Study Path for Linux, Python, Automation

sillymcnasty

Hello! Been a while

I've been a lurker here for a while, and joined for my CCNA. You guys were priceless helping me out so I'm back for some guidance.

Long story short, I have my Network+ and my CCNA. Found the cloud interesting, and moved my path more towards that. I just got AWS CSA certification on Saturday. Next up is AWS DevOps Associate, which apparently is very easy and has a ton of overlap with CSA.

Started looking for jobs, results have generally been some sort of DevOps..and I see I am not qualified in terms of actual raw skills. It seems I would have to learn Linux, Python, and some fort of automation, being Chef/Puppet/Ansible.

What order would you guys recommend doing this? Time frame? I can easily study 4 hours a day with my job, and more if I wanted to. I've been studying nonstop since 2015 when I started for my Network+ and didn't stop. So that won't be an issue, having a quality of life. I have no life lol.

Linux First? Then Python? Then automation? That's my assumption.
How in depth should I know Linux? Not saying I would need RHCE levels, but to what end?
Python -> I have the "Learn python the hard way" on deck. Code Academy on the queue of to-do as well.
Chef/Puppet/Ansible --> No idea whatsoever. I assume this would be last.

DoubleNNs

Congrats on the AWS CSA pass! I've heard the DevOps Engineer test is pretty difficult tho -- do you perchance mean you want to take the SysOps Associate exam next?

I would go w/ your proposed plan above: Linux -> Python -> Automation. I don't think you need to get too in depth w/ any of them. You don't need to be a full-fledged programmer by the time you're done studying Python, but you need to understand how to script a few tasks and know the ecosystem.

Learn Linux well enough that you can do Python development on it, preferably completely from the CLI. If not, then a mixture between your text editor / IDE of choice and a Linux machine. Maybe look into taking the Linux+ certification. Additionally, it's near impossible to learn Linux and not some bash scripting/programming in the process.

Learn how to install a basic web browser and/or database on Linux and test that it's working. Automate that w/ your favorite Configuration Management tool -- doesn't matter what it is.

sillymcnasty

Thank you for the response and thanks for the encouragement! The AWS DevOps associate is actually the easiest associate. I think you may be referring to the DevOps professional, which is their hardest certification overall. A ways to go before I can get to that level.

Thanks for the tips. I'll get cracking on using Linux with the CLI as my first step. Do you think Linux+ would be in the range of not getting too in depth? With all the studying I've been doing I'm finally seeing things as doable. Just a matter of time management.

the_Grinch

Yup start learning Linux first. I think ultimately you want to be comfortable with the command line and be able to accomplish any system task utilizing it. Python is pretty easy to pick up and if you are dedicating several hours a day to it you will be in good shape.

sillymcnasty

As for Linux, any specific path? I've been hearing Red Hat is the thing to learn. Granted the underlying system is all the same but there are way too many options haha.

the_Grinch

The basics will apply to any flavor of Linux. Seems to me there is a lot of respect for the LPI certifications and the skills learned would definitely serve you well. Don't have to go for the certs, but looking at the blueprints should give you an idea of what to look at.

cowill

Salute to you on your journey. I was thinking about making a move similar to yours (Have my L+, looking to get CCENT > CEH > AWS CSA by years end) . Naturally, I'm commenting to piggy back..


But just to contribute, I'd say a Linux + > AWS CSA > AWS Dev OPS isn't a bad path. L+ won't make you Linus Torvalds but its solid enough for you to build off of AWS CSA and head to DevOPS. Anything red hat is cool, however, you may find yourself doing some SuSE or possibly some strand of Debian. RH Certs may not keep you from that, but it may be overkill if you just want to get into Linux Automation.

I'd imagine that L+ combined with CCNA 2 of the 2 of the AWS will be MORE than enough to get you into Automation or some type of hybrid cloud role that will get you paid. .

cowill

How long did it take for you to get your AWS CSA?

DoubleNNs

sillymcnasty wrote: »

The AWS DevOps associate is actually the easiest associate. I think you may be referring to the DevOps professional, which is their hardest certification overall. A ways to go before I can get to that level.

Ohhh. You're referring to the Developer Associate -- not DevOps Associate. There is no DevOps associate AWS certification.

sillymcnasty

I can't even type properly when I quote people, what a weird glitch.

-cowill: I would say maybe get the CCNA instead of just CCENT. It made no difference on my resume until I did the 2nd part and got the CCNA. I started studying for my AWS CSA in September. I watched the ACloudGuru videos. It's half teaching the use of AWS and half teaching the test. Very useful information. I did the practice tests there and it was so hard it scared me. So that slowed my progress and made me really study every FAQ there was. So from September to end of February with maybe a month or so off in between for work. I could have taken it sooner.

