21
Sat, Dec
3 New Articles

Professional Paths: Start Your Linux Certification Today

General
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Like the mythical phoenix, Linux has risen from the ashes of a fragmented and contentious UNIX landscape. Companies and individuals are dropping their proprietary versions of UNIX and rallying to Linux. The Linux installed base appears to double every six months, and the current count is assumed to be 11 to 25 million installations. Also, whereas UNIX was used as a high-end midrange platform, Linux represents convergence of midrange software with low-end hardware.

In anticipation of the widespread adaptation of Linux and other open-source software, Sair has created the Sair Linux and GNU Certification (SLGC) program.

Why should you care about Linux certification? There are many reasons, but three big ones are increased productivity, reduced costs, and increased demand for professional skills.

Linux offers increased productivity through its highly modular components, which can be assembled and reorganized to create customized solutions. These configurations must be carried out by qualified system administrators using system utilities or command scripting.

As for reduced costs, even though hardware and software costs have minimal impact on an IT shop’s budget, low or nonexistent software licensing fees lead IT managers to accept Linux for certain workloads.

In terms of skill requirements, Linux is different from UNIX. Linux takes elements from all versions of UNIX and adds new kernel features and an open source repertoire of more than 4,000 software packages. Linux is complex, and it takes a skilled professional to use it effectively.

Linux Certification Road Map

SLGC offers an industry-standard three-level structure, in which each level requires a mastery of graduated skill difficulty while building upon the level beneath it. The levels and corresponding certificates are as follows:

• Level I—Sair Linux and GNU Certified Administrator (LCA)
• Level II—Sair Linux and GNU Certified Engineer (LCE)
• Level III—Master Sair Linux and GNU Certified Engineer (MLCE) The SLG certificate differs from other computer industry certificates in that it encompasses a complete and open source software system that has layers of complexity not

present in other closed, binary, or object-code-only systems. This overall complexity arises from a combination of historical software precedent, layers of system and application configurations, numerous subsystems, alternative system components and preconfigurations (distributions), and a development environment that allows the system to be modified.

For IT shops already using Linux, certification offers parity for those system administrators seeking similar recognition of their skills. As the demand for Linux and open source software creates demand for skilled professionals, employers will need a way to measure the value of applicants.

If all this seems too far out, visit a local Linux user group (LUG). They can quickly familiarize you with Linux culture and expectations. Next, review the SLGC Web site at www.linuxcertification.com for detailed topic listings, pointers to external references discussing exam objectives, and a sample test, or you can purchase a self-study exam guide. John Wiley & Sons, Course Technology, New Riders, and QUE publish these guides, and the books should be in bookstores by early . Look for the SLGC-approved logo on the study guide to ensure that it adequately covers topics in the SLGC knowledge array. If you are really serious, take a training course at an established training provider. Visit the SLGC Web site and click on Trainers to view the list of accredited centers for education.

Think in the Long Term, but Act Now

It is easy to say, “It’s too early to have Linux in our IT shop,” but thinking about certification in the short term makes sense. There will be a growing demand for skilled Linux administrators and programmers. Like it or not, certification is here to stay, and so is Linux. Perhaps now is the time to be proactive and use Linux certification to maximize your future job opportunities or to ensure a consistent skill base among your employees.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: