LPI - what it is, main certifications and study resources!
Many IT professionals and enthusiasts interested in developing programs and mastering new technologies need to understand what LPI is.
LPI or Linux Professional Institute is an organization that offers several certifications on GNU/Linux systems.
In the IT world, certifications are the basis for a good curriculum, as well as for initiation, development and professional maturity. And of course, for enthusiasts, they are a way to expand their range of knowledge.
But after all, in practice, what is LPI and what are the main Linux certifications offered by the market? And what do you need to pass each of these courses? We’ll explain it to you, check it out!
LPI: what is it?
LPI is an acronym for Linux Professional Institute, a non-profit organization based in California, USA. It is responsible for developing certification programs on GNU/Linux systems and is recognized worldwide by companies and entities as a synonym of quality.
In its range of certifications, the LPI offers a variety of options, both for those who now want to enter the open source universe and for veterans seeking qualification and updating.
Now that you know what an LPI is, do you know why invest in a certification?
One of the main differentials of the LPI is that its certification is independent of distribution, since the tests are applied in the Linux Standard Base.
This version of the operating system is compatible between different versions (older or more up-to-date) of the operating system.
In addition, to know what the LPI is, it is worth understanding its history: it was founded in 1999 and, since then, has been an advocate of the professional use of the Linux system, as well as of the adoption of Open Source and the expansion of the concepts of Free Software.
Of course, the LPI certificate is accepted by companies, entities and institutions around the world and is ideal for professionals seeking a career both in Brazil and beyond its borders.
What are the LPI certifications?
Today, any professional can start from the beginning through what is called the certification path (or the “journey”), a unique path - although very flexible - aimed at gradually and thoroughly evolving knowledge.
Next, we explain in a basic way what are the first certifications of this journey: Essentials and Professional (considering LPIC-1 and LPIC-2). Shall we go?
Linux Essentials
Linux Essentials is a certification that, as the name suggests, aims to attest the most basic and essential knowledge about the operating system and open source.
It focuses on some aspects of the different distributed versions of Linux, serving as a starting point for those seeking to start a career in open source.
To complete Linux Essentials, there are no defined prerequisites, but the candidate must be able to understand the general aspects of Linux.
In particular, about its components (and how to work with them), as well as understanding issues such as security, user management, among other points.
In this certification, the focus goes beyond the technical scope and explores other aspects of the open source universe, such as the main operating system distributions, different licenses, what large software exists, etc.
In the Linux Essentials certification, the candidate takes just one test and costs US$ 105 dollars.
Linux Professional
Linux Professional certifications have a more specific bias, with the purpose precisely of deepening knowledge in open source and serving as the basis for the candidate’s professional career.
There are 3 certifications in all and we will explain each of them below:
LPIC-1
The LPIC-1 Certification is the most popular in this most popular journey of journey — and, until recently, the starting point of many professionals, since Linux Essentials was created not long ago.
The LPIC-1 consists of two tests, valid for 5 years and can be taken in Portuguese, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese.
Those who become certified in PLIC-1 receive the Junior Level Linux Certification.
It authenticates the candidate’s ability to set up a basic network, install, and configure Linux on a computer, as well as perform maintenance on the command line.
It is a certification that has no prerequisites, but requires the candidate to already understand the architecture of a Linux system, be able to work from the command line (both Linux and GNU) and perform simple system maintenance.
Each test costs US$ 173 dollars. Since they are two tests within the LPIC-1, the final amount is US$ 346 dollars.
LPIC-2
The LPIC-2 certification, on the other hand, is an advance in the Linux path, equivalent at a “Full” level. With it, the candidate assures that they will be able to configure and administer Linux networks in smaller and medium-sized environments, with a set of servers and workstations.
The prerequisite is LPIC-1, as it is a more advanced certification.
These are two tests, which can be taken in English, German and Japanese.
This is a more demanding certification, which requires a lot of technical and theoretical knowledge.
Among the topics discussed, the candidate will need to master the configuration of various services on the Linux network, such as DNS, DHCP, Proxy, Web Server, E-mail, Firewall, etc.
In terms of values, they are the same as those of the LPIC-1.
LPIC-3
The LPIC-3 is the most recent certification and can be considered at the “Senior” level. It is an umbrella of certifications, 3 in all:
- LPIC-3 300: mixed environment certification.
- LPIC-3 303: certification with an emphasis on system security;
- LPIC-3 304: certification with an emphasis on virtualization and high availability.
The LPIC-3 is the last step in the “Professional” journey of LPI certifications. The candidate who passes any of the three mentioned above receives the same certification - what changes is their focus.
There is a prerequisite: it has an active LPIC-2. Therefore, when diving into certifications and what LPI is, pay attention to this point!
Each test costs US$ 173 dollars. But since you don’t have to do all three, it’s up to your discretion.
Study resources for certifications
Before scheduling your exam, it’s essential to study the subject, right? LPI certifications are renowned not only for their quality, but also for the difficulty they present. In practice, that’s what LPI is.
Having one or more LPI certifications in the curriculum is quite a difference. But this achievement is only accompanied by study, agree?
Next, check out some tips to study better!
Books for Linux certifications
One of the main ways to obtain your LPI certification is through specialized books.
They immerse themselves in the topics covered in the exams, preparing the candidate for the exercises and questions to come.
How about checking out the Linux Certification books that have already helped over 11,000 people obtain their certificates?
Simulated LPI exams
Now, when it comes to the tests themselves, practice can be very different from theory. Do you know what to expect when you apply the test?
Then try it out with simulations! They are a great way for you, in addition to studying, to understand the structure of the challenge that awaits you.
Check out the simulations for LPI here from the Linux Certification, they’re free!
Preparatory online course
Finally, the best way to prepare is with theoretical, technical and practical knowledge. That’s all that a preparatory course can offer.
This way, you delve deeper into everything you need to master the Linux system.
Here in the Linux Certification, you can take advantage of several preparatory courses: for Linux Essentials, Linux Professionals, among others several others.
Conclusion
So, did you like to learn more about what LPI is, the certifications that are part of it, and how you can enhance your studies?
We hope this content will help you understand more about the universe of GNU/Linux systems and the principles of open source.
How about continuing to learn about the topic? Just keep reading the Linux Certification blog!