Traditionally, development and operations teams worked separately in IT and software fields, but things have changed in the past decade. DevOps is a rapidly developing field - it can be either understood as a philosophy or a set of practices in the field of software development. DevOps prioritizes efficiency and improved practices in software development, testing, and deployment,
DevOps engineers are professionals who implement and run a successful DevOps model efficiently. These professionals can be from various software and IT backgrounds.
What DevOps Engineers Do
What many people do not understand about DevOps engineering is that it does not consist of only one role or responsibility - multiple processes come under the umbrella term of DevOps. Engineers from varying software and technical backgrounds work together to make the development and operational tasks of software organized and optimized.
In general, there are three types of DevOps engineers. In certain situations, all these responsibilities are executed by the same professional.
- Build Engineers are the technicians who build the code.
- Release Engineers are responsible for delivering code to production and deciding what goes into production and testing.
- Automation Engineers are in charge of the automatic builds but also focus on testing, production, and other roles.
5 Skills Every DevOps Engineer Should Focus On
Becoming a DevOps engineer involves hard work and consistency - a technician in this field should have a great skill set that is not limited to one field or one area of expertise. Here is a list of skills and attributes that are expected from the perfect DevOps candidate.
Strong Foundation in IT Operations
A DevOps engineer should have hands-on experience with IT hardware like storage, security, network device setup, etc. Along with this, they should also possess strong foundational knowledge in IT operations.
Expertise in Coding Languages
As a technician in DevOps, familiarity with coding and scripting languages is mandatory. One should be fluent in at least one primary coding language and also have basic knowledge of common languages like Python or Ruby.
Familiarity with Cloud Resources
Cloud and DevOps go hand in hand - the cloud offers the platform for deploying and testing code. So, a DevOps specialist should be familiar with cloud management tools and services like AWS and Microsoft Azure.
Proficiency in Automation Tools
The core idea of DevOps is automation - as a DevOps engineer, one should be trained in automating the entire DevOps cycle. They should also have experience with tools like Puppet and Chef.
Experience with Testing
Testing is very imperative for DevOps. To be a successful DevOps engineer, you should be well-versed in various testing practices and facilitate automated tests efficiently.
What are the Day-to-Day Activities of a DevOps Engineer?
DevOps is not just about development and operations parts of software development - it also involves security concerns, documentation, and many other responsibilities. Here is a brief rundown of how a day goes in the life of a DevOps engineer.
- The day begins with checking for urgent messages about the execution of the pipelines.
- Next comes the automation backlog. Here is where the list of actions that support the project is maintained carefully, with the priorities defined right.
- An important part of the work cycle is team discussions on continuous improvement of the pipeline. The automation part is done with the help of continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipelines to optimize the release of the software.
- Managing infrastructure components is an everyday activity for a DevOps professional. Since the infrastructure is made up of multiple layers of complex elements, keeping an eye on the infrastructure is crucial.
- Infrastructure maintenance does not end with just cloud architecture. It also involves ensuring the safety of the structure and checking to avoid any vulnerabilities.
- Often overlooked in the responsibility of a DevOps engineer is documentation. Keeping a record of everyday work is an integral element of teamwork.
- Often, DevOps specialists also focus on monitoring and troubleshooting on a daily basis to avoid any complications.
Responsibilities of a DevOps Engineer
Since being a DevOps specialist role requires several industrial skills, it involves combining various soft skills and technical knowledge to tackle workplace challenges.
The responsibilities of DevOps engineers vary depending on their qualifications and experience level as well. Below are some of the responsibilities that DevOps specialists of all qualifications share.
System Analysis and Development
System analysis, as the name suggests, involves analysis of the technology and finding the scope for any improvement and expansion. The system and technology are crucial to the infrastructure of the company, so system analysis can be equated with maintenance. Development involves developing, building, installing, and configuring codes and IT solutions.
Project Planning
Project planning is one of the tasks that DevOps engineers have to weigh in their opinion along with their technical knowledge. Teams participate in project planning meetings to analyze and discuss different technologies, their costs, risks, impacts, etc. Project planning also involves discussions on operational requirements for the project.
Testing and Deployment
Testing and deployment are two of the most crucial responsibilities of a DevOps engineer. Testing refers to the testing of the code built by building engineers. Code testing is not just about seeing if the code is successful, but it also involves determining if the solutions are streamlined and effective. Using configuration management software, the code can be automatically deployed.
Performance Management
Performance management is about improving solutions and ensuring that the team is on track. Gap analyses are run by technicians to identify vulnerabilities and problems. Alternative solutions and services are brought up in the discussion and the team goes for the most feasible and effective solution.
Conclusion
A DevOps engineer is an IT solutions specialist who performs a wide range of activities like code testing, cyber security, system analysis, infrastructure management, and performance management. A company might employ multiple DevOps engineers to fulfill different responsibilities. From checking for system vulnerabilities to documenting everyday processes, a DevOps engineer has a lot of responsibilities. They ensure that the new software solutions are robust and efficient by ensuring thorough testing and deployment.
Read More
https://devopsden.io/article/roadmap-to-microsoft-azure-certifications
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