Are you trying to get work as a Linux administrator? If so, you should read this article. Even if you are an expert in Linux administration, passing the interview is a difficult task; therefore, you need to thoroughly prepare for it to go well. In this blog, we’ve included a list of some advanced Linux interview questions and answers that you could run into in your interview. You may acquire a sense of what your interviewer will ask you during the interview by using these Linux operating system interview questions.
We’ve covered numerous types of Linux system admin interview questions in this blog. Unexpectedly, seasoned experts frequently struggle to pass the interview due to their ignorance of the Linux operating system’s definition, syntax, and operations.
Keep reading and exploring to get the basic to advanced Linux sysadmin interview questions and answers for better interview preparation in 2025.
Table of Contents
Who is a Linux System Administrator?
A Linux System Administrator is a technical specialist who is in charge of installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting Linux-based systems. In order to keep an organization’s IT environment functioning properly, they manage everything from user rights and network security to software upgrades and system backups. They also guarantee the dependability, performance, and security of Linux-based servers and infrastructure.
Linux-based servers and systems must be managed and maintained by a Linux system administrator. These experts guarantee the servers’ performance, security, and stability.
Top 50 Linux Interview Questions And Answers in 2025
Here are the top 50 basic to advanced Linux system admin interview questions you must prepare for your interview in 2025.
Basic Linux Interview Questions On Linux Administration
First, we will start from the most basic Linux operating system interview questions, from which an interviewer starts the interview.
What is Linux?
This is one of the basic Linux interview questions in 2025. The Linux kernel serves as the foundation for the open-source operating system Linux. A Linux server is compatible with a wide range of hardware systems. It provides a free and inexpensive operating system to its consumers. It offers a user-friendly environment and makes it simple to modify your source code.
What Are Linux Runlevels, and How Do Systemd Targets Relate to Them?
Conventional runlevels (0–6) specify predefined system states in SysV init (e.g., runlevel 0 for stop, 5 for graphical mode, and 3 for multi-user console mode). Targets, which have a more flexible function than runlevels, are used in contemporary systemd to replace them. Systemd has aliases (runlevel3.target, etc.) for backward compatibility; however, systemd targets have no restrictions to 0–6 and can have dependencies.
What Are Linux’s Principal Elements?
The kernel, shells, GUI, and system libraries, applications, and system utilities are some of Linux’s primary constituents. System libraries carry out activities that interact with the kernel, whereas the kernel manages all of the operating systems operations, including virtual memory and processes. Moreover, GUIs and shells serve as the kernel’s interface, interacting with users and carrying out kernel operations. Application programs in Linux work on specific tasks that the user specifies.
How well-versed are you in System Administration Active Directory?
The centralized control of everything that the Active Directory can guarantee is one important factor when discussing network security. The core database contains the settings and data about the development.
For instance, the database may contain information on 100 user accounts, including each person’s password, phone number, and work title. Moreover, these types of Linux interview questions are quite common in 2025.
Describe Group Policy
Group policy is a tool that network administrators may use to manage user and computer account workspaces in an Active Directory. It gives administrators a single location to control and set up user preferences, apps, and operating systems. When you utilize it correctly, you may help protect users’ PCs from both external and internal dangers and improve computer security.
What Makes Restoring a DC that was backed up Nine Months ago recommended?
Because the Active Directory often mandates that a backup file be no older than 180 days, we may encounter issues as a result of lingering items.
Could You Share Your Knowledge on Hardware Components?
Hardware replacement and installation should be within the capabilities of a system administrator. Rebuilding the hardware component may be necessary at times.
What Are The Meanings of Domain, Forest, and Trees?
A domain is a logical collection of network objects that share an Active Directory database, such as computers, users, and devices. In a Microsoft Active Directory network, a tree is a group of domains with a hierarchical tree structure where each domain has precisely one parent. A collection of Active Directory trees is called a forest.
How well-versed are you on WINS servers?
Windows Internet Name Service is referred to as WINS. By doing this, users will be able to access resources using machine names instead of IP addresses. It is an operating system that makes use of a centralized computer to give users and computers linked to a network particular features and preset rules. For instance, if you would like your computer to remember the IP addresses and names of other machines on your network. You must prepare these types of Linux interview question because most of the interviewers must ask this question.
What is a Symbolic Link in Linux?
A symbolic link or a symlink is a reference to a different file or directory in the filesystem.
Also Read: Linux System Administration Concepts with Essential Skills You Should Have
Explain the Significance of the ‘/etc/passwd’ file.
