RHCSA v. Linux+/LPI?

C.Fountain

Hey everyone!
I've been really interested in learning about Linux for a while now, and I've decided to pick a cert and go for it! I was originally going to start with RHCSA, as I do have some Linux knowledge already. But now I'm considering starting with the conceptual/theory of Linux with Linux+. I came here to ask everyone's opinion, and ended up learning about LPI. So now I have no idea which to start with.

I'm already pursuing A+, N, and S+, so it will be a while before I start studying for my Linux cert. But I want to get a jump on it now so I know what books to get/what to prepare for. So what's a good starting point to get started with Linux?

Thanks!

lsud00d

A few points:

• RHCSA will be a better ROI but it is obviously more difficult than L+.
• RHCSA is a practical/performance-based exam, L+ is multiple choice/fill-in the blank
• RHCSA is one exam, L+ is two
• Earning the L+ also earns the LPIC-1 (along with a few worthless Novell certs)
• RHCSA is valid for 3 years, L+ never expires

I'm sure there's some more that others can weigh in on.

Verities

Based on recent reading I've been doing, comparing the Linux + material to RHCSA is apples and oranges. Sure RHCSA is more prestigious but it's also different in the sense that you're only learning one specific distro of Linux. Not to mention its $400 and a hands on exam (which is going to be harder for you, being new to Linux) so if you don't make it, that's a lot of $$ down the drain. You're going to get a mixed bag around here regarding the two. I think its great to get Linux +, LPIC-1, and SUSE Certified Linux Administrator (they don't give out DCTS anymore). Sure the L+ exams are multiple choice, but I think its a good start on your way to learning Linux and you can show potential employers that you know more than one distro. My last and probably weakest argument:not every company uses RHEL and being only certified in that may turn off potential employers to your skill set.

gkca

From the dice.com:

lpic: 19
rhcsa: 55
rhce: 115
rhcsa lpic: 10
rhce lpic: 4

Not the most accurate research method, but gives an idea, I think.

DoubleNNs

What was the search radius you used to get those numbers?

gkca

I left the "City and State or Zip Code" field empty to get all possible results.

DoubleNNs

Those are very low numbers for all possible results. Not surprised they're low... but surprised that they are THAT low.

C.Fountain

Thanks everyone!
I checked Dice, and there are 11,000+ jobs for Linux+. So I thought I would do that, but a lot of them require a lot of system knowledge, which puts RHCSA back on top. Also, searching "RHEL" brings up nearly 500 jobs. I would like to just do both, but I can't swing that right now. I may just start with L+ and go from there.

gkca

C.Fountain wrote: »

I checked Dice, and there are 11,000+ jobs for Linux+.

If you check the actual results you'd notice that "+" is ignored, so you just got all the jobs that contain "linux", not "Linux+", so it includes developers, DBA's, network engineers and everyone else who might have "linux" in their job description.
Imho, RHCSA and especially RHCE has a better ROI as it's a well recognized certification program and people know that it's hands-on and "hard to pass" test, although for me it was easier to pass the RHCSA than any multiple choice exams as I just carried out the tasks as I would at work instead of trying to figure out hypotetical situations or trying to remember what button or check mark is located on some obscure tab in MMC or someting like that.

UnixGuy

What everyone said...skip LPIC/Linux+ and start with RHCSA.

onesaint

DoubleNNs wrote: »

Those are very low numbers for all possible results. Not surprised they're low... but surprised that they are THAT low.

I did the search too with no area specified and came up with;
rhcsa 320
rhce 620

That said, certs have never really been a big thing in the *nix world. Devops though, that returns some 4200 results.

brownwrap

onesaint wrote: »

I did the search too with no area specified and came up with;
rhcsa 320
rhce 620

That said, certs have never really been a big thing in the *nix world. Devops though, that returns some 4200 results.

Well, certs are a big deal with the DOD. My last job I had to get certified on Sec+ and Solaris Administration. This job, even though I had the 'Lifetime' Sec+, I was hounded to complete my Continuing Education units for Sec+, which I did, and now they are on my case for Linux+, so it definately is a big deal with DOD, and I have worked different flavors of unix and linux since 1988.

onesaint

brownwrap wrote: »

Well, certs are a big deal with the DOD. My last job I had to get certified on Sec+ and Solaris Administration. This job, even though I had the 'Lifetime' Sec+, I was hounded to complete my Continuing Education units for Sec+, which I did, and now they are on my case for Linux+, so it definately is a big deal with DOD, and I have worked different flavors of unix and linux since 1988.

Agreed. With the DoD, you need to get cert'ed to use the printers.

Expect

RHCE has been much more beneficial for me than LPIC1/LPIC2/LPIC3/CLA.

go with redhat.

varelg

Expect wrote: »

RHCE has been much more beneficial for me than LPIC1/LPIC2/LPIC3/CLA.

go with redhat.

I will second what Expect said, go for RH.
P.S. I just visited LPI's marketplace and left laughing. Are these people on glue or something? $100+ for practice exams?! $400+ for some student kit?!