PASSED!!!

I passed today with a score of 730!

Thanks to Drew Miller for the Tech Notes posted in this forum. They were extremely helpful. I also used the Sybex Linux+ Study Guide as well as the Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification Textbook and Lab book by Thompson.

There were a lot of questions I had no idea on when I first read them, BUT as I slowed down and reasoned out the answers the correct answers started to stand out.

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Comments

dynamik

Nice Job! This isn't an easy test by any means.

What's up next?

michaelkahl

dynamik, Thanks to you as well for the advice to hold off back in October. Re-scheduling and giving myself 3 more weeks really helped.

I'm trying to decide what to go for next tbh. I can do one of a couple things. I'm currently enrolled in a class that prepares you for the 70-290. If I pass that test I get an A and don't have to do any more work for that class. Or I can finish the curriculum and hold off till January for that test. BTW I have to pay for the 70-290 myself.
I'd like to go out and get my Security+ next, then focus on my CCNA. The Security+ is covered by my tuition and I'd like to finish that in January. Then I can focus on my CCNA. After this I'll have my degree and most of my certifications.
I think Microsoft certs will be good to get eventually but I'm not sure now is that time. I will probably wait to test for Server 2008, Vista, and Windows 7. I think graduating with my CCNA, Security+ and Linux+ will give me some good coverage for what I want to do.
I'm not a big Microsoft fan, I think a business model that charges you for connections to a server is ridiculous. They do however keep me employed, and Linux is not going to take over for mainstream workstations anytime soon. Besides I'm already playing with Server 2008 and Vista at work, so I may as well look forward when I test.
After I graduate I think I will hound my boss to send me out to training for the Ubuntu Certified Professional.
http://www.ubuntu.com/training/certificationcourses
I work for a community college so saving money with open source projects helps us stay in budget.

dynamik

michaelkahl wrote:

dynamik, Thanks to you as well for the advice to hold off back in October. Re-scheduling and giving myself 3 more weeks really helped.

No problem. It's nice to know that something I spouted off was useful to someone

michaelkahl wrote:

I'm trying to decide what to go for next tbh. I can do one of a couple things. I'm currently enrolled in a class that prepares you for the 70-290. If I pass that test I get an A and don't have to do any more work for that class. Or I can finish the curriculum and hold off till January for that test. BTW I have to pay for the 70-290 myself.
I'd like to go out and get my Security+ next, then focus on my CCNA. The Security+ is covered by my tuition and I'd like to finish that in January. Then I can focus on my CCNA. After this I'll have my degree and most of my certifications.
I think Microsoft certs will be good to get eventually but I'm not sure now is that time. I will probably wait to test for Server 2008, Vista, and Windows 7. I think graduating with my CCNA, Security+ and Linux+ will give me some good coverage for what I want to do.

That sounds like a good plan. Good luck with all of that!

michaelkahl wrote:

I'm not a big Microsoft fan, I think a business model that charges you for connections to a server is ridiculous.

Keep in mind that the licensing model allows their server products to be accessible to small and medium-sized businesses. They need to recoup development costs and make a profit. It wouldn't make sense for them to abandon that type of licensing and sell the software at a flat rate. I'm not saying this number is accurate, but what would happen if they sold Windows Server for $20k/license. I don't know about your company, but there's no way the company I work at could afford that. I think letting the cost be distributed based on the number of users is pretty fair.

michaelkahl wrote:

After I graduate I think I will hound my boss to send me out to training for the Ubuntu Certified Professional.
http://www.ubuntu.com/training/certificationcourses
I work for a community college so saving money with open source projects helps us stay in budget.

If they're willing to pay for something, go for the RHCE. I'm not knocking Ubuntu, but that cert isn't going to do a lot for you. You'll learn a lot by going through the RHCE material. If you want to implement Ubuntu for clients or whatever, a lot of the skills you learn will be applicable.

ULWiz

congrats

Daniel333

Good job! Any areas you think people should focus in on?

Keep in mind Cisco charges per connecton to a hardware device! Check our your licensing costs for a PIX.

michaelkahl

Daniel333 wrote:

Good job! Any areas you think people should focus in on?

I'll be honest, there is to much in that exam. I've used Linux for a year now, exclusively for the past 6 months and I still found it difficult. I honestly didn't think I was going to pass when I hit submit, but I knew there was a chance.

Here are some key things I did walk away with.

1. Not only should you know your commands and switches, but don't forget to learn about the proper syntax for using them.
2. Be fluent in user, group and file management.
3. Apache - file placement, what it is, how it works.
4. Samba
5. Mounting file systems and setting options
6. Know your configuration files
7. File structure - know what purpose /etc and /var have and what files are contained within them
8. There are a lot of things, but the most important is try to use Linux daily. Setup a VM, spare box, or if you are brave enough and able to setup your main machine. Play with stuff and break it then fix it. I know it can be easy to just reinstall and OS when you break something and can't fix it, but don't do this. Push through it and figure out what is broken.
If you can do that it will make things easier but the test will still be stressful.

As for Microsoft I just harp on them because I can. It's that whole you are outrageously rich and I'm not gripe.
As for Cisco, they are expensive but from my experience they do give you value for that money. I'm not saying that Microsoft doesn't give you value, but when I work on an HP switch and then a Cisco switch I see a world of difference.

liven

Well stated!!!

And congrats on your pass!