Which is more in demand, Linux or Windows sysadmin?

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armonica17@reddit

Some ideas.

Linux. You need to eat, drink, sleep it. Set up a lab. Install, install, install, update, know how to fix things, and troubleshoot. Recover a system where you need to break in.

RHEL runs the world. You can set it up for free a a developer. Debian/ubuntu is becoming a bit more accepted. Once again, an unnecessary split in the community. A great deal of debian distro packages came from RedHat. Look at the source. Learn VMs. RedHat has a bunch of certification courses. They're very good.

The next big one is AI. Knowing how to set all that up in a server environment. How to integrate the nvidia GPUS into systems.

If you can get into engineering, you can make more money. Also, security. The problem with security is that it has become a whole lot more paperwork. It used to be that they were practitioners.

Have you thought about being a database admin? You can make a whole lot of money working with Oracle. I remember bringing in a new guy 20-25 years ago. In less than 10 years he was making way more than I was. I mean crazy money. I should contact him. I haven't contacted him in a long time.

Splunk - There's a lot of money to be made as a Splunk engineer. This is a logging solution for both Windows and Linux/Unix. It's also a specialty.

Hope this helps.

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geekonamotorcycle@reddit

Both is the bare minimum

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zakabog@reddit

In my industry Linux admins are in high demand and command a massive salary. Windows might give you more job opportunities but I feel like you're always at risk of having your role outsourced.

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NotAManOfCulture@reddit

What exactly do people mean by Linux admin? I mean in my org we just have system admins so I have an idea, they manage AD, GPO, AV, 365, DNS, DHCP etc. I have no idea what a Linux admin might be managing. We have around 300 severs and other than a few sec vms and a few gateways all are windows

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fearless-fossa@reddit

For one thing, you can obviously also do all of this using Linux. But the core business (imho) is with open source software (eg. we just got a major contract regarding deploying and maintaining openDesk) that is deployed via containerization.

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zakabog@reddit

You know everything you use Windows for? It's that, but on Linux.

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Wise_Guitar2059@reddit

Linux is heaving outsourced too. My friend lost his job because most of the company got outsourced.

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Old-Fan4994@reddit

By what?

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zakabog@reddit

I feel like the risk is greater with Windows as Microsoft continues to push for their cloud offerings like Entra, which are easily pushed to an MSP or just outsourced. With Linux you also get a lot of industries that need physical hardware, like high performance computing where you need physical hardware and someone knowledgeable to be able to manage and access the hardware. Windows isn't as widely used in the space, it's more often used where IT is considered a liability rather than something generating wealth.

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Resident-Artichoke85@reddit

Let me just say you cannot go strictly Linux-only. That world just doesn't exist. I'd recommend doing both, with a bigger emphasis on the Windows side as Azure is really taking over. AD Bridge is a pretty cool product we use to manage all of our Linux systems' auth and a few other things from Windows AD as well. There are likely better tools (ansible) but we have a heavy Windows-only set of staff and this enables them to do more Linux administration without screwing things up (much).

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davy_crockett_slayer@reddit

Neither. Devops / SRE are the high paying roles companies hire for. If you have to choose between Linux or Windows, choose Linux.

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Helpjuice@reddit

It is good to know both as you will more than likely need to use both, but in terms of pay, Linux has normally paid way more than Windows.

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ElectricOne55@reddit

What fields should we look at if windows servers are less in demand? I have some Azure certs and a CCNA. It feels like networking jobs aren't as common either, and they require you to work in person. So, idk if networking is the answer. And cisco's certs are really difficult.

I've worked in cloud the last few years. Cloud can feel cultish based on the platform a specific company uses.

I thought of switching to data or business analytics. It's not clear how to get hired. It's hard enough getting hired for an admin role. Whenever I applied for data analytics roles I wouldn't even get an interview. Some jobs wanted 5 years experience and a masters, some just wanted sql and powerbi experience.

I'm not even considering software development. Because that field has the most interview fuckery, in a field where interviews are already bad enough.

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Helpjuice@reddit

Networking jobs are there, you just need to look for the right employers and jobs as someone has to run the physical cables to get networking setup, running along with maintain existing networks and do upgrades and secure them.

All fields would work well with Linux, you just need to look for Linux Administrator jobs, though you will have more success looking for SRE/Production Engineer roles at tech companies.

The market is hard, but if you have what an employer is looking for you can get a job.

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ElectricOne55@reddit

The only jobs I've been seeing are these really senior SRE or Devops roles that want you to know Docker, Kubernetes, Azure, AWS, sonicwall, Cisco, etc. These last 2 companies I interviewed for it seemed like they wanted a jack of all trades yet only wanted to pay 90 to 100k for all that.

I'm currently working a remote job that pays 100k. My new manager set all of these insane goals. He wants me to do 6 to 18 improvements, 10 to 30 extra gcds support provisioning tickets, a Google workspace cert, write a script, watch 40 hours of linkedinlearning videos on powershell, 40 hours of videos on "soft skills" and do 2 presentations. In addition to the 4 to 8 cloud migration projects that we do at one time that last 8 to 15 weeks each.

