In the last few weeks, Novell started up its Novell Certified Linux Professional (NCLP)
certification program. Much to my surprise, Novell is keeping the SUSE program, on
which it's based, running in parallel. Thus, until the end of 2004, those interested
in pursuing Linux certification on the SUSE LINUX distribution can either pursue the
SUSE Certified Linux Professional (SCLP) or the NCLP. Starting January 1, 2005, the
SCLP exam will be discontinued, and Novell will stop granting that credential. In the
meantime, interested parties will probably want to know about the differences between
the two programs so they can pick the one that best fits their circumstances,
backgrounds, budgets, and needs.
Alas, to some extent that's difficult because although the SCLP can be described pretty
completely, the Novell program may only be partially roughed out at this time. I'm
still waiting for an e-mail message to tell me how to purchase a voucher for this
exam, just so I can find out how much it costs. That said, here's what's known:
The 10,000-foot view of the situation is that to follow the SCLP track, you have to
take both exams required for the LPIC1—LPI-101 and LPI-102—unless you're already certified
as an LPIC1. Either way, you must take exam SL 103 to meet the cert's own exam
requirement. To follow the NCLP track, you need only take the Novell practicum, exam
050-689. The difficulty with comparison arises because there are no objectives yet
available for that exam, and I haven't yet been able to get pricing information
. (However, since the Novell Certified Linux Engineer exam costs $195, it's
not unreasonable to expect something similar for the NCLP.) Thus, it could be that the
three exams required for the SCLP (which cost $325 and require 4.5 hours total to
complete) involve less time but more expense than the practicum required for the NCLP.
This will be interesting to ferret out, and I'll follow up with that data (a fully
fleshed out comparison table) as soon as possible.
In the meantime, Novell will keep the SCLP program active only until December 31, 2004.
Starting on January 1, 2005, the SL 103 exam will be discontinued, and it will no longer be
possible to earn the SCLP credential. Starting in 2005, therefore, only the NCLP will
remain alive, which means that everybody will be taking the practicum exam to earn that
credential from then on. Novell says that individuals who prepare for all three SCLP
exams will also be well prepared for the NCLP practicum, which implies that while the
exam may include a significant hands-on component, it won't be introducing too much
new material that differs from what's covered on the two LPI exams and the SCLP
exam itself.
Thus, it could be that the three exams required for the SCLP (which cost $325 and require 4.5 hours total to complete) involve less time but more expense than the practicum required for the NCLP. This will be interesting to ferret out, and I'll follow up with that data (a fully fleshed out comparison table) as soon as possible.
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