What is Linux?

Linux is a computer operating system, similar to UNIX. It was created by Linus (pronounced lee-nus)Torvalds in Helsinki, Finland, in 1991. Since then, many developers around the world have contributed enhancements and bug fixes. The operating system software is free, as are many development tools for it and lots of applications that have been written for it. Not only is the software free, so is the source code behind it. Although its creator pronounces the name as leen-uks, many IT professionals pronounce it as linn-uks. In addition to providing a free operating system, applications, and source code, Linux is very stable and portable. It will run on IBM, Hewlett Packard, PC, PowerPC, Macintosh, Sun SPARC, DEC Alpha, PalmPilot, Amiga, and other hardware platforms. Because the software and source code is open and freely available, rather than controlled by a single vendor, as Windows NT is, applications and enhancements can be created by anyone who has the inclination to do so. This has resulted in rapid proliferation of available Linux applications. Linux comes in packages called distributions. A distribution is a collection of software including the Linux kernel (the core of the operating systems itself), and utilities and applications configured to work with it. The applications typically include one or more windowing systems which can be used as a graphical alternative to the program's command line interface. There are many distributions available, including those from Debian, Slackware, SuSE., Red Hat, and Caldera. Linux is becoming hugely popular. In it's Best Products of 1999 issue (July 1999), PC World dubbed Linux "most promising software newcomer." Oracle, Informix, and Netscape are among the industry giants who have added products and support related to Linux. According to a June 1999 article in the Linux Journal, there are currently more than 10 million Linux users and that number is growing exponentially. Practically every industry publication carries stories about Linux and it's advance into the marketplace.

What does having a Linux certification mean?

Being certified on Linux means that you have met the requirements that a certification sponsor has created to identify specific levels of competence in working with the Linux operating system in one or more capacities. This includes demonstrating your knowledge by passing one or more exams and meeting other requirements. While that's the technical definition, the practical application is perhaps more pertinent to individuals considering earning such a certification. With Linux is capturing a growing share of the operating system market, becoming certified in Linux can add a valuable credential to your resume. Linux is in the early stages of what is potentially a huge penetration into corporate, governmental, and educational computing environments. Already a recent search of the popular computer job board DICE (www.dice.com) turned up over 1,000 job openings seeking people with Linux know-how. Being certified on Linux means that you are identified by a party other than yourself as an accomplished, skilled administrator of the Linux operating system. It means you have a significant career leg up on individuals who do not hold such a credential. It means that you will be a top candidate to fill one of the many interesting and challenging Linux job opportunities out there.

Who benefits from Linux certification?

Certification programs can benefit people and organizations that work in the computer field, sell to the computer market, or employ technical people to perform computer-related tasks. Those with the most to gain are: Computer professionals Certification sponsors Employers Clients and customers Virtually any IS professional can get something (in addition to the official piece of paper) by pursuing a well-chosen certification. Most will reap many benefits. The payoffs may come in the form of a salary increase, better job, added confidence, or additional skills that allow you to move into a new area or perform your current functions more effectively. Course work often includes hands-on exercises with up-to-the-minute software and/or equipment, exposure you might not otherwise have. This is not to claim that every certification program is equally valuable. But there are many solid certifications available that can positively impact your earning and advancement potential. And compared to some of the more complex and expansive certifications, Linux certifications come with a bargain-sized investment of time and money. Certification sponsors benefit from these programs too. In addition to revenue from training courses and materials, certification programs generate product and company recognition. For example, every Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a confirmation of the power and importance of Red Hat Inc. And, the more people that Red Hat teaches to master its Linux distribution, the more likely it is that those products will be successfully utilized to their fullest extent, an added plus for both. Each Brainbench Certified Linux Administrator adds to the market penetration of Brainbench certification skill assessment products and every Prosoft Certified Linux Adminstrator serves as a demonstration of ProsoftTraining.Com's training prowess. To employers, certification serves as independent evidence that you have demonstrated the skills and abilities required to complete the program. It also offers a method for bringing employees up to speed on the latest technologies, as well as a way to provide for the continuing education computer people often crave. Certification training can reasonably be billed as an employee benefit. Research has also shown that certified employees are more satisfied and more productive than their non-certified counterparts. Customers benefit, too, because a certification gives them additional evidence of your qualifications and suitability for the task at hand. Linux certification also addresses a major stumbling block impeding the widespread adoption of Linux - lack of technical know-how. Companies who run a particular application or operating system need to feel confident that the expertise they need for successful operations will be available. Currently, the ranks of Linux skilled professionals are thin. The advent of Linux certifications will go a long way towards solving this problem, through creating a skills bank of Linux expertise. And that will benefit the companies that use Linux, the vendors that port applications to it, and not least, the Linux experts themselves.

