Alexis Kestler
Hey there! If you‘re looking to boost your career by developing Linux skills, you‘ve come to the right place. As an experienced data analyst and Linux geek myself, I‘ve put together this definitive guide to help aspiring sysadmins like you learn Linux in record time.
Knowing Linux is essential for any system administration or engineering role these days. Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies use Linux in some capacity. And the recent [Linux Foundation Survey](https://www.linuxfoundation.org/blog/2021/06/the-2021-open-source-jobs-report– Linux-kubernetes-cloud-and-database-skills-in-high-demand/) shows high demand for Linux skills, with 93% of hiring managers reporting difficulty finding enough Linux talent.
With so much opportunity out there, now is the time to skill up! But with thousands of Linux resources available online, it can get overwhelming figuring out where to start.
That‘s why I‘ve compiled the 21 best Linux books, courses, and videos suited for sysadmin beginners to experts. These resources offer a clear learning path to go from zero to completely mastering Linux, even if you have no prior experience.
I‘ll share my insider tips and tricks for getting the most out of each one. Let‘s dive in!
Getting Started: Learn Linux Fundamentals
When you‘re just starting out, I always recommend developing a strong base before specializing.
The Learn Linux in 5 Days video course on Udemy is a perfect introduction covering all fundamental concepts you‘ll need to jumpstart your Linux admin journey.
Over 100,000 students have taken this best-selling course and given it a stellar 4.5/5 star rating. That‘s an incredible validation of how effective the material is.
As a data analyst myself, I can tell you those numbers don‘t lie! The course author Jason Cannon structures the content brilliantly – it‘s the fastest way to get a comprehensive beginner grasp of Linux.
In only 5 days of video tutorials, you‘ll become confident using commands in Red Hat, Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, and more. This shortcuts the learning curve so you can start administering Linux systems right away.
I recommend pairing this course with the legendary book The Linux Command Line which dives deeper into shell scripting and everyday admin tasks.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
The Linux Command Line: A Complete Introduction | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $11.50 | Buy on Amazon |
It‘s one of the highest rated Linux books on Amazon for good reason. The author William Shotts has over 15 years of Linux experience and knows how to teach Linux fundamentals in a simple, straightforward way.
Follow his 600+ page guide, and you‘ll gain complete terminal mastery in no time! From shell scripting to file permissions and package management, this book truly lives up to its name as the complete introduction to Linux.
Upgrading Your Skills: Specialize as a Power User
Once you‘ve built a solid base, it‘s time to upgrade your skills and really power up!
The next step is specializing into an advanced Linux user in subjects like security, kernel management, storage, and more.
I always recommend the 4 week Linux server management and security course on Coursera to take your skills up a notch. Created by Google IT experts, it‘s a crash course on enterprise Linux admistration.
You‘ll master authentication, firewall configuration, SSH hardening, and more – everything needed to secure Linux environments. The course finishes with a final project to reinforce what you learned.
I‘m also a huge fan of the Linux Security & Hardening Udemy course, which compacts enterprise-level techniques into 5 hours of cutting-edge video tutorials focused specifically on security.
Covering advanced topics like encryption, port scanning, sudo policies, and filesystem protection, it will take your Linux security knowledge to the next level. Combining both courses gives you a "defense in depth" education on protecting Linux systems.
For a truly powerful grasp of Linux, I recommend diving into the kernel – the heart of Linux! Advanced Linux: The Linux Kernel tutorial from LinkedIn Learning trains you in compiling, configuring, and troubleshooting the Linux kernel.
While definitely more advanced, learning kernel internals pays dividends in understanding the core of Linux systems. Being able to customize, optimize, and debug the kernel is an incredibly useful skill for any Linux professional.
And the Linux Kernel in a Nutshell free ebook by Linux creator Linus Torvalds himself covers everything you need to start kernel hacking!
Leveling Up: Professional Sysadmin Certification
Now that you‘ve got specialist skills under your belt, it‘s time to prove your expertise with an internationally recognized certification!
The Complete Linux Training course prepares you to pass the RHCSA and LFCS exams, which are the gold standard for Linux sysadmins.
Over 29 hours of prep videos, you‘ll master over 150+ Linux commands – more than enough to pass the exams!
With so much hands-on practice, virtual labs, and performance tips from the instructor, you‘ll breeze through even the toughest test scenarios.
I‘d also check out A Cloud Guru‘s acclaimed LPI Linux Essentials course, which preps you for the Linux Foundation certification exam.
Their interactive browser-based labs let you build real on-the-job skills in Linux system configuration, operation, and troubleshooting.
Cloud Guru is one of the top global platforms for cloud computing certification. Take my word for it – their cutting-edge virtual lab environments provide the best hands-on practice.
Add Linux credentials from these respected certification programs to your resume, and you‘ll be fielding job offers in no time!
Specialist Skills: Choose Your Linux Career Path
While the RHCSA/LFCS gives you broad Linux administration skills, you‘ll want to complement that with specialist expertise as well.
Pick an area you‘re passionate about, and master it through targeted education!
For example, my own background is in Linux data analytics. I highly recommend the Linux for Developers course on Coursera, created by The Linux Foundation themselves.
It trains you in specialized skills like kernel contributing, storage partitioning, system monitoring, containers, security hardening and more – everything you need to maximize Linux data platforms.
If you prefer systems programming, the Linux Kernel Programming course is invaluable. Or for network engineering, the Fundamentals of Red Hat Enterprise Linux LinkedIn Learning path trains you in running production Linux environments.
Find an exciting Linux specialization, invest in focused education for it, accentuate that on your resume, and watch the job offers come rolling in!
Keep Building: Expand Your Linux Knowledge
Congrats, you‘re now a certified enterprise Linux sysadmin! But the learning never stops in technology.
To stay on top and continue advancing your career, I recommend expanding your Linux knowledge into supplementary areas:
- Cloud platforms – Take cloud computing courses and learn managing Linux VMs on AWS/Azure/GCP
- Containers – Master Docker and Kubernetes, which both run on Linux
- Storage/databases – Level up your skills on SAN, NAS, software-defined storage, MySQL etc.
- Programming – Learn languages like Python or Go to unlock Linux‘s automation capabilities
- DevOps – Understand CI/CD pipelines, Ansible automation, infrastructure-as-code, and more!
Cross-skilling into these complementary domains will turn you into a well-rounded Infrastructure/DevOps engineer. That‘s an incredibly lucrative role with abundant job demand!
For example, check out the Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate program on Coursera – it develops amazing automation skills using Python.
There‘s always new developments to learn in cloud, containers, programming and more. Stay curious, keep mastering cutting-edge technologies, and you‘ll have employers chasing after you!
I hope this guide has been helpful detailing resources for mastering Linux and advancing in your sysadmin career! Let me know if you have any other questions.
And good luck as you continue your exciting journey to Linux mastery! Your future as a world-class sysadmin awaits.
