I have extensive experience managing Linux servers in production environments, including CentOS, Ubuntu, and Red Hat. I have been responsible for server provisioning, configuration management, and performance tuning. My role involved monitoring server health, implementing security patches, and ensuring high availability through load balancing and failover mechanisms. I have also worked with cloud-based Linux instances, such as AWS EC2, to deploy scalable and resilient infrastructure.

I follow a systematic approach to handle system updates and security patches. I use tools like Yum, Apt, or Dnf to manage package updates and ensure that only stable and tested packages are deployed. I schedule regular maintenance windows to apply patches, and before applying any critical updates, I perform a thorough impact analysis to avoid any disruptions. Additionally, I maintain a rollback plan in case of any issues post-update.

To ensure the security of Linux systems, I implement a multi-layered security strategy. This includes configuring firewalls (iptables, firewalld), using SELinux or AppArmor for mandatory access control, and regularly auditing system logs for suspicious activities. I also enforce strong password policies, enable two-factor authentication, and keep all software up to date with the latest security patches. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scans are conducted to identify and mitigate potential threats.

When troubleshooting network issues on Linux servers, I start by gathering detailed information using tools like ifconfig, ip, and netstat. I check for any misconfigurations, such as incorrect IP addresses or routing tables, and verify that network services are running correctly. I also analyze firewall rules to ensure they are not blocking necessary traffic. If the issue persists, I use packet capture tools like tcpdump to analyze network traffic and identify the root cause of the problem.

I have significant experience with automation and configuration management tools in Linux environments. I have used tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Chef to automate server provisioning, configuration, and deployment processes. These tools help in maintaining consistency across multiple servers, reducing manual errors, and speeding up the deployment cycle. I have also integrated these tools with CI/CD pipelines to automate testing and deployment workflows.