Why Learn Linux?

If you are reading this you probably already have a reason that you would like to learn Linux. This article will specifically focus on those who want to learn Linux for professional or career advancement. This article is focused on those who have limited to no experience with Linux and know the professional and career benefits learning such an amazing operating system can have.

Why Not Ubuntu or Debian?

Contrary to popular belief Ubuntu and Debian are not as popular as people think, although there is a lot of online hype about these distributions and they are great for the hobbyist they are not the best choice for those who wish to gain experience on a Linux distro that is widely used in the enterprise.

If we take a look at Dell and IBM for instance they specifically support RedHat Enterprise Linux. Having personally worked for IBM, Oracle, Qwest Communications and CSG Systems I know first hand that these companies purchase hardware from Dell and IBM and specifically choose RedHat Enterprise Linux for their Linux servers.

So with a price tag ranging from $350-$8,000 for RedHat Enterprise you could easily go broke setting up a few small distro linux servers to learn on. So what do you do? How can you possibly learn this operating system and give your self the experience you need to shine in any enterprise environment?

Why Fedora Core?

Well for those that don’t currently know Fedora is an open-source RedHat sponsored community Linux distribution. Fedora as stated on the RedHat website is

“Community integration and rapid innovation vs, compatibility. Because Fedora’s main objective is to get new technology into the hands of interested users, compatibility is at times a secondary consideration. Fedora applications are more likely to require recompilation and sometimes source code adaptation to keep up with changing interfaces.

At times, this can lead to difficult decisions–preserving compatibility can preclude the incorporation of desirable new features.” We go to great lengths to preserve compatibility in Red Hat Enterprise Linux updates.

What this means for you is that as you learn on Fedora you can almost guarantee that you will feel very comfortable working with RedHat enterprise Linux in almost corporate environment and be able to answer technical Linux questions in just about any interview. Since RedHat provides the direction for the Fedora Project you can guarantee and expect that Fedora will provide the perfect learning ground for RedHat Enterprise Linux.

You can find fedora at many linux distro download sites available on the internet or you can directly go to red hat web site to download fedora from there. After fisnish setup your small distro linux you start learn linux at your own pace and next thing to do is go for red hat enterprise certification to start your new career.

Priyo Wibowo | IT Consultan

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There are currently four programs that enable people to become certified as Linux Systems Administrators. These programs are offered by the Computing Technology Industry Association, the Linux Professional Institute, the Novell Corporation, and Red Hat, Inc. The first two are professional industry associations whose certification programs do not depend on any specific Linux distribution. Novell and Red Hat Linux certifications are closely associated with their popular Linux distributions. Should you wish to prepare for either of these two certifications you will definitely need access to their Linux version.

What’s involved in obtaining a Linux Certification? You must pass one or more extensive tests that demonstrate your prowess in dealing with the typical and some atypical problems faced by Linux systems administrators. The test is designed to validate the knowledge of individuals with a minimum of six to twelve months of practical Linux experience not just for those who only learn linux without practice. We’ll take a closer look at the CompTIA Linux+™ Certification, the one often recommended as the first certification for people new to Linux. This certification does not apply to any specific Linux version. According to the Computing Technology Industry Association, linux administrator professionals achieving the CompTIA Linux+ certification can explain fundamental management of Linux systems from the command line, demonstrate knowledge of user administration, understand file permissions, software configurations such as linux mount, and management of Linux-based clients, server systems, and security.

The Linux+ certification is a basic, entry-level certification for Linux system administrators. It is intended for people with six-months experience installing, operating and maintaining Linux operating systems. To achieve Linux+ certification, candidates must pass the 98 question Linux+ exam which covers seven areas: Planning and Implementation; Installation; Configuration; Administration; System Maintenance; Troubleshooting; and Identify, Install and Maintain System Hardware. This multiple-choice exam costs about $232 and is a good starting point for those who want to continue with other Linux certifications including those from Novell and Red Hat.

Why would anybody want to start preparing Linux certification on a limited version of Linux? The answer is simple – certification is not to be taken lightly. Don’t make a major financial and time investment unless you know that you really want to be certified and that you possess the required skill set. It’s not hard to find schools that promise you success in Linux certification and in any of their course offerings. But Linux certification may not be for you. Don’t make a major certification investment only to find that it wasn’t what you had in mind. Work your way through my tutorials including the suggestions for going further. Get your hands on a variety of Linux books. I would start with books designed for learning Linux and for running Linux systems before working with Linux certification books.

Don’t be satisfied with running computer exercises in your mind, and nodding your head at the appropriate times. To succeed you must do the exercises on a computer running Linux. Since installation is a component of all Linux Certification exams don’t stint on installing several versions of Linux on your computer. An external USB hard drive is not very expensive. Try to make friends with someone who knows better than you how to do things. Ask a lot of questions. And good luck!

Priyo Wibowo | IT Consultan

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