Linux Training and Certification

Linux is an operating system ideal for self-study, since the source code and documentation are freely available. Sites like Control-Escape and the Linux Documentation Project are here to help new users learn for their own interests and at their own pace. However, many people find that they learn better in a more structured environment, prefer a guided study (perhaps because they don't have time to explore free-form), or want to further their career goals in addition to gaining some knowledge. Here is a collection of resources that can get you "officially" educated and even certified on Linux.

As Linux continues to invade corporate IT departments, certification will become more and more important when looking for a job in the field. Most of the resources on this page lean toward preparing for certification, but will also be useful for those who merely wish to expand their own knowledge but prefer media other than the web.

Training for Beginners

Linux Mandrake's Mandrake Campus

Mandrake offers an impressive amount of online training material at their Mandrake Campus. The material is oriented toward beginners, and teaches the essentials of owning and operating your Linux system. You need to register for the courses, but registration is completely free. The login allows the system to track your progress as you complete courses and take quizzes. Most of the material presented is vendor-neutral, so the courses are of value to anyone getting started with Linux.

If you are a Linux novice and feel you are not quite ready for the big guns yet, this is the perfect place to start. You should not pay money for the other training courses until you know this material thoroughly. Working through this free training will ensure that money you spend later on advanced training will not be wasted.

Certification and Training from Linux Vendors

If you are interested in a particular distribution of Linux, the best place to start is with the Linux vendor. Most Linux distributors offer some level of training or certification.

Red Hat Certification

Red Hat offers a comprehensive certification program for their specific distribution of Linux. Through partnerships Red hat offers numerous training and exam prep options, including online courses and classroom training around the U.S. For details visit Red Hat Global Learning Services.

Red Hat is the current market leader in the Linux world, and it also gives the only exams that require hands-on, make-a-real-system-work testing. (The others are multiple choice or fill in the blank type tests.) In my mind, this gives the Red Hat Certification special value, but I do not know if employers agree. On the other hand, Red Hat is by far the most expensive of the certification programs. I guess you get what you pay for (?).

Caldera

Caldera offers a host of training products and services. They support the LPI Certification (see below) for Linux, but they also have training products for their other software offerings (notably SCO Unix). For details visit Caldera's OpenLearning Page.

Independent (Vendor-neutral) Certification Bodies

Since Linux is an open-source operating system provided by numerous vendors, there is no "official" body to sanction certifications. Two vendor-neutral entities have risen to the top as the primary authorities for Linux certification. I don't presently have any direct experience with either of these organizations, so I am simply presenting information. Judge for yourself.

The Linux Professional Institute

The LPI is a non-profit corporation created by and within the Linux community specifically for the purpose of creating a vendor-neutral certification program for Linux. Many of the large Linux vendors have put their support behind this program.

SAIR Linux and GNU Certification

SAIR is a for-profit organization (like most certification authorities). They boast impressive support among the Linux community and claim that their tests and training material (see below under Resources) are far more comprehensive than LPI's and other certification organizations. If you are seeking a vendor-neutral certification, they are definitely worth investigating.

Certification Resources

Linux Certification Books

There are numerous books available that offer focused study to help the reader pass Linux Certification exams, and give an excellent review for system administrators who need to brush up on Linux. These books are collected in the Book Shop Certification aisle, where you can view them by category.