Kernel developer or system admin

Hi,

I am already working as Linux admin for last 5 years. Now I want to do something more. So wanted to ask you guys what would be better. I have 2 interests for making my future

  1. Linux kernel development
  2. Linux system admin + storage

Welcome your thoughts!!!

If you're in it for the money, I'd recommend option #2.
Otherwise, if you're mainly interested to learn Linux more in depth, choose #1.

Well, I am targeting more salary and better opportunities. I have heard there is more money in 1st option than 2nd.

You understand that Linux is open-source, yes?

But don't limit yourself to Linux system administration, be a system admin.

As for money in linux kernel programming , unless you work in Intel, Samsung or some other big kernel contributor, you won't be seeing it for years to come.

You understand that kernel development is software development, yes? Being a systems admin does in no way qualify you for being a software developer. Don't get me wrong, if you want to do that, then by all means, do so. It is just that these are different (types of) jobs and being good in one of them doesn't necessarily mean to be good in the other. It doesn't even give you a head start.

I was software developer once and turned systems admin. OK, i found it easier to write shell scripts because programming was what i have done before. But writing shell scripts is just a small part of being admin and for the rest my experience in software development didn't help me at all.

I hope this helps.

bakunin