A lot of individuals these days are deciding to enter the world of DevOps and for good reason. DevOps is one of the fastest-growing fields in IT. But why is that? Well to put it simply, it is a much faster way of implementing and deploying changes on a system.
The one thing that a DevOps engineer needs to know is the fact that due to its vastness, DevOps is more of a culture and a way of life than a job. The first thing that you will learn before you start your DevOps training is how to create or be an integral part of a cross-functioning team. DevOps requires different areas of expertise merged to bring about the desired result.
These areas include:
- Marketing
- Development
- Operations
- Account Management
- Quality Assurance
Simply put, every project is like a smaller organization in its own right.
How to Learn DevOps?
Getting back to how to learn DevOps, there are several things that individuals need to keep in mind before they start.
1. Learn a Programming Language
As mentioned earlier, DevOps is a combination of different expertise with a team working on different areas, but if in the future you want to be someone who wants to lead a project, knowing a programming language is essential. If you do not code, you cannot survive in DevOps.
Python, Go, Nodejs, etc. It doesn’t have to be a specific language. Knowing a language gives DevOps engineers the knowledge to understand how programming works. Think of it this way, it’s like learning how to break an egg before you can learn to fry it.
2. Learning about Server Management
We are all running on servers these days. Well, that’s not entirely true but the gist is everyone is always online these days with the help of servers running 24/7. Since servers are such an integral part of any online system, a person taking DevOps training courses must be familiar with the basics of server management. This includes having good knowledge about the following:
- CPU
- Architecture
- Memory
Along with this, you also must have good knowledge of operating systems such as Linux. Most people that start with Linux choose to go with Ubuntu. Knowing operating systems allows you a better understanding of managing servers quicker. It’s all about working effectively in the least possible time when working in DevOps.
Learning to manage servers is an easier part of the process, but extremely essential for DevOps training.
3. Networking and Security
Becoming a DevOps engineer requires a person to be well versed in networking and security. The reason for this is that a good DevOps engineer knows how to tackle networking problems faster.
If there is a breach in the security of a project or the network goes down, communication gets cut off which can cause massive problems. A good DevOps engineer knows how FTP, DNS, HTTP, and other protocols work along with having good anticipation of security flaws and knowing how to secure their own deployed networks.
4. Scripting
Scripts are a DevOps engineer’s best friend. Scripting is highly essential when receiving DevOps training online because it helps you automate a lot of programming tasks. Since DevOps is focused on making a project fast and efficient, scripting allows a lot of complex tasks to be simplified.
Programming languages and scripting go hand in hand. A person learning a programming language will certainly start scripting for different parts of the program too. The most common scripting languages are Bash and Python. Start by learning a few basic scripts and that will allow you to write your own gradually.
5. Middleware Handling
Why is understanding middleware necessary? Imagine a company that has 4 products currently working. It has a client that has 3 different products from 3 different companies. The client suddenly has the epiphany of integrating all these products of different systems into one huge system.
A regular IT team would say that this process could take about or over 2 years, but a smart developer who has received DevOps training would beg to differ. The smart developer would suggest putting all the systems in a homogenous environment and that’s where using middleware comes in.
To use middleware, the input/outputs of all the involved systems are studied along with analyzing the resources they use, and then an appropriate Middleware Framework is implemented for them to function correctly in the same environment.
6. Software Deployment
Software deployment is the most important aspect when it comes to DevOps training. This is where the expertise of a DevOps engineer counts the most. As mentioned before, a DevOps engineer should know how to code at a basic level, but deployment is something they should be familiar with at a higher level.
7. Public Cloud
Sounds like the name of an indie rock song but a DevOps engineer must have a good understanding of how a public cloud works. Since the dawn of cloud computing, 80% of the world’s systems are now running on it.
When talking about cloud computing, two names ring a very loud bell, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure. They are the most commonly used cloud services because of the vast variety of tools they come equipped with to help you in creating and deploying a system and a good way to start learning. After reading all that, one will assume that it is a lot of work to learn DevOps, but rest assured, the most you need to do is keep a positive and open your mind to the wonders of lifelong learning. Once you start DevOps training online, you will notice that it is a comfortable climb. The only thing a DevOps student needs is consistency in doing something related to it every day and you are good to be handling your projects in no time. In short, communication, teamwork, and management are key to picking up on the rest of the more technical aspects of it.
