How to Become LPI Certified - linux- · PDF fileLinux Professional Institute Increase your...

Linux Professional Institute Increase your opportunities in Linux and Open Source

G. Matthew Rice – [email protected] Thorns – [email protected]

LPI Inc.

CeBIT 2016Hannover

How to Become LPI Certified

Linux Professional Institute Increase your opportunities in Linux and Open Source 2

G. Matthew RiceExecutive Director

[email protected]

Fabian ThornsDirector of Certification Development

[email protected]


Agenda

What is LPI and how do I benefit from LPI?

Which exams and certifications exist?

How do I prepare for an LPI exam?

What Should I Expect During an LPI Exam?

What happens after the exam?


Disclaimer

Hints on exam preparation and exam strategies are the speaker's personal opinions

LPI tests your knowledge and not how you obtained it

Use your own judgement on how to prepare!


What is LPI and How Do I Benefit from LPI?


LPI

LPI – Linux Professional Institute

Mission: Professional certifications for Linux and Open Source specialists worldwide

Non-profit organization based in Canada

Affiliates provide local support around the world

Independent from vendors and Linux distributions


LPI in Numbers


Benefits of (LPI) Certifications

An (LPI) certification …

– encompasses numerous qualifications and skills

– affirms professional competencies as well as engagement in continuing education

– represents a common standard in both content and quality

– is not a comprehensive professional qualification on its own...

… but is the best unique and distinguishing credential!


Advantages of LPI Certifications

Globally recognized and highly reputable

– Recognized by other certification vendors

– Prerequisite for other exams

Affordable prices

Multiple options for study materials and training

No requirement to participate in specific training, courses, books, seminars, etc.


Which Exams and Certifications Exist?


LPI Certification Track

LPIC-1

LPIC-2

LPIC-300 LPIC-303 LPIC-304

101 102

201 202

300 303 304

Linux Essentials


Linux Essentials

“Entry Level“

Prerequisite: None

Exams:

– Linux Essentials (010)

Differences to LPIC exams:

– 60 minutes (instead of 90 minutes)

– 40 questions (instead 60 questions)

– Separate from LPIC certifications


Linux Essentials

Linux Essentials exam topics:

– The Linux Community and a Career in Open Source

– Finding Your Way on a Linux System

– The Power of the Command Line

– The Linux Operating System

– Security and File Permissions


LPIC-1

“Junior Level Linux Certification“

Prerequisite: None

Exams:

– 101 and

– 102

LPIC-1 holders can become SUSE Certified Linux Administrator (CLA) for free!

– http://practicum.novell.com/LPI2CLAForm.php


LPIC-1

Exam LPI 101:

– System Architecture, Linux Installation and Package Management, GNU and Unix Commands, Devices, Linux Filesystem, File Hierarchy Standard

Exam LPI 102:

– Shells, Scripting and Data Management, User Interfaces and Desktops, Administrative Tasks, Essential System Services, Networking Fundamentals, Security


LPIC-2

“Advanced Level Linux Certification“

Prerequisite: Active LPIC-1 certification

Exams:

– 201 and

– 202


LPIC-2

Exam LPI 201:

– Linux Kernel, System Startup, Filesystem and Devices, Advanced Storage Device Administration, Networking Configuration, System Maintenance, Domain Name Server

Exam LPI 202:

–Web Services, File Sharing, Network Client Management, E-Mail Services, System Security, Troubleshooting


LPIC-3

“Senior Level Linux Certification“

Prerequisite: Active LPIC-2 certification

Exams (any one of):

– 300 (“Mixed Environment“)

– 303 (“Security“)

– 304 (“High Availability and Virtualization“)


LPIC-3

LPIC-300 (“Mixed Environment“):

– Samba 3, Samba 4, Windows Integration, Advanced OpenLDAP

LPIC-303 (“Security“):

– Cryptography, Host Security, Access Control, Network Security

LPIC-304 (“High Availability and Virtualization“):

– Virtualization: Concepts, KVM, Xen, …

– HA: LVS, Pacemaker, DRBD, Filesystems, ...


