Read this free guide below with common Linux System Engineer interview questions
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As a Linux System Engineer, you’re responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining an organization’s IT infrastructure running on Linux operating systems. Your work is critical, as the entire organization depends on the performance and availability of the IT systems. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common Linux System Engineer interview questions and answers.
Linux is a family of open-source, Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel. It's widely used in servers, supercomputers, and in embedded devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
A process is a running instance of a program, while a thread is a lightweight process that can run concurrently with other threads within the same process. Threads can share the same memory space as other threads, while processes cannot.
The init process is the first process that starts when the Linux system boots up. It's responsible for starting and managing all other processes on the system, including system services and daemons.
To troubleshoot system performance issues, you can use various tools such as 'top', 'htop', and 'nmon' to view system resource usage such as CPU, memory, and disk usage. You can also check logs to identify potential issues.
A daemon is a type of process that runs in the background on a Linux system, performing various tasks such as monitoring, logging, or providing services to other processes or users.
A runlevel is a mode of operation of Linux. There are seven runlevels, ranging from 0 to 6, each with a different meaning. Runlevel 0 is the halt state, while runlevel 6 is the reboot state.
A hard link is a reference to a file on the file system, while a soft link (also known as a symbolic link) is a pointer to a file or directory. Hard links cannot reference directories, while soft links can.
SSH (Secure Shell) is a protocol used to securely connect to and manage remote Linux systems over a network.
A firewall is a security mechanism that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic on a Linux system, based on a set of rules defined by the system administrator.
A virtual machine is a software emulation of a physical computer, capable of running its own operating system and applications within a separate environment on a host machine.
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a technology used to combine multiple physical disk drives into a single logical unit, providing data redundancy and/or improved performance.
The 'sudo' command enables users to run commands with administrative privileges, allowing them to perform sensitive operations on the system.
SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux) is a Linux kernel security module that provides access control policies to enforce mandatory access controls in the system.
A kernel module is a piece of code that can be dynamically loaded into the Linux kernel at runtime, allowing you to add or remove functionality from the kernel without the need to reboot the system.
A cron job is a scheduled task on a Linux system, defined by a set of commands and a time schedule. Cron jobs can perform various system maintenance tasks such as backups, updates, and cleanup.
These are just a few of the most common Linux System Engineer interview questions and answers. Preparing for an interview can be challenging, but understanding the fundamentals of Linux, system architecture, and security will give you a good foundation to build upon.
Linux System Engineer Interview is an opportunity to assess your knowledge and experience in Linux and its associated technologies. This interview covers a broad range of topics, including networking, virtualization, storage, security, and troubleshooting of Linux-based systems. Preparing for this interview requires time, effort, and the following preparation tips:
The Bottom Line is to prepare to represent your proficiency in technology and Linux, your willingness to learn and evolve, and a great attitude towards the job and company goals.
If you fail to research the company and the role you're applying for, you risk appearing unprepared and uninterested. Prior to the interview, learn about the company's mission, its products/services, and the role's responsibilities.
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