Getting Started with Linux

A Cloud Engineer’s Essential Tool

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📌 Introduction

If you’re planning to work with AWS or any cloud platform, you’ll quickly realize one thing — Linux runs the cloud. From virtual servers to container clusters, Linux powers most of the world’s cloud infrastructure.

In this article, I’ll introduce you to Linux, explain why it’s important for cloud engineers, and show you how to get started using it.

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📌 What is Linux?

Linux is a free, open-source operating system — just like Windows or macOS, but with a key difference: it’s designed to be lightweight, highly customizable, and perfect for servers, cloud environments, and developers.

Most of the virtual servers you’ll launch on AWS, including EC2 instances, will run on a Linux distribution such as:

Amazon Linux

Ubuntu

CentOS

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)

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📌 Why is Linux Important for Cloud Engineers?

Here’s why every cloud engineer and developer should learn Linux:

Most servers run Linux (especially in AWS and cloud data centers)

It’s lightweight and efficient for web apps, databases, and APIs

Powerful for automation and scripting (via Bash, Python, etc.)

Secure, stable, and trusted in production environments

If you can navigate Linux, you can manage almost any cloud infrastructure confidently.

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📌 Basic Linux Concepts to Know

Before you dive in, here are a few essential Linux concepts:

Terminal / Shell: Text-based interface to run commands

Root User: Superuser with all system privileges

Files and Directories: Linux organizes everything in a tree-like structure starting from / (root directory)

Permissions: Controls which users can read, write, or execute files

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📌 How to Start Using Linux (Without Installing It!)

Option 1: Use AWS CloudShell

AWS CloudShell gives you a Linux terminal right inside your AWS console — no setup needed.

Option 2: Launch a Free EC2 Instance

Sign in to your AWS account

Go to EC2 → Launch Instance

Choose Amazon Linux 2023 or Ubuntu

Create and connect via SSH (we’ll cover this in a future post)

Option 3: Install Linux on Your PC (Optional)

Use a free tool like VirtualBox or WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) if you’re on Windows.

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📌 5 Must-Know Linux Commands to Get You Started

Command Description

pwd Show current directory ls List files in a directory cd Change directories mkdir Create a new directory touch Create a new empty file

Example:

mkdir myproject cd myproject touch index.html ls

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📌 Conclusion

Mastering Linux is like having a master key for cloud computing. It opens doors to infrastructure management, automation, DevOps, and security.