The /etc/passwd file stores user account info, including usernames, user IDs, their home directories, and default shells.
How Do You Examine the Memory usage of a Linux system?
The free command displays info about the system’s memory usage.
What is a Shell in Linux?
A shell is like a command-line interface (CLI) that allows users to engage with the operating system.
How do you change the default shell for a user?
The chsh command is used to modify the default shell for a user. For instance, chsh -s /bin/bash username.
Describe How to Utilize the ‘find’ Command.
To look for files and folders using a variety of criteria, use the find command.
Intermediate-Level Linux Operating System Interview Questions
Now we will discuss a set of intermediate-level Linux interview questions which you must prepare in 2025
What is SSH? How can I connect to a distant server using it?
A cryptographic network protocol for safe remote access is called Secure Shell (SSH). Use ssh username@hostname to establish a connection with a distant server.
How Can You use Linux to see if a service is up and running?
Services may be managed with the systemctl command. For instance, systemctl status service_name may be used to see the current state of a service.
How can you get a list of every Linux process that is active?
In Linux, you may use several commands to list the processes that are presently executing, including:
Ps Command:
The ps command offers a quick overview of the processes that are currently operating. Because the -f option displays the full-format output and the -e option reveals all processes, you can use the ps -f or ps -f command. Additionally, you may obtain a comprehensive list of processes by using the ps auxf command.
Commands For top and htop:
The system process and total resource utilization are shown in real time via the top command.
Because it shows the color-coded list with extra capabilities like sorting, filtering, and so on, the htop command is a higher version of the top command.
In Linux, how can an ordinary user run commands with root privileges?
The sudo command, which stands for “superuser do,” is typically used. By adding a user to the sudoers configuration (for example, using Visudo to modify /etc/sudoers) or adding the user to a certain admin group like “wheel” or “sudo,” system administrators can allow a user to execute commands as root. The system determines if a user is authorized to get root privileges when they prefix their name with sudo (and enter their password if asked). The command executes with elevated permissions if it is permitted. While using su to switch to the administrator account (with the root password) is an alternative method, sudo is recommended for auditing and scope limitation.
Could you explain loopback addresses and their applications?
For testing reasons, this address relays outgoing signals back to the same machine. The client and server operate on the same system and are able to interact since it is fully controlled by the operating system. It has no physical network connection. It is helpful because the loopback gives IT specialists a way to test IP software without having to worry about damaged or broken hardware or storage.
Also Read: Windows Server Interview Questions: 30+ Questions With Answers
How well-versed are you in proxy servers?
It serves as a link between a large-scale network (like the internet) and a local network (like the PCs at a business). Performance and security are improved by employing this server, as it may be used to stop staff members from visiting unsuitable and distracting websites.
Could you explain the Windows registry to us?
It is frequently called “the registry.” It is a group of databases containing configuration settings (low-level settings) in the Microsoft Windows operating system. Windows registry keeps track of crucial data, such as the locations of files and applications. Editing the Windows registry if you don’t know what you’re doing will result in issues with the operating system and installed apps.
What is the Sysvol Folder?
We may describe it as a shared folder that has group policy data, or we can describe it as a collection of domain controllers’ public files that are accessible to domain users. Delivering policy and login scripts to domain members is one of its key functions.
What makes VoIP crucial?
VoIP is significant because it forces users to switch from outdated infrastructure to more current methods. By transmitting voice packets intended for phone calls, users may take advantage of the transmission channel. VoIP business solutions are essential for improving communication effectiveness and simplifying operations for enterprises of all sizes.
How well-versed are you in Windows deployment services?
It serves to deploy the Windows operating system, as the name implies; installing each operating system straight from a CD or DVD is not necessary. The server is managed via a few tools.
- MMC for Windows deployment services
- WDS Windows PowerShell cmdlets
- The command-line utility WDSUTIL
Advanced-Level Linux Interview Questions And Answers
Now, we will discuss some of the expert-level Linux interview questions.
Explain to me how case sensitivity affects command use.
Linux is a case-sensitive operating system. Because Linux displays different responses for comparable instructions depending on the syntax of the commands you type each time, case sensitivity is a crucial feature. The command will be the same in terms of case sensitivity; however, using lowercase and uppercase letters will result in a difference.
What Are the Various Linux Network Bonding Modes?
option-0 (balance-rr): This is Linux’s default network bonding option, based on the Round-Robin principle. It offers fault tolerance and load balancing capabilities. Moreover, it sends the packets in a round-robin method.
- According to the Active Backup policy, only one slave would act in the band in Mode 1 (active-backup), with a backup acting in case the first failed. It provides fault tolerance.
