Forem: Joyal B Biju

Cloud Engineer Journey #4 — Important Linux Directories & Essential Concepts Explained Simply

Joyal B Biju — Thu, 14 May 2026 10:33:33 +0000

When beginners start learning Linux, one of the most confusing things is understanding the Linux file system and directories.

You may see folders like:

/home
/etc
/var
/tmp

and wonder:

👉 “What are these directories actually used for?”

The good news is:
Linux becomes much easier once you understand what each directory is meant for.

And if you are learning:

AWS,
Cloud,
DevOps,
Docker,
or Kubernetes,

understanding Linux directories is extremely important because cloud servers rely heavily on the Linux file system.

So in this post, let’s understand the most important Linux directories and a few essential Linux concepts in a simple beginner-friendly way.

🐧 What Is the Linux File System?

Linux organizes everything using directories and files.

Think of it like a huge digital storage system where every folder has a specific responsibility.

Unlike Windows, Linux starts from a single root directory:

This is called the Root Directory.

All other directories exist inside it.

Think of it like the “main building” of the Linux operating system.

📁 1. `/home` — User Workspace

Example:

/home/ec2-user

This directory stores personal files for users.

Think of it like:
🏠 your personal room or workspace.

Inside /home, each user gets their own folder.

In AWS EC2 instances, you’ll often work inside:

/home/ec2-user

⚙️ 2. `/etc` — System Configuration Files

This directory contains important system configuration files.

Example:

/etc/ssh/sshd_config

Think of /etc like:
🛠️ the settings or control room of Linux.

Many services and applications store their configuration here.

📦 3. `/var` — Logs & Changing Data

The /var directory stores:

logs,
cache,
temporary application data,
changing system information.

Example:

/var/log

Think of /var like:
📊 a storage area for system activity and reports.

Very useful while troubleshooting servers.

🗂️ 4. `/tmp` — Temporary Files

This directory stores temporary files created by applications.

Think of it like:
🧹 a temporary workspace.

Files inside /tmp may get deleted automatically by the system later.

⚡ 5. `/bin` — Basic Linux Commands

This directory contains essential Linux commands.

Commands like:

ls
cat
pwd
mkdir

are stored here.

Think of /bin like:
🧰 the toolbox of Linux.

📥 6. `/opt` — Optional Software

Used for installing optional or third-party software.

Think of it like:
📦 a special installation area for additional applications.

👑 7. `/root` — Root User Home

This is the home directory of the root user (administrator).

Example:

/root

Think of it like:
🔐 the private workspace of the Linux administrator.

🌐 Essential Networking Commands

Linux is heavily used in cloud environments, so basic networking commands are important.

Check IP Address

ip addr

Used to view network details and IP addresses.

Test Internet Connectivity

ping google.com

Used to check if a server or website is reachable.

Test HTTP Requests

curl google.com

Useful for testing websites and APIs.

Find DNS Information

nslookup google.com

Used to check DNS-related information.

⚙️ Service Management in Linux

Linux servers run many background services like:

SSH
Nginx
Docker
Jenkins

Linux uses systemctl to manage services.

Check Service Status

systemctl status sshd

Start a Service

sudo systemctl start sshd

Stop a Service

sudo systemctl stop sshd

📜 Viewing Logs with journalctl

Logs are very important while troubleshooting Linux servers.

Example:

journalctl -u sshd

This displays logs related to the SSH service.

Think of logs like:
📝 the activity history of the server.

☁️ Why Linux Matters in Cloud & DevOps

Linux is everywhere in cloud computing.

Most:

AWS EC2 servers,
Docker containers,
Kubernetes nodes,
and DevOps tools

run on Linux.

That’s why strong Linux fundamentals make learning Cloud and DevOps much easier.

🛠️ Mini Challenge

Try this on your Linux system or AWS EC2 instance:

Task:

Navigate to /var/log
List all files
Check your current directory
Create a temporary file inside /tmp
View your IP address using a command

👉 In the next post, I’ll explain the solution step by step.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Linux may feel difficult in the beginning, but once you understand the structure and purpose behind directories and commands, everything starts making more sense.

The goal is not to memorize every command.

The goal is to understand:

how Linux organizes files,
how services work,
and how cloud servers operate behind the scenes.

