Should I do Linux+ before RHCSA?
I abandoned my pursuit of RHCSA because I got a job along a different path. But I'm wanting to pick it back up, since if I ever move from my current job, I'm probably going to move toward system administration. Is there much advantage to doing Linux+ first? Will it help prepare for the RHCSA exam? I've been using Linux for several years, but mostly as an enthusiast and end user.
Comments
But RHCSA has the other issue of being narrowly focussed on Red Hat, and it's performance based testing means that you can pass without understanding well some of the higher level, abstract, theoretical basics.
So they can be complementary, since neither is perfect. Having said that, if I were forced to choose, I'd go for the RHCSA. The RHCE is still the go to Linux certification in a lot of places (check your local market, though).
I think that Cisco NetAcad and IBM both offer free training targeted at Linux+/LPIC. Which might be useful even if you skip the Linux+.
The other player in this space is Linux Foundation, which has performance based testing on either CentOS, Ubuntu or OpenSUSE. It doesn't yet have the name recognition of Red Hat, but I think is possibly a better path than Linux+/LPIC since the course content is more vendor neutral.
An exam doesn't become more difficult because you have to/don't have to edit the configuration files. RHEL may have a number of binaries and utilities that prevent you from having to touch certain configuration files, but if you have no idea where they are or how to edit them, you will not last long in the Linux field. I guarantee it.
I have both certs. Here's my opinion.
Try a free trial at Linux Academy. Then look at the Linux Essentials, Linux+ (LX-103, LX-104) and Red Hat Certified System Administrator courses. View bits and pieces from all.
Especially, do the labs and exercises. After watching the videos and working with the content, that should give you a better indicator of which direction to go.
I'll give you an example. When I first got Michael Jang's book for the Red Hat example, I wasn't impressed. The material was way over my head. After doing some foundation work, Linux Essentials, LPIC and then Red Hat. I looked at his book again, and wow, it's a good book. I just didn't have the foundation to understand it.
The material for the Linux+ is pretty good, and it does compliment the RHCSA. However, you can do the RHCSA without Linux+, although, the path will be a little bit harder.
Currently studying: Red Hat Certified System Administrator > Red Hat Certified System Engineer > CISSP
1- Materials for RHCSA assume that u r already have the basics of Linux(at least the one I used which was mike jang book) , you won't understand lot of parts if you don't do the Linux+ first ,
2-Linux+ is broader as it covers both RPM based distros as well as Debian based and it's more focused into the command line than RHCSA , RHCSA u r allowd to do most of the jobs in GUI , I remember one guy using gedit to config a service , what if you are restoring a system and the only option is vi or another text based , this is not something with Redhat but they consider you have 3 years experience of linux system administration so they just skip these fundamentals command line , VI editor etc and focus in next level , configuring LVM , NFS , Samba , LDAP , Apache etc
TL;DR No, it's not required, but won't harm either.
What makes Red Hat certs more valuable is because they are practical, not just theory.
I agree with this 100%. I had some Linux background over a decade ago, then found myself behind and extremely rusty I began working with servers and appliances that were Linux based years later. Linux+ is great if you really want to understand what is going on fundamentally and want to understand config files and core bash commands and how to apply them in daily tasks. If you are already OK there, I would skip it. I would say based on my experience with the tests last year that it's maybe 10% Debian/Ubuntu specific, and the rest is either neutral or RH based.
I do intend to do RH certification later on, but I needed a better foundation now, and I don't regret going for the lower certification first. No, it isn't going to get you noticed if you looking to jump right away into a full time Linux position, but that wasn't my goal at the time.
Recent: 11/2019 - RHCSA (RHEL 7); 2/2019 - Updated VCP to 6.5 (just a few days before VMware discontinued the re-cert policy...)
Working on: RHCE/Ansible
Future: Probably continued Red Hat Immersion, Possibly VCAP Design, or maybe a completely different path. Depends on job demands...
How to earn LPIC-1 with Linux+
Please note that you cannot earn LPIC-1 and then apply for Linux+. The Linux+ must be earned first. (This offer is NOT available in Japan.)
In Progress: Linux+/LPIC-1, Python, Bash
Upcoming: eJPT, C|EH, CSA+, CCNA-Sec, PA-ACE
Ah, what was the third and why is it gone now?
Well, that's a shame. Looks like it's RHCSA for me, then.