30-day plan to learn DevOps for beginners
The only plan you need to get started with DevOps.
Hey there 👋 - Amrut here!
Happy Sunday to all synced with The Tech Pulse!
DevOps is an exciting area of tech that is growing rapidly.
The demand for professionals with DevOps skills is only going to rise.
Many people have contacted me on Twitter and LinkedIn over the last few days about getting started in DevOps.
In today’s newsletter issue, I will share a 30-day actionable & structured plan for someone beginning to learn DevOps.
I will cover the following:
the fundamental concepts you must understand well
why you must learn them, and
what problems they solve.
I will also share helpful learning resources for you to get started.
The goal is to maximize your learning while minimizing the time, effort, and energy spent scouring and finding the concepts you need to learn and the resources you need to get there.
I hope you are excited!
Let’s dive in.
Note: I have broken down each day to cover the following:
Description
Key Concepts to Focus on
Why learn these concepts
Problems they solve
Project Idea
Week 1: Introduction to DevOps & Basic Tools
Day 1: Understanding DevOps
Description: Introduction to DevOps principles and practices.
Key Concepts: Agile Development, Continuous Integration, Collaboration.
Why Learn: Provides a foundational understanding of DevOps.
Problem It Solves: Enhances collaboration and speeds up delivery.
Project: Write a summary of DevOps principles you have understood.
Day 2-3: Linux Basics
Description: Basics of Linux, a popular operating system in server environments.
Key Concepts: Command Line, File System, Permissions. (You can go as deep as you want here)
Why Learn: Essential for managing servers and automation.
Problem It Solves: Enables control and manipulation of server environments.
Project: Exercises on basic command-line tasks.
Day 4-5: Version Control with Git
Description: Learn to manage and track code changes with Git.
Key Concepts: Repositories, Branching, Merging.
Why Learn: Enables code versioning and collaboration.
Problem It Solves: Facilitates team collaboration and manages code history.
Project: Create a Git repository, and manage branches.
Day 6: Continuous Integration (CI)
Description: Automation of code building and testing.
Key Concepts: Automated Build, Testing, Jenkins.
Why Learn: Automates repetitive tasks and ensures code quality.
Problem It Solves: Quickly detects errors and saves time.
Project: Set up a basic CI pipeline.
Day 7: Review & Project
Project: Implement a simple web page, manage with Git, and set up CI.
Week 2: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) & Automation
Day 8: Infrastructure as Code with AWS CloudFormation
Description: Introduction to CloudFormation for managing AWS resources.
Key Concepts: YAML/JSON Templates, Stacks, AWS Resources.
Why Learn: Enables efficient management of AWS resources.
Problem It Solves: Allows reliable and repeatable infrastructure provisioning on AWS.
Project: Create a CloudFormation stack for an AWS environment.
Day 9: Infrastructure as Code with Terraform
Description: Introduction to Terraform for automating infrastructure provisioning.
Key Concepts: Resources, Modules, Variables and Outputs, State Management, Providers.
Why Learn: Offers a provider-agnostic approach to IaC.
Problem It Solves: Ensures consistency in infrastructure across different platforms.
Project: Write a Terraform script to provision a virtual server.
Day 10: Docker
Description: Containerization with Docker for consistent environments.
Key Concepts: Docker Commands, Containers, Images, Dockerfile, Compose, Registries
Why Learn: Ensures consistent environments across different stages.
Problem It Solves: Eliminates environmental inconsistencies.
Project: Dockerize a web application.
Day 11-12: Kubernetes (K8)
Description: Orchestrate containers with Kubernetes.
Key Concepts: K8 Commands, Objects, Clusters, Pods, Deployments, Services, ReplicaSets, ConfigMaps
Why Learn: Manages and scales containerized applications.
Problem It Solves: Enables easy scalability and management of containers.
Project: Deploy a Dockerized application on Kubernetes.
Day 13: Ansible
Description: Automate system configurations with Ansible.
Key Concepts: Playbooks, Roles, Variables.
Why Learn: Enables automation of server setup.
Problem It Solves: Ensures consistent configurations and saves time.
Project: Write Ansible scripts to automate system setup.