I've been applying occasionally, but have had trouble getting any interviews the last 2 years. I've even debated taking a pay cut because my current job is getting toxic. Would you recommend staying or looking elsewhere? Do you think I should focus on staying remote, or look for in person roles too even if I have to take a pay cut? I live in Georgia, so a lot of jobs here pay less than my remote role through Chicago.

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Helpjuice@reddit

If you are already sitting at 100k there is no need to go even lower than that. Yes the bar for SRE is high, but that is the requirement of the job which also should come with some more pay. Take all those things they want you to know and chop them up into smaller more reasonable goals so you can achieve them. Think about your current employer / manager as someone paying you to boost your resume for the next job. Learn k8s, learn docker, get the certs with all of them to include Azure, AWS, and GCP. They want you to do network, cool get CCNA, and CCNP, and Juniper certs too if you have them on your network.

Presentations become easy when you have the experience in what you are presenting in and have experience doing presenting. Choose a topic, don't go too deep into the weeds, and show what we are currently running with and what we will be running with to include all the business related improvements it will bring. If you are sitting there trying to find out the business related improvements and there are little to none find a new thing to present on.

They are also potentially trying to line you up for a promotion as all this "stuff" is something I as a manager would stuff into your promotion packet to try and get you not only a raise, but a promotion into a new pay band, bonuses and whatever else I can do to keep you financially lubricated and challenged work wise so you don't leave to a competitor.

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Shot-Document-2904@reddit

If you like supporting users, Windows is key. If you like supporting organizations, Linux is better. You should know both, but being a Linux admin will make you more valuable in the long run. Even Windows servers administrators are less and less in demand.

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ElectricOne55@reddit

What fields should we look at if windows servers are less in demand? I have some Azure certs and a CCNA. It feels like networking jobs aren't as common either, and they require you to work in person. So, idk if networking is the answer. And cisco's certs are really difficult.

I've worked in cloud the last few years. Cloud can feel cultish based on the platform a specific company uses.

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ArchusKanzaki@reddit

Windows Servers are still out there. Probably more than what the Linux Sysadmin think there are. Some field like Medical (hospital, etc) just want Windows because its far easier to manage. If you are working in environment where the manager or CTO might want to go in the server at some point, Windows is still much more familiar and easier to use than any Linux ISO.

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ElectricOne55@reddit

The only jobs I've been seeing are these really senior SRE or Devops roles that want you to know Docker, Kubernetes, Azure, AWS, sonicwall, Cisco, etc. These last 2 companies I interviewed for it seemed like they wanted a jack of all trades yet only wanted to pay 90 to 100k for all that.

I'm currently working a remote job that pays 100k. My new manager set all of these insane goals. He wants me to do 6 to 18 improvements, 10 to 30 extra gcds support provisioning tickets, a Google workspace cert, write a script, watch 40 hours of linkedinlearning videos on powershell, 40 hours of videos on "soft skills" and do 2 presentations. In addition to the 4 to 8 cloud migration projects that we do at one time that last 8 to 15 weeks each.

I've been applying occasionally, but have had trouble getting any interviews the last 2 years. I've even debated taking a pay cut because my current job is getting toxic. Would you recommend staying or looking elsewhere? Do you think I should focus on staying remote, or look for in person roles too even if I have to take a pay cut? I live in Georgia, so a lot of jobs here pay less than my remote role through Chicago.

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Shot-Document-2904@reddit

Honestly, I don't know where you are in your career, sounds early, so Ill say this. Figure out what you enjoy working on. What brings you the most satisfaction? Working with people, solving new problems, creative energy...what? Then turn that into your career. I look forward to work most days because I'm allowed to be creative and develop reusable solutions. I love to see my products and designs get deployed. Find what that is for you. Along the way, learn everything you can.

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ElectricOne55@reddit

The only jobs I've been seeing are these really senior SRE or Devops roles that want you to know Docker, Kubernetes, Azure, AWS, sonicwall, Cisco, etc. These last 2 companies I interviewed for it seemed like they wanted a jack of all trades yet only wanted to pay 90 to 100k for all that.

I'm currently working a remote job that pays 100k. My new manager set all of these insane goals. He wants me to do 6 to 18 improvements, 10 to 30 extra gcds support provisioning tickets, a Google workspace cert, write a script, watch 40 hours of linkedinlearning videos on powershell, 40 hours of videos on "soft skills" and do 2 presentations. In addition to the 4 to 8 cloud migration projects that we do at one time that last 8 to 15 weeks each.

I've been applying occasionally, but have had trouble getting any interviews the last 2 years. I've even debated taking a pay cut because my current job is getting toxic. Would you recommend staying or looking elsewhere? Do you think I should focus on staying remote, or look for in person roles too even if I have to take a pay cut? I live in Georgia, so a lot of jobs here pay less than my remote role through Chicago.

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Windows95GOAT@reddit

You should know both

Define "know". There is no point in practicing Linux if your dayjob does not touch it. And i am pretty sure 75% of IT folk these days are in it for the money and not their love of techy stuff.

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Shot-Document-2904@reddit

No.

