Advanced DevOps Tools and Practices from Coursera

This course offers an extensive exploration of advanced DevOps tools and practices, designed for technical professionals aiming to streamline their workflows and improve software quality. You’ll begin with an introduction to SonarQube, learning its installation process and integration with Jenkins. Next, delve into Ansible to master playbooks, roles, and the automation of complex deployments. The course continues with Docker, where you’ll understand containerization, Docker Compose, and Swarm.

Progressing further, you’ll explore Kubernetes, starting from basic concepts to complex configurations, including the creation of clusters, managing Kubernetes objects, and utilizing Helm charts. You’ll also learn how to implement CI/CD pipelines, scale applications, and monitor performance using Prometheus and Grafana. Each section is packed with practical demonstrations and real-world scenarios, ensuring you gain the hands-on experience needed to apply these tools effectively in your projects.

By the end of this course, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of how to leverage these advanced tools to enhance your DevOps practices. Whether you’re looking to improve code quality, automate deployments, or scale applications efficiently, this course provides the knowledge and skills to achieve your goals.

This course is tailored for DevOps engineers, system administrators, and software developers who are eager to deepen their expertise in advanced DevOps tools and practices. Prerequisites include a basic understanding of DevOps concepts, command-line interface experience, and software development or system administration familiarity.

What's inside

Syllabus

SonarQube

In this module, we will explore SonarQube, starting with an introductory overview, followed by step-by-step installation processes, including integration with PostgreSQL and Jenkins. You'll also get familiar with the SonarQube Console, setting a solid foundation for continuous code quality management.

Ansible

In this module, we will dive into Ansible, beginning with lab setup and an introduction to key concepts like Adhoc commands, inventory, and configuration. You'll learn to write playbooks, use variables, set up Jenkins, and deploy applications. We also cover advanced topics like Ansible Vault and Galaxy.

Docker

In this module, we will explore Docker from the ground up, covering basic commands and DockerHub, through to advanced topics like Docker networks, volumes, Dockerfile, and orchestration tools like Docker Compose and Swarm. You'll gain comprehensive insights into containerization and its applications.

Kubernetes

In this module, we will delve into Kubernetes, covering installation, configuration, and deployment. You'll learn about Kubernetes objects, services, Helm charts, and storage solutions. Advanced topics include CI/CD pipelines, autoscaling, and monitoring with EFK stack, equipping you with essential skills for managing Kubernetes clusters.

Prometheus

In this module, we will set up Prometheus for effective monitoring of systems and applications. You'll also learn to integrate Grafana for creating insightful dashboards, enabling you to visualize and analyze metrics efficiently.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers SonarQube, Ansible, Docker, and Kubernetes, which are essential tools for automating deployments and managing infrastructure as code

Explores Prometheus and Grafana, which are industry-standard tools for monitoring application performance and visualizing metrics in real-time

Requires a basic understanding of DevOps concepts, command-line interface experience, and familiarity with software development or system administration

Teaches Docker Compose and Swarm, which may be less relevant for learners whose organizations have fully adopted Kubernetes

Develops skills in implementing CI/CD pipelines, which are crucial for automating the software release process and ensuring continuous delivery

Explores Ansible Vault and Galaxy, which are useful for managing sensitive data and sharing Ansible roles within a team or organization

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Advanced DevOps Tools and Practices with these activities:

Review Linux Command Line Basics

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of fundamental Linux commands. This will help you navigate the command line effectively when using DevOps tools.

Browse courses on Linux Command Line

Show steps

Complete an online tutorial covering basic Linux commands.
Practice using these commands in a virtual machine.

Review 'The Phoenix Project'

Show steps

Understand the cultural and organizational aspects of DevOps. This book provides a narrative introduction to DevOps principles.

View The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps,... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, focusing on the challenges faced by the IT department.
Identify the DevOps principles that help solve these challenges.

Automate Application Deployment with Ansible

Show steps

Apply your Ansible knowledge to automate a real-world deployment. This project will solidify your understanding of playbooks, roles, and configuration management.

Show steps

Set up a virtualized environment with multiple servers.
Write an Ansible playbook to deploy a simple web application.
Configure the playbook to handle different environments (dev, staging, prod).
Test the deployment process and troubleshoot any issues.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Docker Compose Tutorial

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of Docker Compose by creating a tutorial. This will force you to explain the concepts clearly and address potential challenges.

Show steps

Choose a simple multi-container application (e.g., a web app with a database).
Create a Docker Compose file to define the application's services.
Write a step-by-step tutorial explaining how to use Docker Compose to build and run the application.
Include screenshots and code snippets to illustrate the process.

