I've been working in Level 1/2 support at an MSP for about a year and want to move into IT for the mining industry. I'm especially interested in networking, systems administration, and cloud, but I'm not sure whether to prioritize Linux or Windows. The area where I live has several mining companies, so I'd appreciate advice from anyone who has supported IT or critical infrastructure in that kind of environment. What technologies and skills would be most useful to learn first?
5 Answers
Based on my experience in mining, Windows is likely to be the most immediately useful choice. Many companies use Windows for corporate systems and operational software, and smaller sites may have older or less standardized setups. Build strong skills in Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, networking, imaging, storage, and troubleshooting. Linux is still worth learning, especially if you want to move toward cloud, automation, or server administration.
For the mining industry specifically, you should learn about the relationship between IT and OT. The control side may involve PLCs, distributed control systems, drives, and other embedded or real-time systems. Those systems are often connected to Windows-based HMIs, engineering stations, and SCADA servers, with normal enterprise Windows and Linux infrastructure above that. Supporting OT requires extra care because uptime, safety, vendor restrictions, and change control matter more than they do in a typical office environment.
If your long-term interests are systems, networking, and cloud, I’d lean slightly toward Linux after becoming competent with Windows. Much of the cloud and infrastructure ecosystem is Linux-based, and Linux knowledge helps with automation and server troubleshooting. Still, most mining organizations are mixed environments, so being comfortable with both will make you more employable than specializing too early.
Don’t treat it as an either-or choice. Mining environments commonly use both: Windows for office systems, Active Directory, engineering workstations, HMIs, and many SCADA platforms, while Linux often appears in servers, networking, cloud, automation, and infrastructure services. Learn enough of each to troubleshoot confidently, then specialize based on the job postings in your area.
I already have some experience with Windows environments. For Linux, I’m considering starting with the RHCSA to build a solid foundation and then expanding from there.
Start with the fundamentals instead of chasing a particular operating system. Get comfortable with TCP/IP, routing, DNS, DHCP, LDAP or Active Directory, authentication, firewalls, virtualization, and basic scripting. Practice with a lab: run a Windows Server domain alongside an Ubuntu system, configure services, apply updates, manage permissions, and troubleshoot connectivity. Those skills transfer well across Windows, Linux, cloud platforms, and industrial environments.
Look beyond desktop Windows, too. Azure and Entra are increasingly important in hybrid environments, so cloud identity and administration may be more valuable than learning Windows in isolation.