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DisplacerBeastMode@reddit

This is why I chose Linux. I don't want to deal with end users

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coolbeaNs92@reddit

I haven't dealt with end users since after my first graduate IT job, and that was purely because it was an "everything" job, from L1 to projects.

I think the opinions on here personally are fairly outdated, at least in my opinion. I barely spend any of my time in GUI and mostly work in PowerShell to manage Windows Servers, any server roles and VMware. Then using Ansible and Terraform to manage further automated provisioning and config management.

I think the reason you say this is because there are many people on here who aren't actually sysadmins.

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cosine83@reddit

Always seems like a lot of Linux admins are stuck in Windows Server 2003 admin land when everything was a shitty GUI and scripting tools really didn't exist when talking about Windows admin. There's also a massive skill gap where a lot of Windows admins just aren't learning PowerShell to keep up (I imagine there's similar admins in Linux admin land too who just know grep, cat, eat hot chip, and lie) in their respective roles. Nowadays, I spend more time developing PowerShell scripts for reporting, API integrations, task automation, notifications, etc. than supporting users. Currently in a testing phase working on a Dayforce to AD and Jira integrations for user onboarding using PowerShell, Jira automations for ticket generation from email, and the Dayforce API.

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Wise_Guitar2059@reddit

There is always an end user. Might not be people using laptops for productivity like windows.

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tf_fan_1986@reddit

I mean, if you're IT shack has a good Desktop Support team, a Windows sysadmin isn't going to deal with end users anymore than a Linux sysadmin. Outside of software requests I don't ever hear from the end users on my campus, and I run both Configuration Manager and Jamf for Apple devices. And Sofware requests come in as tickets so technically I'm still not dealing with end users.

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DigitalWhitewater@reddit

Yes, you should know both

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Proper-Store3239@reddit

Linux is in way more demand your paid way more then windows. It's not even close in pay.

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ErikTheEngineer@reddit

Two reasons for this:

It's not what it was, but I think Windows has an 80-some percent market share in businesses; while it's dropping, it's still a big part of the computing landscape. In previous times, Microsoft even encouraged large swaths of trained engineers with the MCSE program. Because of all that, and the fact that the job is easier to do (just as hard if you do it right though, IMO) - the labor supply is high and salaries are lower.
Almost every "cloud engineer' position is going to wind up managing a mix of PaaS/SaaS and the odd Linux VM/set of containers. This is of course seen as the new cool hotness, there's a much higher barrier to entry, and so the field of people who know what they're doing is much narrower, causing salaries to be higher.

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Proper-Store3239@reddit

Have you even worked at a software company or large corporation. Everything critical is linux i don’t know anything other then laptops that are windows.

If your a real cloud engineer working at aws or google your working in linux.

Windows guys make like 100k less then someone who understands deep linux systems.

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Mothringer@reddit

Everything critical is linux

Most things but definitely not everything. My previous employer was using Windows for their production line control system, and their primary accounting and order entry system ran on Solaris. Almost everything else was Linux, but the two most critical systems they had weren’t Linux.

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Proper-Store3239@reddit

How many millions of customers a day did you handle? Hospitals are usually one the worst places to work in IT. Huge fortune 500 companies and Tech companies all use Linux.

Even stuff like m365 is run on linux by microsoft that why they hire linux admins.

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Mothringer@reddit

They were a Fortune 10 company. Oracle sold management that the reason that the shitty customized version of Oracle EBS they were using was that it was running on Linux instead of Solaris, so they switched and stuck with it. The real reason for the instability of course was shitty coding by the outsourcing firm that did the customization, but they never switched it back to Linux afterwards.

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webguynd@reddit

anything other then laptops that are windows

Even that's (slowly) changing. Windows still has lower 70's percent marketshare, but it's shrinking and if you join a tech company you are more likely to be issuing macOS endpoints than Windows.

Hell I work for a non-tech company and we completed a transition from Windows to macOS a few years ago after Apple Silicon. We weren't tied to Windows (outside of the Accounting department) with any legacy apps, and the price to performance ratio was a no brainer.

Our help desk workload also went down substantially after the first year or so on macs.

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ArchusKanzaki@reddit

cloud engineer working at aws

Hi, I just deployed EC2 that runs Windows Server because the devs asked me for Windows Server. I think I'm paid quite well too.

Everything critical is linux

Is email system non-critical?

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dustojnikhummer@reddit

I pitty you if you have to manage your own exchange.

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ArchusKanzaki@reddit

Thanks, but luckily I do not need to do that now.... although still need to maintain at least the connector to cloud.

Anyway, I just think "everything critical is linux" is very oversimplification, even in large orgs.

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dustojnikhummer@reddit

Oh it absolutely is. Any semi large organization will likely run a mix of both, because both have their advantages and disadvantages.

I would say Active Directory is quite critical and not everyone is running purely Entra joined devices (Does realmd even work with hybrid/purely Entra setups?)

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mirrax@reddit

Here's the MS docs page that has joining Ubuntu/RHEL/SUSE. And then here's an older article with a RHEL7 realmd/sssd bind

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mirrax@reddit

Looks like it does or at least used to, here's an old guide for RHEL7 to an Entra domain.