DoubleNNs - Oops! You're right. Maybe I should leave attention to detail off my resumes.

jdancer

Try this:

1) Linux from Scratch from linuxfromscratch.org
2) Python from codeacademy.com
3) Ansible from ansible.com

alias454

As far as which Linux, RedHat/CentOS or Debian. Personally, I am not an ubuntu fan but you can use that too if you choose. At this point I don't think you can go wrong learning Ansible but I also like SaltStack. Ideally with either one, you are learning about the process, which can be applied to any config management system(Cfengine,Puppet,Chef,Ansible,SaltStack etc).

sillymcnasty

Thanks. I'll hopefully be beginning my Linux training this month, or maybe beginning of next! Hopefully within 1 year I can make some good money.

jrisbrook

Wow This is a great thread full of many good suggestions! I have my net+ and bit of Python under my belt. how long did it take you to get your ccna @sillymcnasty ? Im looking to pursue Linux+ as well as Golang for a second language. Maybe you could pm me @the_grinch and point me in the right direction. @cowill im taking Security+ in about 2 weeks and then im on to the CEH as well. I would love to chat with any of you and pick your brains.
Feel free to Pm me

sillymcnasty

The ICND1 took me a very long time. Probably 6 months. But I kept psyching myself out thinking it was too hard. I did the Boson practice test and did so poorly that I kept pushing it back. But it prepared me so well that the ICND2 I did in about a month. It definitely shouldn't take anyone as long as it took me. Read the Odom book (a chapter a day). Watch the CBT Nugget series. Then the Boson Practice tests will really cement everything in.me

sillymcnasty

Just passed my Developer Associate today! Well it is after midnight, so yesterday!

JoJoCal19

Congrats on the pass! So what's next up for you?

powerfool

If you want to learn Python, checkout MIT's OpenCourseware offering of their 6.00SC course, which is their intro to Computer Science, taught with Python as the language. The lectures are on YouTube. I have been watching them at 2x speed and it has been fun, but I am teaching myself C++ right now (just because I want to, not because I am going to become a C++ programmer) and I do the exercises in both Python and C++.

sillymcnasty

JoJoCal19 wrote: »

Congrats on the pass! So what's next up for you?

Sysops Associate!

securityorc

powerfool wrote: »

If you want to learn Python, checkout MIT's OpenCourseware offering of their 6.00SC course, which is their intro to Computer Science, taught with Python as the language. The lectures are on YouTube. I have been watching them at 2x speed and it has been fun, but I am teaching myself C++ right now (just because I want to, not because I am going to become a C++ programmer) and I do the exercises in both Python and C++.

There is an introductory Python course from MIT on edX, with the same instructors from the OpenCourseware one, I took it and it was great quality, highly recommend it.

Also, Coursera is hosting a Python specialization, haven't taken that one but the reviews are great.

For Python and automation, check out this awesome free book: https://automatetheboringstuff.com/

I think you can get a free 3-months subscription to Linux Academy if you register for Visual Studio, have yet to check that out. As a free resource, I've used linux-training.be

sillymcnasty

Thanks for all the resources! After the Sysops, I'm going to Mexico in Mid-April then I will begin a long summer of studying!

Dragonranger

Funny ive been looking at all the exact same things. I picked up a few courses off of udemy for linux, python, and aws csa.
Ive been focusing more on python using codecademy. And the automate the boring stuff book mentioned above. Personally all the math example from codecademy are driving me nuts. Really liking automate the boring stuff though. The website also has links to some youtube videos you can follow along with.

sillymcnasty

Just passed SysOps. My GOD that was a hard test. I can't really say it is study-able because a good chunk of the situational questions would not be found in the FAQs or whitepapers. They were all behavioral/reaction type questions that you could only really get from working with it daily. With that being said, ACloudGuru forums stated that they all failed on the monitoring part. So did I, I got 50% - but I did well enough everywhere else to pass. Maybe 50% is 2 out of 4 so it wasn't so bad? Not sure. But Glad I passed, I really wasn't sure.

Whizlabs is a must for a question pool. Acloudguru's questions are too easy, as are LinuxAcademy.

I used linuxacademy 7 day trial for this and it WAS better then the acloudguru Sysops course, but still, too easy and not great for the test. But yeah, these are our only options at the moment. Glad I passed, though.

NetworkNewb

powerfool wrote: »

If you want to learn Python, checkout MIT's OpenCourseware offering of their 6.00SC course, which is their intro to Computer Science, taught with Python as the language. The lectures are on YouTube. I have been watching them at 2x speed and it has been fun, but I am teaching myself C++ right now (just because I want to, not because I am going to become a C++ programmer) and I do the exercises in both Python and C++.

That sounds like a good idea ^^ Looking to learn some programming and Python and C++ seem to be the 2 I was thinking of learning as well. I'm thinking on starting to go for my Masters in Applied Computer Science either this fall or next spring ( 2018 )and definitely need to get my programming back up to speed. Its been awhile.

Assuming this is the exact course your going through?
https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-mitx-6-00-1x-10?utm_source=OCW&utm_medium=CHP&utm_campaign=OCW

JoJoCal19

NetworkNewb wrote: »

I'm thinking on starting to go for my Masters in Applied Computer Science either this fall or next spring ( 2018 )

Which school, DSU?

NetworkNewb

JoJoCal19 wrote: »

Which school, DSU?

Yep, I've talked with professor there and he let me know a few pre req classes I would need to take. Think it would be good and definitely more in the direction I would like to go in.

Node Man

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to add 2 cents: Learning Linux is something that can be picked up along the way. Keep a notepad of the commands you figure out, and type 'history' alot

**HOWEVER**
When it comes to DevOps and automation - I think there is a big difference between being a LinuxUser/LinuxAdmin and being a proficient Bash Scripter.

I know lots of Linux users, but the skilled Bash scripters really stand out.

Just thinking out loud.


Have a great day.

DoubleNNs

Bash scripting is cool and all, but for larger scripts/programs it becomes pretty clunky and hard to read, IMHO. Altho, bash scripting does have its place, I think it's more preferable to be comfortable w/ bash for small scripts, one-off takes, or editing other people's code, but default to another scripting language of choice.