- Mode-2, also known as balance-xor, provides fault tolerance by grouping an XOR mode between the source and destination MAC addresses.
- Mode 3 (broadcast): It uses a broadcast policy and sends all data to the interface slave. It has fault tolerance, and you may use it for certain purposes.
- The dynamic aggregation mode, or mode-4 (802.3ad), creates aggregation groups at the same pace. It uses the transmit hashing algorithm to choose the slaves for outgoing packets.
- Mode 5 (balance-tlb): The slave receives the incoming traffic and sends out traffic based on its current load. This mode is referred to as adaptive transmit load balancing.
- Mode 6 (balance-alb): switching between this mode doesn’t require any assistance. An adaptive load-balancing mode is another name for it.
How may a Linux system’s hostname be changed?
The hostname command can be used to alter the hostname temporarily. Modify the /etc/hostname file to make the change permanent.
Describe how to use the ‘du’ command.
To determine how much space directories and files take up, use the du command.
What is a Linux package manager?
One tool that assists users with installing, updating, and managing software packages is a package manager.
Also Read: Quantum Software Engineer: Essential Interview Questions For 2025
How are programs installed in distributions based on Debian?
Ubuntu and other Debian-based editions allow you to utilize the apt package manager. Take sudo apt-get install package_name, for instance.
What does the ‘top’ command accomplish?
Real-time details regarding active processes and system resource use are shown using the top commands.
How may an unresponsive process be terminated?
To aggressively end a process, use the kill command with the -9 option. Take kill -9 PID, for instance.
Describe the ‘cron’ daemon’s function.
The cron daemon is in charge of carrying out cron jobs, or scheduled tasks, at certain times.
How may a directory’s contents be listed in a lengthy format?
When the ls command is used with the -l option, the contents of a directory are shown in long format, providing comprehensive details on the files and directories.
Linux Operating System Interview Questions
An extensive list of helpful Linux interview questions and answers for administrators may be found here. Here are some Linux interview questions to assist you in preparing for the Linux interview.
List some of the Linux OS’s features.
The following are some of the main characteristics of the Linux OS:
- Open Source: This operating system is a community-based development initiative with openly accessible source code.
- Multiprogramming is the ability to execute several programs or applications at once.
- Security: To increase the security of your data, it provides encryption, authorization, and authentication.
- Portable: it’s easy to take around on pen drives and memory cards. Linux OS is compatible with a wide range of devices.
- Multi-User: Several users can run programs and consume RAM and apps at once.
- Shell: You may execute your commands and applications using Linux OS’s own interpreter software.
Describe the rational procedures for expanding the LVM partition’s size.
To expand the size of the LVM partition, a few logical steps must be taken. They are as follows:
Execute the command using the format provided:
- -L +500M /dev/ lvextendThe LVM Partition’s name
- In this case, we are adding 500MB to the LVM partition’s size.
- resize2fs /dev/<LVM Partition Name>
- You may use the “df -h” tool to determine the partition’s size.
What tool can you use to partition an unformatted disk?
You must use the fdisk software to create the partition from the raw disk. The procedures to make a partition from the raw disk are as follows:
- Step 1: Execute the command below:
/dev/sd* (SCSI) or fdisk /dev/hd* (IDE)
- Step 2: To create a new partition, type n.
- Step 3: After creating the partition, we must write the modifications to the partition table using the w command.
In Linux, how can you establish a user’s password & create a new user account from a shell prompt?
Use the procedures listed below to establish a new user account from a shell prompt:
- If you have no access as root, use the su – command to log in as the root user.
- Put in the password for the root user.
In Linux, you can create a new user with the useradd command. Enter the command useradd and enter the desired username as indicated below:
- Useradd Smith
- Enter the following command to change the user Smith’s password: passwd Smith.
- It asks for a new password. Moreover, enter the new password for user Smith.
You will need to type the password again. Thus, enter the same password again, and the user’s password is set.
Linux System Admin Interview Questions
With its coverage of Linux interview questions for DevOps positions and its emphasis on automation, containerization, IT as code, CI/CD integration, and Kubernetes governance on Linux systems, this area of the Linux admin interview questions and answers book is special.
How does `Ansible` function in a DevOps setting, and what is its purpose?
Ansible is a free and also an open-source automation tool for orchestration, application deployment, and configuration management. It is agentless and simple to set up because it runs over SSH and defines tasks using YAML-based playbooks. Ansible is frequently used in a DevOps setting to automate infrastructure provisioning, manage server configurations, and deliver applications reliably.
