[Bglug] Certification.txt

[Andrew Howlett]

For those who are interested, here's my text file regarding certifications.


Certifications
==============

Microsoft
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1. Microsoft Office Specialist certifications
2. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
3. Microsoft Certified IT Professional
4. Microsoft Certified Professional Developer

Microsoft Office Specialist Certifications
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MOS certifications focus on a specific office component. For example, pass exam 77-881 to acquire Microsoft Office Word 2010 certification. These are for business workers. There are three levels: Specialist, Expert and Master. Specialist certification is achieved by passing the basic exam. Expert status is achieved by passing the expert exam. Master status is achieved by passing Word Expert, Excel Expert, Powerpoint (basic) and one of {Access or Outlook}.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
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You can get certified in a very narrow ability through the MCTS exams. For instance, if you wish to demonstrate an ability to deploy desktops, you might take exam 60-624 "Business Desktop Deployment".

Microsoft Certified IT Professional
-----------------------------------

An MCITP has a collection of MCTS certifications. The entry level MCITP requires two exams. For instance the MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician must pass exams 70-680 (Win7 Config) and 70-685(Win7 Support Essentials). Higher level MCITP certifications require more exams. For instance, "Enterprise Administrator" requires 5 exams. 

Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
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Similar to the Microsoft Office stuff, but targets Visual Studio .NET developers.

Expires: Microsoft exams expire when Microsoft discontinues support of the product.

Cost: "typically $125USD per exam"

Apple Certification
===================

1. Apple Certified Support Professional
2. Apple Certified Technical Coordinator
3. Apple Certified Specialist - Directory Services 10.6
4. Apple Certified Specialist - Deployment 10.6
5. Apple Certified Specialist - Security and Mobility 10.6
6. Apple Certified System Administrator

Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP)
------------------------------------

This is the entry level certification. One exam: Mac OS X Support Essentials.

Apple Certified Technical Coordinator
-------------------------------------

Get the ACSP, pass another exam called Mac OS X Server Essentials and you have the ACTC certification. It is really a "level 1" and "level 2" type of certification similar to LPI. ACSP is level 1, ACTC is level 2.

Apple Certified Specialist ...
------------------------------

Similar to the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, these certifications are for knowledge of a narrow technology. 

Apple Certificed System Administrator
-----------------------------------------------

If you pass all the specialist exams and the Mac OS X Server Essentials then you get the last certification: Apple Certified System Administrator. Which basically means you passed all the Apple exams.


Expires: when Apple discontinues the product
Cost: $65-$200 USD (i'm really looking forward to doing that $65 exam.)

Linux Professional Institute
============================

LPIC-1, LPIC-2, LPIC-3, Ubuntu Certified Professional

LPIC-1
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"Work at the linux command-line. Perform easy maintenance tasks: help out users, add users to a larger system, backup & restore, shutdown & reboot. Install and configure a workstation (including X) and connect it to a LAN, or a stand-alone PC via modem to the Internet."

Requires two exams: 101 and 102. 

LPIC-2
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Administer a small to medium-sized site. Plan, implement, maintain, keep consistent, secure, and troubleshoot a small mixed (MS, Linux) network, including a: LAN server (samba), Internet Gateway (firewall, proxy, mail, news), Internet Server (webserver, FTP server), Supervise assistants, Advise management on automation and purchases.

Requires two exams: 201 and 202.

LPIC-3
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Have several years experience with installing and maintaining Linux on a number of computers for various purposes; have integration experience with diverse technologies and operating systems; have professional experience as, or training for, an enterprise level Linux professional. (Including having experience as a part of another role); know advanced and enterprise levels of Linux administration including installation, management, security, troubleshooting and maintenance; be able to use open source tools to measure capacity planning and troubleshoot resource problems; have professional experience using LDAP to integrate with Unix services and Windows services, including Samba, PAM, email, Active Directory; be able to plan, architecture, design, build and implement a full environment using Samba and LDAP as well as measure the capacity planning and security of the services; be able create scripts in Bash or Perl or has knowledge of at least one system programming language (such as C).

One exam: LPI 301. More "specialist" add-on exams are planned.

Ubuntu Certified Professional
-----------------------------

"After completing this course, participants will be able to: Install and configure Ubuntu systems; perform routine administration tasks; manage user accounts and file systems, and maintain system security; configure network connectivity and key network services; and work productively at the Linux command line."

The Ubuntu Certified Professional is achieved by attaining LPIC-1 and passing the LPI Exam 199 "Ubuntu".

Expires: 5 years
Cost: $165USD except for Exam 199 ($155) and Exam 301 ($260) 

CompTIA
=======

CompTIA is a third party, vendor neutral certification authority. They claim to cover Windows, Mac OS X, and *nix, as well as various network and security vendors. CompTIA exams are great because of their breadth but that's also their weakness. CompTIA offers a variety of certifications but the big three are:

1. A+
2. Network+
3. Security+
4. Linux+

A+
--

The A+ exam claims to be "the industry standard for computer support technicians". It covers win/mac/nix, hardware, software, installation and maintenance. It covers networking, security and some policies and procedures. It is an excellent comprehensive baseline. To attain A+ certification the candidate must pass two exams: A+ Essentials and A+ Practical Applications.

Network+
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The single Network+ exam covers everything from EIA232 null modem to SONET ring; from thicknet to 10GBase-FX; from X.25 to ATM. It also includes some security and maintenance procedures and policies.

Security+
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This certification verifies competence in security practice and policy.

Linux+
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"CompTIA Linux+, Powered by LPI, consists of two exams, LX0-101 and LX0-102. The exams cover system architecture; Linux installation and package management; GNU and Unix commands; devices, Linux filesystems, and the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard. Professionals who pass the CompTIA Linux+ exam can work at the Linux command line, perform maintenance tasks, assist users, and install and configure workstations."

Cost: A+ 2x$160USD; Network+ $239; Security+ $258; Linux+ 2x$239.
Expires: never if completed before 31 Dec 2010. After that 3 years

Novell
======

Novell certification was very popular ten years ago when I last worked in IT. I have no idea what relevance they have today. Their Linux certifications are focussed on SuSE distribution. LPI and Novell recently agreed to standardize their entry level requirements, so those with LPIC-1 certification can get Novell Certified Linux Administrator without any exam or fees.

I think that Novell has become a niche player and I don't see much advantage to me professionally for their certification. IMO better to get Microsoft, Apple and LPI certification. Same is true for the Red Hat certifications, so I won't go there.