What Linux certifications are there?

The potential for Linux certification has quickly caught the attention of certification vendors, and there are already quite a few certification options open to you. Programs currently underway or in development include: CyberTech Institute CyberTech LinuxCertification Linux Professional Institute Linux Professional Institute Certified Level 1 (LPIC Level 1) Linux Professional Institute Certified Level 2 (LPIC Level 2) Linux Professional Institute Certified Level 3 (LPIC Level 3) ProsoftTraining.Com Prosoft Linux Certified Administrator Red Hat Inc Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) Red Hat Certified Examiner (RHCX) Sair Linux/GNU Certified Administrator (LCA) Linux/GNU Certified Trainer Brainbench Certified Linux Administrator There is quite a large variation in requirements among these certifications. Some of these certifications, such as Brainbench Certified Linux Administrator, require passing a single exam. Others require passing multiple exams for each level . Sair certifications each include four exams. A few, such as the Red Hat Certified Engineer, incorporate a lab exam. A lab exam is a timed, hands-on test where you perform required tasks using the Linux operating system in a realistic computer environment. The tasks typically include installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance items. Your performance is judged and graded by a proctor. Although a particular certification may include a recommended selection of courses for you to attend, usually they will be suggested rather than mandatory.The complete requirement details for each of these certifications are spelled out in Chapter Four.

What is GNU and what does it have to do with Linux certification?

Although not synonymous, GNU and Linux are so often found together that people sometimes forget they are separate entities. GNU stands for "GNU is Not Unix". Like Linux, it's a free, Unix-like operating system. Development on GNU started in 1984, but until 1996, GNU did not have its own kernel. So it came to be frequently packaged with the Linux kernel. Thus there are many GNU/Linux installations - i.e. installations that incorporate the Linux kernel and the GNU operating system utilities, tools, and compilers. Thus, many of the distributions mentioned earlier are sometimes called Linux-based GNU distributions. Because Linux and GNU are such frequent companions, it is incorporated into some Linux certification objectives. The Sair certifications further recognize the connection between the two by including both in their certification program names.

If Linux is so similar to Unix, why shouldn't I just get a Unix certification?

Linux is based on Unix, and Linux shares many characteristics of Unix, but Linux is NOT Unix. Unix is a widely used operating system - more widely used than Linux. But Linux is newer, and is the one claiming the headlines in today's IT news. That newness and visibility set up Linux certification to be a big resume and career booster. There are lots of people that have been working with Unix for many years, Linux pros, on the other hand, are much harder to come by.

How Do Linux Certifications Compare To Other Certifications Such As Microsoft's MCSE?

Linux certifications are obviously not the only career boosting credentials available. There are currently over 200 computer professional certifications to choose from. Vendor certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) are also valuable routes toward professional advancement. Vendor-independent certifications can prove worthwhile too. Because context is crucial to defining the value of any credential, it's impossible to definitively place one certification above another. The key to success with certification is to match a credential with your goals. A person who administers a stand-alone Novell network would find little relevance in a Linux certification or an MCSE. Due to the new nature of Linux certifications, individuals who hold them are in short supply. This means that, with a Linux certification, your resume will be one that stands out among others put in for a Linux-related position. Because they pertain to an operating system, Linux certifications also pair nicely with many other skills . for example a growing number of Web servers run on Linux. And since the certification is narrowly focused, your investment of time and money will be less than it would for a more complex certification.

Will Linux certification help me earn more?