Now that we’ve covered the Linux fundamentals, we can start moving into AWS concepts and real cloud infrastructure in the next posts ☁️

If you are learning Linux, AWS, or Cloud basics and need help with even small doubts, feel free to connect with me through LinkedIn or email — always happy to learn and grow together 🚀

CloudEngineerJourney #Linux #AWS #DevOps #LinuxBasics #CloudComputing

Cloud Engineer Journey #3 - Understanding Linux File Permissions Simply

Joyal B Biju — Wed, 13 May 2026 11:06:51 +0000

One of the most important concepts in Linux is file permissions.

At first, permissions may look confusing because of symbols like:

bash -rwxr-xr--

But once you understand the basics, it becomes much easier.

And if you are learning Cloud or DevOps, understanding Linux permissions is extremely important because permissions help control:

who can access files,
who can modify them,
and who can execute programs.

Without proper permissions:

applications may fail,
scripts may not run,
services may stop working,
or systems may become insecure.

So in this post, let’s understand Linux permissions in a simple beginner-friendly way.

🐧 What Are Linux File Permissions?

Linux uses permissions to decide:

who can read a file,
who can edit a file,
and who can execute a file.

Think of permissions like access control in real life.

For example:

A house owner has full access
Family members may have limited access
Guests may only view certain things

Linux works in a very similar way.

🔐 Understanding Permission Symbols

Example:

-rwxr-xr--

This line may look complicated, but it simply describes permissions.

📁 First Character

This tells us the file type.

- → normal file
d → directory (folder)

👤 Permission Groups

Linux permissions are divided into 3 groups:

Group	Meaning
User	File owner
Group	Users in the same group
Others	Everyone else

Example:

rwx r-x r--

This is divided into:

User → rwx
Group → r-x
Others → r--

✨ What Do r, w, x Mean?

Symbol	Meaning
r	Read
w	Write
x	Execute

💡 Simple Explanation

Example:

rwx

Means:

read ✅
write ✅
execute ✅

Another example:

r--

Means:

read ✅
write ❌
execute ❌

🔢 Numeric Permissions

Linux also uses numbers for permissions.

Number	Permission
7	rwx
6	rw-
5	r-x
4	r--

⚙️ chmod Command

The chmod command is used to change permissions.

Example:

chmod 755 script.sh

This means:

User → full access (7)
Group → read & execute (5)
Others → read & execute (5)

🚀 Why Execute Permission Matters

Sometimes a script will not run because it does not have execute permission.

Example:

./deploy.sh

You may see:

Permission denied

Fix:

chmod +x deploy.sh

Now the script becomes executable.

This is very common in Linux, AWS servers, and DevOps workflows.

👥 chown Command

The chown command changes file ownership.

Example:

sudo chown ec2-user:ec2-user file.txt

This changes:

owner
and group ownership

Very useful while working with:

AWS EC2
Jenkins
Docker volumes
shared directories

☁️ Why Permissions Matter in Cloud & DevOps

Permissions are heavily used in:

Linux servers
AWS EC2 instances
Docker containers
Kubernetes
CI/CD pipelines

Incorrect permissions can:

break deployments,
stop applications,
or create security risks.

That’s why understanding permissions is one of the most important Linux skills.

🛠️ Mini Challenge

Try this on your Linux system or EC2 instance:

Task:

Create a file called deploy.sh
Add some text inside it
Try running the file
Notice the permission error
Fix it using chmod
Run the file again

👉 In the next post, I’ll explain the solution step by step.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Linux permissions may look difficult in the beginning, but they become much easier once you start practicing with real files and commands.

The goal is not to memorize symbols.

The goal is to understand:

who can access files,
what actions are allowed,
and how Linux protects systems using permissions.

Small concepts like these build the foundation for Cloud and DevOps engineering ☁️

If you are learning Linux, AWS, or Cloud basics and need help with even small doubts, feel free to connect with me through LinkedIn or email — always happy to learn and grow together 🚀

CloudEngineerJourney #Linux #AWS #DevOps #LinuxPermissions #BeginnerFriendly

Cloud Engineer Journey — Mini Linux Practice Task Explained

Joyal B Biju — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:26:41 +0000

In the previous post, I shared a small Linux practice task for beginners who are starting their Cloud or DevOps journey.

The goal of this task was not to build a large project.

It was simply to help beginners become comfortable using the Linux terminal step by step.

For many people, Linux feels confusing at first because everything happens through commands instead of buttons and menus.

But once you start practicing simple tasks daily, Linux becomes much easier to understand.

