Linux Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to Linux and all that goes with it, just announced its new Linux Certification Program. It targets system administrators (unlike many other Linux credentials). There are two certifications available: one for system administrators in their early careers (LFCS), and one for engineers-level administrators (LFCE).
The Linux Foundation’s vision for the certification program was to provide system administrators with a reliable and trustworthy way to verify their skills via an online certification exam. This certification exam can be taken anytime, anywhere. The exams are performance-based and don’t include multiple choice questions. Instead, candidates are tested at command on the skills they use every single day.
Linux Foundation certification exams can be disseminated in any distro candidates choose. This is all explained in a fun promotional video by the Linux Foundation.
Let’s now take a closer look both at certifications and their exams.
The Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator credential (LFCS), validates the holder’s ability to perform basic to intermediate system administration using the command-line for Linux systems. Linux Foundation Certified System Administrators have a deep understanding of the operation of Linux systems and services. They are responsible for troubleshooting and analysis and deciding when to escalate problems to engineering teams.
A Linux Foundation Certified Engineer is able to use a wider range of skills and more depth than the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator. Linux Foundation Certified Engineers are responsible to design and implement system architecture. They serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and provide an escalation route for system administrators.
Both certification exams are performance-based. Candidates will need to solve problems or perform tasks using the command line interface of their chosen Linux distribution (either CentOS 6.4 or openSUSE 13.1, Ubuntu 14.04 or Ubuntu 14.04).
You shouldn’t expect to cheat, or get a friend to pass your exam for you, as candidates are monitored via streaming audio, video and screensharing feeds by a proctor.
The exam is 2 hours long and the minimum passing score is 65%. The exam has been released only in English, but more languages may be added in due course.