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sudonem@reddit

Yes to all of this.

It’s becoming uncommon to hire just a Linux sysadmin these days. You’re expected to handle everything that Linux might touch including cloud, IaaS,SaaS, container orchestration, virtualization orchestration etc etc.

It’s sticky because there’s no longer really any such thing as a junior Linux admin either - so finding your way in can be a real motherfucker.

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Maro1947@reddit

Basically, what happened to good VM/Windows SysAdmins - now you have to know it all

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sudonem@reddit

Yes exactly.

And nobody is hiring juniors so if you aren’t already doing it… good fucking luck.

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uptimefordays@reddit

When people say “80 percent of businesses run Windows” they mean endpoints. Most larger organizations have a mix of Windows and Linux servers.

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ArchusKanzaki@reddit

Windows Server is still very much in use. Alot of medical application strictly want Windows or you're just not supported. If you need to run AD or print server or microsoft sql or even just file witness, you also want Windows. You might be able to do it on Linux, but you are just making life more difficult for you.

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Arlieth@reddit

I've seen entire infrastructures with a ton of Linux endpoints with AD running on the backbone. It's weird but it works.

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ArchusKanzaki@reddit

Not saying it won't work, but I just think it probably will make life more difficult. Right tool for the right job, if you have the choice.

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Arlieth@reddit

I mean, shit just works. Until you get a million replication errors with an incoming tombstone that you didn't realize until someone complained that their password reset didn't work.

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uptimefordays@reddit

I’ve noticed that with small medical practices but cut my teeth at a major university hospital system that had a very healthy mix of Linux and Windows server side.

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JewishTomCruise@reddit

I often see internal tools running windows, customer facing running Linux.

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uptimefordays@reddit

It depends, many organizations will have Windows for AD, DHCP, DNS but run Linux for applications, webservers, and such. Very few large enterprises run just Windows or just Linux.

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LaserKittenz@reddit

Its not even close... Linux drives the vast majority of servers..

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Ancient-Net8047@reddit

Have worked in a number of environments from 5 servers to 50'000.

It depends a lot on what the server is for, there are still a LOT of windows servers out there, so I'd say it's much more even than you think.

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komyl@reddit

Linux but if you can learn both.

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ninjaluvr@reddit

Learn both. But linux sysadmins have a small edge in average salaries and market size.

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wowsomuchempty@reddit

Also - no windows.

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pnutjam@reddit

In my experience, there are some very good windows admins, but there are alot of very bad ones. Working in Linux, you an usually assume a higher level of competency.
The pay is better too.

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OEMBob@reddit

Working in Linux, you an usually assume a higher level of competency.

As someone that supports both Windows & Linux admins; I'm not so sure that this is true. They both just have a different preferred flavor of paste.

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BloodFeastMan@reddit

In my experience, and this is simply anecdotal, moving into an admin position often involves moving from a lower tier position involving predominantly Windows. and sometimes, especially in smaller organizations, people will attain the title of sysadmin before they're fully competent, whereas Linux admins are more often those that make a conscience decision to fully learn the systems before attaining the title.

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pnutjam@reddit

fair, maybe I've been lucky.

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fakehalo@reddit

I'm a devops guy with a bunch of various experience across *nix based operations and programming environments, and i think its kind of unmaintable to dabble in both windows and nix while being proficient... but I'm sure some people can pull it off.

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widowhanzo@reddit

Yeah I know enough Windows administration to solve some basic issues, but I rather learn k8s than spend time learning AD, after all I don't even want a job where I'd work with Windows administration a lot. And it has worked put great for me, most of my jobs didn't require any Windows at all, all Linux/cloud/container based.

It also comes down to where you want to work, I feel Windows is more present in larger organisations, public institutions etc, while linux dominates startups, software development companies.

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chaotiq@reddit

I never been at a place that was primarily windows not have any Linux foot print. Though the other way around is much more common.

Learning the basics of both systems will absolutely pay off in the long run. You don’t have to dive deep in both, but knowing how each one works will make you a better admin.

Even in the DevOps world knowing windows helps when your infra runs on Azure. Lots of people going to multicloud and being familiar with the different tools is a huge leg up.

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Chaddywackpack@reddit

I would also add a small addendum of learning automation technology with Linux. Puppet, Ansible, Saltstack etc. Also learn a provisioning tool like Terreform.

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Hel_OWeen@reddit

In short: become a DevOps.

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uptimefordays@reddit

Those are all pretty much expected skills in today’s world.

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Fritzo2162@reddit

I like your funny words, Magic Man,

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BrianKronberg@reddit

Know both so you get paid well.

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ninjaluvr@reddit

Great suggestions.

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mac10190@reddit

Oh this 100%. You'd be amazed how many times I got a job that didn't mention anything about Linux but I ended up needing that skill set anyways. Definitely learn both. It's something nice to keep in your back pocket.

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pfak@reddit

Small edge..?

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Neonbunt@reddit

There are more jobs for Windows sysadmins, but there are also waaay more Windows sysadmins than Linux sysadmins. Which means, it's easier to find a job, if you're a Linux sysadmin.

