目前主要有核心课程LPI-301和可选课程LPI-302组成。LPI-301考核的主要内容包括故障解决、网络集成、系统规划和扩充等等;后者LPI-302考核的主要内容包括Linux安全和虚拟化、web和Internet、高可用性、邮件和信息系统等等。
目前LPI-301考试的价格大概在250美金,折合日元为30000日元,LPI-302考试的价格为150美金,折合日元大概为20000日元。
After years in the making -- and after some people had given up on ever seeing it -- the distribution-neutral Linux Professional Institute (LPI) and its affiliate, LPI-Japan, have finally jointly launched the LPIC-3 certification program.
The LPIC-3 represents the highest level of distribution-neutral Linux certification within the industry, and is targeted at Linux professionals providing IT services at the enterprise level. The certification consists of a single "core" exam (LPI-301) along with additional "specialty" certifications.
The new certification is meant to be the equivalent of the more well-known RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer) and NCLP (Novell Certified Linux Professional). These are high-level certifications that are meant for seasoned Linux professionals.
Jeff Smith, IBM's VP of Linux and open-source and middleware, stated that "Linux has become an unstoppable force in the enterprise market and with its new certification program, LPI is raising the bar for excellence for Linux training. With its vendor-neutral approach to Linux training and certification, LPI is helping Linux professionals support the strong industry demand for high quality enterprise-level skills."
The LPIC-3's core exam (LPI 301) focuses on skills in authentication, troubleshooting, network integration, and capacity planning. This, in turn, can be supplemented by additional specialty certifications, the first of which will be Mixed Environments (LPI-302). Additional proposed specialty certifications include Security, High Availability and Virtualization, Web and Intranet, and Mail and Messaging
According to LPI CEO Jim Lacey, "LPI-Japan brought significant resources to the table in the creation of this program. In particular, they were responsible for ensuring the involvement, counsel and strategic advice of key technical and business individuals from amongst the world's most highly respected and recognized IT companies. This input, and other necessary investments, helped to make this program possible."
In recent months, the LPI has been updating and improving access to course-work for its certifications.
In a statement, LPI-Japan chairman Gen Narui noted that that there has been substantial demand within enterprise for high-level employee skill certifications. "This certification level will assist organizations in their investments in training and human resources programs: it will demonstrate significant and professional enterprise level skills in Linux particularly for those companies that have a substantial customer base in Linux services," said Narui.
Detailed information on the LPIC-3 program, exam objectives, tasks, and sample questions can be found at the LPIC Web site. Both the LPI 301 and 302 exams are available worldwide in English and in Japanese (in Japan only) at Prometric and VUE testing centers.
The LPIC-3 exam (301) is priced at $250 US in most jurisdictions, and at 30,000 Yen in Japan. However, local affiliates may provide special introductory pricing, LPI said, so exam candidates are advised to contact their local affiliate or testing center for pricing details. The LPI-302 exam is $150 US worldwide and 20,000 Yen in Japan.