To reduce manual setup mistakes and ensure consistency, for instance, you may create an Ansible playbook that configures servers throughout a fleet with certain security settings.
Could you provide an example of how Docker Compose serves to assist in managing multi-container applications?
Docker To define and run multi-container Docker apps, Compose is a tool using a `docker-compose.yml` file. It simplifies the management of complicated applications by enabling you to establish networks, volumes, and services all in one file. In a standard web application, for instance, the web server, database, and cache service may all be defined in a single Compose file, and everything can be started with `docker-compose up`.
This makes it easier to build up applications and guarantees smooth communication between all of the components on the same network.
Describe a CI/CD pipeline and explain how to use Linux commands to build one up.
A CI/CD pipeline automates the processes of integrating and delivering code changes to production. Code integration, assessment, and deployment are some of its phases. On Linux, you might use shell scripts, Git, and `cron` tasks to establish a basic pipeline. For instance:
- You may check the Git repository for changes by a `cron` task.
- A shell script may build the program (for example, with `make`), fetch updates, run tests, and deploy it.
- However, the majority of pipelines are configured using specialized CI/CD tools, such as Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI, which offer more powerful automation characteristics and integration capabilities.
Also Read: Cheap Linux VPS Hosting: Unveiling The Best Deals
Linux Technical And Networking Interview Questions
Now, we will discuss the last section of the Linux interview questions and answers.
Describe a Stateless Linux Server
A stateless Linux server is a central server that doesn’t have any state on the workstation. There may have many occasions when the state of a particular system has a capture in a snapshot, and the user requires all devices to be in a certain state.
What is the Tail Command in Linux?
Any file’s last bit may have a display using the tail command. Moreover, users typically don’t expect to troubleshoot each logline. Alternatively, you can examine the log to see what it says about the current request for your application.
As an illustration, you can write the tail command as follows:
/var/log/httpd/access_log: tail -n 100
What is the cat command in Linux?
Linux users may print and concatenate files using the cat command. Moreover, this command may be used to settle the application versions that you have now locally produced or to verify the contents of the dependency file.
The cat command is like this:
$ cat requirements.txt
List a Few Key Features of Stateless Linux Servers
The following are some of a stateless Linux server’s key characteristics:
- It stores every system’s prototype.
- This keeps the home directories there.
- It stores the screenshot you have captured.
- It makes use of LDAP, which stores data about which system a snapshot runs on.
Zombie Process: What Is It?
Although the zombie process has finished running, there is data in the process table. Because the parent process has to read the child process’s state, it occurs for the child process. The zombie process is the process that exits the table of processes when someone use the wait system call. We refer to it as the Zombie Process.
In Linux, how do you make a directory backup?
A popular command for making backups is tar. To make a backup, for instance, use the tar -cvzf backup.tar.gz directory.
Describe how to utilize the ‘sed’ command.
Text stream processing, including locating and replacing text inside files, is accomplished comes with sed command.
How you can use the ‘ping’ to verify network connectivity?
To determine if a host is accessible, the ping command makes ICMP echo requests to the host. Ping hostname, for instance.
Conclusion
You may find Linux interview questions and answers in this blog for a variety of topics, including Linux operating system interview questions for new hires, Linux system admin interview questions for server administrators, Linux command interview questions, Linux sysadmin interview questions and answers, etc. Moreover, the best resource for getting ready for your Linux interview is this blog.
Additionally, we hope that the information we have provided in this blog will help you perform effectively during your interview. Moreover, if you find our blog informative and useful, kindly do share it with your friends and family.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What Are The Basic Linux Interview Questions?
How can one distinguish between Unix and Linux?
- What is the Linux kernel?
- What are the Linux operating system’s fundamental features?
- Which Linux distributions are the most popular?
- What distinguishes Linux from Windows?
- Describe the various Linux file permission types.
- A root account: what is it?
What 5 Commands Should A Linux Admin Know?
A Linux administrator should be proficient in five basic commands: grep for text searching and filtering, ps for process monitoring, systemctl for service administration, ssh for remote access, and chmod for file permission control.
How To Crack A Linux Administrator Interview?
Learn about network setups, protocols, and best practices for security. However, be ready to talk about managing and implementing them in a Linux environment. Additionally, provide a methodical methodology for identifying and fixing system problems.
What Are The Basics Of Linux?
Among other common basic components, Linux comes with GNU utilities. Moreover, with the help of these tools, the user may install extra software, adjust security and performance settings, control the kernel’s resources, and more.