If you're already a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) pulling down $100,000 a year, then a Linux certification won. t increase your billing rate. Otherwise, it has the potential to do good things for your bank account. Research into Linux job openings as Get Linux Certified & Get Ahead went to press found that most positions offered annual salaries ranging from $45,000 - $65,000. The more senior positions, promised $80,000 - $100,000 per year. The high end positions typically cited programming and development expertise as well as Linux administration skills. So depending on your current skill levels and area of expertise, Linux certification may well earn you access to a higher paying position. But even if you don. t manage to parlay your Linux certification into an immediate pay increase, it will, nonetheless, add to your base of knowledge and qualifications, which should pay off in the long term.

How will Linux certification affect my marketability?

There's only one thing that getting a Linux certification is likely to do for your marketability . enhance it. People with any sort of professional certification are enjoying increased visibility in the computer job market, and with Linux being a hot technology topic, Linux certification is poised to be especially valuable. By pursuing Linux certification now, You'll gain the opportunity to work with an operating system that's rapidly gaining market share and shows many signs of becoming an operating system of choice in the future. The need for Linux skilled pros is summed up well by writer Greg Shipley in his May 31, 1999 Network Computing article titled "Is it time for Linux?" Shipley says: . In the same way that the mass exodus from NetWare to NT screamed for fleets of MCSEs, any large Linux deployments will need to be fueled by people who know Linux well. These days, such people are few and far between.. In addition to positioning you to benefit from this demand for Linux pros, certification training listed on your resume demonstrates your ability and your desire to stay current; this is no small task in an industry where skills can become obsolete as quickly as they became cutting edge. It also shows that you take initiative and care about your career, traits many employers find attractive. Yes, there are many ways a Linux certification can have a significant positive impact on your marketability.

Can certification compensate for inexperience?

Certification cannot replace experience, however, it can to some degree compensate for lack of it. It's certainly far preferable than to offer neither experience nor credentials. The ideal combination is to have both certification and extensive work experience. But when first starting out, nobody has experience. Think about the new college graduate. She has her bachelor's in computer science but no on-the-job experience. When it comes to landing a job, or even an interview, in the information technology department of a good-sized company, she. s light years ahead of an equally inexperienced non-college grad counterpart. Because she has a credential. Professional certifications are credentials that operate in the same way that college degree does . to open doors. Hands-on experience is still a key criteria in determining your qualifications for a particular position. The importance of it depends upon the level of the job you. re after. For the lower level positions, it's acceptable to have less experience. The thing about experience is that it takes time, often a lot of it. And there isn. t much you can do to accelerate the process. Certification, on the other hand, is something you can add to your resume in the more immediate future. Plus, even for newcomers to the Linux operating system, the process of obtaining a Linux certification helps you gain experience. Certifications provide a path for learning, and as you work through that path you will gain some of that oh-so-valuable experience. And when pursued with the proper spirit, the knowledge you gain while earning a Linux certification will help you do your job better. The bottom line is that although Linux certification cannot completely substitute for hands-on experience, it will still increase your expertise, marketability, and most likely, your salary too.

Which Linux certification is best for me?

It may seem obvious, but many people underestimate the importance of matching choice of professional credentials with career goals. Part of the problem arises because career plans are sometimes vague and ill-defined, such as . to earn more money.. Other times confusion occurs because there are multiple routes to achieving a particular goal, and there isn. t enough information available to help you choose. Get Linux Certified & Get Ahead will help you past both of those potential road blocks. Because Linux isn. t owned by a single vendor, there are more certifications to choose from, and the programs are more diverse than they would otherwise be. The good news is that this means that there. s probably more than one Linux certification that will serve as a useful career tool for you. The bad news is that You'll have to sort through a larger number of possibilities to uncover the certification that best fits your time, experience, goals, and budget. Chapter 4 provides the details on all the Linux certifications currently available and Chapter 8 will walk you through the process of selecting the specific Linux certification that will work best for you.

How much will getting certified cost?