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Acceptable_Wind_1792@reddit

lol you guys get to choose? im just expected to do both,

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2BfromNieRAutomata@reddit

my buddy and i started at the same company at the same time in the same role. I was hired as a windows admin and he got about 12% more as a linux admin. I am jumping ship and I am hoping he will join me at the next company.

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Dense-Land-5927@reddit

I'd say most environments are highly Windows based with some Linux mixed in. However, from what I've seen in my local area, skilled Linux admins are in pretty high demand. If you've got some experience under your belt, I've seen starting salaries at $90,000 and go up to $150,000 depending on the company.

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prazeros@reddit

Linux tends to be more in demand overall, especially in cloud environments, DevOps, and cybersecurity roles. Windows admins are still needed, but Linux skills usually open more doors and higher-paying opportunities.

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sudo_rmtackrf@reddit

Im a linux dev ops engineer. Im on over 200k a year and work from home 100 percent. Where I am, linux engineers and those like me with gov clearnances are in higher demand. And we are rare. So we can ask for higher pay. Especially with ansible and openshift experience. I hear alot about hiring windows admins is hard because of every man and his dog home users apply for those roles hense why they like people having windows certs. I have none in linux, but my experience now trumps most certs.

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pmct_motorguia@reddit

With 30 years of sysadmin, I would say a good sysadmin is supposed to to be agnostic to the OS, and use the best for every task. So learn both windows and NIX Based OS’s

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glotzerhotze@reddit

One can be automated - the other has a horribly evolving UI. If you hate a mouse with a passion, the choice has been made for you already.

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_R0Ns_@reddit

An admin that can do both.

I have been doing Linux and Windows for over 30 years and even in my 50s I keep getting calls for jobs with insane amounts of money.

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the_marque@reddit

Either way, you need to have some working knowledge of both.

You can specialise from there. The market for Windows sysadmins is bigger; the market for Linux sysadmins is more lucrative. But as a new/junior sysadmin you would be expecting to have to touch both.

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Abject_Serve_1269@reddit

From my experience: govt: either is fine Private: both

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bbbbbthatsfivebees@reddit

You need to know both, but having intimate knowledge of Linux is going to help you out a TON!!!

A ton of sysadmins know a little bit of Linux, enough to where they can flub their way through it with a bunch of docs while also being super uncomfortable about it. Being comfortable as both a Linux sysadmin AND a Windows sysadmin is going to take you far! The only caveat is that once you reach that level, you're inevitably going to become "The Linux Guy" at any company you work for.

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ArchusKanzaki@reddit

Both. Unless you go really big corporate MNC where your role is super silo-ed, you will need to learn both at some point. You can have preference, but you need to at least able to do both if needed

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scytob@reddit

Why not do both?

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InevitableOk5017@reddit

Knowledge cap for me fam. Can only know so much is my deal have to pick a lane. Yeah I can do both but I can’t be an expert in both.

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uptimefordays@reddit

It’s probably worth learning operating system concepts rather than specific implementations.

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scytob@reddit

The idea that one can be an expert in one is equally an issue the topics are so deep - the key is the right level of knowledge and ability to learn on the fly imho.

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InevitableOk5017@reddit

Agree depends on what we talking about are you a storage engineer and have to deal with Luns and logical volumes or are you a stack engineer? ad

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scytob@reddit

Agreed. As someone who used to be all windows all the time but has seen that diminish as Linux server and clouds like azure and AWS has grown I wouldn’t choose a windows path for my depth knowledge or main skill set.

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xRolox@reddit

Some of the best advice I received was that while general knowledge is great to have, go full ass on one area and become to go to guy/gal for it before learning other things. This is more so the case in larger enterprises though whereas I feel like being a jack of all trades works better in small to medium orgs.

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scytob@reddit

Before learning other things, absolutely, but to decide now to lock into a single choice for the long term no. Best advice I ever got was to keep retraining yourself every 5 years. Guess being older I looked at op question as a long run question.

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largos7289@reddit

Demand probably windows since it's the biggest, Linux is more one off type of stuff. I mean this is going back aways only people i knew that ran Unix was bell labs. I was at a place that ran red hat linux but it was trading floor stuff.

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Carlos_Spicy_Weiner6@reddit

If you're gonna be a sysadmin you need to know and be able to work on both

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xRolox@reddit

Eh - most orgs I’ve worked at had dedicated windows/linux teams. It’s good to have working knowledge of both and common tech stacks but I’d argue going deeper into one or the other gives much more value. I mentioned it in another comment but it’s honestly a very company-specific thing. Smaller businesses - know both well enough. Larger companies - go deep on one.

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Carlos_Spicy_Weiner6@reddit

Why limit yourself to one or the other? Most organizations I've done work for including being a C level exec have both windows and Linux systems and devices.

Not being well versed in both makes you less valuable to the organization as a whole especially if your constantly putting in tickets to another department instead of fixing the issues properly and as per manufacturers recommended best practices and eliminating down time during business hours.

If you are a windows only admin there are virtual machines or even the windows subsystem for Linux that you could be learning on or even raspberry pi's.

