Linux for Network Engineers: What you need to get started

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Learn more about the latest data and trends in tech hiring and the implications for employers and the U.S. workforce with new episodes each month. Thank you to Cybrary for providing this opportunity to complete the Cybrary Orientation Certification program with such sleekness and detail-oriented learning. The average Linux Engineer salary in the United States is $103,666 per year or $50 per hour. Moving past the pandemic, 2023 came in like a beast with layoffs, raise freezes, and ChatGPT, but our salary survey found signs of improvement. Networking is important in every profession, which holds true for this career choice.

Focus areas should include the command line, system administration, network configuration, and server management. Don’t forget to explore related fields like cybersecurity and cloud computing. This change has necessitated engineers with expertise in Linux to adopt new skills, such as managing and operating cloud-based Linux servers. Industries heavily invested in their digital infrastructure show an especially high demand for these professionals.

Configure a Virtual Network Service Endpoint

On our side, we’ll do our best to give a smooth but solid introduction to Linux for network engineers. I decided to check out Cybrary and the courses they had to offer after seeing a few posts from people who had completed their courses. I’m happy to say that their instructors are knowledgeable and clear, and their course catalogues are extensive and offer linux network engineer relevant career path courses. Learners will also use the PuTTY tool to verify SSH connectivity to the virtual machine. Once you’ve done with the Basic Networking Concepts, now you have to look out for the advanced knowledge of this field. You can opt for various Live Training Sessions by the Experts, Recommended Books, Research Papers, Journals, Blogs, etc.

  • You may want to explore climbing the ladder within your existing field, where positions such as senior engineer or project lead will increase your responsibility, experience, and exposure.
  • For instance, Docker is able to deliver container network isolation by leveraging network namespaces along with basic Linux interfaces and bridging.
  • Additionally, Linux Engineers have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and technologies, which can be both challenging and rewarding.
  • Moving past the pandemic, 2023 came in like a beast with layoffs, raise freezes, and ChatGPT, but our salary survey found signs of improvement.

Start your own projects, participate in open-source projects, or solve real-world problems via hackathons or contests. Certifications not only augment your skills but also validate your expertise to potential employers, making you a more desirable candidate. Certifications to consider include Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), CompTIA Linux+, and Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC). Start with foundational certifications and advance to more specialized ones as you progress in your career. Recent high-profile cyber-attacks have led to a greater emphasis on safeguarding company data.

Step 11: Pursue Advanced Certifications

On the Linux server side, the days of simple host networking are quickly evaporating as more of the network logic moves down into the Linux host. With deep technical knowledge, you could guide teams and manage projects more effectively. This move could involve obtaining additional credentials like the PMP (Project Management Professional) and would typically result in more strategic, big-picture work. You may want to explore climbing the ladder within your existing field, where positions such as senior engineer or project lead will increase your responsibility, experience, and exposure. Eventually, this could lead to a role as a systems director or IT manager, overseeing teams of engineers and making significant decisions about infrastructure and strategy. The work environment for a Linux engineer mostly revolves around office settings.

While OVS isn’t native to Linux, it does have its own Linux kernel module and is used extensively with open source projects such as OpenStack. OVS is a prime example of how a Linux host can be extended to provide more than basic level of network attachment. It’s also a good example of the direction things are heading and the skillset that will be required to effectively work and troubleshoot Linux host networking. They bridge the gap between development and operations teams, focusing on streamlining and automating operations. Familiarity with DevOps tools and methodologies, along with Linux, is essential in this role.

Progressing to leadership roles

Attending Linux-themed conferences, workshops, webinars, and meet-up events is a good start. Take advantage of job acquisition services, such as Resume Creator and Online Reputation Builder to accelerate your search for your dream job. An Interview Coach prepares you for that crucial interaction with targeted employers—your booster rocket above the competition. Absolutely amazing program I highly recommend it for all people aiming to improve their quality of life, they are incredibly flexible, hands on, and provide phenomenal service! Get ready with one of these options and in the next post we’ll talk how to access your Linux box remotely and without a password (but securely) with ssh.

how to become a linux network engineer

If you happen to have an old laptop collecting dust, you can install Linux on that and avoid buying any additional hardware. Okay, so now having adequate knowledge about Networking, relevant certification and some hands-on experience, you’re all set to look out for Network Engineer jobs. You can start it by preparing a list of Networking Companies and visit their official websites to view their eligibility criteria https://remotemode.net/ and other requirements. Keep in mind that becoming a Network Engineer in a better company is not the final destination, you can reach on various higher positions such as – Network Manager, Chief Technology Officer, etc. The top networking companies across the globe are Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Juniper, Intel, IBM, Sophos, etc. The range and scope of technologies that leverage Linux is large and growing rapidly.