The total cost of certification can be tricky to calculate beforehand, yet that. s exactly what you should do. It's important to develop a reasonable estimate so that you know exactly what you. re getting into financially. Your estimate will also help you budget accordingly, so that your plans won. t get put on hold due to unexpected certification-related expenses. During the course of obtaining certification, there are several kinds of expenses you. re likely to incur: exam fees, training materials (sometimes including software), training instruction, and travel to training and testing sites. Linux certification exams vary in price. The Sair Linux & GNU Certified Administrator (LCA) exam cost $99, the Prosoft Certified Linux Adminstrator exam costs $100. As Get Linux Certified & Get Ahead was being written, Brainbench e-certification exams were offered at no charge, and the LPIC exams didn. t have a set fee yet. The hands on lab exam required to earn the Red Hat Certified Engineer comes with a $749 fee. Exam price is obviously not the only consideration for choosing a certification, and these prices are listed just to give you an idea of the costs. Additionally, for some certifications, you will need access to a copy of the Linux operating system you can practice on. Although the software is free, you may choose to have it sent to you on CD or elect a distribution with value added. features. But even if you choose either of these, this particular expense will be very small. In reality, it's nearly impossible (maybe someone, somewhere has done it) to pass these exams without putting in the requisite study time first, and purchasing some kind of class or material to help you prepare. How much your training expenses will total depends upon which preparation methods you choose and how much you need to learn. Instructor-led courses. The price of training materials varies widely. To give you an idea of the costs, during the writing of Get Linux Certified & Get Ahead:

Is financial assistance available for certification training?

Yes. As professional certification has become an increasingly popular career choice, the number of ways to obtain funding to pay for it have multiplied. Employers and even recruiting firms are beginning to recognize that certification is important to their employees/clients and is good for their own bottom line. For that reason, it's often possible to obtain direct reimbursements for certification training and/or testing costs. The money may come from the training budget or from the tuition reimbursement program. If you're an American, the U.S. Government is also interested in seeing you advance your career. Although training expenses have been to some extent deductible for many years, the tax act of 1997 makes it even easier to regain some of your traibottom line. For that reason, it’s often possible to obtain direct reimbursements for certification training and/or testing costs. The money may come from the training budget or from the tuition reimbursement program. If you're an American, the U.S. Government is also interested in seeing you advance your career. Although training expenses have been to some extent deductible for many years, the tax act of 1997 makes it even easier to regain some of your training costs through your federal income tax return. If you’re using the training to advance in your current profession (rather than to change professions) you’ll want to explore Form 2106, Employee Business Expenses, or, if you’re self-employed, Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business. The 1997 tax act created two credits you may be able to take advantage of as well: the Lifetime Learning Credit and the Hope Scholarship Credit. Credits are dollar for dollar reductions of your tax bill! Chapter 6 includes specific advice explaining how to take advantage of education related tax breaks like these. If you don’t have the cash on hand to fund your certification efforts, and you don’t have an employer that’s willing to foot the bill, there are several loan programs specifically designed for computer professional certification candidates. Besides using financing, tax breaks, and third-party funding, there are many ways you can cut your certification bill to make the total more manageable. Judicious selection of training and preparation materials is the first place to trim expenses. You can also save money by doing little things such as through your selection of exam options.

How Long Does Earning Certification Take?

It depends. The time span varies considerably depending on your choice of certification, current experience level, and the learning methods you employ. The biggest portion of your time will go to preparing for exams. For some of the certifications it’s possible to compress preparation time into a few weeks – if you’re willing and able to put just about everything else aside. It’s more common, and more practical for professionals who are earning certification on their own time, to start with one exam, determine the requirements, self-study, and then take the exam. The process is repeated for the next exam for that certification. Although many of the Linux certifications require just one exam, you may decide that one of the more complex certifications will provide more value to you in the long run. In this case, you can expect a longer study period and multiple exams. But whichever route you choose, you should be able to earn certification in less than a year.

Where Will I Have To Go For Certification Training and Testing?

For some tests you will be able to study largely from books and/or software preparation materials–which means you can study from home or at work. These materials are available through bookstores that carry technical books. Fatbrain.com (www.fatbrain.com) is a good place to find such books, but you can also find them in traditional bookstores as well. If you choose to take instructor-led training, which may be just what you need in order to best meet a particular requirement, you’ll have to travel to the class site. If you’re lucky, that will be nearby, perhaps even through a local college, but you may have to travel to find the class you want, when you want it. You do not necessarily have to get your training from the certification sponsor. Keep in mind that “unofficial” training is often as good or better as its “authorized” counterpart, and can cost substantially less. There is another great alternative for individuals who find self-study inadequate and travel to instructor-led courses too expensive and/or time consuming: on line learning. It’s possible to study for Linux certifications using courseware over the Internet. These online classes can take a variety of forms, and you you’ll learn all about them in the training alternatives chapter of Get Linux Certified & Get Ahead. To a somewhat lesser extent than many other certifications, some Linux certification testing is administered through Sylvan Prometric testing centers. There are over 1,200 of these testing centers serving 80 countries, so there’s probably one not too far away from you. You can find the closest one using the online test center locator available through www.2test.com. A few Linux certification vendors actually make exams available online, via the Internet. These include Brainbench and CyberTech Institute. You can take Web-based tests from your home computer. Some allow you to use reference materials, while others do not. If your chosen certification includes a hands-on lab requirement, you’ll have to travel to the sponsor’s site to take the exam. Some sponsors may have multiple testing sites, for others there will be only one.