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xRolox@reddit

I never said to not be well versed in both - simply stating that you’re more valuable being an expert in a subject matter important to your organization. C level execs need reading comprehension too ;)

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Carlos_Spicy_Weiner6@reddit

In the real world specializing in one area only makes you valuable to a very select few and those jobs are most likely already filled, not in your area, or are being phased out. Being flexible in many areas makes you more valuable to the organization and shows your willingness to adapt and overcome.

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xRolox@reddit

Whoosh

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ErikTheEngineer@reddit

Long time Windows systems engineer here, I also have a bunch of Linux and Unix experience in my past, but frankly it's been hard to move completely over to Linux. Windows people who actually understand the OS and its internals well are still very much in demand, but in a smaller narrower part of the field. I don't see Windows going away for a while...but trends are starting to show where people don't need PCs anymore, just use their phones, and every student in the US has been raised on Chromebooks and Google Workspaces. Also, Microsoft is desperate to get everyone on 365, every workload in Azure, and everyone consuming AI tokens, so they've been de-emphasizing on-prem Windows Server and services like AD for a long time now. I think the long term will see a big reduction in Windows usage, but every single business older than 15 years has on-prem and has Windows.

I'd say don't lock yourself into any one technology or platform, but spend time learning the basics of both then decide what you like doing more. If you're an EUC person like me, that's going to be Windows for quite a while. If you're more of a cloud engineer/server person, Linux is the obvious choice. I highly doubt Microsoft's going to have an epiphany and decide they actually care about on-prem Windows. They've shown there's zero interest in supporting customers who aren't in the cloud.

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ElectricOne55@reddit

What fields should we look at if windows servers are less in demand? I have some Azure certs and a CCNA. It feels like networking jobs aren't as common either, and they require you to work in person. So, idk if networking is the answer. And cisco's certs are really difficult.

I've worked in cloud the last few years. Cloud can feel cultish based on the platform a specific company uses.

I thought of switching to data or business analytics. It's not clear how to get hired. It's hard enough getting hired for an admin role. Whenever I applied for data analytics roles I wouldn't even get an interview. Some jobs wanted 5 years experience and a masters, some just wanted sql and powerbi experience.

I'm not even considering software development. Because that field has the most interview fuckery, in a field where interviews are already bad enough.

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_Insightful@reddit

In my experience, Linux is more often than not used as part of a bigger picture SaaS solution or as a server to run docker containers. In AWS, it’s the backend of a lot of Marketplace solutions, but those usually deploy as part of a cloud formation stack versus doing a bunch of heavy lifting shit.

It’s useful as a skill if you’re primarily doing HEAVY Linux administration, so you can get familiar with bash and common Linux commands.

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ElectricOne55@reddit

That's what I've found as well, that linux is used in pieces in roles but isn't the whole focus.

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True-Shower9927@reddit

Windows. Its job security.

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wrosecrans@reddit

Not sure why you think Linux is insecure by comparison? Windows has the desktop monopoly, but desktop isn't exactly the growing part of IT in this century. Way more dollars are going into datacenters and devices than into desktops these days.

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True-Shower9927@reddit

You read way too much into four words, respectfully. Never a word was typed that said Linux was insecure. The comment had nothing to do with OS or architectural security. Microsoft has notoriously for ages been the market share, although declining, but because it is the market share, there’s always going to be more maintaining those Windows based systems, hence “job security”…meaning there will always be Microsoft or Windows Sys Admins.

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wrosecrans@reddit

The comment had nothing to do with OS or architectural security.

Uh, of course not? The conversation was about job security. I am not sure why you read my response as being on an unrelated subject.

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SirAlexMann@reddit

From my experience, Windows but with a knowledge of Linux, even a working understanding would do. But one thing you can guarantee is there are 0 Linux only organisations out there, there will always be a mix of windows and Linux (even MacOS…) but sometimes you will even see windows only environments. (From a UK perspective)

Focus on windows but don’t sleep on Linux would be my advice.

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Quarterfault@reddit

This is how I feel about it! I feel like going full either way pigeon holes yourself if a major change happens

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Quarterfault@reddit

My experience has been Windows but the volume of comments saying Linux makes me think I need to reevaluate lol…

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R3luctant@reddit

In my locales job market, Linux by far.

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Villainsympatico@reddit

If you have to pick one, learn Linux, with a little python.

Powershell nowadays has a ton of built in aliases that mimic linux commands. If you learn the terminal, and get used to object oriented programming in python, you've learned enough powershell to get by.

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omgseriouslynoway@reddit

Unix. Every time.

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AmbassadorDefiant105@reddit

When I was a sysadmin with Linux .. things would always work even after an update (unless it was PHP lol). With being a sysadmin with Windows there are more headaches but easier to find material or common issues.

That being said you really have to know your stuff with Linux and they will break you (if it's high paying) on questions during the interview. That's one thing you can't take that's for sure.

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jerwong@reddit

Windows admins are a dime a dozen. Easy to find jobs but pay is lower. Linux admins get paid better.

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IllustriousWater2796@reddit

Depends where your located, in Australia most organizations all use Windows Servers and Windows EUC, only some companies use some Linux distros maybe for some Web servers they host.

