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Greg Neilson
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Linux+ vs. LPI Level 1 |
| Greg compares these two entry-level Linux certifications. |
| by Greg Neilson |
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10/2/2001 -- With the growing usage of Linux in the enterprise, more people will be looking to pick up Linux skills. And some of you will consider completing a certification. You have plenty of titles to choose from.
Red Hat's Certified Engineer (RCHE) title has the high-end Linux certification market to itself (its performance-based lab components ensure that it will avoid being cheapened by those candidates with little hands-on experience).
On the introductory level, two options are Linux+ from the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) and the Linux Professional Institute's LPI Level 1 title (Levels 2 and 3 are under development.). I recently completed both.
While both programs have similar aims, each is different in significant ways. The Linux+ exam, which is a single, two-hour test, is intended for someone with around six months of Linux experience. The LPI Level 1 exam is aimed at introductory- to intermediate-level Linux administrators. LPIC Level 1 certification requires passing two 90-minute exams.
Not unexpectedly, the two certifications cover many similar areas. However, what does surprise me is the substantial difference in knowledge each requires. For example, apart from a couple of notable examples, Linux+ is happy to ask which command to use in a given situation, while the LPI exams expect you to know the meaning of many common options for each command as well. Whereas the Linux+ exam was interested in having the participant know when custom kernels need to be built, the LPI exams expected you to know exactly how to build and install a custom kernel -- what steps are involved and what each step actually achieves.
As well as the greater depth of the content required in the LPI exams, there are also more areas covered. I would have preferred to see fewer basic hardware questions in the Linux+ exam, leaving more room to ask about Linux concepts. Of course, as an IT professional you need to know this hardware information, but I don't see why this needs to be tested within a Linux certification test.
I don't mean to belittle the Linux+ exam: You won't be able to fake it if you don't know your material. But the LPI Level 1 exams really aim to ensure that the candidate can get around a Linux system. Even so, I suspect over time the Linux+ certification will prove more popular because so many of us are already aware of CompTIA's other certifications.
I started out on my Linux certification journey as a structured way to learn more about Linux. To that extent I've certainly achieved my personal objectives: I feel like I know enough to be competent; yet at the same time I have a healthy respect for what I still don't know. One day I may go ahead and complete my RHCE, but now I'm too busy with other plans outside of work to find time for that.
What do you think about Linux certification? Does it have any value at all? Are you planning to get a Linux certification -- and if so, which one? Post your comments below so we can all read your thoughts.
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Greg Neilson, MCSE+Internet, MCNE, PCLP, is a Contributing Editor for Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine and a manager at a large IT services firm in Australia. He's the author of Lotus Domino Administration in a Nutshell (O'Reilly and Associates, ISBN 1-56592-717-6). You can reach him at Attn: Greg.
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There are 21  user Comments for “Linux+ vs. LPI Level 1”
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Page 1 of 3
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| 10/15/01: Anonymous says: |
Has anyone taken this exam yet? Were the questions vague or were they straight forward. I was shocked by the vaugeness of the server+ exam questions. I don't want to waste another $190 exam that is meant to test my test-taking / mind reading abilities. |
| 12/5/01: Anonymous says: |
Well, my company will pay me back for the certification, and this will be a novelty for me until I take my RHCE next spring. As long as I don't pay, I don't mind taking it. |
| 10/15/02: Toxic says: |
In South Africa majority of Linux Job Adds placed are looking for an LPI level one, or a linux plus, with the exceptions asking for a RHCE.. |
| 5/26/03: JOE from New Jersey says: |
Does any one know if the Linux plus or the LPI has simulator questions, Im more likely to take a test where I can actually be introduced to real life experinces. |
| 8/23/03: Dave says: |
I took the Comptia exam yesterday and scored 840 out of 900 with passing being 655. No sim questions, just a short question with 4 choices, one to pic. It was quite easy and I studied for about two weeks with an Exam Cram book that cost me 20 bucks. I did have some Linux experiance before this but most of it was not needed. Look at the test objectives and get a cheap book and practice a little. Overall a typical CompTIA exam..easy. Going to get LPI level 1 soon and then 2 but not going to get RHCE because I don't like redhat and it costs too much for a poor student. Best of luck to those of you who take your tests. |
| 4/27/04: circle from culdesac lane says: |
Certs are for squares. |
| 9/20/05: SomeDude says: |
Very well paid "squares" :) |
| 2/20/06: Anonymous says: |
I just sat Linux+, but the revised XK0-002 version, which may be harder. I too was disappointed by the amount of hardware questions... not that hardware is a problem, but it doesn't seem like the right place for it, as you say. Likewise, it's disappointing that it focuses on Redhat-like distros and rpm. The last thing anyone needs is another redhat certification, since they're well respected already. I have 11+ years of experience in Linux. Some of that is in slackware and mandrake, but the vast majority is in Debian. I've provided online tech support for end-users with debian for years now. Now, I was able to get good results without studying for it, but the thing is... it still made me sweat and worry if I'd have blown the exam fee. If an "entry-level" Linux qualification can make me do that, I'd say it's pretty good :) |
| 2/20/06: Anonymous says: |
To answer some questions posted here... On vagueness, I heard the original exam was quite vague, but the revised one wasn't bad at all... just about three questions bothered me in that way, and it was easy enough to figure out what THEY thought the right answer was, just by the options given, so not a problem. On simulations and gaining experience through the exam... nope, no simulations in it at all. And I really wouldn't want to sit Linux+ without having used Linux extensively first. The whole thing would be quite over the head of an average Windows administrator. You'd want to be familiar with Unix at least, unless you can memorise stuff that is meaningless to you. However, the great thing about Linux is that it, and all the add-on software for it, like webservers and intrusion detection systems and documentation and support, are FREE. If you want experience, install it on a machine or two, and learn as fast as your adventurous side wants to :) |
| 3/1/06: Product Manager from CompTIA says: |
It's good to see the feedback from Anonymous on this exam. The current exam has proven to be difficult for people who didn't have enough experience, and I continue to pay attention to whether our specification of "6 to 12 months" experience is accurate--so thanks for the comments! |
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