Introduction to the CLE
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| For years , Novell certifications have represented the pinnacle of Information Technology industry training. Novell pioneered the certification industry with the Certified Novell Engineer (CNE) and Certified Novell Administrator (CNA) programs. Novell continues this venerable tradition with the Certified Linux Engineer program. Why a whole new certification? The nature of the product CLE certifies you on is dramatically different from prior Novell products. Let's take a look at the nature of the product you must know in order to become a CLE: Novell Nterprise Linux Services. Novell Nterprise Linux ServicesIn 2003, Novell fused together two very powerful worlds . In one world, there is Linux, one of the most robust, stable, and affordable network operating systems available today. These factors contribute to the popularity of Linux. Each year Linux is finding its way into more and more organizations. According to IDC, an IT industry organization, "Linux servers have demonstrated six consecutive quarters of year-on-year revenue growth, proving that they are not a flash-in-the-pan technology." (Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Server Tracker, November 2003) Residing in the other world are Novell's time-proven network services. Historically, these services were provided only on Novell's high-end NetWare server operating system. Although Novell did eventually port some of these services to the Windows Server platform, very few were made available on Linux. In 2003, Novell changed all that with the introduction of Novell Nterprise Linux Services (NNLS). In this product, Novell ported its famous services such as iPrint, iFolder, NetStorage, Virtual Office, and DirXML to run on the Linux platform. For the first time, these time- tested services are available on an operating system other than NetWare. The benefits of this fusion are noteworthy for several reasons. System administrators can implement a reliable, inexpensive, and fully supported open -source network operating system. Embracing Linux allows them to dramatically lower the all-important total cost of ownership (TCO) of the system. Using eDirectory, administrators can configure the NNLS implementation as a standalone system or integrate it into an existing Novell eDirectory environment. eDirectory also provides administrators with a broad range of user identify management tools and options, depending on which networking platforms are present. NNLS doesn't require a "rip and replace" approach to deployment. Using NNLS components , administrators can synchronize existing NetWare, Windows Domain, or Active Directory user accounts with eDirectory on the NNLS system. In addition, end users receive the benefits of Novell's productivity-enhancement services. These services provide users the tools they need to complete their daily tasks , whether they are in the office, at home, or on the road. For example, suppose a user is at home one evening and receives a call informing her that a report she has been working on is needed first thing in the morning. In the past, she would probably have to drive back to the office to complete the report, expending valuable time on travel. With NNLS, however, she can use iFolder within a browser interface to access her files from her home computer. When she's finished with the report, all changes made at home are applied to her files on the Linux server at work. Because iFolder only synchronizes the changes she's made, her dialup connection bandwidth can easily handle the task. With iPrint, she can securely print the document from home to a color laser printer at the office so it is ready as soon as she arrives in the morning. Using NetMail, she can reserve a conference room and send out an appointment ”from home ”for a morning meeting with co-workers to review the report before turning it in. Why CLE?As you can probably see, implementing and managing NNLS require that system administrators really know their stuff with both Linux and Novell services. In accordance with the CLE, certification is very difficult to achieve. This is so for two reasons. First, you have to know the Linux operating system and the technology behind Novell's NNLS services in depth. You need to know the following:
Second, Novell has implemented a practical exam, discussed in detail later, to ensure you really have the skills required. You have to be able to deploy an NNLS system, not just fill in a bubble sheet with a No. 2 pencil. When researching the need for a new certification, Novell discovered that there are many administrators with strong Linux skills and, likewise, many administrators with strong Novell skills. However, there are relatively few administrators in the industry with both Novell and Linux skill sets. In light of this, Novell designed and implemented the CLE certification program. The CLE program is composed of two elements:
I can't emphasize enough the importance of thorough preparation for the Practicum. With a multiple-choice test, many network administrators have discovered over the years that you can get away without studying . After all, you have a one in four chance of getting the right answer without any knowledge at all. With a little bit of networking background, many candidates can discern the correct response. Not so with the Practicum. You must be able to "walk the walk and talk the talk," or you will fail miserably. And a large number of candidates have done just that. With that, let's discuss the target audience of the CLE certification. Who Is the CLE For?When designing the CLE, Novell encountered a quandary of sorts. Should the CLE be aimed at existing Novell system administrators who need Linux training, or should it be aimed at existing Linux administrators who need to learn how to use Novell services? After a great deal of debate, Novell decided to proceed with both candidates in mind. The question then becomes one of where to start. Do you teach Linux and eDirectory in depth, or do you assume a certain level of proficiency on the part of the student? Novell opted for the latter option. Therefore, the CLE exam and courseware (including this Study Guide ) assume that you already have a pretty good grasp of basic Linux concepts and commands. Novell recommends that you complete LPI (Linux Professional Institute's) Level I certification (or have an equivalent level of experience) before completing course materials or taking the CLE exam. With this said, Novell also realizes that not all CLE candidates have the prerequisite Linux knowledge. Novell also realizes that many candidates may have Linux skills that are out of date. To accommodate students in these categories, the first portion of the CLE objectives covers very basic Linux skills and tasks. These skills represent about 10% of the CLE exam. The Novell staff reviewed the various tasks required to implement and manage NNLS services to determine which Linux skills to include in the CLE objectives. From these, it identified the basic Linux skills required and added those to the objectives list for the certification. In accordance, the first portion of this Study Guide will present a brief introduction to Linux. Be aware, however, that this will not be an exhaustive review. If you have little or no Linux experience, you should spend some time getting to know the product before completing this Study Guide or taking the CLE exam. To do this, you should purchase or borrow three items:
With these items in hand, go through the Linux study guide and familiarize yourself with the operating system. You will then be prepared to complete this Study Guide and the CLE exam. Novell also assumes you have a certain degree of experience with eDirectory. You need to know concepts such as trees, objects, attributes, rights, containers, leafs, and inheritance. If these terms leave you bewildered, you will need additional training. Chapter 5, "NNLS Installation and Administration," presents a detailed, yet concise , overview of eDirectory concepts. Try using the content of this chapter first. If it still isn't enough to bring you up to speed, Novell offers an eDirectory fundamentals course (Course 3017) that you may want to consider. In addition to Linux and eDirectory, you should also have a solid background in computer networking before attempting to complete this Study Guide . The CLE certification assumes that you already have your Network+ certification from CompTIA or have equivalent experience. If you can answer the question, "What's the default subnet mask for a Class B IP address?" without hesitation, you are probably prepared to begin study for the CLE. If not, you should probably purchase Network+ study materials and review them before completing this Study Guide . CLE ObjectivesWith this information in mind, we're ready to move on to a review of the CLE objectives. Be aware that you will be expected to know the concepts and do the tasks specified in each objective. With many certifications, it's possible to pass the associated exam even if you lack proficiency with a few objectives, as long as you have a good understanding of the other remaining objectives. With the CLE, however, you must have a strong working knowledge of all the objectives. To be blunt, the CLE Practicum is an unforgiving pass/fail exam. More candidates fail it than pass it. This is due to the way Novell structured the CLE exam, which will be covered in more depth later in this chapter. Novell's CLE exam incorporates multiple objectives into a given testing scenario. If you lack proficiency with one of the objectives, you could potentially fail the entire scenario, thus failing the exam. The objectives in the CLE certification are as follows :
Using This Study GuideTo pass the CLE exam, you must have both the theoretical knowledge and the technical skills reflected in the objectives. This Study Guide is designed to provide you with both of these elements. First, each chapter in this Study Guide presents conceptual information related to each CLE objective. For chapters that are heavy with conceptual information, you will find a "Check for Understanding" exercise at the end that you can use to verify that you have mastered the information presented. It is critical that you take time to complete these activities. Use the results to identify information you may need to review. Doing so will greatly increase the likelihood that you will pass the CLE exam. Second, each chapter in this study, with the exception of this one, includes one or more hands-on exercises to help you gain the Linux and NNLS skills required to pass the CLE exam. As you progress through this guide, you will build a complete NNLS implementation, piece by piece, from the ground up. Again, it is absolutely critical that you complete these exercises. The CLE exam requires that you be able to complete these tasks in a live NNLS environment. This is a departure from most certification exams in the IT industry today. They generally require you to complete an exam that tests your mastery of only the conceptual subject matter. The CLE, on the other hand, tests your ability to do the tasks specified in the objectives. To complete these exercises, you will need the following equipment:
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EAN: 2147483647
Pages: 128