🛠️ The Task
The mini task was:

Create a folder called cloudjourney
Create a file inside it
Add some text using nano
View the content using cat
Check the current directory
☁️ Step-by-Step Explanation

Create a Folder mkdir cloudjourney 👉 mkdir means “make directory.”

This creates a new folder named cloudjourney.

Move Into the Folder cd cloudjourney 👉 cd means “change directory.”

This command moves us inside the folder we created.

Create a File touch text.txt 👉 touch creates an empty file.

Now we have a file called text.txt.

Open the File Using Nano nano text.txt Nano is a simple text editor inside Linux.

Download the Medium app
I added this text inside the file:

Hey its a mini Challenge

View the File Content cat text.txt Output:

Hey its a mini Challenge
👉 cat displays the content inside a file.

Check the Current Directory pwd Output:

/home/ec2-user/cloudjourney
👉 pwd means “print working directory.”

It shows the current location inside the Linux system.

Think of it like checking your current location on Google Maps.

🎯 Why This Small Task Matters
This may look like a very basic exercise.

But these are the exact fundamentals used daily in:

Linux servers
AWS EC2 instances
Cloud environments
DevOps workflows
Every Cloud Engineer starts with simple commands before moving into:

automation
Docker
Kubernetes
CI/CD
and cloud infrastructure
The goal is not to memorize commands.

The goal is to become comfortable working inside Linux step by step.

If you are also learning Linux, AWS, or Cloud basics and need help with even small doubts, feel free to connect with me through LinkedIn or email — always happy to learn and grow together ☁️

CloudEngineerJourney #Linux #AWS #DevOps #BeginnerFriendly

Cloud Engineer Journey #2 - Linux Made Simple for Cloud & DevOps Beginners

Joyal B Biju — Wed, 13 May 2026 09:42:05 +0000

Learn the Linux basics every Cloud & DevOps engineer uses daily - explained in a simple and practical way.
Before learning AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, or DevOps tools, one important thing every engineer should understand is Linux.
Many beginners think Linux is difficult because they see terminals, commands, and black screens.
But in reality, Linux becomes much easier once you understand the basics step by step.
And the best part?
👉 You do not need to be an expert or even come from a technical background to start learning Linux.
In this post, we'll understand Linux in the simplest possible way before moving into practical commands and real-world usage.
So before jumping into commands, let's first understand:
What Linux is
Why Linux is important
How Linux works in real-world cloud environments

🐧 What is Linux?
Linux is an operating system - just like Windows or macOS.
An operating system is the software that helps users interact with a computer and manage hardware resources like:
memory
storage
CPU
files
and applications

Most servers around the world run on Linux because it is:
fast
stable
secure
lightweight
and highly customizable

Today, Linux powers:
cloud servers
websites
Kubernetes clusters
Docker containers
supercomputers
and even Android phones

☁️ Why Linux is Important for Cloud & DevOps
When working in Cloud or DevOps, you will constantly interact with Linux systems.
For example:
AWS EC2 instances mostly use Linux
Docker containers run on Linux-based systems
Kubernetes nodes commonly use Linux
CI/CD tools like Jenkins are usually hosted on Linux servers

This is why Linux fundamentals are considered one of the most important skills for Cloud Engineers and DevOps Engineers.

⚙️ How Linux Works (Simple Explanation)
Linux mainly works through:
Kernel
👉 The core part of Linux that communicates with hardware.
Shell
👉 The command-line interface where users type commands.
File System
👉 Organizes files and directories.
Services & Processes
👉 Programs running in the background like web servers or databases.

When we type commands in the terminal, Linux processes those commands and performs actions inside the system.
That's why learning Linux commands is extremely important.

When people start learning Cloud or DevOps, they usually focus directly on AWS, Docker, or Kubernetes.
But one thing I quickly realized during my learning journey is this:
👉 Strong Linux fundamentals make everything easier.
Most cloud servers run on Linux.
Whether it's AWS EC2, Docker containers, Kubernetes nodes, or CI/CD servers like Jenkins - Linux is everywhere.
So in this post, I'm sharing some Linux commands that every beginner Cloud or DevOps engineer should know.
I'll keep the explanations simple and practical so even someone from a non-technical background can follow along.

🐧 1. pwd - Print Working Directory
This command shows your current location inside the Linux system.
pwd
📌 Example:
/home/ubuntu
Think of it like checking your current location on Google Maps.

