Understanding Linux Filesystem and Essential Commands

Let’s explore the Linux filesystem hierarchy and introduced key commands that will help you navigate and manipulate your Linux-based cloud environments. By mastering these basics, you’ll be better equipped to handle the complexities of cloud engineering in a Linux environment.

Linux Filesystem Hierarchy

Linux organizes its filesystem in a hierarchical structure that starts with the root directory ‘/’. Understanding this structure is essential for efficiently navigating and managing your cloud instances:

1. Root Directory (/): the top-level directory where everything in Linux begins.
2. /bin: contains essential system binaries and commands.
3. /etc: houses system-wide configuration files.
4. /home: user home directories are typically located here.
5. /var: Stores variable data like logs, databases, and spool files.
6. /usr: contains user binaries, libraries, and documentation.
7. /tmp: temporary directory for storing temporary files.
8. /dev: contains device files for hardware devices.
9. /proc:  virtual filesystem that provides information about system processes and kernel.

Essential Linux Commands

Below are some Linux commands that will be invaluable in your role as a cloud engineer:

1. ls (List):  this command is used to list files and directories in a directory. 
   
2. cd (Change Directory):  is used to change your current directory. 
   
3. pwd (Print Working Directory):  displays your current working directory.
4. mkdir (Make Directory): is used to create new directories. 
   
5. rm (Remove): is used to remove files and directories. Be cautious with this command, as it can permanently delete files. Use ‘rm -r’ to delete directories and their contents.
6. cp (Copy):  allows you to copy files and directories. 
   
7. mv (Move):  moves files and directories from one location to another. It’s also used to rename files and directories.
8. cat (Concatenate): is used to view and concatenate files. 
   
9. grep (Global Regular Expression Print): ‘grep’ is a powerful tool for searching text. For example, ‘grep keyword file.txt’ will display lines containing ‘keyword’ in ‘file.txt’.
10. chmod (Change Mode): ‘chmod’ is used to change file permissions. This is important for securing your system.

Cloud engineering often involve managing and interacting with Linux-based systems in the cloud environment. To effectively navigate and work with these systems, it’s crucial to have a strong understanding of Linux filesystems and commands.