Hey everyone, I've been using Manjaro Linux for a while now mainly for everyday tasks. I rarely needed to use the console, just doing a bit of copying and pasting. Recently, I've started exploring the console for fun, and I really enjoy it! Now, I'm looking to dive deeper into Linux for administration purposes. I want to set up a home lab with a couple of computers or just use virtual machines. I've heard that Alma or Rocky Linux is recommended since they come from CentOS and can help me get familiar with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). What do you all think? What would be the best distro for this kind of learning?
3 Answers
Absolutely! If your goal is to get familiar with RHEL, you might want to consider using the actual Red Hat Enterprise Linux since it's free for individuals up to 16 instances. I would also recommend checking out Red Hat's learning resources and labs - they offer a lot of great content.
For enterprise environments, companies often rely on Red Hat or SUSE Linux Enterprise. These distros are definitely a good investment of your time. But remember, you can also learn a lot from other distros too. For example, tools like Ansible won't vary dramatically between Ubuntu and RHEL, so don't shy away from other options looking for specific toolsets.
True, many skills are transferable across distros! Don’t forget about trying different setups to see what you like best.
It really hinges on what you want to achieve. If you're aiming for an enterprise role, definitely check out RHEL and its derivatives, as well as Ubuntu Server and Debian. For general home server needs, Debian has a strong reputation. Plus, if you're looking to dabble in virtual machines, Proxmox could be an excellent choice since it's based on Debian. I run a media server on Debian using tools like Ampache and Webmin. Good luck with your learning journey!
Yeah, going straight with RHEL is a solid move! Their resources can really set you up for success.