📂 2. ls - List Files and Folders
Used to view files and directories.
ls
Useful variations:
ls -l
ls -a
-l → detailed view
-a → shows hidden files

📁 3. cd - Change Directory
Used to move between folders.
cd Documents
Go back one folder:
cd ..
Go to home directory:
cd ~

📄 4. cat - View File Content
Displays file contents.
cat file.txt
Very useful for reading configuration files.

✏️ 5. nano - Edit Files
Simple text editor inside Linux.
nano file.txt
Useful for editing:
configuration files
scripts
application settings

🗑️ 6. rm - Remove Files
Deletes files or folders.
rm file.txt
Delete folder:
rm -r foldername
⚠️ Be careful.
Linux usually deletes permanently.

📦 7. mkdir - Create Directory
Creates a new folder.
mkdir project

📋 8. cp - Copy Files
Copies files from one location to another.
cp file.txt backup.txt

🚚 9. mv - Move or Rename Files
Rename file:
mv old.txt new.txt
Move file:
mv file.txt /home/ubuntu/Documents

👀 10. top - View Running Processes
Shows system resource usage in real time.
top
Useful for checking:
CPU usage
Memory usage
Running processes

🌐 11. ping - Test Network Connectivity
Checks if a server or website is reachable.
ping google.com
Very useful while troubleshooting networking issues.

🔍 12. grep - Search Inside Files
Searches for words or patterns.
grep error logfile.txt
Useful for:
finding errors
checking logs
searching configuration values

🔐 13. chmod - Change File Permissions
Used to control who can access a file.
chmod 755 script.sh
This is extremely important in Linux administration and DevOps.

👤 14. sudo - Run as Administrator
Some commands require admin privileges.
sudo apt update
Think of this as "Run as Administrator" in Windows.

⚙️ 15. systemctl - Manage Services
Used to start, stop, and check services.
Check service status:
systemctl status nginx
Start service:
sudo systemctl start nginx
This command is heavily used in servers and cloud environments.

🧾 Simple Bash Script Example
One of the most useful skills in Linux is automation using shell scripts.
A shell script is simply a file that contains Linux commands which can run automatically.
Example Script
Create a file:
nano backup.sh
Add this:

!/bin/bash

echo "Starting Backup..."
mkdir backup
cp file.txt backup/
echo "Backup Completed"
Save the file and give execution permission:
chmod +x backup.sh
Run the script:
./backup.sh
👉 This is how automation starts in Linux and DevOps.
Even simple scripts can save time and reduce manual work.

📁 Important Linux Directories
Understanding Linux directories is also very important for Cloud and DevOps engineers.
DirectoryPurpose : /Root directory, homeUser home folders, /etcConfiguration files, /varLogs and variable data, /tmpTemporary files, /binBasic Linux commands, /optOptional software, /rootRoot user home directory
Think of these like different departments inside a company - each directory has its own responsibility.

🔐 Linux File Permissions
Linux controls who can:
read
write
or execute files

Permission symbols:
r = read
w = write
x = execute
Example:
chmod 755 script.sh
This is one of the most important concepts in Linux administration.

🌐 Essential Networking Commands
Check IP address:
ip addr
Check connectivity:
ping google.com
Test HTTP request:
curl google.com
Check open ports:
ss -tulnp
Find DNS information:
nslookup google.com
These commands are heavily used while troubleshooting servers and cloud environments.

🛠️ Mini Challenge
Try this on your Linux system or EC2 instance:
Task:
Create a folder called cloudjourney
Create a file inside it
Add some text using nano
View the content using cat
Check your current directory

👉 In the next post, I'll share the solution and explain the practical workflow.

🎯 Final Thoughts
Linux may feel confusing at first, but once you start practicing daily, it becomes much easier.
For Cloud and DevOps engineers, Linux is not optional - it's one of the most important foundational skills.
The goal is not to memorize commands.
The goal is to understand how systems work and become comfortable using the terminal.
More topics coming soon in the Cloud Engineer Journey series ☁️

CloudEngineerJourney #Linux #AWS #DevOps #CloudComputing #BeginnerFriendly

Cloud Engineer Journey #1 - Starting My Cloud & DevOps Learning Journey

Joyal B Biju — Wed, 13 May 2026 06:22:40 +0000

Recently, I started my journey as an Associate Cloud Engineer, and I wanted to create something that helps me learn consistently while also helping others understand cloud and DevOps in a simple way.