But i would imagine for companies which are application heavy, microservices etc.. would all use Linux

However almost all the high paying sysadmin jobs here need windows / hybrid cloud experience.

Although i think anyone who uses Linux / Infrastructure as code / Containers, they would be labeled as a Devops Engineer not a Sys admin / Systems Engineer.

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Megatronpt@reddit

Depends.

Enterprise level work or office work?

Linux is paying better, but from my experience it has a much bigger learning curve.

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caffeine-junkie@reddit

The learning curve really depends on what you include as "windows". I have met my share of admins who couldn't troubleshoot something like a failing certificate from an internal Windows CA. The same goes for pretty much any of the installable roles to varying degrees. Nevermind architecting a system involving them. There was just something about how the roles function they couldn't grasp.

In the end, I wouldn't say the learning curve for either is steeper, just different. You can't go in thinking it will work the same as what you're used to.

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uptimefordays@reddit

Honest answer, you should learn both. It’s hard claiming “I’m an operating system expert” while only knowing one major platform.

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mr-arnold@reddit

As a sys admin with 25+ years experience, know both.

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jebuizy@reddit

Linux jobs are more lucrative but "sysadmins" barely exist as a title anymore there. It is generally an Engineer title in one form or another.

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xRolox@reddit

Agreed. You’re usually looking at cloud/devops/SRE roles than traditional Linux admin roles

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Sensitive_Scar_1800@reddit

Both? Endpoints are dominated by windows, servers (SaaS) are dominated by Linux.

Interestingly enough google Chromebook’s are popping up on my radar a little more each year….which was unexpected.

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xRolox@reddit

Users can live in browsers these days with modern web architectures. Chromebooks are a cheap and lightweight solution for users who don’t need any specialized software on their local workstations. Makes sense it’s becoming more common for students/some businesses.

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Brwdr@reddit

K8's admin.

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udum2021@reddit

Linux admins can transition to more advanced roles like DevOPs.

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Rocky_Mountain_Way@reddit

OpenBSD and NetBSD and FreeBSD (desktop, of course)

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No_Resolution_9252@reddit

Windows, and its not close.

Pure linux sysadmins are quite rare, most of the linux sysadmins are more development oriented roles like devops, automation and on-prem SRE.

Windows administration will generally have a bunch of other overlapping administrative focuses particularly on cloud. Windows sysadmin can offer you an onramp to AWS or Azure SRE that will for the most part be OS agnostic, but if you are building out on-prem infrastructure you are going to need to know what OS you use on-prem

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PipeItToDevNull@reddit

Just know both

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ABolaNostra@reddit

Azure + Linux

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Fizgriz@reddit

We run both in my org. Sys admins are expected to be able to work on either.

Just do both.

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GinAndKeystrokes@reddit

Eh, it's both. I came from a very heavy Microsoft shop. However, we moved a ton of things to Azure, and while still MS hosted, I was one of the few that knew Linux basics, and that helped. Heck, even our Simplicity env is Linux heavy, yet 90% of the servers are Windows.

So long as you know the basics, especially DevOps, you get far.

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SJBSR@reddit

Learn Linux

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SaintEyegor@reddit

I started off as a generalist and did windows, OS/2 (I’m old SF), Mac and *nix. As I progressed in my career, I started specializing in Solaris and Linux. Nowadays, I’m pretty much Linux with a speciality in HPC and high-performance storage.

When you get past a certain point and need to deep dive an OS, you really don’t have the cycles to deal with multiple OS’s and frankly, I don’t like having to deal with Microsoft’s BS any longer.

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Dolapevich@reddit

I'd go linux, just because it really allows you to learn how things work. Once you know linux, windows is kind of an afterthought.

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Dry_Inspection_4583@reddit

I prefer being the Linux guy, people generally don't get it, don't care, and when they do you learn a ton!!

Windows is going to change a fucktonne over the next 5 though, so don't forget it exists

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mallet17@reddit

It depends.

Workplace/End-User? - Windows Cloud? - Linux (containers, k8s, git, pipelines) Sysadmin? - Either

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michaelpaoli@reddit

Context matters, also matters how you measure "demand", e.g. number of bodies, or typical open positions, or median or average compensation.

So, typically, at least approximately:

Windows: lower barrier for entry (typically less knowledge/experience required), more lower level positions, more open lower level positions, lower compensation, typically more limited career trajectory, fewer high(er) level positions, mostly doesn't scale / get scaled as much

Linux: higher barrier for entry (typically more knowledge/experience required), fewer lower level positions, fewer open lower level positions, higher compensation, typically less limited career trajectory (at least in terms of existing open positions and required knowledge/skills/experience), more high(er) level positions, scales more / gets scaled more

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VNDMG@reddit

Focus on Linux and just learn Windows as needed, it’s incredibly easy to google your way through.

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vgullotta@reddit

I do both, no need to be exclusive =)

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xtigermaskx@reddit

Both. I always need both.

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djgizmo@reddit

depends on the industry. Windows is huge in the corporate world, but linux lives everywhere, including in windows.

