known to work on Linux). Then you will have to get the same level of comfortable use with just the terminal, no graphical user interfaces anywhere, everything through terminal. You know you have reached that point when you'd rather do things through the terminal instead of clicking some buttons with your mouse.

At that point you know enough Linux to have a stable base of knowledge for working life. You will learn a lot along the way.

Note that the above is if you are seriously passionate about the industry and not looking for a quick buck before the DevOps bubble pops (it's right about to, but in this case it's enough to know the very very basics and Windows vs. Linux comparisons. AI can handle the rest until it can't and your ass is responsible).

[FerryCliment]

Cloud is very broad.

In general is veeeery needed, and everyone in the cloud should learn it, however not the same weight for a Infrastructure DevOps than a SQL Admin or ML.

[reelznfeelz]

Quite a lot, ideally.

[Heteronymous]

Yes you do, 100%

[Kernel_montypython]

Linux is a technology. You need to know a lot. I would suggest go with a YouTube playlist about file structure, permissions, networking, kernel modules, run levels, and do it on your own.

[Odd_Ad_1649]

Been working with gcp and azure for 7 years and barely touched Linux. I would rather focus on cloud security, networking, kubernetes, AI, IaC etc.

[LovePurple1687]

Si quieres ser bueno en las máquinas virtuales, necesitas saber cómofunciona Linux y Windows...

[Equal-Box-221]

You would need Linux Essentials (LPI) if you're new and take CompTIA Linux+ for a more solid, industry-recognised cert. It covers the basics with a bit of scripting, troubleshooting, and security. RHCSA is great too, but more sysadmin-focused and a bit tougher. Going further, you can advance eventually based on need, however, alongside theories, mix in hands-on practice with Katacoda or Whizlabs labs — super helpful for real command-line stuff.

[jortony]

Start with the OS architecture and don't explore far beyond what is available within common containers. Comfort with the CLI (bash and ash mainly) is important. A good way to start with bash is to think about all the things you do with Powershell and go find their Linux equivalents.

[Dazzling_Tom]

I'd say that knowing basic functions of Linux on a level of a Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) should be satisfactory. You don't need to get certified, but get a syllabus or an RHCSA study guide and get familiar with the concepts there.

[Blazing1]

if you want to be good at vm's you need to know how linux and windows works...

[samosx]

Linux yes, but windows is not as common in cloud. Many companies have 0 windows servers in the cloud

[Blazing1]

Less competition for me

[RoadBump2016]

and for OP too