That's how this series started:
☁️ Cloud Engineer Journey
In this series, I'll be sharing what I learn step by step - from the fundamentals to real-world cloud and DevOps projects.
My goal is to explain technical concepts in a way that is:
simple
practical
and easy to understand even for someone from a non-technical background

Because when I started learning, I noticed that many tutorials explain how to do something, but not why it matters or how it works in real life.
So instead of making things overly complicated, I want to break topics down using:
simple explanations
real-world examples
diagrams
and hands-on demonstrations

📌 What You Can Expect in This Series
Some of the topics I'll be covering:
Linux fundamental
Networking basics
AWS cloud services
DevOps tools & workflows
Automation & CI/CD
Docker & Kubernetes
Monitoring & troubleshooting
Real project walkthroughs

And most importantly:
👉 the mistakes, challenges, and lessons I learn along the way.

🛠️ Interactive Learning Approach
To make this series more practical, I'll also be adding:
small real-world tasks
mini challenges
and project-based questions between topics

For example:
Linux troubleshooting tasks
Networking scenarios
AWS architecture questions
DevOps workflow challenges

Then, in the next post (usually after 1–2 days), I'll share:
the solution
explanation
and the practical approach to solving it

The idea is to learn by thinking and building - not just by reading theory.

🎯 Why I'm Doing This
I believe the best way to learn technology is by:
building
practicing
explaining
and staying consistent

This series is not about pretending to be an expert.
It's about documenting a real learning journey while growing as a Cloud Engineer.
If you're someone trying to enter cloud or DevOps, I hope this series makes the journey easier and less confusing.
Let's learn and grow together ☁️
Our first step was getting to know Linus, and this is our next post

CloudEngineerJourney #AWS #Linux #DevOps #CloudComputing #LearningInPublic #joyalbbiju

Forem: Joyal B Biju

Cloud Engineer Journey #4 — Important Linux Directories & Essential Concepts Explained Simply

🐧 What Is the Linux File System?

📁 1. /home — User Workspace

⚙️ 2. /etc — System Configuration Files

📦 3. /var — Logs & Changing Data

🗂️ 4. /tmp — Temporary Files

⚡ 5. /bin — Basic Linux Commands

📥 6. /opt — Optional Software

👑 7. /root — Root User Home

🌐 Essential Networking Commands

Check IP Address

Test Internet Connectivity

Test HTTP Requests

Find DNS Information

⚙️ Service Management in Linux

Check Service Status

Start a Service

Stop a Service

📜 Viewing Logs with journalctl

☁️ Why Linux Matters in Cloud & DevOps

🛠️ Mini Challenge

Task:

🎯 Final Thoughts

CloudEngineerJourney #Linux #AWS #DevOps #LinuxBasics #CloudComputing

Cloud Engineer Journey #3 - Understanding Linux File Permissions Simply

🐧 What Are Linux File Permissions?

🔐 Understanding Permission Symbols

📁 First Character

👤 Permission Groups

✨ What Do r, w, x Mean?

💡 Simple Explanation

Example:

🔢 Numeric Permissions

⚙️ chmod Command

🚀 Why Execute Permission Matters

👥 chown Command

☁️ Why Permissions Matter in Cloud & DevOps

🛠️ Mini Challenge

Task:

🎯 Final Thoughts

CloudEngineerJourney #Linux #AWS #DevOps #LinuxPermissions #BeginnerFriendly

Cloud Engineer Journey — Mini Linux Practice Task Explained

CloudEngineerJourney #Linux #AWS #DevOps #BeginnerFriendly

Cloud Engineer Journey #2 - Linux Made Simple for Cloud & DevOps Beginners

!/bin/bash

CloudEngineerJourney #Linux #AWS #DevOps #CloudComputing #BeginnerFriendly

Cloud Engineer Journey #1 - Starting My Cloud & DevOps Learning Journey

CloudEngineerJourney #AWS #Linux #DevOps #CloudComputing #LearningInPublic #joyalbbiju

📁 1. `/home` — User Workspace

⚙️ 2. `/etc` — System Configuration Files

📦 3. `/var` — Logs & Changing Data

🗂️ 4. `/tmp` — Temporary Files

⚡ 5. `/bin` — Basic Linux Commands

📥 6. `/opt` — Optional Software

👑 7. `/root` — Root User Home