What will I receive from my sponsor when I get certified?

When you have completed the requirements for a particular certification, including signing the certification agreement, you will be sent a “graduation kit.” These kits vary by certification sponsor, but typically include a certificate and information on taking advantage of additional perks that come with the certification. Such perks often include free or reduced training opportunities, use of a certification logo, access to restricted discussion forums, inclusion in a professional directory, and/or similar benefits.

Is passing exams the only thing I have to do to become certified?

Passing the tests will not usually qualify you for a Linux certification; You’ll also have to sign and submit a document called a certification agreement. Certification agreements are another item that varies among certification programs. Typically they contain terms and restrictions spelling out: allowed usage of logos and marks conditions under which your certification could be revoked recertification requirements notice that the certification sponsor has the right to alter the program at their discretion your promise not to reveal confidential information – i.e. exam questions clarification that certification does not convey licensing rights for software to you.

Do I Need a College Degree to Get Linux Certified?

Absolutely not. In fact you don’t even need a high school diploma. What you do need is an urge to excel, along with large amounts of self-motivation, determination, and persistence. If you can learn the material, you can pass the exams and become certified. That’s not to claim that a college degree wouldn’t do good things for your career. Adding Linux certification on top of a college degree will open more doors for you than a Linux certification alone, but you don’t have to have the degree to - the certifications are valuable career boosters in and of themselves.

What if I Don't Remember How To Study?

The prospect of going back to studying after a long hiatus can be intimidating, but if it is, that's probably because you didn't develop efficient and effective study skills the first time around. If so, you are not alone. It's amazing how many people manage to make it through formal schooling without learning the techniques thatmake studying easy. But don't worry, it's never too late to learn how to learn. In fact, you may be among the many people who find studying much easier this time around simply because there are specific reasons and personal goals driving your effort. But whether your study brain cells never developed much muscle, or if they're simply a little dusty, the tips and techniques in Get Linux Certified & Get Ahead will help you brush up on efficient and effective study habits. In the Study Secrets chapter, You'll get a refresher on effective reading, and note-taking skills, as well as help figuring out just how you. re going to find study time into your busy schedule. You'll also learn test-taking techniques that will help you achieve the best score you're capable of on certification exams.

What resources are available to help me achieve certification?

You'll find information to help you pass Linux certification exams all over the Internet and on the shelves of your nearest mega-bookstore. Available resources include: Internet forums and discussion groups Study guides and text books Self-assessment tests and computer programs Expert instructors Documentation and preparation materials available through your certification vendor World Wide Web sites And, of course, Get Linux Certified & Get Ahead. Thanks largely to the Internet, You'll be able to access many powerful and useful learning aides right from your computer. If you. re not already set up with an Internet connection, this is a good reason to get yourself a modem and sign up for service. You'll be giving yourself virtually twenty-four-hour access to others who. ve obtained your certification already, are in the process of doing so, or who write or teach about it or about related technologies. There are plenty of offline resources, too. Because the Linux operating system is experiencing such growth and stimulating wide interest among IT professionals, you can expect continued growth in the variety and depth of preparation assistance available.

Do I need access to the Linux operating system to get certified?

