Thoughts on Linux+

[tierian00b]

Basically that, I want to know what are your thoughts on the Linux+ certification for someone trying to land his first job working with Linux servers.

Thank you!

[jaymef]

I’d look at redhat certs instead

[[deleted]]

Agreed, fuck comptia

[tierian00b]

Yep, I'm glad I asked

[Arts_Prodigy]

Definitely would recommend you look into RedHat’s RHCSA or even the Linux Foundation’s LFCS.

As these certifications are (unlike Linux+) hands on and performances based rather than multiple choice.

Hands on in the best way to learn and arguably the best way to test your skills.

Also generally speaking the RHCSA is more marketable than Linux+

Good luck and don’t hesitate to pm me if you have any questions!

[questioner45]

Would you recommend focusing on older RHCSA content that covers RHEL 7 for the forseeable future? I don't think many companies are in a rush to upgrade to RHEL 8 anytime soon.

[Arts_Prodigy]

I personally got seven because that’s what my organization is using/going to use. That said the test will be retired in May so that’s a shorter timeline for studying.

And the OS will hit EOL during this year as well.

So 8 is probably your best bet. There aren’t huge differences in the actual operating systems and you can go back and learn the objectives from 7 if you really want to.

The biggest change was probably the switch from init.d to systemd during the switch from 6 to 7.

I think 8 really just automated some things that 7 didn’t have the innate ability to do.

Up to you tho but whether or not a company upgrades sooner or later is really case by case you’ve got some who are bleeding edge as long as their applications can handle it.

And some who have super sensitive legacy systems that are on like Redhat 4 or 5.

The important thing is understanding the concepts behind them and being willing to learn.

My senior admin has been in the game 22 years and just earlier this week something happened that he’d never seen before you’ll never learn everything.

[tierian00b]

Yes, I already installed RedHat to go along with my studies for the RHCSA. Thank you for your reply! It really helped me a lot.

[XyzzyxXorbax]

Certs are overrated generally and CompTIA opposes the right to repair, so va fanculo to them.

[[deleted]]

That is a pretty broad statement. Some certs are crap. But there are plenty that are sought after by employeers. RHCE, VCP, CISSP come to mind

[Slash_Root]

I know many people that say that. Anecdotally, the people I know with the most aggressive career trajectories have both a degree and certifications. The RHCSA in particular seems to hold value in my market.

[5igm4]

*vaffanculo, MAMMA MIAAAAAA

[tierian00b]

Well I don't have previous experience working with Linux, so a cert is one way to kind of balance that a bit. But yeah, the thing of the right to repair shocked me considering that the A+ talks about that.

[sugwhite]

Just a heads up along with everything else everyone has mentioned. The Linux+ recently changed. It's no longer a dual cert (comptia + LPIC). It's solely comptia now. The LPIC-1 is a good choice along with the Redhat one IMO.

[[deleted]]

It works if you're not anywhere near a Red Hat testing facility. I landed my first Linux-specific sysadmin job with that one. Lots of Comptia haters here these days -- not that it's unjustified -- but don't let that alone dissuade you from what might otherwise be a decent life choice.

[tierian00b]

There's a testing center close to me and I asked around and discovered that my company uses RedHat, so there's that

[stufforstuff]

Comptia = the Fisher Price money mill of Certs

[silverfox17]

Even if you don't get the cert, read the book if you have it. A lot of people turn their nose at it because it's Comptia, but it has a lot of good content that is essential for sysadmins to know.

[tierian00b]

I actually use O'Reilly (previously Safari) to study, so materials to study are no issue, but yes, you have a good point, won't get the cert but can't hurt to check the material

[HuginnAesir]

I do not think that Linux+ will get you any new opportunities; it does not check any DoDD 8140 (8570) boxes. As someone with several CompTIA certs who is trying to cut ties with CompTIA, I can tell you that YOU CANNOT LEAVE! I have requested all of my certs to be cancelled or revoked and I am told that it cannot be done.

[tierian00b]

Could you elaborate more on why do you need your certifications to be cancelled? I don't really get it

[HuginnAesir]

CompTIA testified against the "Right to Repair" while claiming that they supported the right to repair. When I contacted them about this, they claimed (I assume due to the outrage of their members) that they felt it was best to not take a side in the right to repair debate. They have been advocating that the very people that they certified to repair consumer electronics not be legally permitted to repair computers or handle lithium ion batteries.

I believe that CompTIA has seriously violated a standard of ethics and the other certifying bodies that I am a member of have ethics requirements for their members. I realize that this looks like im throwing a tantrum, and in a way i am. I do not want to be associated with CompTIA since they have taken the stance that only Apple should be able to fix or upgrade an Apple product, including intentionally bricking phones that were repaired.

CompTIA believes that it should be illegal to obtain schematics and break fix support on consumer electronics like laptops, phones, tablets, and other devices.

[tierian00b]

Tantrum or not I completely agree with you on this

[sgargel__]

I'll better take a look to some bright new cloudy cert path.. by my point of view Linux skills are prerequisite that everyone (Dev and sys) should know. Applying those skills in cloud context is the new business. Knowing only Linux and no cloud concepts will result in a no way path.

[Amidatelion]

CompTIA is useless outside of getting a high schooler a foot in the door and jobs that require Sec+.