Linux Professional Institute Certification Programs

Linux Essentials is an entry level certificate that was introduced in 2012. The exam tests the candidate’s ability to use a basic command line editor and demonstrate an understanding of processes, programs and components of the Linux operating system.

LPIC-1 was first published on 11 January 2000 and was originally called Linux Server Professional (LPIC-1).[1] The certification was revised in 2005, 2012, 2015 and 2018.[1]

To be awarded the LPIC-1 certification the candidate must successfully pass two exams, 101 and 102. These can be taken in any order.

LPIC-1 certifies the ability to perform maintenance tasks with the command line, install and configure a computer running Linux and be able to configure basic networking.

Previously the 101 exam was split into two alternative exams, one including questions on the RPM Package Manager, and the other on Deb (file format). After the update in 2005 these have been merged into a single exam, and candidates are expected to know about both topics.

• System Architecture
• Linux Installation and Package Management
• GNU and Unix Commands
• Devices, Linux Filesystems, Filesystem Hierarchy Standard

• Shells and Shell Scripting
• User Interfaces and Desktops
• Administrative Tasks
• Essential System Services
• Networking Fundamentals
• Security

LPIC-2[4] is the second certification in LPI’s multi-level professional certification program. This certification was first published on 29 November 2001 under the name Linux Network Professional (LPIC-2). The LPIC-2 certification was revised 2013 and February 2017.

LPIC-2 certifies the ability to administer small to medium–sized mixed networks, supervise assistants and advise the upper management.

Prerequisites: The candidate must have an active LPIC-1 certification to receive your LPIC-2 certification, but the LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 exams may be taken in any order.

• Capacity Planning
• Linux kernel
• System startup
• Filesystem and Devices
• Advanced Storage Device Administration
• Networking Configuration
• System Maintenance

• Domain Name Server
• Http Services
• File Sharing
• Network Client Management
• E-Mail Services
• System Security

The LPIC-3 Certification program is designed for the enterprise-level Linux professional and represents the highest level of LPI's Linux Professional certification track. The LPIC-3 program consists of a single exam for each area of specialty; LPIC-3 300 Mixed Environment, LPIC-3 303 Security and LPIC-3 304 High Availability and Virtualization.

In order to receive the LPIC-3 certification, candidate must have an active LPIC-2 certification, but the LPIC-2 and LPIC-3 exams may be taken in any order.

Passing at least one of the 300 series specialty exams (300, 303 or 304) leads to the LPIC-3 certification.

The LPIC-3 300: Mixed Environment certification covers the administration of Linux systems enterprise-wide in a mixed environment

• OpenLDAP Configuration
• OpenLDAP as an Authentication Backend
• Samba Basics
• Samba Share Configuration
• Samba User and Group Management
• Samba Domain Integration
• Samba Name Services
• Working with Linux and Windows Clients

The LPIC-3 303: Security certification covers the administration of Linux systems enterprise-wide with an emphasis on security.

• Cryptography
• Host Security
• Access Control
• Network Security

The LPIC-3 304: Virtualization and High Availability certification covers the administration of Linux systems enterprise-wide with an emphasis on Virtualization and High Availability.

• Virtualization
• High Availability Cluster Management
• High Availability Cluster Storage

Linux Professional Institute DevOps Tools Engineer was published October 16, 2017. The exam tests proficiency in open source tools such as configuration automation and container virtualization, which are used to implement the DevOps collaboration model.

Linux Professional Institute BSD Specialist certification focuses on the practical skills required to work successfully in a FreeBSD, NetBSD, or OpenBSD environment, and tests the knowledge and skills needed to administer BSD operating systems.