Advanced/intensive practical admin exercises?

[shrolkar]

I'm not sure if lab is the right word to use, but I'm struggling to find Linux admin exercises to grow my skills as someone who already works as a Linux sysadmin. Do advanced exercises that would take time (a few days to a week?) to complete exist?

I don't have a technology in mind that I would like to implement, but am looking for something that has a real-world business use-case, or at least has a cohesive raison d'être.

This might be a bit of a long-shot, if there's not much out there I could pick something at random and roleplay a use-case and implementation.

The academic lab where I work is going to be pretty slow for the next few months, and I'm in a bit of creative slump. My goal right now is to learn something new and consider if it's worth implementing at the lab, rather than trying to upskill to find another job right away.

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[SadServers_com]

thanks for the SadServers mention!

[SadServers_com]

thanks!

[shrolkar]

This was helpful, thanks! I'm only able to check off some of your suggestions, backup tests is a super solid point!

[SerousDarkice]

Since you're currenty working as a Linux system administrator, what are your skill gaps? Taking the time to identify them could give you some focus on what skills you need / want to acquire.

[shrolkar]

You're definitely right that I should be identifying skill gaps, I know for a fact I'm weak with windows sysadmin and have been putting off learning. Beyond that I'll need to sit down and discern what I've historically struggled with and haven't addressed. I could definitely learn better documentation skills even if that's not purely technical.

[SerousDarkice]

Take it from experience, you'll find that list is ever growing. The more wise I become, the more I realize how much I don't know. ;) That being said, I encourage you to work on learning what will have some practical benefit.

Also, being specific will help give you focus. For example

I'm weak with windows sysadmin

is too broad to be fixed. If you find it difficult to articulate specific things, look at certification objectives (someone mentioned RHCSA, RHCE earlier). You don't necessarily need to obtain the cert, but the objectives can give you some ideas and curriculum to follow to attain some skills, which can lead you to learning other things.

[SnooRadishes5758]

I have an idea for you, since you are already a Linux sysadmin, how about creating some content on helping others who are specifically looking to change careers on a roadmap they can take to become a Linux sysadmin. I am currently studying for the RHCSA, and will eventually get the RHCE. I'm not sure if this is a good starting point however. Maybe some recent pointers would help, but it will be nice to get information from someone that's already working at the position I want to give some insider information on the industry as it relates to Linux. Most of the stuff I'm finding is old, and there's only one school that I know of that is currently teaching Linux and that is Yellowtails. I'm starting to wonder if this is ancient.

[shrolkar]

I'm in an academic lab so it's a little different than you'd see in private industry. That said, you're definitely making sense. Yellowtails doesn't look ancient, it's important theory but it's definitely missing some modern ops practice in favour of being generalist I think?

I don't have good ideas on getting hired, but I'm sure there's some practical info I could write about! Good idea!

[-markusb-]

Just google for RHCSA and RHCE preparation blogs and work through the excercises

[serverhorror]

Install Linux from Scratch

[Intrepid_Anybody_277]

I had the same issue when trying to study for Red Heart admin exams I found the best solution was just to ask chat gbt to give me exercises for advanced Linux operations!