13 Best Unix Courses, Classes & Certifications Online In 2023

Best Unix Courses, Classes & Certifications

1. Introduction to Linux

For those who have never learned Linux or need a refresher, this course aims to develop a solid understanding of Linux using both the graphical interface and command line across major distribution families. Linux is used in a wide array of environments, including powering 100% of the world's supercomputers, most of the servers hosting the internet, and in financial trades and Android devices. Its prevalence underscores the importance of learning this versatile operating system, which can lead to increased employability and proficiency in various IT roles.

This course is designed for experienced computer users with limited or no previous exposure to the Linux environment. By exploring the tools and techniques commonly used by Linux system administrators and end-users, learners will acquire the skills necessary to work efficiently in individual or enterprise environments. Upon completing the course, participants should have a comprehensive working knowledge of Linux from both a graphical and command-line perspective, enabling them to easily navigate any of the major Linux distributions. As a result, they can continue to progress in their careers as users, system administrators, or developers with their newfound Linux expertise.

2. Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User

This comprehensive course takes you on a journey through the main components of an operating system, equipping you with the skills to manage software and users, configure hardware, and navigate both the Windows and Linux filesystems. Through a mix of video lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice, you will become proficient in using graphical user interfaces as well as command-line interpreters to handle various operating system tasks and troubleshoot issues, vital for an IT Support Specialist role.

As a participant, you will gain knowledge in setting up users, groups, and permissions for account access, installing, configuring, and removing software on the Windows and Linux systems, working with disk partitions and filesystems, managing system processes, understanding operation and organization and working with system logs and remote connection tools. By the end of the course, you will cultivate the expertise to navigate and utilize Unix and other popular operating systems with ease and confidence, transforming yourself into a power user.

3. Linux Command Line Basics

This introductory course to the Linux command line is perfect for individuals who are new to Linux or experienced users looking to expand their knowledge. With a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from the basics of the Linux command line to creating custom commands, this course will provide you with the skills and expertise needed to become an efficient Linux user. The content is supported by animated videos to ensure complex concepts are easy to understand and the course also includes files associated with every video to reinforce the understanding of the commands and clear any potential confusion.

Throughout this course, you will learn to appreciate the power of the Linux command line and understand the structure of the Linux File System. Additionally, you will gain essential Linux skills such as navigating the file system using simple commands, working with files, learning the differences between soft and hard links, and mastering Linux man pages and help tools. Not only will this course equip you with the knowledge of Unix-based systems, but it also lays a solid foundation for a successful career in the IT industry. Become an effective Linux user and advance your career with this comprehensive Linux Command Line Basics course.

4. Linux Tips Weekly

Expand your knowledge of the Unix-based operating system, Linux, through a series of weekly tips designed to cover a wide range of topics. Acquiring expertise in Linux can offer numerous benefits, as it is the preferred operating system for many businesses and organizations that require a stable, agile, and open-source platform. As Linux grows in popularity, demand for skilled system administrators increases, making this an excellent opportunity to enhance both your professional abilities and career prospects.

This course consists of various tips intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of Linux's core concepts, such as virtualization, file systems, file management, networking, and security. Additionally, it offers insights into compatible hardware and the Linux desktop experience. By devoting time each week to discovering a new Linux tip, you can continually develop your proficiency in this versatile operating system. Please be aware that due to the ongoing nature of the series, there will be no certificate of completion issued.

5. Linux Fundamentals for IT Professionals using Ubuntu 20x

This comprehensive course focuses on Linux Fundamentals for IT Professionals using Ubuntu 20x, designed to equip experienced application developers, data engineers, and testers with essential Linux shell commands and practical use cases. Topics covered include basic system commands, file and folder properties, using Unix commands for everyday usage, and the basics of Shell scripting with case studies. The course aims to enhance the learners' Linux skills, enabling them to work more effectively in Linux-based environments and perform tasks such as troubleshooting application issues and managing Linux servers using system commands.

The course starts with an introduction to Linux shell commands for absolute beginners using Ubuntu 20.04, with instructions on setting up Ubuntu Linux on Windows using wsl. As the course progresses, students learn to work with Linux shell commands while managing files, folders, and interacting with remote servers. The course also delves into different Linux commands such as ls, find, and awk, to name a

6. The Unix Workbench

Unix forms a foundation that is often very helpful for accomplishing other goals you might have for you and your computer, whether that goal is running a business, writing a book, curing disease, or creating the next great app. The means to these goals are sometimes carried out by writing software. Software can’t be mined out of the ground, nor can software seeds be planted in spring to harvest by autumn. Software isn’t produced in factories on an assembly line. Software is a hand-made, often bespoke good. If a software developer is an artisan, then Unix is their workbench. Unix provides an essential and simple set of tools in a distraction-free environment. Even if you’re not a software developer learning Unix can open you up to new methods of thinking and novel ways to scale your ideas.

