I have been working with UNIX (HP-UX) now for a couple of years. Have become quite capable in shell scripting and general UNIX use. The local university offers a certification course in UNIX administration which I am considering taking. However, the certification is geared toward UNIX in general and not any one flavor. We would be working with Red Hat 7.2. After each course there is a qualifying exam before you can move on through the program. The final exam is to build a unix server (to a specification sheet that is supplied). Once built, the admin introduces a series of issues/problems that you must successfully fix. The entire final exam is 4 hours in length.

Seeking feedback. What are the pro's and con's of general certification? Any pitfalls to watch for? Is a general unix certifcation widely accepted?

To qualify this: I want to take the classes as a foundation to sysadmin, not just to say "Hey, look at me, I am certified". Also, have some background in C-programming. This will serve as the launching pad to move in a different career path

thanks to all who respond.

I am also an HPUX admin. It sounds to me like you know what you are doing.

Anytime you can gain additional knowledge regarding UNIX I would take it. I started out with no degree and recieved my AAS degree in UNIX. I have taken a separate Unix Cert course at the local Junior College.

It sounds like this is a very good course and Linux is becoming more popular. All the next versions of the Cell-based Superdomes and Keystones from HP will fully support LINUX OS.

You have the right attitude regarding CERTs. They are nice to have but I wouldn't rely on them getting you a job or promotion. However, for 2 people with the SAME experience, that might tip the scales in your favor.

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Where did you get the AAS in Unix? I know that Richland in DCCCD offers AAS/Unix but I was not aware of any other place in the DFW that did.

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At Brookhaven, So far as I knew it was offered at all 7 campuses.

It was actually called CIT: Programmer/Developer degree. There was a CERT degree 40+ hrs offered at North Lake which I took, but I am not sure they still offer it.


I had thought about taking the HPUX Cert test, but I have been too busy to study for it.

Sorry I missed the meeting last Thursday. I have been very busy at work since May and until the end of August. Lots of fun!!

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My brain is your brain

Is it expensive to obtain an HP-UX cert? I have been debating the same thing but really sure where to begin.

How did you like the training at the junior college? The reason that I ask is that I spent the big bucks for the SMU Unix certification and don't feel that I got my money's worth based upon what I spent.

If the local junior college provides good education, I would recommend it over the more expensive training options (in my case, SMU SEAS Training)

Ain't no big thing. It was an interesting discussion that Eric S. Raymond gave.

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courses are 375.00 for the first two and the troubleshooting class, 675.00 for the others

intro class ( i tested out and didnt have to pay full tuition)
unix tools/utilities class (also may test out of this one)
sys admin 1
sys admin 2
DNS Course - learning BIND
Perl Course (elective)
Shell Scripting1 (elective)
Shell Scripting2 (elective)
unix networking
unix security
unix firewalls
NT-Integration
unix troubleshooting (elective)