Top 5 Linux Utilities for Network Engineers

This is a crucial network engineer skill that every aspirant should develop. These professionals are primarily tasked with the designing, building and managing of an organisation’s computer network. For instance local area networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) are a part of these computer networks..

Linux Security Engineer

• If you are interested in trying out the latest professional and experimental tools in the field of networking and network security, installing Debian will provide you with full access.
• Certifications like CompTIA Linux+ validates the skills of IT pros with hands-on experience configuring, monitoring and supporting servers running on the Linux operating system.
• As one of the most popular enterprise distributions, RHEL is a great option because it is robust and reinforced.
• If you’re interested in trying out the newest niche and experimental tools in networking and cybersecurity, an installation of Debian will provide you with total access.
• If you happen to have an old laptop collecting dust, you can install Linux on that and avoid buying any additional hardware.

This guide will provide you with the information you need to navigate the Linux Engineer career path and achieve your professional goals. The role of a Linux engineer may vary depending on the organization but overall is the same. They’re typically more needed and involved within a tech company than other organizations. Those with Linux skills are sought after in the industry which is why Linux jobs are currently on the rise.

If we consider that most network switches are built off of a Linux base, and provide similar functionality, the CLI becomes an abstraction of the underlying Linux system. While I think this is a fair generalization, it’s also fair to say that most vendors don’t run a completely vanilla version of Linux or the Linux kernel. One of the biggest challenges for Linux engineers is staying up-to-date with the ever-evolving technology.

Another use case is testing whether your firewall is blocking certain traffic. For example, execute netcat in server mode on a host behind your firewall and then execute netcat in client mode from outside the firewall. If you can read on the server whatever you type on the client, then the firewall is not filtering the connection. 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. On the Linux server side, the days of simple host networking are quickly evaporating as more of the network logic moves down into the Linux host.

Hot Tools

Having the ability to access the native Linux operating system gives us great flexibility and opens the door to many new possibilities. Additionally, Linux Engineers have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and technologies, which can be both challenging and rewarding. They also have the opportunity to work in a variety of industries, from finance to healthcare to technology. It’s worth noting that the salary for a Linux Engineer job can vary widely depending on the specific role and industry. For example, a Linux Engineer in the financial industry may earn a higher salary than one in the education industry.

Workplace skills

Job growth for network engineering and administration in all technologies including Linux is expected to grow 4-5% in the next ten years. Those seeking a career in Linux networking should consider acquiring certain skills and certifications to boost their employability. Strong command over the Linux command line, knowledge of network protocols, troubleshooting abilities, and scripting skills are crucial. Become an expert in Linux and learn how to properly operate networks running Linux.

• This role requires in-depth knowledge of Linux command line, shell scripting, and often a good understanding of various Linux distributions.
• The discussion defines the Linux Shell as the Linux Comand Line interpreter.
• If you’re new to the field, look for entry-level positions, internships, or lab work to help sharpen your skills.
• Learn how to configure Linux networking, how to create users and assign permissions, how to install and run Linux services such as DNS and DHCP.

As Linux becomes an increasingly important part of modern technology infrastructure, the role of a Linux Engineer is becoming more and more critical. The career path of a Linux Engineer can be challenging but also rewarding. It includes a progression from Junior to Senior positions, and it is important to understand the different responsibilities and skills required at each stage.

When I was a computer science student I spent a lot of time playing around with Linux. 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. We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities. Overall, the salary for a Linux Engineer job can be quite competitive and offer good earning potential, especially for those with experience and specialized skills.

In comparison, a Junior Linux Engineer typically has less experience and responsibilities compared to a Senior Linux Engineer. The salary for a Linux Engineer can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and industry. On average, a Junior Linux Engineer can expect to earn a salary in the range of $60,000 to $80,000 per year, while a Senior Linux Engineer can earn upwards of $100,000 per year.

Jon’s main focus is on disruptive technology and trying to find ways to improve network operations. Outside of work, Jon blogs at and enjoys collaborating with others in the networking community on new ideas and concepts. Certifications like CompTIA Linux+ validates the skills of IT pros with hands-on experience configuring, monitoring and supporting servers running on the Linux operating system. Check out the CompTIA Career Roadmap to see what other certifications can help you become a Linux engineer. Linux has emerged as an essential platform in networking because of its scalability, robustness, and cost-efficiency. It is the backbone of many servers, cloud services, and network systems worldwide.

Mission Forecast for Linux Network Engineers

2) Network Automation tools such as Ansible don’t run the command node on Windows. You are probably going to use Linux with tools such linux network engineer as Ansible, Netmkio, NAPALM and other network automation tools. Monitor Linux network usage and tailor parameters for optimum throughput.

While some Linux distributions are better suited for network engineers, almost any Linux distribution can be used with the right software and configuration. OpenSUSE’s impressive stability and frequent new version releases make it a good choice if you like to avoid broken packages but want to take advantage of the latest software releases. Linux is a common operating system of choice for network engineers, and there are many distributions suitable for network-related tasks.

We use the latest technologies and most effective tools to get you up to speed quickly and in the working world as fast as possible. We use a mixture of video tutorials/lectures and active quizzes to ensure that what you’ve learned really sets in. Fedora also offers users an incredible arsenal of open-source tools, built-in support for containerized applications, and consistent access to cutting-edge features and software.

Fedora is an open-source distribution that serves as a community equivalent to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). RHEL itself is commonly chosen as the operating system for enterprise-level systems. To avoid future difficulties, you should test using software like Nmap on new Linux distributions and become familiar with networking. Among the well-known Linux distributions, Debian is famous for its excellent stability and high performance. Debian offers several forks, including Debian Stable (extremely secure and focused on stability) and Debian Unstable (more prone to problems but offering the latest cutting-edge software releases). Out of the box, with YaST (Yet another Setup Tool), you won’t have any problems configuring basic network settings.

These networks often include intranets, extranets, phone systems, wide area networks (WANs), or local area networks (LANs). Network Administrators are essential personnel in any organization that relies on computer networks. They are responsible for maintaining and optimizing networking and server infrastructure. This role often includes troubleshooting network issues, maintaining network security, setting up and configuring network hardware and software, and managing system updates.

Being a Linux engineer allows you to fully support and improve an organization while operating and troubleshooting multiple systems. Network Engineers often work in more senior or specialized roles, planning and implementing network systems. They typically handle higher-level tasks such as network architecture design, including Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), and cloud-based networks. Network engineers might also implement and manage firewalls, routers, and other network-related hardware.