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Linux Administrator Interview Preparation

Practise Linux Administrator Mock Interview Online
Amp up your Interview Preparation.
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Linux Administrator Interview Prep

1 Free Guide Here

Read this free guide below with common Linux Administrator interview questions

2 Mock Video Interview

Mock video interview with our virtual recruiter online.

3 Evaluation

Our professional HRs will give a detailed evaluation of your interview.

4 Feedback

You will get detailed, personalized, strategic feedback on areas of strength and of improvement.

Expert Tips
Interview Questions and Answers
Interview Preparation Guide
Common Interview Mistakes
Related Interview Preps

Expert Tip

Sell Yourself

Remember that you are there to sell your skills and experiences. Be confident and concise when speaking about your qualifications and how you can contribute to the company.

Top 20 Linux Administrator Interview Questions and Answers

So you have been invited for a Linux Administrator Interview? Congratulations! In this article, we have compiled a list of 20 common Linux Administrator Interview Questions and Answers that you must go through to ace your interview.

1. What is the difference between a Kernel and an Operating System?

Kernel is the core component of the Operating System that manages the hardware resources of the computer, whereas, an Operating System is a collection of various software programs that interact with the kernel to provide the user with an interface to interact with the computer.

2. What is the command to change file permissions in Linux?

The chmod command is used to change file permissions in Linux. The syntax of the command is:
chmod [permissions] [filename]

3. What is the command to find out the list of files in a directory?

The ls command is used to list all the files in a directory. The syntax of the command is: ls [options] [directory]

4. What is the command to find out the IP address of a Linux machine?

The ifconfig command is used to find out the IP address of a Linux machine. The syntax of the command is: ifconfig [network interface]

5. What is the command to find out the disk space utilization of a Linux machine?

The df command is used to find out the disk space utilization of a Linux machine. The syntax of the command is: df [options] [directory]

6. What is the command to find out the memory used by a process in Linux?

The ps command is used to find out the memory used by a process in Linux. The syntax of the command is: ps [options] [process ID]

7. What is the command to find out the running processes in Linux?

The top command is used to find out the running processes in Linux. The syntax of the command is: top

8. What is the difference between the 32-bit and 64-bit version of a Linux Operating System?

The 32-bit version of a Linux Operating System can access up to 4GB of RAM, whereas the 64-bit version can access much more RAM. Additionally, the 64-bit version can handle larger files compared to the 32-bit version.

9. What is a swap partition in Linux?

A swap partition is used to supplement the RAM of a Linux machine. When the RAM is full, the operating system writes some of the data from the RAM to the swap partition to make room for additional processes.

10. What is the difference between Telnet and SSH?

Telnet sends all the data in plain text, whereas SSH encrypts all the data sent between the client and the server. Hence, SSH is more secure compared to Telnet.

11. What is the command to find out the version of the installed Linux distribution?

The lsb_release -a command is used to find out the version of the installed Linux distribution.

12. What is the difference between the EXT2, EXT3, and EXT4 filesystems in Linux?

The EXT2 filesystem is the oldest and is known for its stability. EXT3 is an extension of the EXT2 filesystem with journaling capabilities, which makes it more reliable. EXT4 is the latest and is known for its improved performance and reliability.

13. What is the role of the /etc/passwd file in Linux?

The /etc/passwd file stores the username, encrypted password, and other user-specific information for each user on the Linux machine.

14. What is the role of the /etc/shadow file in Linux?

The /etc/shadow file stores the encrypted password for each user on the Linux machine.

15. What is the role of the /etc/group file in Linux?

The /etc/group file stores the group name and the list of users who belong to that group on the Linux machine.

16. What is the command to install software packages in Linux?

The apt-get command is used to install software packages in Linux. The syntax of the command is: apt-get install [package name]

17. What is the command to remove software packages in Linux?

The apt-get command is used to remove software packages in Linux. The syntax of the command is: apt-get remove [package name]

18. What is the command to update the list of available software packages in Linux?

The apt-get update command is used to update the list of available software packages in Linux.

19. What is the command to upgrade the installed software packages in Linux?

The apt-get upgrade command is used to upgrade the installed software packages in Linux.

20. What is the command to find out the process listening on a particular port in Linux?

The netstat -tulpn command is used to find out the process listening on a particular port in Linux.

That wraps up our list of 20 Linux Administrator Interview Questions and Answers. We hope you found this article helpful and wish you the best of luck for your Linux Administrator Interview.


How to Prepare for Linux Administrator Interview

If you are a Linux enthusiast and aspiring to land a job as a Linux administrator, you need to prepare well for the interview. The Linux administrator is responsible for managing, deploying, maintaining, and troubleshooting Linux systems. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your Linux administrator interview:

1. Brush up on your Linux knowledge

  • Make sure you have a solid understanding of the basics of Linux, including filesystems, processes, permissions, commands, and scripting.
  • Study the essential Linux administration tasks, such as user management, package management, backup and recovery, system monitoring, and performance optimization.
  • Familiarize yourself with the commonly used Linux distributions and their package managers, such as Red Hat, CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, and Arch Linux.

    • 2. Stay up to date on the latest technology and trends

  • Keep up-to-date on the latest trends and new releases of Linux and its components, such as kernel, systemd, cloud deployment, containerization, automation, and security.
  • Read the industry news, blogs, and forums related to Linux administration, and participate in open-source projects and communities to learn from experts and contribute to the community.

    • 3. Be prepared for technical questions and hands-on exercises

  • Many Linux administrator interviews include technical questions or hands-on exercises to test your knowledge and skills.
  • Prepare for a variety of questions related to Linux, open-source, networking, security, cloud, and virtualization.
  • Practice with Linux virtual machines, sandbox environments, or cloud platforms to get hands-on experience and sharpen your troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

    • 4. Show your passion and attitude

  • Apart from technical skills, Linux administrators are expected to be passionate, proactive, and collaborative.
  • During the interview, demonstrate your interest and passion for Linux and open-source, and show your willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute.
  • Show your communication, teamwork, and leadership skills by sharing your experiences, achievements, and challenges in your previous Linux projects or jobs.

    • By following these tips and dedicating time and effort to prepare for the Linux administrator interview, you can increase your chances of success and showcase your value as a Linux professional.

    Common Interview Mistake

    Arriving Late

    Arriving late can give the impression of poor time management skills and a lack of respect for the interviewer's time. Always aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early to your interview.

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