Is it worth studying computer architecture for a career in DevOps?

In short, yes! But focus on practical applications rather than just textbook knowledge. Studying computer architecture helps you understand how systems behave under load, which lets you make better decisions about things like autoscaling and diagnosing performance issues. Architecture knowledge greatly aids your ability to observe and diagnose failures quickly rather than just memorizing theories. It doesn’t need to be excessive, but a solid foundational understanding can give you the edge in problem-solving for DevOps.

You don't necessarily need to dive into Tanenbaum, but getting familiar with Linux Kernel documentation and practical aspects of the systems we use daily is super helpful. Understanding concepts like cgroups and namespaces can clarify a lot. It’s also important to know exit codes, signals, and tools like strace and tcpdump to troubleshoot network issues effectively.

Definitely! Understanding computer architecture can give you insights into issues like I/O problems in virtual machines, especially when you're dealing with shared resources. Knowing how concepts like swap memory work and why they still matter can be incredibly useful. There's so much more to it, and I could talk about this for ages.

Let’s think about it another way: Would studying physics be necessary for someone working on electric vehicles? Sure, knowing the basics could help, but it's all about practical application. In DevOps, having an understanding of architecture can be as crucial as knowing how to use diagnostic tools. You might not find it necessary, but it definitely enhances your understanding of system behaviors and performance.