If you happen to be a professional working in the Information Technology (IT) industry, you would be aware of the intensely competitive nature of the industry and the constant need it imposes on an IT professional to upgrade skill sets as technology evolves. You may have felt the need to conquer a new technology or upgrade your existing skill set or just to see where you stand among your peers. If this is the case, it is time to explore the advantages that acquiring an IT certification can provide.

Here are seven most sought-after IT certifications in no particular order:

- CompTIA Security+ – This is a certification for IT professionals with at least two-years of industry experience. It is not vendor-specific and is a test of the professional’s knowledge of the fundamentals of security.

-Cisco CCIE/CCNA – This is a certification provided by Cisco Systems for networking professionals. The CCIE is a comprehensive certification for experts, and the CCNA is meant to improve the skills of those with some experience.

-CompTIA A+ – This is tailored for validating the expertise in hardware and can be a valuable certification for computer-related maintenance and support professionals.

-Microsoft MCITP – MCITP stands for Microsoft Certified IT Professional and is a prestigious one meant for professionals in database, enterprise and server administration. This new certification offered by Microsoft assesses an individual’s capability in meeting the demands of common job roles in the IT industry.

-Microsoft MCSE/MCSA – MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) and MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) are two of the earliest certifications offered by Microsoft that still command respect in the industry. Both certifications demand a certain level of experience and involve a number of grueling examinations.

-Microsoft MCA – MCA (Microsoft Certified Architect) is a certification open to professionals who have a minimum of three years of experience on advanced IT architecture. This is a peer-evaluated certification and is awarded to very few of the aspirants. Obtaining this is considered an achievement in itself and is rated highly in the industry.

-RHCE/RHCA – With the proliferation of Linux based systems, there is a great demand for certified Linux professionals and RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer) and RHCA (Red Hat Certified Administrator) are two certifications awarded by Red Hat Inc.; one of the prominent distributors of Linux Operating Systems.

Overview

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a performance-based test that measures actual competency on live systems. Called the “crown jewel of Linux certifications,” RHCE proves an individual’s ability to configure networking services and security on servers running a Red Hat OS. RHCE was recently named the hottest certification in all of IT by CertCities.com.

The RHCE Exam

Becoming a Red Hat Certified Engineer requires passing a five-and-a-half-hour hands-on exam. There are four different approaches to preparing for the exam depending on your existing level of Linux expertise.

Level of Linux Expertise

To determine your level of experience, take our pre-assessment questionnaires or read the descriptions below for the Standard and Rapid Tracks.

For more information:
http://www.redhat.com/certification/rhce/

In this course, you are learning Enterprise Linux Server configuration, Setup and Troubleshooting. After the completion of following three stages , one can sit for RHCE Certification .The RHCE Certificate is granted upon passing the RHCE Exam, a performance-based test on live equipment that measures actual competencies at server system administration, setup of networking services, network security, diagnostics and troubleshooting.

Examination Structure

1. A server install and network services configuration lab (3 hours)
2. A troubleshooting and maintenance lab (2.5 hours).
RH033 Linux Essentials

Understand the Linux file system, Perform common file maintenance tasks Use and customize the GNOME interface, Issue essential Linux commands from the command line, Perform common tasks using the GNOME GUI , Open, edit, and save text documents using the vi editor, File access permissions , Launch applications from command line and GNOME interface, Printing commands and utilities, Customise X Window System, Regular expression pattern matching and I/O redirection, Copy files to and from a floppy diskette, Install, upgrade, delete, and query packages on your system, Network utilities for the user, Power user utilities, Miscellaneous topics

RH133 Linux System Administration and RHCT

Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux interactively and with Kickstart, Control common system hardware, Create and maintain the Linux filesystem, Configure an NFS client and autofs, Understand system and service initialization, Perform user and group administration, Integrate a workstation with an existing network running common, network services, Configure a workstation as a client to NIS, DNS, and DHCP services, Administer the Linux printing subsystem, Automate tasks with at, cron, and anacron , Maintain and interpret system logs, Back up filesystems to tape and tar archive, Install, update, query and remove software packages with RPM, Update the Linux kernel from an RPM, Configure the X Window System and the GNOME desktop, environment, Perform basic performance, memory, and process management, Configure basic host security, Perform basic troubleshooting.

RH253 Linux Networking & Security Administration

Networking services on Enterprise Linux. server -side setup, configuration, and basic administration of common networking, services: DNS, NIS , Apache, SMB, DHCP, Send mail, FTP. Other common services: tftp, pppd, proxy. Security administration using Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Introduction to security, Developing a security policy, Preparation, Local security, Files and file system security, Password security, Kernel security, Basic elements of a firewall, Red Hat Enterprise Linux-based security tools, Responding to a break-in attempt, Security sources and methods, Overview of OSS security tools
Course Duration: 75 hours (30 days)