Network DevOps Engineer Roadmap
1. Start with Linux Fundamentals
Why: Linux is the backbone of DevOps and networking. It's widely used in servers, cloud
platforms, and network devices.
Certification: RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator)
Skills to Learn:
Linux file systems and permissions
Shell scripting (Bash)
User and process management
Package management (YUM, RPM)
Real-Life Example: Configure a Linux server to run a monitoring tool like Nagios.
2. Learn Networking Basics
Why: Networking is the foundation of IT infrastructure. Understanding data flow is essential.
Certification: CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
Skills to Learn:
IP addressing and subnetting
Routing and switching (OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs)
TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP
Basic network security (firewalls, ACLs)
Real-Life Example: Troubleshoot why a server can’t reach another device, or segment traffic
using VLANs.
3. Learn Automation and Scripting
Why: Automating repetitive tasks improves efficiency and reduces human errors.
Skills to Learn:
Python (for network automation)
Bash scripting (for Linux automation)
Ansible (for configuration management)
Real-Life Example: Use Ansible to push firewall rules to 100 devices at once.
4. Understand DevOps Tools and Practices
Why: DevOps streamlines deployment and collaboration through automation.
Skills to Learn:
Git (version control)
Jenkins or GitLab CI (CI/CD pipelines)
Docker (containerization)
Kubernetes (orchestration)
Real-Life Example: Set up a CI/CD pipeline that deploys updated firewall rules automatically
when pushed to Git.
5. Learn Cloud Networking
Why: Modern infrastructure is cloud-centric, and cloud networking differs from traditional
setups.
Skills to Learn:
Cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, GCP
Virtual networking: subnets, VPCs, security groups
Cloud-native tools: AWS VPC, Azure NSG
Real-Life Example: Configure an AWS VPC to securely connect cloud resources with on-prem
infrastructure.
6. Master Network Automation Tools
Why: Networks are too large to manage manually—automation is critical.
Tools to Learn:
Netmiko: SSH-based automation for network devices
NAPALM: Multi-vendor automation with unified API
PyATS: Cisco’s test automation framework
Network APIs: REST, NETCONF
Real-Life Example: Write a script to backup all router configurations nightly.
7. Learn Monitoring and Troubleshooting
Why: Uptime and performance are crucial. Issues must be detected and resolved fast.
Tools to Learn:
Monitoring: Nagios, Prometheus, Grafana
Log Analysis: ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana)
Troubleshooting: ping, traceroute, Wireshark
Real-Life Example: Set alerts for traffic spikes or device outages using Prometheus and
Grafana.
8. Gain Hands-On Experience
Why: Certifications are good, but practical skills are vital.
How to Practice:
Build a home lab with GNS3 or EVE-NG
Use Cisco Packet Tracer for beginner-level practice
Contribute to open-source DevOps tools or GitHub projects
Take internships or volunteer for network/devops roles
9. Advanced Certifications (Optional but
Powerful)
Why: These help you specialize and unlock senior roles.
Certifications to Consider:
CCNP: Advanced networking
AWS Certified Advanced Networking
CKA: Certified Kubernetes Administrator
Azure / GCP equivalents
Real-Life Roles of a Network DevOps Engineer
Automation: Automatically deploy new firewall rules when a security policy updates
Cloud Integration: Secure hybrid connections (on-prem ↔️ AWS)
Monitoring: Visualize traffic flows and detect issues
Collaboration: Work with developers to ensure secure app deployments
Security Management: Push patches and enforce policies across network devices
Summary of Certifications (Recommended Order)
1. RHCSA – Linux fundamentals
2. CCNA – Networking basics
3. Python – For network automation (course or certification)
4. Ansible – For configuration management
5. Cloud Certs – AWS / Azure / GCP
6. Advanced Networking – CCNP, AWS Advanced Networking, etc.
Essential Tools List
Category Tools
Linux Bash, SSH, Cron
Category Tools
Networking Wireshark, GNS3, EVE-NG
Automation Ansible, Python, Netmiko
DevOps Git, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes
Cloud AWS VPC, Azure NSG, GCP Firewall Rules
Monitoring Nagios, Prometheus, Grafana
Final Thoughts
Network DevOps is a powerful blend of:
Linux Admin
Network Engineering
Automation
Cloud & DevOps
Start simple: RHCSA + CCNA.
Grow gradually: Python + Ansible + Cloud.
Practice often: Labs, GitHub, real scenarios.
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