What is LPI? Main certifications and study resources!

Many IT professionals and enthusiasts interested in program development and mastering new technologies need to understand what LPI is.

LPI or Linux Professional Institute is an organization that offers various certifications in GNU/Linux systems.

In the IT world, certifications are the foundation of a strong resume, whether for entry, development, and professional maturity. And of course, for enthusiasts, they're a way to expand their knowledge base.

But after all, in practice, what is LPI and what are the main Linux certifications that the market offers? And what do you need to pass each of these courses? We explain it to you, check it out!

What is LPI?

LPI is an acronym for Linux Professional Institute, a non-profit organization headquartered in California, USA. It's responsible for developing certification programs in GNU/Linux systems, being globally recognized by companies and entities as a synonym for quality.

In its range of certifications, LPI offers varied options, both for those who want to enter the open source universe now and for veterans seeking qualification and updates.

Now that you know what LPI is, do you know why invest in a certification?

One of the great differentiators of LPI is that its certification is distribution-independent, as exams are applied on the Linux Standard Base.

This version of the operating system is compatible across different versions (older or more updated) of itself.

Furthermore, to understand what LPI is, it's worth knowing its history: it was founded in 1999 and, since then, has been a champion of professional Linux system use, as well as Open Source adoption and expansion of Free Software concepts.

And of course, the LPI certificate is accepted by companies, entities, and institutions worldwide, making it ideal for professionals seeking a career both in Brazil and beyond its borders.

What are LPI certifications?

Today, any professional can start from the beginning through what is called a path (or the "journey") of certifications, a unique path — though quite flexible — designed to evolve knowledge gradually and in depth.

Next, we explain in a basic way what the first certifications of this journey are: Essentials and Professional (considering LPIC-1 and LPIC-2). Let's go?

Linux Essentials

Linux Essentials is a certification that, as the name suggests, aims to certify basic and essential knowledge about the operating system and open source.

It focuses on some aspects about the different distributed versions of Linux, serving as a starting point for those who want to begin a career in open source.

To take the Linux Essentials, there are no defined prerequisites, but the candidate should be able to understand general aspects of Linux.

Specifically, about its components (and how to work with them), as well as understand issues such as security, user management, among other points.

In this certification, the focus goes beyond the technical scope and explores other aspects of the open source universe, such as the main distributions of the operating system, different licenses, what large-scale software exists, etc.

In the Linux Essentials certification, the candidate takes only 1 exam and it costs US$105.

Linux Professional

Linux Professional certifications have a more specific approach, intended precisely to deepen knowledge in open source and serve as a foundation for the candidate's professional career.

There are a total of 3 certifications and we'll explain each one below:

LPIC-1

The LPIC-1 Certification is the most popular of this journey — and, until recently, was the starting point for many professionals, since Linux Essentials was created recently.

LPIC-1 consists of two exams, valid for 5 years and can be taken in Portuguese, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese.

Those who certify in LPIC-1 receive the Junior Level Linux Certification.

It authenticates the candidate's ability to configure a basic network, install and configure Linux on a computer, as well as perform command-line maintenance.

It's a certification that has no prerequisites, but requires that the candidate already understands the architecture of a Linux system, can work on the command line (both Linux and GNU) and perform simple system maintenance.

Each exam costs US$173. Since there are two exams within LPIC-1, the final cost is US$346.

LPIC-2

And the LPIC-2 certification is an advancement on the path of Linux, equivalent to an "Intermediate" level. With it, the candidate ensures they will be able to configure and administer Linux networks in small and medium-scale environments, with a set of servers and workstations.

The prerequisite is LPIC-1, as it's a more advanced certification.

There are two exams, which can be taken in English, German, and Japanese.

It's a more demanding certification that requires considerable technical and theoretical knowledge.

Among the topics covered, the candidate will need to master the configuration of various services on the Linux network, such as DNS, DHCP, Proxy, Web Server, E-mail, Firewall, etc.

In terms of costs, they're the same as LPIC-1.

LPIC-3

LPIC-3 is the newest certification and can be considered "Senior" level. It's an umbrella of certifications, with 3 in total:

• LPIC-3 300: certification in mixed environment.
• LPIC-3 303: certification with emphasis on system security;
• LPIC-3 304: certification with emphasis on virtualization and high availability.

LPIC-3 is the final step of the "Professional" journey of LPI certifications. The candidate who passes any of the three mentioned receives the same certification — what changes is their focus.

There is a prerequisite: you must have an active LPIC-2. So, when diving into certifications and what is LPI, pay attention to this point!

Each exam costs US$173. But since you don't need to take all three, it's up to you.

Study resources for certifications

Before scheduling your exam, it's essential to study about the subject, right? LPI certifications have a reputation not only for quality but also for the difficulty they present. In practice, that's what LPI is.

Having one or more LPI certifications on your resume is quite a differentiator. But this achievement only comes with study, right?

Next, check out some tips to study better!

Books for Linux certifications

One of the main ways to achieve your LPI certification is through specialized books.

They dive into the topics covered in exams, preparing the candidate for the exercises and questions to come.

Want to check out the Linux Certification books that have already helped over 11,000 people get their certificates?

LPI exam simulations

Now, when we talk about the exams themselves, practice can be very different from theory. Do you know what to expect when the test is applied?

Then try simulations! They're a great way for you to not only study but also understand the structure of the challenge that awaits you.

Check out the simulations for LPI here at Linux Certification, they're free!

Preparatory online course

Finally, the best way to prepare is with theoretical, technical, and practical knowledge. That's everything a preparatory course can offer.

Thus, you deepen everything you need to master the Linux system.

Here at Linux Certification, you can take advantage of several preparatory courses: for Linux Essentials, Linux Professionals, among many others.

Conclusion

So, did you like learning more about what LPI is, the certifications that are part of it, and how you can boost your studies?

We hope this content helps you understand more about the GNU/Linux systems universe and open source principles.

Want to keep learning about the topic? Just keep reading the Linux Certification blog!