Windows to Linux admin?

[spencer8136 (Spencer8000)]

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Has anyone switched from being a windows admin to a full time linux admin? I’ve it has become fashionable to ditch Windows Server now and Windows skills don’t really seem to be in demand anymore. I’m interested in learning linux, but not sure how long or difficult that career change would be. If anyone else has done this, was it worth it?

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[doughnutdestroyer (Doughnut)]

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Windows skills will always be in demand. Now a days however, most people move towards a Windows based education or skillset, so if you are Linux savvy then you are going to be more so in demand.

Based on experience with the companies I have worked with, Linux environment admins generally make a little more than a Windows environment admin.

I would make yourself a double threat and keep up with both if you can.

[Gary-D-Williams]

@Doughnut Destroyer

I would make yourself a double threat and keep up with both if you can.

^^can’t spice this enough. Also, remember that a lot of systems use some level of “linuxyness” under the hood (ESXi comes to mind) so having a basic Linux understanding will help out with many other things, not just linux.

[nelsonsa (Nelson9480)]

@Spencer6842

I’m really deep into the Microsoft side, I’m not sure how long it would take to be as skilled in *nix as I am in Windows. Is it acceptable to know linux well but not be an expert and still be employable? I know a bit of linux, enough to setup a monitoring server but I have to google every step of the way.

Even a moderate amount of Linux knowledge is better than no knowledge at all. The more you know, the better to be honest.

[Gary-D-Williams]

@nelsonsa

@Spencer6842

I’m really deep into the Microsoft side, I’m not sure how long it would take to be as skilled in *nix as I am in Windows. Is it acceptable to know linux well but not be an expert and still be employable? I know a bit of linux, enough to setup a monitoring server but I have to google every step of the way.

Even a moderate amount of Linux knowledge is better than no knowledge at all. The more you know, the better to be honest.

Also can’t spice this enough

Knowing where certain key files are in linux and what the output of “top” really means is better than not having a clue.

[will224 (Rambling Biped)]

@Spencer6842

@Doughnut Destroyer

Windows skills will always be in demand. Now a days however, most people move towards a Windows based education or skillset, so if you are Linux savvy then you are going to be more so in demand.

Based on experience with the companies I have worked with, Linux environment admins generally make a little more than a Windows environment admin.

I would make yourself a double threat and keep up with both if you can.

I’m really deep into the Microsoft side, I’m not sure how long it would take to be as skilled in *nix as I am in Windows. Is it acceptable to know linux well but not be an expert and still be employable? I know a bit of linux, enough to setup a monitoring server but I have to google every step of the way.

About a year and a half ago I switched from Windows Administration with a little bit of Linux to 90% Linux Administration with a little bit of Windows. Personally, I don’t know that I would ever be happy switching back. It takes a little bit of getting used to when it comes to service management and the overall difference in structure, but the flexibility, customization, and wealth of options for deploying and managing services make it a lot more exciting. The environment feels so much less constrained and control feels more raw and direct. A good example? Ask a few Linux Admins how to setup and configure a Nagios Monitoring solution. Let me know if you come across anyone with the same setup/configuration…

If you are interested in learning and becoming more proficient the best way to do so is ditch Windows as your daily driver and immerse yourself directly. It will more than likely be frustrating for the first 3 to 4 weeks, but once you get stuck in it will get easier. Linux is on fire right now and competency in managing *nix-based systems is definitely not a bad addition to any SysAdmin’s resume.

[will224 (Rambling Biped)]

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@Doughnut Destroyer

Windows skills will always be in demand. Now a days however, most people move towards a Windows based education or skillset, so if you are Linux savvy then you are going to be more so in demand.

Based on experience with the companies I have worked with, Linux environment admins generally make a little more than a Windows environment admin.

I would make yourself a double threat and keep up with both if you can.

I’m really deep into the Microsoft side, I’m not sure how long it would take to be as skilled in *nix as I am in Windows. Is it acceptable to know linux well but not be an expert and still be employable? I know a bit of linux, enough to setup a monitoring server but I have to google every step of the way.

About a year and a half ago I switched from Windows Administration with a little bit of Linux to 90% Linux Administration with a little bit of Windows. Personally, I don’t know that I would ever be happy switching back. It takes a little bit of getting used to when it comes to service management and the overall difference in structure.