Related Certifications

SUSE Certified Linux Administrator (CLA)

– (awarded by SUSE if LPIC-1 is attained)

Zarafa Certified Engineer

– (LPIC-1 is a prerequisite)

Univention Certified Professional (UVCP)

– (LPIC-1 is a prerequisite)

CompTIA Linux+ powered by LPI

– (LPIC-1 is awarded if Linux+ is attained)


LPI Exams and Certifications

LPIC 3LPIC 2LPIC 1Linux Essentials

More info

Entry Level

More info

Junior Level

More info

Advanced Level

More info

Senior Level /Specialty Areas

CertificateProgram

Professional Certification



LPI 101LPI 102

LPI 201LPI 202

LPI 300LPI 303LPI 304

LPI LE

0-12 Months 1-2 Years 2-3 Years 3+ Years


How Do I Prepare for an LPI Exam?


LPI Exam Format

90 minutes, 60 questions (LPIC)

“Multiple Choice“ questions:

– Four or five given answers

– Choose one correct answers unless another number is explicitly requested in the question

“Fill In The Blank” questions:

– Free text; for example a command, a parameter, a configuration option, a path, a file name, …

– Only one correct response is required


LPI Exam Format

It's all about passing

– There is no final grade on the certification

– Nobody knows everything

– But one should have a general clue :-)

… and know those details one stumbles upon in real life

Questions are weighted by difficulty

– Number of correct answers required to pass varies with questions used on the exam


Objectives

Objectives

– Describe the content covered by an exam

– Contain examples of commands, files and terms (but examples are only a partial list)!

– https://www.lpi.org/study-resources/

– IMPORTANT: Double check that you use the most recent version of your exam's objectives!


Objectives


Objectives

Experience

– Nobody knows everything

– It's all about what really matters!

• Which commands, files, parameters are important?

• Which problems exist in the real world?

– Candidates pass LPI because they understand Linux – not because they remember man pages


Learning the Objectives

Objectives

– Print and check

• What do you already know? What do you still have to learn?

• Read man pages, manuals, how-tos, books, ...

• Try commands

• Practice all requirements yourself!

– Use virtual machines with different distributions!

– Ask yourself: What helps in your daily work?

– Use Linux every day and gain as much experience as possible!



General, non-LPI resources

– Technical and reference books

– Man pages

– Project websites

– How-tos

Focus on the objectives!

– What is required?

– Which topics are missing in your resources?



LPI books and resources

– Prepare you for a specific exam / certificate

– LPI does not recommend specific resources (but does have a list of them)

– Choices depend on the exam:

• Differences in length and teaching style

• Find the materials that fit you

• Use up-to-date materials!



Training, courses, workshops

– Numerous offerings with different teaching styles from “camps” to self-paced video training

– LPI does not recommend specific training (but does have a list of them)

– Experience comes with time

– Training helps to get started, to progress and to update knowledge



Own initiative:

– Organize learning groups and workshops

– Teach each other

– Students: Ask your teachers / professors

– Employees: Ask your boss / HR staff


Where to Take an LPI Exam

Paper based exam labs at events

– CeBIT, Chemnitzer Linux-Tage, Grazer Linuxtage, FrOSCon, OpenRheinRuhr, …

– Overview and registration at www.lpice.eu

– Results are available after about four (4) weeks

– Costs per exam:

• 60 Euros (Linux Essentials)

• 90 Euros (LPIC-1 to 3)

• 85 Euros (UVCP)



Computer based exams at a test center

– Test centers from Pearson VUE

– Results are available immediately after the exam

– Costs per exam:

• 125 Euros (Linux Essentials)

• 149 Euros (LPIC-1 to LPIC-3)



Linux Essentials test center

– Linux Essentials can be taken at special test centers or at events

– Overview: www.lpi-testcenter.eu

– Schools and Universities can become a test center


What Should I Expect During an LPI Exam?


On Exam Day ...

Be prepared – Tests can be stressful!

– Well rested

– Appropriate levels of sugar, caffeine, …

– No headache or stomach ache

– No tiring medicine

– Check in advance if you need special accessibility arrangements

– Go to the restroom

• When you leave the room, the exam is over!


On Exam Day ...

Bring with you:

– Official photo document

• Government issued ID Card

• Driver's License

• Passport

– LPI ID

• Register online at http://cs.lpi.org/caf/Xamman/register

– Exam fees in cash and local currency


During the Exam

Handling the exam

– Read all questions as carefully as possible

– LPI doesn't do trick questions – but we expect exact understanding and accurate knowledge of technical terms

– For “Multiple Choice“ questions:

• There is always one correct answer unless the question explicitly requires another number

– For “Fill In The Blank“ questions:

• Watch out for hints such as expecting paths, additional options or parameters or not!


During the Exam

Strategies – Best practices:

– First pass to answer the easy questions

– Second pass to focus on the rest

– Control pass for all questions

• Check all questions and answers again

• Trust your experience – Intuition is often better than overthinking. If you change anything, be sure you know why!

• Don't leave any question unanswered – that's wrong, for sure!


During the Exam

Uncertainties in the exam

– We do our best to ensure that this doesn't happen

– Very carefully read the question again

– Proctors are not allowed to talk about exam content

– Leave a note on the notepaper – LPI checks for comments!

Take your time, it's not a race

– Proctors announce the time left

– Don't panic because others have finished the exam first


What Happens After the Exam?


After the Exam

Results

– Paper based exams are centrally scored

– It takes about four (4) weeks until you receive your results by email:


After the Exam

Results

–Certificates are sent out within an additional four (4) week period:


After the Exam

Candidate Area

– Register at www.lpi.org

– Overview of your exams and certificates

– Check your postal address (Important for the delivery of the certificate!)

– Verification codes for certificates


After the Exam

Verify LPI certificates

– Share the verification code from the candidate area

– Others can verify your certifications:

• https://cs.lpi.org/caf/Xamman/certification


After the Exam

Use your certifications to promote yourself!

– Job Applications

– Freelancer Profiles

Search for jobs that address LPIC holders!

– www.lpice.eu/jobs.html


After the Exam

Recertification

– After five years your LPI certification becomes inactive

• You still are “LPI Certified”

• Your certification no longer serves as a base for higher certifications!

• LPI recommends recertifying every 2.5 to 3 years

– A higher level certification extends all lower level certifications

• LPIC-2 certification extends your LPIC-1 certification

• LPIC-3 certification extends your LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 certification


After the Exam

In case you didn't pass ...

… don't be sad!

– Continue to learn and fill in knowledge gaps

• The results email shows the percentage of correct answers that you got in each topic

• LPI can't provide you with per question feedback on your exam

– The second try is possible one week after the first try

– Each additional try is possible 90 days after the last try


After the Exam

Spread the word!

– School / University: Talk to your teachers and professors and point them to Linux Essentials!

– Companies: Use LPI for training!

– Learn more about LPI's partner programs at www.lpice.eu:

• Approved Training Partner

• Approved Academic Partner

• Certified Solution Provider

• Linux Essentials Test Center


After the Exam

Prepare for the next exam!

Upcoming events with LPI exam labs:

– Chemnitzer Linux-Tage (2016, March 16th and 17th; Chemnitz)

– Augsburger Linux-Infotag (2016, April 16th; Augsburg)

– Grazer Linuxtage (2016, April 29th and 30th; Graz)

– FrOSCon (2016, August 20th and 21st; St. Augustin)

– OpenRheinRuhr (2016, November 5th; Oberhausen)

Events and reservations at www.lpice.eu


G. Matthew Rice – [email protected] Thorns – [email protected]

LPI Inc.

CeBIT 2016Hannover

Thank you for your attention!

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