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Stanley Chinedu Ogada
Stanley Chinedu Ogada

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A Junior DevOps Engr should be an ex-IT Operations Engineer or SysAdmin

My Note About DevOps

Preface

Suppose Bob๐Ÿ‘‘, as a Junior DevOps Engineer, has a background as an Ex operations engineer or/and SysAdmin. In that case, he embodies a stronger DevOps Engineer profile compared to Smith๐Ÿ˜–, who holds the title of Senior DevOps Engineer but is solely an Ex Only-DevOps-Tools-User.

Key Argument: Prioritize the implementation of DevOps methodology before integrating tools (Not DevOps ๐Ÿ‘Ž๐Ÿฝ), both methodologically and technically. Learning about tools should follow a thorough understanding of systems and infrastructure

In DevOps, tools should be regarded as the final consideration. They should not take precedence in the learning journey nor be the primary focus during DevOps implementation.

๐Ÿ’ก(this is Bob๐Ÿ‘‘ BTW) Learn Linux System Administration (because Cloud is Linux. lol) first before learning all 1K+ tools, Tools only help you bring the System to the Developer ๐Ÿ™ƒ

Hope my Preface section is messy enough?!!

Don't be like "Senior" Smith๐Ÿ˜– yet struggling with his all tools ๐Ÿ‘Ž๐Ÿฝ

Introduction

In recent years, the term "DevOps Engineer" has become increasingly popular in the tech industry. However, there's often confusion surrounding the exact responsibilities and skill set required for this role. Some argue that a DevOps Engineer is essentially a Cloud + Automation Engineer, while others believe there's more to it. In this blog post, we'll delve into the nuances of the DevOps Engineer role and explore why it encompasses more than just cloud computing and automation.

Table of Contents:

  1. Understanding DevOps Engineering
  2. The Role of Cloud Computing in DevOps
  3. Exploring System Administration Skills
  4. The Intersection of Software Engineering and DevOps
  5. Debunking the Myth: DevOps Engineer vs. Cloud + Automation Engineer
  6. Conclusion

Understanding DevOps Engineering

DevOps is a cultural and organizational approach that emphasizes collaboration, communication, and integration between software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) teams. DevOps engineering involves implementing practices, processes, and tools to streamline and automate the software development lifecycle.

The Role of Cloud Computing in DevOps

Cloud computing plays a crucial role in DevOps by providing a scalable and flexible infrastructure for deploying and managing applications. DevOps engineers leverage cloud services and platforms to build and maintain infrastructure as code, enabling rapid provisioning, scalability, and automation.

Exploring System Administration Skills

SysAdmin skills are essential for DevOps engineers, as they involve managing and maintaining the infrastructure and tooling that support software development and deployment. This includes tasks such as server configuration, networking, security, automation, and monitoring.

The Intersection of Software Engineering and DevOps

While DevOps engineers may not primarily focus on writing application code, they often have some knowledge of software development principles and practices. They collaborate with developers to define infrastructure requirements, troubleshoot deployment issues, and optimize application performance.

Debunking the Myth: DevOps Engineer vs. Cloud + Automation Engineer

While it's true that DevOps engineers require skills in cloud computing and automation, their role extends beyond that. DevOps engineering involves a combination of cloud computing, system administration, software engineering, collaboration, and automation to enable efficient software delivery. However, it is my firm belief that a DevOps Engineer should have a very strong background and skills in IT Ops/Cloud Computing and SysAdmin. Essentially, combining expertise from both former IT Ops and SysAdmin roles creates an even stronger DevOps Engineer at the bare minimum.

Conclusion

The role of a DevOps Engineer is multifaceted, encompassing skills in cloud computing, system administration, software engineering, collaboration, and automation (Essentially Jack of all trades). While cloud computing and automation are important aspects of DevOps, they are just one part of the broader skill set required for success in this role. Understanding the full scope of DevOps engineering, including strong backgrounds in IT Ops and SysAdmin, is essential for organizations looking to adopt DevOps practices effectively.

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