If you are interested in learning and becoming more proficient the best way to do so is ditch Windows as your daily driver and immerse yourself directly. It will more than likely be frustrating for the first 3 to 4 weeks, but once you get stuck in it will get easier. Linux is on fire right now and competency in managing *nix-based systems is definitely not a bad addition to any SysAdmin’s resume.

Did you have experience with linux before that, or did you dive right in and find that most of your skills carried over? I don’t think it would be easy, otherwise everyone would learn linux instead right?

I had very little experience. The position I held before my current position was my first job in IT. I manned a helpdesk for a financial institution and did basic system deployments and maintenance. I regularly worked inside a debian-based DHCP server to troubleshoot connectivity problems with clients and, on occasion, enter new reservations. Aside form a little tinkering on the side setting up an old fog server, that was it.

Nowadays, everything I do is in Linux. We have a couple of 2012 Standard domain controllers, but just about everything else is Linux. Hypervisors, services, and more than half my desktops.

[nelsonsa (Nelson9480)]

Do some basic learning first, then attempt to put into practice:

• https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-linux-linuxfoundationx-lfs101x-2#.VQC2SdLF_Qg

• Free CompTIA Linux+ XKO-005 Online Training Course | Cybrary

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtGnc4I6s8dssa8hF4yMTAa4BrSJCSwux

• http://www.linux.com/learn/tutorials/784060-the-complete-beginners-guide-to-linux/

[will224 (Rambling Biped)]

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@Doughnut Destroyer

Windows skills will always be in demand. Now a days however, most people move towards a Windows based education or skillset, so if you are Linux savvy then you are going to be more so in demand.

Based on experience with the companies I have worked with, Linux environment admins generally make a little more than a Windows environment admin.

I would make yourself a double threat and keep up with both if you can.

I’m really deep into the Microsoft side, I’m not sure how long it would take to be as skilled in *nix as I am in Windows. Is it acceptable to know linux well but not be an expert and still be employable? I know a bit of linux, enough to setup a monitoring server but I have to google every step of the way.

About a year and a half ago I switched from Windows Administration with a little bit of Linux to 90% Linux Administration with a little bit of Windows. Personally, I don’t know that I would ever be happy switching back. It takes a little bit of getting used to when it comes to service management and the overall difference in structure.

If you are interested in learning and becoming more proficient the best way to do so is ditch Windows as your daily driver and immerse yourself directly. It will more than likely be frustrating for the first 3 to 4 weeks, but once you get stuck in it will get easier. Linux is on fire right now and competency in managing *nix-based systems is definitely not a bad addition to any SysAdmin’s resume.

Did you have experience with linux before that, or did you dive right in and find that most of your skills carried over? I don’t think it would be easy, otherwise everyone would learn linux instead right?

I had very little experience. The position I held before my current position was my first job in IT. I manned a helpdesk for a financial institution and did basic system deployments and maintenance. I regularly worked inside a debian-based DHCP server to troubleshoot connectivity problems with clients and, on occasion, enter new reservations. Aside form a little tinkering on the side setting up an old fog server, that was it.

Nowadays, everything I do is in Linux. We have a couple of 2012 Standard domain controllers, but just about everything else is Linux. Hypervisors, services, and more than half my desktops.

You make it sound like learning linux could be painless, especially if you switched over in under two years with little experience before that. What exactly did you start using linux for to learn with? Did you just setup a CentOS box and setup services or what?

Do you find that it takes longer to say, setup a file server or web server on linux? Or am I over-thinking the difficulty of all

I spent a lot of time in this group here and other communities reading. When I had a problem I banged on google until I found the answer. Then I banged on google some more until I understood the answer. Having one or two people you can go to with questions helps. It’s really all about being persistent and not falling back on the Windows crutch. If you’re in an environment where you can make the switch without any major penalty full immersion is the easiest way to accomplish it.

I think one of the hardest things for Windows-centered individuals trying to transition in to Unix/Linux is the fact that they try to correlate and relate things in Linux to their “counterparts” in a Windows system. Don’t go in with the expectation that you’ll be able to do this, they are different animals.

Ditch the GUI and dive into the terminal head first. Pretty much everything in Unix/Linux is managed by a text configuration files. Getting comfortable at the CLI is a must.