Build a CI/CD Pipeline with Jenkins and Kubernetes

Show steps

Implement a complete CI/CD pipeline to automate software delivery. This project will integrate Jenkins, Kubernetes, and other DevOps tools.

Show steps

Set up a Jenkins server and configure it to connect to your code repository.
Create a Kubernetes cluster and configure it to deploy your application.
Define a Jenkins pipeline that builds, tests, and deploys your application to Kubernetes.
Implement automated testing and monitoring within the pipeline.

Review 'Effective DevOps'

Show steps

Gain practical guidance on implementing DevOps principles and practices. This book covers automation, continuous delivery, and infrastructure as code.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, focusing on the practical examples and case studies.
Identify the key takeaways and how they can be applied to your own projects.

Explore Prometheus and Grafana Tutorials

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of Prometheus and Grafana through guided tutorials. This will help you monitor your applications and systems effectively.

Show steps

Find online tutorials that cover Prometheus and Grafana setup and configuration.
Follow the tutorials to set up Prometheus and Grafana in a test environment.
Create custom dashboards to monitor key metrics for your applications.

Career center

Learners who complete Advanced DevOps Tools and Practices will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between development and operations, aiming to streamline software development lifecycles. This course helps build a foundation for the core competencies of a DevOps Engineer by covering tools such as SonarQube for code quality, Ansible for automation, Docker for containerization, Kubernetes for orchestration, and Prometheus and Grafana for monitoring. The hands-on experience with these tools prepares you to improve code quality, automate deployments, and scale applications. This course is especially relevant for a DevOps Engineer because it provides practical experience with the tools that are used in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Release Engineer

Release Engineers work on automating and managing the software release process, and this course provides a solid foundation for this work. This course provides relevant experience with tools such as Jenkins for CI/CD, Ansible for automation, and Docker and Kubernetes for containerized deployments. For a Release Engineer, understanding how to use these tools to streamline software deployment is essential. The course provides hands-on experience with the necessary technologies to orchestrate and build reliable release processes. Therefore, this course provides the knowledge and skills required by a Release Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Release Engineer

Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers are responsible for managing cloud-based infrastructure. This course is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as a Cloud Engineer by covering tools that are heavily used in cloud environments. The course's focus on Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines helps build a foundation for deploying and managing applications in cloud environments. Also, the course covers how to automate software deployment using Ansible. This skill is highly relevant in a cloud context. By gaining proficiency in these tools, a Cloud Engineer will improve their ability to build, deploy, and manage cloud-based infrastructure as well as the applications that run on it.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

Build Engineer

Build Engineers focus on software build and release processes, and this course covers key technologies relevant to this role. The course includes hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, which is essential for automating builds and releases. The course may also be useful for a Build Engineer by covering Docker for creating consistent build environments and Ansible for automating deployment processes. This course may be particularly relevant to a Build Engineer because it provides exposure to the tools that they use in their day to day tasks and workflows.

See salaries and explore the career path for Build Engineer

Infrastructure Engineer

Infrastructure Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the IT infrastructure of an organization. This course is relevant for understanding infrastructure as code and automation strategies. This course's focus on Ansible for automation, Docker for containerization, and Kubernetes for orchestration helps in managing and scaling infrastructure. It may also be helpful for an Infrastructure Engineer to know how to use Prometheus and Grafana for monitoring infrastructure health and performance, which is covered in this course. This course is beneficial for an Infrastructure Engineer looking to modernize and automate IT infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Infrastructure Engineer

Automation Engineer

Automation Engineers focus on automating processes, and this course helps them in developing those skills, particularly in software deployment. The course provides hands-on experience with Ansible, which is used for automating complex deployments, and with CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, which is a core skill for an Automation Engineer. The course also covers Docker and Kubernetes which are tools used to deploy and manage containerized applications in many automation pipelines. The course may be particularly useful for an Automation Engineer because it gives practical experience in automating the deployment process which is a key aspect of this job.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automation Engineer

Platform Engineer

Platform Engineers are responsible for designing and building a platform for software development and deployment. This course helps develop the necessary skills to succeed in this role by providing hands-on experience with core technologies. The course is relevant to a Platform Engineer because it covers containerization using Docker, orchestration using Kubernetes, and automation using Ansible. Also, this course may be helpful for configuring CI/CD pipelines which are an essential part of a platform. For a Platform Engineer who needs to be able to design, build, and maintain a platform, this course may give them strong practical experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Platform Engineer

