LPI Certification – Give Your Career A Winning Edge

Linux Professional Institute Inc. (LPI) is a non-profit organization that provides non vendor-centric professional certification for Linux system administrators and programmers. LPI is recognized worldwide as the premier organization advocating and assisting in the professional use of Linux, Open Source, and Free Software.

Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) program is planned to certify the expertise of IT professionals using the Linux operating system and its associated tools. LPIC program consists of three levels of certification: LPIC-1, LPIC-2 and LPIC-3. Linux Professional Institute Certifications are offered through the testing centers of both Pearson VUE and Prometric.

1. Junior Level Linux Professional (LPIC-1): LPIC-1 is an entry level certification in Linux Professional Certification hierarchy. This certification is designed for individuals who has been performing basic system administration tasks and who needs to install, configure, and manage a Linux-based system. To earn LPIC-1 certification, candidate must pass two exams; 101 and 102.

2. Advanced Level Linux Professional (LPIC-2): LPIC-2 is an advanced level professional certification, covers implementing and managing web, file and security features on the Linux server. The objective of this certification to administer a small to medium-sized site containing Microsoft and Linux server and plan, implement, maintain and troubleshoot a small mixed network including LAN server, Internet Gateway and Internet Server. There are 2 exams; 201 and 202 that candidate must pass to earn LPIC-2 certification. Pre-requisites: Candidate must have an active LPIC-1 Certification.

3. Senior Level Linux Professional (LPIC-3): LPIC-3 is planned for enterprise-level Linux Professionals. LPIC-3 has been developed with the effort of many Linux professionals around the globe and contribution from some of the world's leading technology companies. LPIC-3 is the supreme level of professional, distribution-neutral Linux certification in IT industry. LPIC-3 consists of one exam: 301 for LPIC-3 Core. There are various specialties on which LPIC-3 is available; Mixed Environment, Security, High Availability and Virtualization, Web and Intranet. Pre-Requisites: you must have an active LPIC-2 certification to receive LPIC-3 certification.

An Overview of Red Hat Certifications

Red Hat is a company in the free and open source software sector, and a major Linux distribution vendor. It is not only appreciated for its technical proficiency, but also for the social initiatives taken by it. Red Hat certifications are among the most esteemed certifications in IT.

After the successful completion of Red Hat Certification training you will be skillful enough to be praised by the respectable organizations. Red Hat Certifications will separate you and your skills from the rest. In such a competitive industry, the fact that you have obtained a certification from Red Hat will give you that much desired recognition.

A full hierarchy of Red Hat certifications provides the comprehensive and flexible program required by the highly specialized enterprise IT organization of today. The most common and well-known Red Hat certification is the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).

Red Hat Certification path:

1) Red Hat Certified Technician (RHCT) : Red Hat Certified Technician is the fastest-growing credential in all of Linux. RHCT is the best first step in establishing Linux credentials and is an ideal initial certification for those transitioning from non-UNIX®/ Linux environments. To achieve this certification, candidate must pass RH202 RHCT exam and for this candidate must complete two courses; Red Hat Linux Essential and System Administration of Red Hat Linux.

2) Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) : Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a performance-based test that measures actual competency on live systems. RHCE proves an individual's ability to configure networking services and security on servers running a Red Hat OS. RHCE Certificate is granted upon passing the RH302 RHCE Exam, a performance-based test on live equipment that measures actual competencies at server system administration, setup of networking services, and network security, and diagnostics and troubleshooting. RHCE comes under top 9 IT Certifications in Demand.

3) Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) : Red Hat's Enterprise Architect courses provide in-depth, hands-on training for senior Linux system administrators responsible for the deployment and management of many systems in large enterprise environments. To accomplish RHCA certification, candidate must have current RHCA certificate and must pass all five additional performance-based exams.

IBM DB2 Certification

DB2 is one of IBM's families of relational database management system (RDBMS) software products within IBM's Information Management Software line. There are several editions and versions of DB2, which operate on devices ranging from palmtops to mainframes. Frequently DB2 refers to the DB2 Enterprise Server Edition, which runs on UNIX, Windows, Linux and z/OS servers.

DB2 completely dominates on mainframes. IBM is one of the top two commercial database vendors for both UNIX and Linux systems. On Windows servers, Microsoft's SQL Server leads in market, in spite of that DB2 presents a reasonable presence nonetheless. Currently IBM offers various training and certification paths on DB2. The average salary for IBM certified DB2 DBA is approx. Rs.93,000.

There are three levels; entry, intermediate and advanced in IBM DB2 Certification hierarchy.
1. IBM Certified Database Associate - DB2 9 Fundamentals

This Certification is an entry level DBA. To earn this certificate, candidate must have knowledge about the fundamental concepts of DB2 9 through applied experience or formal education. Database Associate must have in-depth knowledge of basic SQL, understand how to install, create databases and its various objects. To attain IBM Certified Database Associate - DB2 9 Fundamentals certification, candidate must pass 1 test i.e. Test 730.

2. a). IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 DBA for Linux, UNIX and Windows

IBM Certified Database Administrator is the prime Database Administrator for DB2 on Linux, UNIX and Windows Servers. This DBA has significant experience on DB2 9, especially the new features and functionality related to DB2 9. To achieve this certification candidate has two paths: either passes 2 tests or 3 tests.

1. Two Tests - Test 700 or Test 730 and Test 731
2. Three Tests - Test 700 or Test 730, Test 701 and Test 736.

b). IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 DBA for z/OS

IBM Certified DBA has significant experience as DBA and possesses broad experience of DB2 9 including all the new features and functionality related to version 9. This specialist is capable of performing the intermediate to advanced tasks related to database design and implementation, operation and recovery, security and auditing, performance, and installation and migration/upgrades specific to the z/OS operating system. Candidate must possess two years of experience in Database Administrator on z/OS system, knowledge about Java and C++. This Certification requires 2 tests. Any 1 of following tests: Test 700 or Test 730 and Test 732.

3. IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator - DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX and Windows

IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator is the senior DBA for the DB2 products on one or more of the following platforms: Linux, UNIX and Windows. This individual has vast experience as a DBA and extensive knowledge of DB2 9. This person is capable of performing the complex tasks for instance; performance, high availability, security and networking. This Certification has 2 paths:

Path 1 requires 3 tests:

a) Choose 1 from following:

1. Test 700 - DB2 V8.1 Family Fundamentals.
2. Test 730 - DB2 9 Family Fundamentals

b) Test 731 - DB2 9 DBA for Linux UNIX and Windows
c) Test 734 - DB2 9 Advanced Database Administrator for Linux,UNIX and Windows

Path 2 requires 4 tests:

a) Choose 1 from following:

1. Test 700 - DB2 V8.1 Family Fundamentals
2. Test 730 - DB2 9 Family Fundamentals

b) Test 701 - DB2 V8.1 for Linux UNIX and Windows Database Administration
c) Test 736 - DB2 9 Database Administrator for Linux UNIX and Windows Upgrade
d) Test 734 - DB2 9 Advanced Database Administrator for Linux UNIX and Windows


All IBM DB2 Test are conducted by Prometric at various Prometric Test Centers all over the world.