By all means, operate from a Desktop system, but do not rely on GUI-based tools to manage your Linux systems. They will stifle your learning. Once you understand what a GUI tool does and how it is doing it, feel free to use it. However, at that point you’ll more than likely realize the GUI tool is a waste of time…

Once you understand the basics setting up services is easy, especially since there is an ENORMOUS amount of documentation and tutorials on how to do so.

The sooner you start the easier it gets.

[will224 (Rambling Biped)]

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@Doughnut Destroyer

Windows skills will always be in demand. Now a days however, most people move towards a Windows based education or skillset, so if you are Linux savvy then you are going to be more so in demand.

Based on experience with the companies I have worked with, Linux environment admins generally make a little more than a Windows environment admin.

I would make yourself a double threat and keep up with both if you can.

I’m really deep into the Microsoft side, I’m not sure how long it would take to be as skilled in *nix as I am in Windows. Is it acceptable to know linux well but not be an expert and still be employable? I know a bit of linux, enough to setup a monitoring server but I have to google every step of the way.

About a year and a half ago I switched from Windows Administration with a little bit of Linux to 90% Linux Administration with a little bit of Windows. Personally, I don’t know that I would ever be happy switching back. It takes a little bit of getting used to when it comes to service management and the overall difference in structure.

If you are interested in learning and becoming more proficient the best way to do so is ditch Windows as your daily driver and immerse yourself directly. It will more than likely be frustrating for the first 3 to 4 weeks, but once you get stuck in it will get easier. Linux is on fire right now and competency in managing *nix-based systems is definitely not a bad addition to any SysAdmin’s resume.

Did you have experience with linux before that, or did you dive right in and find that most of your skills carried over? I don’t think it would be easy, otherwise everyone would learn linux instead right?

I had very little experience. The position I held before my current position was my first job in IT. I manned a helpdesk for a financial institution and did basic system deployments and maintenance. I regularly worked inside a debian-based DHCP server to troubleshoot connectivity problems with clients and, on occasion, enter new reservations. Aside form a little tinkering on the side setting up an old fog server, that was it.

Nowadays, everything I do is in Linux. We have a couple of 2012 Standard domain controllers, but just about everything else is Linux. Hypervisors, services, and more than half my desktops.

You make it sound like learning linux could be painless, especially if you switched over in under two years with little experience before that. What exactly did you start using linux for to learn with? Did you just setup a CentOS box and setup services or what?

Do you find that it takes longer to say, setup a file server or web server on linux? Or am I over-thinking the difficulty of all

And don’t get me wrong, the transition wasn’t painless. When I switched to this job I went in headfirst and immediately switched to using Linux as my primary workstation at work and home. I was neck deep in the environment 8-12+ hours a day 5 or more days a week.

I started off with Ubuntu Desktop, and still use it as my daily driver. Really, the desktop environment doesn’t matter that much as all the fun happens inside the terminal. Choosing and customizing your terminal is much more important. Pick whatever Distro you feel the most comfortable starting with, you can always change later.

[bbigford]

@Spencer6842

I’m really deep into the Microsoft side, I’m not sure how long it would take to be as skilled in *nix as I am in Windows. Is it acceptable to know linux well but not be an expert and still be employable? I know a bit of linux, enough to setup a monitoring server but I have to google every step of the way.

When you don’t have to Google every step of the way, you’re that much closer to being as deep into Linux as you are in Windows. I can’t spice enough about not just jumping ship on Windows. Being solely knowledgeable in Unix/Linux is the same as being solely knowledgeable in Windows.

[will224 (Rambling Biped)]

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@Doughnut Destroyer

Windows skills will always be in demand. Now a days however, most people move towards a Windows based education or skillset, so if you are Linux savvy then you are going to be more so in demand.

Based on experience with the companies I have worked with, Linux environment admins generally make a little more than a Windows environment admin.

I would make yourself a double threat and keep up with both if you can.

I’m really deep into the Microsoft side, I’m not sure how long it would take to be as skilled in *nix as I am in Windows. Is it acceptable to know linux well but not be an expert and still be employable? I know a bit of linux, enough to setup a monitoring server but I have to google every step of the way.

