The Linux Foundation vs LPI: Which Certification Triumphs?

The Linux Foundation and the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) are two great options if you want to pursue a Linux certification. They are both well-known, offer a range of certifications tailored to Linux professionals, and offer some great courses.

The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has been around for more than two decades and supports the Linux community by driving standards, encouraging growth, and promoting commercial adoption. It offers a bunch of courses and certifications that include the Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA)and Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS).

LPI is also a Linux-focused nonprofit organization and certification body that has been around since 1999. It also provides globally recognized certifications like LPIC-1, LPIC-2, and various LPIC-3 courses, which are well respected in the industry.

Let’s take a closer look at the Linux Foundation and LPI and try to understand their similarities and differences. The best option for you will depend on your career goals, the specific skills you want to develop, and your current technical ability.

Linux Foundation and LPI Overview

Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation focuses on supporting developers working with open-source technologies and building communities around them. As a leader in open-source projects, it helps professionals develop a deep understanding of Linux systems and their various use cases. 

The Foundation offers certifications that are performance-based and can be taken remotely, allowing you to choose between Ubuntu or CentOS as your distribution for the exam. This flexibility ensures that you have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in Linux system administration at your convenience. 

Linux Professional Institute (LPI)

The Linux Professional Institute is another major global certification standard and career support organization for open source professionals. With over 200,000 certification holders, LPI is the world’s first and largest vendor-neutral Linux and open-source certification body. 

As a non-profit organization, it aims to provide a comprehensive and standardized set of certifications for Linux professionals.

The certifications offered by LPI cater to varying levels of expertise, from entry-level to advanced, ensuring that you find a suitable certification path for your career goals. As an open-source professional, becoming Linux certified through LPI can significantly enhance your credibility and marketability in the industry.

To summarize:

• The Linux Foundation offers a wider range of courses and certifications that focus on open-source development and support.
• LPI offers a variety of Linux certifications for different expertise levels.
• Both organizations provide valuable resources to help you advance your Linux and open-source knowledge and skills.
• Both offer a variety of vendor-neutral Linux certifications

Certification Programs

Both companies offered a wide variety of certification programs and training courses but we have just chosen a 

Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA)

The Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA) is an entry-level certification program. The LFCA certification is designed for those new to the IT industry or those considering starting an IT career. The certification covers fundamental information technology functions, especially in cloud computing, and is ideal for those getting started in an IT career as an administrator or engineer. 

Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)

Earning the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) certification can be an important step in your career as a Linux professional.

LFCS is an intermediate-level certification designed for IT professionals with at least a year of experience in Linux administration. This certification covers essential Linux administration skills and is valuable for both new and experienced system administrators.

LPIC-1: Linux Administrator

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) offers the LPIC-1 certification for open-source professionals. The LPIC-1: Linux Administrator is a vendor-neutral certification that signifies a solid understanding of core Linux administration skills. It is designed to help you grow your career and offers a platform for support to continually advance your Linux skills.

LPIC-2: Linux Professional

The Linux Professional Institute LPIC-2 validates the candidate’s ability to administer small to medium-sized mixed networks. The LPIC-2 is the second certification in the multi-level certification program of the Linux Professional Institute (LPI). The certification covers advanced-level Linux system administration skills, including file sharing, network client management, email services, system security, and troubleshooting. The certification is valid for five years and can be renewed by passing the latest version of the exam.

Certification Path and Prerequisites

LFCS and LFCA Path and Prerequisites

The Linux Foundation offers two system admin certifications: The Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA) and Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS). No prerequisites are required for these exams, which means you can begin your certification journey without any specific prior experience. However, without actual practical knowledge, it is going to be incredibly hard so you should have a good understanding of the Linux operating system and command-line usage before taking the assessments.

Here, you will find two main exam objectives:

• LFCA: Shows you have expertise and skills in fundamental information technology functions, especially in cloud computing. Perfect if you are getting started in an IT career as an administrator/engineer.
• LFCS: More advanced certification that focuses primarily on command-line maintenance tasks, system installation and configuration, and basic networking.

Both exams are performance-based, and you will need to complete various tasks in a live environment during a given time.

LPIC-1 & LPIC-2 Path and Prerequisites

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) offers a multi-level certification program for Linux professionals. The certification program is divided into two primary levels: LPIC-1 and LPIC-2.

The LPIC-1 certification is designed to validate the candidate’s ability to perform basic Linux system administration tasks, including installation and configuration of Linux systems, managing files and directories, and basic networking. 

• No mandatory prior experience is required for LPIC-1
• A working understanding of Linux-based systems
• Practical experience with command-line interfaces

The LPIC-2 certification is designed to validate the candidate’s ability to administer small to medium-sized mixed networks. The certification covers advanced-level Linux system administration skills, including file sharing, network client management, email services, system security, and troubleshooting.

• The prerequisites for LPIC-2 certification are an active LPIC-1 certification

Exam and Study Resources

LFCS and LFCA Exam

When preparing for the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) and Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA) exams, it’s important to utilize resources that can help you build your knowledge and expertise. The Linux Foundation offers free learning materials for teachers and students. These materials serve as great preparation tools, and they’re constantly updated and expanded upon.

In addition to these resources, ensure that you take the time to practice and gain hands-on experience with Linux systems. The more you familiarize yourself with various distributions and common administrative tasks, the better prepared you’ll be for the exams.

We have included a fantastic resource below to guide your learning.

LPIC-1 & LPIC-2 Exam

The Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) exams require a different set of study materials and resources. For the LPIC-1 exam, a good place to start is by visiting the LPI’s official website, which offers guidance on training partners and study resources. LPI maintains vendor independence but encourages high-quality exam preparation through partnership programs.

When preparing, it’s helpful to rely on multiple resources, such as books, online courses, and forums. 

There is a fantastic full course review below.

Comparison between Certifications

Recognition and Credibility

When considering a Linux certification, it’s important to evaluate the recognition and credibility of the certifying authority. The Linux Foundation and Linux Professional Institute (LPI) certifications both have a good reputation in the industry. However, they differ in their focus and approach.

The Linux Foundation certifications are performance-based, providing real-world relevance for technical skills. While still relatively new, they are seen as superior by some experts compared to multiple-choice or “brain dump” certifications such as LPIC.

On the other hand, LPI certifications are more established, have a broader range of exams, and are vendor-neutral. They may be more comprehensive, but may also rely more on theoretical concepts compared to the hands-on approach of the Linux Foundation.

Exam Format 

The exam format for both Linux Foundation and LPI certifications vary, with the former being performance-based and the latter offering multiple-choice questions. Linux Foundation exams focus on practical lab exercises, while LPI covers theoretical concepts in addition to functional aspects.

Pricing

Pricing for the different exams can vary depending on the certification level. In general, prices for Linux Foundation exams are higher, but this could be justified by the practical nature and hands-on assessment of these certifications. Make sure to research exam pricing for each specific certification you are interested in pursuing.

Validity and Recertification

When comparing the validity periods for both certifications, it’s essential to keep your career goals and recertification requirements in mind. Linux Foundation certifications typically have a validity period of three years, while most LPI certifications are valid for five years.

• Linux Foundation: Valid for three years, recertification is required after expiration.
• LPI: Valid for five years, recertification is required after expiration.

This distinction matters, as hiring managers often require proof of current qualifications when assessing candidates for Linux-related roles. Therefore, having a certification with a longer validity period might be beneficial if you are not planning to recertify anytime soon.

However, the shorter validity period of the Linux Foundation certifications could encourage you to stay up-to-date with the latest Linux technologies and best practices, ensuring your skills remain sharp and relevant.

Skills and Knowledge Areas

System Administration and Networking

When it comes to system administration and networking, both certificates cover the area in great detail. You’ll need to be comfortable with different Linux distributions like Red Hat, and have a good understanding of networking concepts to manage complex systems effectively.

All intermediate levels of these certifications involve knowledge of hardware, files, and archives, as well as networking fundamentals.

Security and Hardening

Both certification providers emphasize security and hardening measures. Cybersecurity is crucial in today’s interconnected world, and being proficient in system security will make you a valuable asset to any company. You’ll learn to protect your organization’s systems and data from unauthorized access, ensure the integrity of essential files, and implement various security practices.

When working with security and hardening, you’ll be dealing with topics such as user management, permissions, firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection.

Cloud and Virtualization

The growing trend of cloud computing and virtualization requires you to know these areas for a well-rounded Linux skill set. Linux Foundation and LPI certifications also cover cloud technologies and virtualization concepts, ensuring you’re prepared to work with modern infrastructure models.

Your expertise in cloud and virtualization will enable you to deploy and manage virtual machines, utilize cloud-based services, and understand the benefits and drawbacks of different cloud computing solutions.

Developer and Data Analyst Skills

While developers and data analysts might not be the primary focus for Linux certifications, having a foundation in these areas is beneficial. For example, knowing how to write basic shell scripts can assist in automation tasks, and being familiar with common text editors like vi and nano will help you edit configuration files effortlessly.

As a Linux professional, you’ll often interact with developers and data analysts, so understanding their needs and being able to communicate effectively is essential.

Remember, both The Linux Foundation and LPI certifications provide comprehensive pathways to improve your skills and knowledge in various Linux-related areas. By choosing the right certifications to match your career goals, you’ll set yourself up for success in the world of Linux.

Industry Demand and Job Opportunities

When it comes to open-source talent, the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise. According to the 10th Annual Open Source Jobs Report, Linux skills remain in high demand, with 61% of hiring managers seeking professionals with Linux expertise. Linux skills rank second only to cloud skills in terms of impact on hiring decisions.

To provide a clearer perspective, let’s look at the market share of some notable Linux certifications:

• Linux Professional Institute LPIC-1: 37.9%
• Linux Foundation Certified Systems Administrator (LFCS): 36.0%
• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE): 24.2%
• Red Hat Certified Systems Administrator (RHCSA): 22.2%
• SUSE Certified Linux Administrator (CLA): 20.3%

Both The Linux Foundation and LPI certifications hold significant value in the job market, differences exist in terms of the level and focus of the certification programs offered. The Linux Foundation Certified Sysadmin is an intermediate-level certification, while LPI has a true entry-level certification in its Essentials certification. 

Additionally, certifications from The Linux Foundation focus on practical knowledge of basic networking and are performance-based, as opposed to LPI certifications, which are not.

Final Thoughts

Both companies offered a wide variety of certifications that are recognized across the industry and will help you land a job. However, the performance-based nature of the Linux Foundations’ exams gives it the edge overall.

The longer validating period of LPI certifications may be appealing but tech moves fast and it is important to stay up to date, so the shorter validity period for Linux Foundation certificates can be beneficial.

Whatever company you opt for will be a positive step in the right direction for your career as a Linux professional.