This course is intended for folks who are new to programming and new to Unix-like operating systems like macOS and Linux distributions like Ubuntu. Most of the technologies discussed in this course will be accessed via a command line interface. Command line interfaces can seem alien at first, so this course attempts to draw parallels between using the command line and actions that you would normally take while using your mouse and keyboard. You’ll also learn how to write little pieces of software in a programming language called Bash, which allows you to connect together the tools we’ll discuss. My hope is that by the end of this course you be able to use different Unix tools as if they’re interconnecting Lego bricks.

7. Advanced Linux: The Linux Kernel

Understanding the Linux kernel is crucial for Linux professionals in various fields, such as system administration, operations, and software development. This advanced course, led by expert Kevin Dankwardt, delves deep into the core of the Linux operating system to equip you with essential knowledge and practical skills to work with the Linux kernel effectively. You will master the fundamentals, such as reading and writing proc files, working with loadable kernel modules and source code, and configuring the kernel.

The course covers essential topics including the Linux kernel specification, boot process, and loadable kernel modules, providing valuable hands-on learning opportunities. With practical exercises like searching the Linux kernel source code and configuring a Linux kernel from scratch, you will develop a strong foundation in kernel knowledge. Additionally, the challenge and solution videos at the end of almost every chapter serve as great tools for assessing your progress and refining your skills throughout the course.

8. Unix Essential Training

Unix Essential Training is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the Unix environment, which has remained relevant and important in the technology industry since its inception in the 1970s. The course begins with an introduction to Unix's command line and crucial commands for anyone working with modern technologies, like smartphones, streaming services, and supercomputers. Instructor Kevin Skoglund ensures that the course is applicable to users of Mac OS, Windows, or Linux, as he demonstrates how to utilize command-line syntax for an array of tasks, including file management, data entry, and text manipulation.

Throughout the course, learners will progressively build their Unix skills and confidence, ultimately gaining practical tools that can be applied immediately in their personal or professional lives. With its comprehensive content and expert instruction, Unix Essential Training is an invaluable resource for both beginners and experienced professionals who wish to expand their knowledge and mastery of Unix, ensuring they stay current and competitive in the constantly evolving tech landscape.

9. Linux System Engineer: Networking and SSH

This course is designed to help you prepare for the RHCE exam, which is the benchmark certification for Red Hat Enterprise Linux. By focusing on the networking and Secure Shell (SSH) topics covered in the exam, this course offers a comprehensive guide to Linux networking, providing key commands and tools needed to gather information about your network, as well as the knowledge to utilize Network Manager's command-line tools, such as nmcli and nmtui. The instructor, Grant McWilliams, also shares insights on iproute2 commands, including ip and nstat, while cross-referencing them with legacy tools.

In addition to learning how to use tools like ip, nmcli, nmtui, netstat, nstat, ss, arp, and dig to obtain statistics and analyze data, this course will teach you how to modify both live and saved network configuration settings. Grant guides you through the process of creating a custom ifcfg-ethx file for manual network configuration and demonstrates the use of systemd to configure the hostname. The course also covers how to connect to and configure Secure Shell (SSH) and offers valuable tips on enhancing SSH security and optimizing its usage for executing commands remotely. By completing this course, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the RHCE exam with confidence.

10. Linux Server Management and Security

As the foundation for a vast majority of today's modern technology systems, understanding Linux server management and security is crucial. This course offers a comprehensive look into how Linux operates in an enterprise setting, with a focus on server management, security practices, and system configuration. Delving into the various uses and applications of Linux within organizations, students will learn to differentiate between different versions of Linux and their specific roles in an enterprise environment. Additionally, they will become familiar with essential Unix commands and tools for effective system management and maintenance.

This course also places a strong emphasis on establishing a secure Linux environment, guiding students through various authentication mechanisms, user management techniques, and system hardening practices. Throughout this learning journey, participants will develop the skills necessary to ensure data integrity and protect against potential threats by implementing robust authentication and access control methods. More advanced topics, such as securing Linux systems and applications through modern security technologies, are also covered in this in-depth course. Upon completion, students will possess the ability to manage, maintain and safeguard Linux-based systems within the professional realm effectively.