About a year and a half ago I switched from Windows Administration with a little bit of Linux to 90% Linux Administration with a little bit of Windows. Personally, I don’t know that I would ever be happy switching back. It takes a little bit of getting used to when it comes to service management and the overall difference in structure.

If you are interested in learning and becoming more proficient the best way to do so is ditch Windows as your daily driver and immerse yourself directly. It will more than likely be frustrating for the first 3 to 4 weeks, but once you get stuck in it will get easier. Linux is on fire right now and competency in managing *nix-based systems is definitely not a bad addition to any SysAdmin’s resume.

Did you have experience with linux before that, or did you dive right in and find that most of your skills carried over? I don’t think it would be easy, otherwise everyone would learn linux instead right?

I had very little experience. The position I held before my current position was my first job in IT. I manned a helpdesk for a financial institution and did basic system deployments and maintenance. I regularly worked inside a debian-based DHCP server to troubleshoot connectivity problems with clients and, on occasion, enter new reservations. Aside form a little tinkering on the side setting up an old fog server, that was it.

Nowadays, everything I do is in Linux. We have a couple of 2012 Standard domain controllers, but just about everything else is Linux. Hypervisors, services, and more than half my desktops.

You make it sound like learning linux could be painless, especially if you switched over in under two years with little experience before that. What exactly did you start using linux for to learn with? Did you just setup a CentOS box and setup services or what?

Do you find that it takes longer to say, setup a file server or web server on linux? Or am I over-thinking the difficulty of all

And don’t get me wrong, the transition wasn’t painless. When I switched to this job I went in headfirst and immediately switched to using Linux as my primary workstation at work and home. I was neck deep in the environment 8-12+ hours a day 5 or more days a week.

I started off with Ubuntu Desktop, and still use it as my daily driver. Really, the desktop environment doesn’t matter that much as all the fun happens inside the terminal. Choosing and customizing your terminal is much more important. Pick whatever Distro you feel the most comfortable starting with, you can always change later.

I’ll probably use CentOS since that is what most businesses use. I don’t think anything in IT is painless but I love to learn so I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. I’m more concerned about knowing it to a point where I’m actually employable, even if It’s mainly a windows environment with a bit of linux involved. I believe that theres a place for Windows and a place for Linux, different tools for different needs.

I use PowerShell when I can when managing Windows, I don’t know why everyone clings to the UI so much these days.

Powershell is on my short list of things to shove into my brain. GUI-es are overrated!

[will224 (Rambling Biped)]

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@will224

@Spencer6842

@Doughnut Destroyer

Windows skills will always be in demand. Now a days however, most people move towards a Windows based education or skillset, so if you are Linux savvy then you are going to be more so in demand.

Based on experience with the companies I have worked with, Linux environment admins generally make a little more than a Windows environment admin.

I would make yourself a double threat and keep up with both if you can.

I’m really deep into the Microsoft side, I’m not sure how long it would take to be as skilled in *nix as I am in Windows. Is it acceptable to know linux well but not be an expert and still be employable? I know a bit of linux, enough to setup a monitoring server but I have to google every step of the way.

About a year and a half ago I switched from Windows Administration with a little bit of Linux to 90% Linux Administration with a little bit of Windows. Personally, I don’t know that I would ever be happy switching back. It takes a little bit of getting used to when it comes to service management and the overall difference in structure.

If you are interested in learning and becoming more proficient the best way to do so is ditch Windows as your daily driver and immerse yourself directly. It will more than likely be frustrating for the first 3 to 4 weeks, but once you get stuck in it will get easier. Linux is on fire right now and competency in managing *nix-based systems is definitely not a bad addition to any SysAdmin’s resume.

Did you have experience with linux before that, or did you dive right in and find that most of your skills carried over? I don’t think it would be easy, otherwise everyone would learn linux instead right?

I had very little experience. The position I held before my current position was my first job in IT. I manned a helpdesk for a financial institution and did basic system deployments and maintenance. I regularly worked inside a debian-based DHCP server to troubleshoot connectivity problems with clients and, on occasion, enter new reservations. Aside form a little tinkering on the side setting up an old fog server, that was it.

Nowadays, everything I do is in Linux. We have a couple of 2012 Standard domain controllers, but just about everything else is Linux. Hypervisors, services, and more than half my desktops.

