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For network engineers, automation can simplify complex processes such as configuration management, network monitoring, and log analysis. Linux also supports a wide range of network protocols and can be used to simulate network environments, which is invaluable for testing and development. This article explores why Linux is crucial for network engineers, highlighting its key features, advantages, and the skills network engineers need to leverage its full potential. Im starting to look for network engineering jobs and alot of them are asking for linux experience. RHEL comes pre-equipped with the SELinux security module, so you will find it easy to get started with managing access controls and system policies.
I’ve used iperf many times to troubleshoot network slowness issues, verify whether the ISP would honor the DSCP marking, and measure the jitter value of UDP traffic. We have already written a post about using iperf in distributed monitoring, so I encourage you to read that if you want to learn more. For the routing process, we first used Zebra and then Quagga (which at the time supported OSPF).
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The kernel is licensed under the GNU General Public License, and most Linux distributions are either entirely or primarily open source. But in general, all of this means you’re free to modify, build upon, or even sell Linux. The ability to freely modify and distribute improvements is one of the most significant reasons for the operating system’s long-term success. People have been adding features they want into Linux for decades and integrating those changes into the larger codebase. In simplest terms, Linux is an operating system similar to what you’d find on a Windows machine, MacBook, or Chromebook. When people talk about Linux, they typically refer to the full collection of software packages and window managers known as a Linux distribution or distro.
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Having a solid understanding of Linux as it relates to both basic operations and networking is a skill worth having. linux for network engineers To avoid future difficulties, you should test using software like Nmap on new Linux distributions and become familiar with networking. One of the biggest advantages of using Debian for network engineering is that it has an incredibly package-rich repository, containing over 59,000 different packages. Among the well-known Linux distributions, Debian is famous for its excellent stability and high performance.
O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers. Many roles in network administration, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and systems engineering require a strong foundation in Linux. Linux is renowned for its security and stability, which are critical attributes for network environments. This cost efficiency extends to the tools and utilities that run on Linux, many of which are also open-source, providing powerful functionality without additional expenses.
- We have already written a post about using iperf in distributed monitoring, so I encourage you to read that if you want to learn more.
- The Network Engineer Program at CyberTex equips you with the expertise to thrive in advanced computer networking and security roles.
- While CentOS Stream may not have the stability of Fedora, its attractive inclusion of the latest software makes it worth considering.
- Nmap allows you to quickly verify that; just run the Nmap command followed by the hostname or fully qualified domain name.
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For example, if you are running a ping test, you will have to use the count option (-c), otherwise it will run continuously in background. Tpcdump is a great utility to troubleshoot network and application issues. For example, at remote sites that are connected with IPSec tunnels back to the main site, many times I was able to figure out why some traffic would make it through the tunnel and some wouldn’t.
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The cause was that some traffic that used the entire IP payload without accounting for the IPSec header had the DF bit set. As results, the router would return an ICMP packet with code “Can’t Fragment Error”, something that I found out with tcpdump. Well, I think that having a basic knowledge of Linux is no longer just for students and computer geeks. Network engineers will often run into Linux-based network operating systems and command lines.
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Embracing Linux and building expertise in this area is a strategic move for anyone looking to succeed in the field of network engineering. Knowledge of Linux is therefore essential for network engineers working in environments that adopt DevOps practices. Major cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure offer extensive support for Linux, and many cloud-native applications are designed to run on Linux environments. Additionally, the stability of Linux ensures minimal downtime and consistent performance, which is crucial for maintaining reliable network services. Its robust security model, combined with the ability to quickly patch vulnerabilities, makes Linux a preferred choice for network systems that require high levels of protection. These tools are essential for tasks such as network configuration, monitoring, troubleshooting, and security enforcement.
It can give you useful information about what’s running on network hosts. With Nmap you can, for example, scan and identify open and filtered TCP/IP ports, check what operating system is running on a remote host, and do a ping sweeps on an IP subnet or range. A lot of network operating systems are based on Linux, or have a Linux shell you can access, or use Linux type commands.
My home network was routed by a Pentium 2 workstation running Slackware and configured with IP forwarding and IP tables. In 2003, I attended a CCNA boot camp; the other students and I practiced routing protocols (RIP and OSPF) by building an overlay point-to-point network between our houses. We used OpenVPN for the tunneling and then RIP and OSPF inside the tunnels. 6) A new breed of network devices from companies like Facebook, Microsoft and Cumulus Linux use Linux. As businesses continue to adopt open-source technologies, the demand for professionals skilled in Linux is expected to grow, offering excellent job prospects and career advancement opportunities. Linux is also a fundamental part of the curriculum for many networking and IT courses.
- While some Linux distributions are better suited for network engineers, almost any Linux distribution can be used with the right software and configuration.
- Adding those components to run Linux distros on Android devices is pretty straightforward.
- 1) A lot of network operating systems are based on Linux, or have a Linux shell you can access, or use Linux type commands.
- Technically, the term Linux relates only to the kernel at the heart of it all.
- Additionally, the stability of Linux ensures minimal downtime and consistent performance, which is crucial for maintaining reliable network services.
John Breeden II is an award-winning journalist and reviewer with over 20 years of experience covering technology. Learn how mastering just a few basic skills can advance your job and career. The range and scope of technologies that leverage Linux is large and growing rapidly. The deeper you dive into any technology the more likely you are to see Linux.
With Nmap you can, for example, scan and identify open and filtered TCP/IP ports, check what operating system is running on a remote host, and perform a ping sweep on an IP subnet or range. Current trends are pushing the skillset of the network engineer and the server administrator closer together. On the physical network side, the ability to access the native Linux shell enables us to install tools and application once reserved for Linux servers.
If you are not ready to apply for this position, submit your resume here to join our talent community. Thank you for your interest in Linux Foundation training and certification. For example, Wicked is a powerful network configuration framework, and Samba can perfectly realize file sharing between Linux and Windows systems. With openSUSE’s Zypper package manager, you won’t have any problems installing the right tools for the job. Not all of the software packaged with Kali Linux is useful for network engineers, but luckily, new Kali installations are completely customizable.
Debian is a widely-renowned Linux distribution known for being incredibly stable and high-performance. I hope this blog post provided some useful Linux tricks that will make your life easier. If you have other Linux command line utilities in your toolbox, please feel free to share them in the comment section below.