Career Path

After passing the LPI 201-450 exam, you should go for 202-450 to finalize the certification process. Once you ace both tests, you will be awarded the LPIC-2 certification, which can be followed by another LPI endorsement known as the LPIC-3 that has three specialized certificates for you to opt for.

Books and Study Guides

You can't be too dedicated to succeeding and so, it is important to not only engage with training programs but also to take time to study privately with books and study guides that represent one of the best sources of information relating to the exam.

• LPIC-2 Linux Professional Institute Certification Study Guide by Christine Bresnaham and Richard Blum is valuable source that any candidate needs for LPIC-2 certification preparation. The book provides not only detailed and updated information that covers all the objectives of the 201-450 exam as well as 202-450, but it also has several helpful resources like electronic flashcards, bonus interactive practice exams, and a comprehensive keyword glossary. You can easily purchase this study guide on the Amazon website in the Kindle or paper version.
• The LPIC-2 Exam Prep, 6th edition by Sue B. V. contains exam tips and helpful information about the exam and steps on how to pass it excellently that would be of great help to any candidate. The set of documents are carefully written, collated, edited, and updated by individuals who are part of or have passed through the exam process and have first-hand knowledge and experience which they share here. So, with this material, candidates can be sure they are getting prepared with accurate, properly researched, and comprehensive information they can trust.

Topics Measured by 201-450 Exam

This test consists of seven domains that are important for the candidate to understand before taking the main validation. Thus, the candidates should master and clear such concepts in the following areas:

• System Startup;
• Filesystem and Devices;
• System Maintenance.
• Network Configuration;
• Advanced Storage Device Administration;
• Capacity Planning;
• Linux Kernel;

The first tested domain covers capacity planning. It deals with measuring and troubleshooting resource problems. In a nutshell, it includes the knowledge areas like measuring I/O for disks, I/O necessary for networks, firewalls as well as the throughput for routers, correlating symptoms with problems, and identifying bottlenecks in systems. You will also forecast possible resource necessities that include observing the growth rate of capacity usage, measuring methods to control the usage of the IT framework, and forecasting the breakpoint of configuration.

The second area focuses on system startup. It is a vast topic that includes the optimizing SysV-init startup for the system. The candidate must know how to thoroughly understand the system, Linux boot process, and SysV-init. In addition, you will learn how to interact with SysV-init run levels and systemd targets. You should also know about operating the systems during the recovery mode and boot process. The awareness of bootloaders and their essential features is important for the candidate to understand before taking the final exam.

The third objective involves filesystems and devices. It revolves around the operation of Linux filesystems and configuring different types of filesystem types. Here, you don't only come across the configuration of filesystems but also their maintenance, which is done by using the utilities. Moreover, the candidate must be able to configure automount filesystems by utilizing AutoFS. It includes creating the filesystem for devices like CD-ROM and information of the encrypted filesystems.

The fourth scope includes Linux Kernel. Within such a segment, you will come across the kernel components that comprise the implementation of various types of kernel images, development kernels, classifying patches, and utilizing the kernel modules. Furthermore, the knowledge of compiling a kernel and its management alongside troubleshooting plays an essential role in 201-450 test. The candidate should also have skills to recognize device detection and administration using the udev. Finally, this area focuses on troubleshooting udev rules and correcting the runtime issues.

The fifth part of the official exam covers network configuration. The candidate's knowledge about basic network configuration is tested here. Particularly, this includes the utilities to arrange and execute ethernet interfaces for networks and providing access to those networks that are wireless. Besides, you will also get to know how to recognize the common network issues and the location for the correct configuration of commands and files. Lastly, you should also know the configuration of the network device for applying several network schemes and determine the communication problems that occur in the network that is multi-homed.

The sixth domain is advanced storage device administration. While dealing with it, you will be learning about configuring RAID and implementing RAID software. You will also be tested upon the subtopics like adjusting storage devices and logical volume manager, which includes generating and eliminating the logical volumes, physical volumes, and volume groups. The candidate should also know software tools to modify and review hard disk settings.

The seventh and last tested topic emphasizes system maintenance. It details creating and installing programs from source. Thus, you will unload the source code by utilizing the compression archive efficacies. The candidate will also be tested on backup operations that include performing manual and partial backups, verifying the back & integrity files, the awareness of network backup solutions, and the drawbacks of tapes, disk, CDR, and other backup media. Moreover, you must have the skills to inform the users on system-related issues by communicating with the users.

Skills Tested in the Exam

According to LPI, this exam reviews your ability to perform advanced system administration alongside management of block storage and file systems, as well as you should carry out advanced networking and authentication and system security; install and configure fundamental network services in conjunction with management advice on automation and purchases. By and large, there are 7 major topics, ranging from topics such as Capacity Building, Linux Kernel, System Startup, File system and Devices, Advanced Storage Device Administration, Network Configuration and System Maintenance. It is important to bear in mind that each of them contains different objectives and their individual weights, key knowledge areas, terms, and utilities.

Within the syllabus, all of the numerous topics and objectives with individual details ensure certified candidates are well-rounded and skilled in all the areas they should have a thorough understanding. As mentioned above, each objective has a weight ranged from 1-4 to signify relative importance. Thereby, objectives with higher weights typically are included in questions more frequently.

Reference: https://www.lpi.org/our-certifications/exam-201-objectives