Table of Contents
What “DevOps on Linux” Really Means
DevOps is about shortening the path from idea → code → running, reliable service.
On Linux, this becomes very concrete because:
- Most CI/CD runners and build agents are Linux.
- Most cloud servers and containers run Linux.
- The standard tools for automation, packaging, and deployment are built for or on Linux.
This chapter focuses on how DevOps practices map to everyday Linux work, and how to use Linux features effectively when building CI/CD pipelines, automation, and observability.
You’ll see individual tools (YAML, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, automated testing) in their own chapters; here we focus on patterns and practices that are specific to Linux environments.
Core DevOps Workflows on Linux
Typical DevOps lifecycle on Linux
A very common Linux-centric DevOps loop looks like:
- Develop on Linux (or against a Linux-based container):
- Use
git, compilers, language tools, local databases, etc. - Build on a Linux CI runner:
- Compile, run tests, create artifacts (binaries, Docker images,
.deb/.rpm, etc.). - Package and publish:
- Push artifacts to:
- container registries,
- package repositories,
- object storage, or
- internal artifact servers.
- Deploy to Linux servers or containers:
- Use SSH-based tools, configuration management (Ansible, etc.), or container orchestrators.
- Operate and observe:
- Monitor systemd services, logs in
/var/logand journal, resource usage. - Feedback:
- Use logs, metrics, and incidents to improve code and pipelines.
Linux is at the center of this loop: the same system concepts (users, permissions, services, packages) appear at every stage.
Using Linux Features Effectively in DevOps
Non‑interactive & automated usage
DevOps automation rarely has a human at the keyboard. Linux tasks must be:
- Non‑interactive (no prompts unless explicitly configured).
- Deterministic (same input → same result).
- Scriptable via shell, Python, or other languages.
Patterns:
- Use
-yor equivalent for non-interactive package installs: - APT:
apt-get install -y pkg - DNF:
dnf install -y pkg - Pacman:
pacman --noconfirm -S pkg - Avoid tools that require TUI interaction (unless scripted).
In CI configuration (e.g. GitHub Actions / GitLab CI), shell steps typically look like: