Linux Certification

[feddersen]

I'm thinking about getting a linux certification to formalize my Linux skills. After looking around i found three major certifications. Redhat, Novell and LPI.
LPI is cheaper by far, but where should i start LPI1 seems really basic and LPI2 also includes most of what I allready know.

The thing is that since these certifications cost money I would like to learn some new skill and at the same time get certified on the stuff i Know...

any thoughts?

[fingal]

I suppose it depends on what your long term goals are. Please read this recent thread.

[KenJackson]

I'm at just about the same spot. In fact, only a couple days ago I ordered, "LPI Linux Certification in a Nutshell".

But since my current employer merely tolerates my use of and affinity for Linux, I don't expect any such certification to be really valuable to me for finding a job in the future. But I figure it's always good to be prepared.

Also, a few years ago I studied for and got my A+ and Network+ certifications, which aren't recognized as valuable in my job either, but I sure enjoyed filling in the gaps in my knowledge.

[fingal]

I sometimes think that us *nix users should be more aggressive in pursuit of our interests. This is just a thought, but maybe we should stop wondering where the work is and go out and create it.

I'm guilty of sitting on my hands myself (an old problem) but perhaps approaching a start-up company (having first identified your target group) and telling them, 'I can implement your entire IT infrastructure for a fraction of the price, and make it really secure' would be a good start. Then tell them, 'Following that I'll offer you permanent customer support'. I think there's a market out there.

[feddersen]

I allready sell services based around Mambo websites... setting them up an so on.. But I think the real money can be made implementing linux klients and servers... In it's simplest form the calculation is ;

Windows klient with office suite = 3-400 euros + installation cost
Linux klient with office suite = installation cost

a company with 10 employees could save som serious money..

then you have networks and server solutions which is were I feel I need some kind of certification before I get myself into that. Mostly so i know that what I am doing is "safe" and secure.

[fingal]

The LPI provide some samples of their course material on their site. I think if I was in your position I would do the course. I think you would learn a lot - and that goes for me too. Actually I'm responding to your thread because I'm looking at that route myself ... I'm not directly in an IT systems admin. role, but I could be.

As you know, IT is a 'hands on' discipline. Networking is certainly very specialised and personally I would be quite intimidated about setting out on my own in this way. You might be interested in this as a case study. I found it a couple of days ago (and I wasn't even looking for it).

Still, a lot of economic growth begins with small organisations (less than 30 employees). I feel that this growth rate would be enhanced by increasing investment in Linux IT systems. I think this would be true in the public, private and voluntary sectors.