Linux Upskill Challenge
A free, month-long course in basic Linux server administration: you run your own internet-facing server and work through one practical lesson a day, covering SSH, files, users, packages, networking, scheduling, logs, permissions and scripting. It restarts every month with an active community.
Course
Other
Linux Upskill Challenge
20 days, 1 to 2 hours a day
Beginner
Free
What it is
The Linux Upskill Challenge is a free and open-source course that teaches the basics of Linux server administration through daily hands-on tasks. According to its site, as of 2026-09, it runs over 20 instructional days plus a concluding day, restarts on the first Monday of each month, and asks for about one to two hours a day. The material is published under a Creative Commons licence and has been open source since 2020.
How it works
You start by setting up your own Linux server that is reachable from the internet. The course gives set-up guidance for several cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, DigitalOcean, Linode and Vultr, many of which have free tiers or trial credits, and also describes local options. Each day then introduces a practical topic on that server: connecting over SSH, moving around the file system, users and sudo, installing software, networking, scheduling jobs, transferring files, permissions, logs and scripting, among others.
Who it is for
The course is aimed at people interested in junior Linux sysadmin and DevOps-related work, and assumes little prior knowledge. It is also a strong fit for developers who want to be comfortable on the servers their code runs on.
Why it works
Running a real server that faces the internet teaches things a local machine cannot: seeing log-in attempts from strangers in your auth logs, locking down SSH, and keeping a machine patched. The daily rhythm and the monthly cohort, with Discord and other community channels, help people finish.
Costs and cautions
The course is free. A server may cost money depending on the provider and plan. Before creating one, read the provider's free-tier limits, set a billing alert, and delete the server when you finish. Never leave password login enabled on an internet-facing server.
Is it worth it?
Yes, for anyone who wants practical Linux skill rather than only reading about it. Pair it with The Linux Command Line book for deeper explanations.
Common questions
Can I start any time? Yes. The lessons are online, but joining at the start of a monthly round gives you company.
Can I use WSL instead of a cloud server? For many lessons yes, but the internet-facing parts, such as SSH security and logs, are the point.
Is it really free? Yes, the course itself is free and always will be, according to its site.
Ready to start?
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Stuck on something specific?
Writing only gets you so far. If you want an answer to your situation rather than the general case, book a session and we will work through it together. Sessions are free for approved Sefism members, and a few slots open each week.
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