Getting Started in DevOps? 10 Things You Need to Know in 2022

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November 18, 2021 Programming

With the growing popularity of DevOps, everyone is trying to get a closer look at this approach. If you are a developer who wants to evolve in this direction, this article is for you. If you want to know how to switch from a system administrator to DevOps, we will try to answer your questions. The article is also useful for those who already know what DevOps is and is aimed at this approach.

1. What is DevOps Engineer?

In short, this is a person who is well versed in the software life cycle, can find weaknesses at all stages and use DevOps tools to eliminate them. Now DevOps is used not only in IT. An experienced DevOps engineer will easily fit into any team aimed at effective work, regardless of the field, as those providing devops services and solutions by DataArt.

2. Why is it impossible to become DevOps from scratch?

A beginner DevOps is already a specialist with it own experience who wants to expand its responsibilities. It takes years to gain the knowledge that DevOps needs even at the very beginning. In stock there should be a set of certain techniques and tools that a person already knows how to work with. We need a strong base, which will become the basis for moving into DevOps.

3. What to start with?

Start with the foundation. Knowledge of the Python language, experience in Linux, and skills in working with AWS cloud services. Add new tools and technologies step by step. For example, complement Python with Golang, and add Google Cloud to AWS. This set will be your base to help you move on.

4. Processes to understand

Configure, Version, Package, Deploy, Run, Monitor — learn what tools are needed at these stages. You will gradually expand the stack by adding Terraform, Git, Docker, Jenkins, and ECS. After learning how to work with this toolkit, try other analogs. Ansible, GitLab, Lambda, CodeDeploy, Kubernetes, Prometheus will expand your choice.

5. Don’t stop at the base

DevOps must be broad-minded and able to adapt to changing approaches, tools and environments. The above list is not the only correct solution. It is highly likely that on the project you will need to master a new language or cloud service. But having experience with the basic foundation will make it much easier for you to master new technologies.

6. Functional responsibilities

The role of DevOps has combined several positions and here’s what you need to know about each of them.

System Administrator: Responsible for building and maintaining the network infrastructure, hardware and software. Configures and ensures stable operation of cloud services.

Build Engineer: control of dependencies, assemblies and code.

Release Engineer: repository management, merges and strings.

Automation Engineer: routine automation (autotests, deploy, containerization).

Site Reliability Engineer: everything related to operations (updates, expansion of the fleet of physical machines).

Security Engineer: ensuring information security and mitigating attacks on IT infrastructure at all levels and stages.

7. Keep learning

An excellent option for pumping existing skills and getting new ones will be the DevOps course. Let’s say you have good experience with networking infrastructure, you understand the developers’ code, and you work with repositories. But there is not enough practice with virtualization and containers or with autotests. Feel free to go to the course and tighten up the missing knowledge and skills.

8. Do you need DevOps certification?

In fact, the company will judge you based on your performance. But a certificate from an international product company can make you cool as a specialist.

9. How to expand theoretical knowledge for DevOps vacancies?

There is a lot of literature on the market. One of the most popular books is “DevOps Philosophy. The Art of IT Management”. It introduces the reader not only to the technical, but also to the cultural and organizational nuances of DevOps.

Another popular publication is the “DevOps Guide”. The book is written by practitioners and provides a lot of practical advice.

10. Do I need to take a test task at a DevOps interview?

In addition to questions from a recruiter and a technical specialist, such an assignment may take place. This will most likely be a working example from practice. You may be asked to find a solution to a problem.

Or, on the contrary, they will offer to give an example from your experience, perhaps a non-standard case that you managed to apply in your work.