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myg0t_Defiled@reddit

I've been browsing job offers for past 4 months - 90% of offers require linux

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redMarllboro@reddit

As others have said, it is good to at least understand what power shell is and some Windows admin skills to be well rounded.

I do love knowing Linux more as almost all of the edge devices, not, cloud servers, and even networking equipment is Linux/Unix adjacent so you are familiar with the base foundation os and can treat it all as a specialized Linux computer.

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sudonem@reddit

Windows admin will offer you more job opportunities, whereas Linux admin will offer you higher earning potential in the long run.

What’s important to understand is that the role of Linux admin/engineer is largely disappearing and being replaced by cloud/DevOps/SRE roles in which you’re expected to be the Linux admin, but also handle all the cloud operations, as well as all containerization & virtualization and orchestration (ie Kubernetes / OpenShift) all within the same position.

If you need a job ASAP you want to angle towards Windows & M365 roles - but if you want to do more higher level work in the long term, then Linux is where you want to focus.

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bukkithedd@reddit

Most likely Linux, as Windows-sysadmins are a dime a dozen. Hell, you can't really throw a ball without hitting 50 of them, while the Linux-admins are far fewer and far further apart.

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flucayan@reddit

Being a sysadmin in a Windows environment should honestly be the second stepping stone for everyone in IT right after Helpdesk/Technician.

Linux administration skills will always be in-demand, but ‘Linux sysadmin roles’ are getting split between other teams and you’re just expected to manage your machines.

Basically there’s less job availability for a traditional Linux sysadmin as other role requirement expands, and it became even worse with the shift to cloud.

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rootkode@reddit

Linux. Nobody seems to know it or wants to learn it. At least at the orgs I’ve worked at.

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wmjsn@reddit

Learn both. While many organizations primarily use Windows, there are more and more that are using Linux. I have several clients who use mainly Windows, and some who are more Linux heavy. I also work with some people who refuse to learn Linux and I can't figure out why. It's not that hard or scary and it's fun to learn something new.

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Paymentof1509@reddit

Mac. Definitely Mac.

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DGC_David@reddit

Someone who can do both.

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PizzaUltra@reddit

There’s demand for both, its probably more dependent on your interests.

There’s a reason the internet runs on *nix and als a reason most clients are windows. Different worlds, different usecases.

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PawnF4@reddit

Linux+Windows>Linux>Windows

In pay and in general demand.

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Austin-Ryder417@reddit

How does one become a Linux Sysadmin? I mean obviously one way is to get into a job that requires the skill I mean I know what I know from playing with Raspberry Pi for so many years. For my day job I run huge web services in Azure but I don’t think that would qualify me as a sysadmin

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signal_empath@reddit

Learn both. I use both daily. Part of being a good sysadmin and engineer is finding the right tool for the use case.

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Electronic_Cake_8310@reddit

Linux will be web hosting, SaaS providers, and large enterprises while Windows will be your normal business.

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Complex86@reddit

this generalization could not be more wrong

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Jaki_Shell@reddit

I think it’s pretty spot on. Most small to medium businesses will essentially be full Windows shops. Once you get into large enterprises is when Linux is used. Atleast based on my experience.

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PWarmahordes@reddit

Linux. Windows admins (of varying skill) are a dime a dozen

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godspeedfx@reddit

I don't know many Linux only sysadmins. It just depends on the workload. It would not be smart to only pick one.

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TheGraycat@reddit

Define demand in this sense? Salary? Market saturation? Raw charisma?

With all due respect, server OS is just a tool. Learn the ones you need to, to solve the problems you want to solve.

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OhShitOhFuckOhMyGod@reddit

If you’re not American, I’d say Linux simply due to some governments around the world getting out of bed with Microsoft.

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Margosiowe@reddit

If it comes to jobs: based on my area in EU it's usually Linux admins with skills ranging from stricte security people, python/ansible/puppet/chef/rhel admins and ending with 'know every cloud service by name' architects, also named presales to work for some MSP or solutions provider. If it's for Windows it's usually for hybrid environment, where you need to know Azure and M365 to even be relevant, since there's not many places that are up to date with infra and also are still on-prem, except govs.

You still should have understanding of both worlds/OS's and how they interact with others and what are they capable of, at least on basic levels.

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Pocket-Flapjack@reddit

Do both, you can learn some linuxy stuff... web servers, proxies, nexus, gitlab and then learn AD and all the other microsoft bits.

Always handy to be able to look at a system and not be intimidated by it 😀

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Busy_Agency5420@reddit

linux. in our Firm we search 3 linux techs but only 1 windows tech. SaaS

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Electrical-Cheek-174@reddit

Whatever relates to your current role. If you don't have a job then pick whatever you want.

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Intrepid_Pear8883@reddit

Linux. You have to specialize. Windows is the most basic of all the basics. It's one reason why a lot of sysadmins are out work. The more people that know what you know, the less valuable it is.

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Inevitable-Lettuce99@reddit

Linux runs just about all the webs servers and app servers out there. There are many more of them, but it’s more of dev ops role in administration these days. Also the majority of hypervisors run on linux. My opinion is know both or you’re going to be lacking in many positions.

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