Linux Certification Path
Linux is not just an ordinary OS, but it’s the backbone of most of our modern IT systems. It’s been powering innovation and forms a cornerstone of all latest IT technologies ranging from containerization to cloud computing. So if you are planning to get Linux certification or improve your skill sets related to Linux, then you are definitely on the right path.
The Linux Professional Institute headquartered in Canada offers the world’s only defined Linux certification path.
Linux certification path consisting of three distinct courses addressing needs at different expertise levels.
Furthermore, there are specializations in Linux offered after one has completed all these three certifications.
In this article, we’ll define the Linux certification path in detail, telling exactly what these certifications are about, the pre-requisites required for each one.Moreover, How well suited they are to individuals looking towards addressing their learning gaps for Linux.
LPIC 1 – Linux Administrator:
This certification is considered a stepping stone for all those who are just beginning to learn about Linux.
This certification is divided in to two distinct exams, where have to take both in order to secure the certification for yourself.
In the first exam, known as 101-400, you will be learning the fundamentals of Linux based systems and their architectures, commands in Unix and GNU, running installation for Linux OS etc.
The second exam, the 102-400, covers more advanced level topics but doesn’t go beyond the understanding limits of beginners on Linux. You will learn the basics on running a shell environment, executing scripts and SQL commands and more in this course. Furthermore, the course contents also cover aspects like security on Linux and building functional user interfaces on a wide range of devices.
Another way to gain the same certification is by taking the CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI course. CompTIA is another IT accreditation body which has a tie with LPI on this course, so if candidates register their LPI ID with CompTIA and pass the CompTIA Linux+ exam, then they will gain the dual certification of both of these course.
This course can be a bit complex for individuals who don’t have an extensive IT background so its best for them to undergo a Linux system administrator training course in order to familiarize themselves with the course contents explored in the LPIC-1 exam.
LPIC-2: Linux Engineer:
While there are no pre-requisites required in the LPIC-1 exam itself, the exam is mandatory to pass
If you want to move on to the next level in certifications and enroll yourself in the LPIC-2: Linux Enginerr certification.
Following the same exam model as LPIC-1, there are two exams in LPIC-2 as well.
Since this is an advanced level course focused on individuals with mid-range experience, knowledge and skills.
The course contents covered in this exam will focus on advanced Linux concepts.
In the first exam, you will be required to demonstrate knowledge related to topics likes working with the Linux Kernel, managing boot leaders and storage devices, running configuration of networks and handling maintenance related tasks.
The second exam revolves entirely around concepts related towards managing Linux base networks like file sharing, configuring routers, running and building file sharing and web services etc.
LPIC-3: Linux Enterprise Professional:
The final stop in the Linux certification path is the LPIC-3 certification. This is an expert level course and conventionally, only those candidates appear in it that have amassed a high amount of work experience related towards managing Linux based systems in real organization environments.
The LPIC-2 certification is a pre-requisite to this course, however this course differs from the previous two in the way that you just have to clear one exam out of the three offered in order to gain the certification.
The first choice in exams for LPIC-3 is the Exam-300 – Mixed Environment. You’ll have to demonstrate expert level knowledge related to OpenLDAP and Samba administration among other topics in order to clear this one.
The second choice is the Exam 303 – Security. And as the name implies, this course extensively focuses on security elements in Linux environments like cryptography and management and protocols related to access.
The last choice offered in the LPIC-3 is the exam 304 – Virtualization and High Availability. Candidates taking this course will have to hold working experience in virtualization related tasks like cluster management if they want to gain the LPIC-3 certification through means of passing this exam.
LPI Linux Essentials:
If your work in the IT industry doesn’t extensively revolve around Linux but there are some elements of this OS that you come across every other day,then this LPI Linux Essentials will surely fit your bill perfectly.
The Linux Essentials Professional Development Certificate (PDC) is the most basic course offered by LPI and it’s not a part of the path that the LPIC series takes.
Whether you are a data analyst, system administrator or even a cloud consultant, this certification will prove to be extremely beneficial to you.
Once you pass this certification, you will gain basic level skills related to Linux like executing commands, backup management, basic script development etc.
These skills will make you able to understand the mechanisms on which most modern Linux systems and environment are built and run.
The investment for this course is kept incredibly affordable considering the fact that it is planned to be taken by a wider audience that can comprise of non-Linux related professionals as well. You need to pay $110 and the enrollment in this course will become active.
There is just a single exam that you will need to ace in order to gain this certification, and it’s not very hard at all.
Furthermore, if you are beginner, wanting to pursue a career in Linux base programming and management but don’t know much about the OS itself,.
Then you can opt for this course in order to build your base before passing on to the advanced level LPIC certifications.
Wrapping Things Up:
The Linux certification path further carriers on the LPI DevOPs Tools Engineer and others.
The salary that professionals carrying these certifications command is an incentive good enough to make you seriously consider pursuing the different certifications and progressing to fast track your career development.