Site Reliability Engineer

Site Reliability Engineers aim to ensure the reliability and availability of systems. This course may be particularly useful because it provides hands-on experience with relevant tools. The course covers monitoring with Prometheus and Grafana, essential for tracking system performance. The course also provides knowledge of Kubernetes for managing deployments and Ansible for automating configurations. This course may provide a good start for a Site Reliability Engineer who wishes to be effective with the tools required to ensure system stability. The practical, hands-on approach of this course is especially beneficial for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Site Reliability Engineer

Application Support Engineer

Application Support Engineers are responsible for maintaining applications and resolving issues. This course may be helpful for improving their understanding of how applications are deployed and monitored. The course provides practical experience with tools such as Docker, which is used to deploy applications, as well as Kubernetes for managing application deployments, and Prometheus and Grafana for monitoring application performance. The course may be useful for an Application Support Engineer because it presents practical insight into the technologies used to manage and monitor applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Application Support Engineer

System Administrator

System Administrators are responsible for maintaining and managing computer systems and servers, and this course may be useful to improve their automation and deployment skills. The course offers an extensive exploration of Ansible, Docker, and Kubernetes, which are essential tools for automating deployments and managing server infrastructure. Taking this course equips a System Administrator with the knowledge of containerization with Docker, orchestration with Kubernetes, and monitoring using Prometheus and Grafana, and it may improve their ability to effectively manage complex systems. This course may be particularly useful for those who seek to modernize and improve their system administration practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for System Administrator

Software Developer

Software Developers write and maintain code, and this course may be helpful to improve their understanding of the deployment process. This course provides hands-on experience with SonarQube, which helps in maintaining code quality, and the introduction to CI/CD pipelines may help software developers integrate their code into production more smoothly. This course is especially useful for software developers that wish to understand more about the life cycle of their code and how it is deployed. This course may help in bridging the gap between developing code and deploying it.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Test Automation Engineer

Test Automation Engineers are responsible for automating testing processes, and this course may be helpful in increasing their knowledge of deployment automation and infrastructure. The course may be useful for a Test Automation Engineer because it covers CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, which is critical for running tests automatically. The course may also provide insights into containerization and infrastructure as code which helps in setting up consistent test environments using Docker and Ansible. This course may improve the Test Automation Engineer's ability to integrate testing into the software development lifecycle effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Test Automation Engineer

Solutions Architect

Solutions Architects design technical solutions to meet business needs. This course may be useful in expanding their knowledge of DevOps practices and tools. This course presents hands-on work with modern tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, and Ansible that may be relevant to a Solutions Architect. The course may also be helpful for a Solutions Architect in understanding how to build effective CI/CD pipelines. This course provides an opportunity to learn about the latest DevOps technologies and how they may be used in practical situations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solutions Architect

Technical Consultant

Technical Consultants advise clients on technical solutions, and this course may be helpful for developing their technical skills in DevOps. This course provides useful knowledge of tools such as Ansible, Docker, Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Grafana. It may be useful for a Technical Consultant to learn how these technologies can be applied in real-world scenarios, which is addressed by the practical demonstrations in this course. For Technical Consultants who want to advise their clients on DevOps solutions, this course may provide them with the technical background they require.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Consultant

Operations Manager

Operations Managers supervise the day-to-day activities of a technical team. This course may be useful for gaining a strong understanding of how DevOps tools and practices improve operational efficiency. This course's practical, hands-on approach to DevOps tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, and Ansible may be helpful for an Operations Manager to grasp how these technologies improve software deployment and management. This course may help an Operations Manager by providing a deeper appreciation of the tools and workflows of their team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Advanced DevOps Tools and Practices.

The Phoenix Project

Save

Provides a narrative introduction to DevOps principles. It illustrates how DevOps practices can transform IT departments and improve business outcomes. Reading this book will help you understand the cultural and organizational aspects of DevOps, complementing the technical skills learned in the course. It is commonly used as a supplemental text in DevOps training programs.

The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and...

Kindle Edition

Putting Knowledge to Work

Save

Provides practical guidance on implementing DevOps principles and practices. It covers topics such as automation, continuous delivery, and infrastructure as code. Reading this book will help you understand how to build a programmable infrastructure and improve your DevOps workflows. It valuable resource for DevOps engineers and system administrators.

Putting Knowledge to Work

Paperback

Check price

Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

Check price

Advanced DevOps Tools and Practices

Here's a deal for you

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses