Hi all,

I have more than three years Linux experience, and now want to choose a type of certified exam to improve self-studying and face higher level challenge.

At first, RHCE is my first choice, however, RedHat increate the exam cost after Nov 1st,2006, it is $800 which I think it's too expensive.

Some my friends told me RHCE is the hardest in all Linux certified exams, and more effective.

Is there only RHCE in folk's mind? How about LPI, Linux+? and how about other Linux certified exams?

I really need your suggestion for I have no time to hesitate.

Regards,
Phillip

Moved: This thread is more suitable in Linux-Certifications and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Hi
Concerning Linux+ it is harder than LPI 1, I personally did the Linux+ exam I have to say it was great experience and I learned alot of new stuff " and I understood stuff I already knew better, if you wana do a one time exam do linux+, if you wana do a couple of levels do LPI which is 3 levels

Thanks for your advice. But it defers in my country,China, people always considered the RHCE is the most valuable, LPI second, and Linux+ is listed at last. However, I guess a few Chinese have taken Linux+ exam as they've never hear of Linux+. Now, after talking with my mother, I've decided to fight for RHCE.

Thanks again for all your kindness.

Regards,
Phillip

I would say LPI is better if you take the whole lot i.e. the 3 levels..but if you wana go that far take RHCE as said..it is the most valuable Lin Cert around not just in China. However concerning Linux+ it aint that bad CompTIA (+) certificates are popular and well known.

Note ** : If this is the first time you are going for a certificate be well prepared, my first certificate after college was my CCNA I thought it would be easier than I presumed. RHCE is an expensive exam so dont mess it up, be very well prepared (Good Luck and keep us updated

ALInux, I really appreciate your suggestion and great encouragement. Yes, as you say, RHCE should be very well prepared with doing many experiences. I'm already following up this way to study, and find something ignored before.

I query the RHCE exam center yesterday afternoon, they recommended me to take part in their training course. How high the price is! It is almost $500. The sales girl also told me that it is very benifit to pass the RHCE rapidly(I wonder if she hints they will give some special "tips" of RHCE).

Honest is the most valuable. I think this course is not suitable for me. First, I want to become more professional with concrete Linux knowledge, not one RHCE paper if get "tips" on the special training. Even would I spend more time to ready for this RHCE exam, and I perfer. The second point, it sounds the training become a money-earning tool, not tech-communication in my opinion. And $500 is a lot of money relatively in the whole cert exam. I'd not like to pay external fee in order to get a rapid pass.

What I decide to take RHCE exam, is I want to strong my Linux knowledge and driver me never stopping. Not a piece of paper.

By the way, I got OCP 9i at Nov 29th,2004. RHCE is not my first exam on certificating road.

Regards,
Phillip

Allright then..Good Luck..and please keep us updated about your progress

I do agree with Phillip Huang on the advice provided by ALInux.
"I really appreciate your suggestion and great encouragement"
Same feelings here as well.
All the best for your certifications bro.

I have found the Linux+ to be worthless. I also have A+, Net+, Sec+, and Proj+. Of all those certs, only the A+ has any value. The A+ will get you $20 a hour day jobs, which helps if you are between jobs.

Unlike most certs, the RHCE is "hands on" I think that is a big deal. There is no question as to whether an RHCE can actually configure a NFS server - the RHCE has done that, and in a high pressure situation. That can not be said of a Linux+ or LPIC certified individual.

Well first of all every certification without experience is almost worthless. Second you have not taken the Linux+ certification so do not load it with more than what it can hold. The linux+ intro clearly states "For Linux admins with 6 to 12 month experience". It is not about configuring services like NFS or otherwise in the first place. It is about learing how to correctly administer a Linux system (Install, maintain,security, network,logs, crons, a couple of servers etc) . So it would be unfair to compare it to RHCE.
Linux+ is the right choice if it is what you are looking for. And RHCE is the right choice if that is what you are looking for.
I had the experience and I wanted a certificate to go with it, but at the same time I did not want to spend a year learing and studyin for a Linux Cert because Iam a Sysadmin in a mainly windows based environment where Linux knowledge comes in handy. So my choice was Linux+ and it was worth it.

>>Well first of all every certification without experience is almost worthless.<<

1) Who said I didn't have any experience?

2) Apply that logic to other fields: no use in getting an MD until you are already an accomplished surgon. Don't bother getting a pilot's license until you have 50,000 hours flying 747s. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?


>>Second you have not taken the Linux+ certification so do not load it with more than what it can hold.<<

What does that mean?

>>The linux+ intro clearly states "For Linux admins with 6 to 12 month experience".<<

Are you sure about that? I thought the linux+ was supposed to be the equivilent of 6 to 12 months experience. I could be wrong about that.

>>It is not about configuring services like NFS or otherwise in the first place. It is about learing how to correctly administer a Linux system (Install, maintain,security . . . <<

Um, you mean stuff like configuring an NFS server, right? That is the sort of thing that Linux admins do. I only used the NFS server as an example.

Hi Walterbyrd
First of all Iam sorry about making it seem as if Iam referring to you in the experience statment. I am sure you have experience otherwise you would not be able to argue in the correct manner you are doing.

Considering getting experience before getting the certificate. You are right if we are living in an ideal world, but we are not. Let's suppose you want to become a Linux admin and you have just started your career, you want to get a training position or an entry level job but no-one is willing to give you one. You go get an entry level linux certification and you chances at least double.
That is what I meant when I said that getting a certificate is still worth the try, experience is a must have but the studying time spent on certificates can really clarify your views and perspectives about a lot of the aspect of your certification "whatever the cert is". Furthmore it introduces you to new ideas you either no idea or only a vague idea about.
If you study the same book you use for the certification without doing the cert exam you would end up understanding alot less so if you do the exam you would have really indulged into the cert exam material.

Having said all that, from my humble point of view a certification is still worth doing it, even if it is not for direct financial revenue, it certainly improves the skills of the person in question.
I know we might not agree on all the points stated here, but then it is nice having a thread that seriously discusses certs in this forum. When I first visited it about 6 months ago it only had few posts now it contains much more info.

Have a nice day.

Some notes about the Linux+

You were RIGHT about the the Linux+ Intro

"CompTIA Linux+ will be certifying an equivalent experience of 6 to 12 months with Linux, up from the current experience level of 6 months. The individual who passes the Linux+ 2004 exam will demonstrate the knowledge mastery required to provide basic installation, operation, security, administration, and troubleshooting services for the Linux operating system on workstations and servers."

http://certification.comptia.org/get...aspx?prid=1015

But seriously if you do not have the experience you will have a hard time preparing for this exam. As stated below, and as I could tell from my experience.

"CompTIA recommends 12 months experience rather than 6 for the new exam... you are going to need some experience for the new exam. Linux+ is no longer a free lunch."
http://www.cramsession.com/certifica...sp?exam_id=131


Edit : I just wanted to add another point here. I live in Lebanon and things might just be different around here than they are in the states or in the EU. If you wana get any kind of respected job you have be a university graduate. And if you wana compete for jobs after graduating you will have to get the certs to go with your major. For example a typical job Ad migh state the following :

System Admin
2 years experience
MCSE + CCNA is a must

Even if you have 10 yrs of experience a 2 year experienced guy will get the job. It might sound weird but seriously that is how it works in lebanon and most of the region here.

My experience with lpi-1 and the current (2004+) linux+ is that they are difficult to pass without either being very familiar with linux (as in several years of experience), "cheating" (braindumps), or both. Comptia's first linux+ effort (pre-2004) was poor and, I believe, has unfairly damaged the linux+ reputation.

I do have issues with lpi regarding their philosophy of obscurity surrounding their exams, which I think makes the exam more difficult, in a way that doesn't have anything to do with linux.

Both of these certs have one advantage over most of the vendor certs: they "last" at least 10 years. If you get a vendor cert, you get on a "cert treadmill" where you have to constantly renew the cert. I understand that the software is always changing, but you almost have to make a career out of recertifying (or explaining why you haven't.)

Paul

Certification means how you dedicate yourself in keep studying. There's an well-known saying in China: Live and learn.

--Phillip

Yes that quite true, IMO we keep learning till the last breath everyday every year.
Regarding Certifications yes it does indicate that you have expertise in that particular field and your knowledge is superior compare to others who don't have certification's or proof of their knowledge.