You make it sound like learning linux could be painless, especially if you switched over in under two years with little experience before that. What exactly did you start using linux for to learn with? Did you just setup a CentOS box and setup services or what?

Do you find that it takes longer to say, setup a file server or web server on linux? Or am I over-thinking the difficulty of all

And don’t get me wrong, the transition wasn’t painless. When I switched to this job I went in headfirst and immediately switched to using Linux as my primary workstation at work and home. I was neck deep in the environment 8-12+ hours a day 5 or more days a week.

I started off with Ubuntu Desktop, and still use it as my daily driver. Really, the desktop environment doesn’t matter that much as all the fun happens inside the terminal. Choosing and customizing your terminal is much more important. Pick whatever Distro you feel the most comfortable starting with, you can always change later.

I’ll probably use CentOS since that is what most businesses use. I don’t think anything in IT is painless but I love to learn so I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. I’m more concerned about knowing it to a point where I’m actually employable, even if It’s mainly a windows environment with a bit of linux involved. I believe that theres a place for Windows and a place for Linux, different tools for different needs.

I use PowerShell when I can when managing Windows, I don’t know why everyone clings to the UI so much these days.

Powershell is on my short list of things to shove into my brain. GUI-es are overrated!

Read learn powershell in a month of lunches and you’ll be able to cram the fundamentals in just a month, it’s pretty dang easy to learn. I always thought it would be difficult but it’s probably the most useful thing I’ve taught myself. Not to mention the thousands of scripts already online that you can use and edit.

This book?

[will224 (Rambling Biped)]

Not yet, it is next on my list after this one:

So much literacy to exercise so little time…

[doughnutdestroyer (Doughnut)]

@garydwilliams

@Doughnut Destroyer

I would make yourself a double threat and keep up with both if you can.

a lot of systems use some level of “linuxyness” under the hood

Windows 10

[doughnutdestroyer (Doughnut)]

@Spencer6842

@Doughnut Destroyer

Windows skills will always be in demand. Now a days however, most people move towards a Windows based education or skillset, so if you are Linux savvy then you are going to be more so in demand.

Based on experience with the companies I have worked with, Linux environment admins generally make a little more than a Windows environment admin.

I would make yourself a double threat and keep up with both if you can.

Is it acceptable to know linux well but not be an expert and still be employable? I know a bit of linux, enough to setup a monitoring server but I have to google every step of the way.

Depends on the employer and the position. Most employers for a basic Linux Admin job if you tell them you know a bit about Linux now, but have a homelab built for practice and your serious about your self education, they may give you a shot.

Honestly I would start by just setting up a home lab with a few different flavors of Linux. And really if your half smart and tech savvy, learning Linux shouldn’t be to bad. Give yourself 90 minutes a night 3 days a week and in 6 months you will be pretty far (if not mastered what you can in a home lab). Check the community for educational links and resources, theres a crap ton floating around here.

[katherine-cbt-nuggets]

Spencer6842 Our Linux library is awesome! (said from a completely unbiased standpoint, of course. haha!) The Linux Essentials and the Linux in the Real World courses would be great ones to check out.

More than that though, our Linux trainer, Shawn Powers, did a whole series about Linux on our blog with posts about how he got into it, how to get started with it, the pros & cons, how it’s helps his career, and more. Seriously great stuff in those.

Good luck on your Linux journey!

@spencer8136

[Bud-G]

Windows is still very much in demand. You just need to find the market for it and make yourself more competitive for the positions. Powershell is a great way to go.

As for wanting to become a Linux admin, yes there is a demand for it. Learning it, at all, improves your ability to become more competitive with your peers. I’d recommend starting with something along the lines of which you are familiar, learn how to integrate *nix machines into a Windows environment. Build a LAMP server.

More knowledge and relevant knowledge/experience makes you more competitive even if you wish to stick with just being a Windows admin.

[John5152]

Before Windows “took off” I used to run SCO XENIX system V as a networked OS, I loved some of the errors it used - Panic / Double Panic etc. but I must admit switching to Windows servers did make my life easier. The emergence of PowerShell is definitely giving me deja vu

I don’t think Windows is going to disappear any time soon but there is also definitely a big place for 'nix as part of the IT world, there are quite a few roles that it actually does a lot better.