Although it may be possible to earn the lower level certifications through studying without actually practicing on the Linux operating system, it's not a good idea to do so. For the more complex and difficult certifications, it would be impossible. But why would you even want to? There's no reason for you to even try to avoid getting hands-on-experience because Linux is priced at a level anyone can afford . free. You can download Linux from one of the many sites on the Web (see resource section for specific suggestions) or order a distribution sent to you on CD. Follow the installation instructions judiciously, and bingo, you. ve got a Linux computer at your fingertips. And no, you don't have to convert your entire system over to Linux. It's possible to install Linux on a computer in such a way that the computer becomes what's called a dual boot system. Dual boot systems give you the option at start-up of choosing which operating system to load up. This way, you can keep your existing operating system and get your hands-on Linux practice too!

What are the certification tests like?

For Linux certification exams are administered through Sylvan Prometric testing centers. Candidates can register by phone. Each certification vendor that uses Sylvan has a special toll-free number for exam registration. You can find the registration number for your certification vendor in the reference section of Get Linux Certified & Get Ahead or by visiting Sylvan Prometric's Web site (www.2test.com). For all Sylvan administered tests you must register in advance. On the day of the test you go to the center, present two forms of identification, and sign in. You will be escorted to a quiet room with one or more testing stations. You won't be allowed to bring anything into the room with you but your wits and a wipe off note board. You'll sign onto the computer using your social security number and the test will begin. You may be required to complete an agreement promising not to reveal the contents of the test before you receive any actual questions. The questions themselves are mostly variations of multiple choice formats. Most certification exams last one to two hours. Passing scores vary depending on the exam but generally hover around 65-70%. VUE (Virtual University Enterprises) is another test administration vendor that you may encounter. Although less widely used than Sylvan Prometric, they function basically in the same way - through a network of testing centers worldwide. Lab exams typically last at least a several hours and often a full day. The Red Hat lab exam, for example, includes a one to two hour written exam, a two hour network services configuration lab, and a three hour troubleshooting lab. For certification exams administered via the Web, you can expect to be required to agree to non-disclosure rules up front. You'll also have to read and confirm the testing rules, which will specify whether you can use reference materials. The actual format of the exams will vary by vendor, but you can expect primarily multiple choice type questions. Brainbench certification exams limit the amount of time you have to answer a particular question to 1 minute. You'll find more details about individual certification exams in Chapter 10: All About Linux Tests.

How can I (or anyone else) verify that someone really holds a Linux certification?

The process for verifying certification is another one of those things that varies between vendors. A few vendors offer no method at all, but many have a procedure in place. Brainbench issues a transcript ID to each individual it certifies. The certified individual gives out this ID to anyone who wants to verify the certification. The ID can be used verify certified status via the Brainbench Web site. Brainbench will also mail your transcript to the employer at your request. For certification programs without a specific policy in place, it may be possible to request verification via email from the certification program manager.

How can I promote myself and my certification?

Professional certification has the power to boost your career and increase your job opportunities, but only if you use it! To make the most of your certification, you'll want to learn how to maximize its value as a career tool. Filing it away in a cabinet won't do that. The most obvious thing to do is advertise your new status by adding it to your resume, business cards, and email signature, but don't stop there. You can also learn to be your own PR person. With a little effort you can get your name out into the world as an expert in your field. The Internet is an excellent tool for this purpose. Through well-planned use of web pages, forums, and other Internet resources, you can get your name to pop up in association with Linux skill areas. But be careful to abide by Internet etiquette (often called netiquette); indiscriminate self-promotion will annoy other Internet users and ultimately work against you. You can also establish expert status by providing useful information to media outlets such as newspapers and television. There are also techniques you can use to move up in the ranks at your current company or in billing rates if you're an independent. These include finding ways to demonstrate your enhanced value, and making an airtight case your for a raise or promotion. After you obtain a certification, you might also decide that it's time to move on to a new company or perhaps become an independent contractor or consultant.

What's the future of Linux certification?

The computer certification marketplace is in the midst of explosive growth. Consider that there are currently over 400 professional certifications available and that number continues to expand rapidly. Linux itself has been responsible for a half-dozen new certifications and certifications-in-progress in the last two years. Linux certification is really a multi-vendor marketplace, with different sponsors competing to develop the most valuable, most meaningful, and most widely respected Linux certification. For the IT professional this competition is likely to result in a higher overall quality of certification programs, as well as several clearly defined levels of Linux certification to choose from. In the future, expect Linux certifications to continue gain recognition and acceptance among computer professionals and employers. And don't be surprised if they make the move from desirable to required.