11. Linux command line and Bash Shell Scripting

This comprehensive course on Linux command line and Bash Shell Scripting provides students with a deep understanding of Bash programming concepts and helps them master various aspects of commands, analysis, and debugging. With a strong emphasis on practical learning, the course includes live examples and downloadable materials to enhance students' hands-on experience. Participants will learn how to automate repetitive tasks using shell scripts, write shell scripts compatible with different operating systems like Linux, Mac, and Unix, and create complex scripts that utilize advanced Bash shell capabilities.

Beyond the basics of using command lines and writing shell scripts, students will delve into making informed decisions with if-else statements, handling decision-making processes based on strings, variables, or files, and applying arithmetic expressions. The course also covers looping through files and folders with for and while loops and understanding and employing various methods for writing functions. In addition, participants will gain insights into Unix filters such as awk, cut, and sed, enabling them to write scripts that can solve real-world problems. This course is particularly helpful for those interested in roles such as Linux Admins, Middleware Admins, Database Admins, DevOps Admin, and AWS Cloud Admins, as it helps enhance their abilities to automate tasks across different administrative areas.

12. Linux: Storage Systems

This extensive course dives into Linux storage systems management, covering essential skills for any Linux admin while laying the foundation for those seeking Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) certification. The course teaches a strong conceptual understanding of volumes and partitions, RAID and Linux file systems, and provides hands-on knowledge for dealing with various storage scenarios, such as clustering, high availability, and security. Under the expert guidance of Kevin Dankwardt, participants will learn to create, mount/unmount, and format file systems including ext4, XFS, and Btrfs, as well as how to use the Logical Volume Manager (LVM) in a Linux environment.

Additionally, the course emphasizes the importance of enforcing security with SELinux and access control lists. Participants will gain practical experience with swap space management, backup and recovery of Linux storage, and working with networked file systems —distributed, clustered, and FUSE-based— like SSHFS. Unix-based Linux storage systems provide flexibility and power to keep up with today's ever-growing data demands. By the end of the course, students will have acquired the knowledge needed to adeptly manage and administer storage systems within the Linux universe.

13. Unix, Linux training​ for beginners

This comprehensive UNIX / Linux training course is specifically designed for beginners, Software QA Testers, developers, and programmers, offering expert instruction using industry proven techniques. By learning to execute common commands like ps, grep, and find, students will gain the practical skills necessary to start and shut down web servers and app servers. This course covers essential topics such as use of the VI editor and ftp commands, providing a brief introduction to shell script and details on how to write if conditions and for loops, as well as execute shell scripts and more.

Software QA Testers, in particular, will benefit from learning how to check log files, restart app and web servers, and understand the basics of shell script (if necessary) for modifying existing scripts. As part of their role, Software QA Testers are expected to know the VI editor for creating or modifying files, perform root cause analysis to locate error messages from UNIX / Linux servers, and present detailed information about any defects found. This UNIX / Linux course aims to equip students with the knowledge they need to excel in their future careers.

Compare Unix Online Courses

How to choose best Unix online course

Choosing the right Unix course can be a daunting task, especially when there are numerous options in the market. The key to selecting the best course is to first identify your specific learning goals and requirements. Here is a concise guide on what to consider when making a decision:

• Ensure that the course covers the fundamental concepts of Unix/Linux systems for beginners, so you have a strong foundation to build upon.
• Look for courses that teach you how to transition from a novice user to a power user, as well as honing your command-line skills.
• In addition to covering the basics, the course should provide practical tips and tricks that improve your efficiency and overall experience with Unix/Linux systems.
• Consider courses targeted at IT professionals, as they typically cover a comprehensive range of Unix/Linux topics, including advanced concepts such as kernel and server management.
• Investigate whether the course covers essential daily operation and maintenance aspects, as well as networking and SSH for system management.
• Ensure that the course includes topics like bash shell scripting for automation and system management, in addition to specialized areas like storage systems.

In summary, align your desired learning outcomes with the course content to ensure that you invest your time and effort into the most suitable Unix course for your needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, investing your time and effort in learning Unix/Linux systems through these top-rated courses will undoubtedly enhance and expand your skill set in various aspects of computing. Delve into the basics or deepen your expertise in advanced topics like Linux kernel and server management while mastering the command line and bash shell scripting for efficient system handling.

The professional knowledge gained from these courses will not only empower you to be a Unix/Linux power user, but also equip you with networking and SSH skills for managing systems, and help you specialize in storage systems of Unix/Linux. Set out on your journey to become more proficient in Unix/Linux systems and watch as your daily operations, system management, and maintenance tasks become smoother and more efficient. The time is now to unlock your full potential in Unix/Linux systems mastery.