Day 14: Review & Project
Project: Implement a scalable web application using Docker, Kubernetes, and Ansible.
Week 3: Continuous Deployment & Monitoring
Day 15-16: Continuous Deployment (CD)
Description: Ensure smooth and automated deployments.
Key Concepts: Deployment Strategies, Automated Rollbacks.
Why Learn: Streamlines and automates deployment process.
Problem It Solves: Minimizes human error, and enables rapid releases.
Project: Implement a CD pipeline for a web application.
Day 17-18: Prometheus
Description: Monitor system and application metrics with Prometheus.
Key Concepts: Metrics Collection, Alerting.
Why Learn: Provides insights into system behavior.
Problem It Solves: Early detection of issues, performance insights.
Project: Monitor an application using Prometheus.
Day 19-20: ELK Stack
Description: Log management and analysis using ELK Stack.
Key Concepts: Log Collection, Visualization, Analysis.
Why Learn: Centralizes and analyzes logs.
Problem It Solves: Facilitates debugging and provides insights.
Project: Set up ELK Stack for a web application.
Day 21: Review & Project
Project: Create a complete CI/CD pipeline with monitoring.
Week 4: Collaboration, Security & Final Project
Day 22-23: Collaboration Tools
Description: Tools and practices for team collaboration.
Key Concepts: Real-time Communication, Issue Tracking.
Why Learn: Enhances team communication and collaboration.
Problem It Solves: Improves efficiency and team coordination.
Project: Simulated team environment using tools like Slack, Jira.
Day 24-25: DevSecOps
Description: Integrating security into DevOps.
Key Concepts: Security Scans, Compliance Checks.
Why Learn: Ensures that security is part of the development process.
Problem It Solves: Reduces security risks.
Project: Add security checks into a CI/CD pipeline.
Day 26-27: Cloud Services
Description: Utilize cloud resources for deployment and scaling.
Key Concepts: Cloud Providers, Scalability, Load Balancing.
Why Learn: Facilitates flexible and scalable deployments.
Problem It Solves: Makes resource management more flexible and cost-effective.
Project: Deploy a web application on AWS.
Day 28-29: Final Project
Description: Comprehensive project encompassing all learned concepts.
Project: Time to apply what you have learned by implementing a full DevOps cycle for a web application. (Go crazy! 😃 )
Day 30: Review & Future Learning
Reflect on progress and identify future learning paths.
This comprehensive plan covers the essential topics in DevOps and provides a structured way for a beginner to learn and grow in the field.
Feel free to adapt the pace to your own needs and interests.
Remember, mastering DevOps is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning and improvement.
Keep practicing, experimenting, and exploring new tools and techniques even after completing this 30-day plan.
Good luck!
Learning Resources to get started:
1. AWS Skill Builder
Learning center to build in-demand cloud skills.
Includes free training courses.
https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn
2. AWS Workshops
100+ free hands-on workshops to teach you skills, concepts, and techniques to solve business problems.
Created by experts and specialists at Amazon Web Services (AWS).
3. What is DevOps?
4. What is Infrastructure as Code?
5.Terraform
https://developer.hashicorp.com/terraform/tutorials?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
6. AWS CloudFormation
https://www.simplilearn.com/tutorials/aws-tutorial/aws-cloudformation
7. Docker Crash Course for Absolute Beginners
8. Kubernetes Crash Course for Absolute Beginners:
9. Prometheus Monitoring
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy7NrYWoggjxCF3av5JKwyG7FFF9eLeL4
10. Grafana Tutorial
11. Jenkins
12. Git
2 Tweets of the week
Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
Are you thinking about getting certified as a Google Cloud Digital Leader? Here’s a link to my Udemy course, which has helped 445+ students prepare and pass the exam. Currently, rated 4.89/5. (link)
I have also published a book to help you prepare and pass the Google Cloud Digital Leader exam. You can check it out on Amazon. (link)
Course Recommendation: AWS Courses by Adrian Cantrill (Certified + Job Ready):
AWS Solutions Architect Associate (link)
AWS Developer Associate: (link)
ALL THE THINGS Bundle: (link)
Note: These are affiliate links. That means I get paid a small commission with no additional cost to you. It also helps support this newsletter. 😃
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