Briefing Note: LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 Changes
1.0 Purpose
This document is meant to provide a higher level overview into what
has changed with the objective update for LPIC-1 and LPIC-2.
2.0 Major Universal Changes to LPIC-1 and LPIC-2
2.1 Versions of Objectives
The version for the new LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 objectives will be 3.0.
This is the second update to the objectives and sets a uniform version
for all regions. Moving forward, LPI anticipates a 5 year major version
upgrade cycle (with complete JTA). At or around the 2.5 year mark,
objectives will be updated to reflect the changes in Linux. The next
version for LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 will be 3.5 to reflect this half-way mark.
Additionally, there will be (at the most frequent) quarterly addenda
to the objectives to clarify coverage and details of what is on
the exams. This will not change the version of the objectives as these
updates are intended as aids to courseware and book authors to help them
understand the depth and breadth of coverage required.
2.2 Weighting of Objectives
The weighting on all LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 exams has been normalised to 60.
This means that each exam will be 60 questions long (unless you have
beta questions for QA purposes; then it will be 75 questions).
This also means that a weighting of 3 on an objective indicates that
there will be exactly 3 questions on the exam pertaining to that
objective (again with the beta question caveat).
2.3 Objective Numbering
The 1. and 2. prefixes have been dropped for this revision. Any time
the a 1.xxx.y or 2.xxx.y objective is cited, it refers to the old
objectives.
2.4 Minimized Content Duplication
In previous versions of LPI objectives, some topics were covered in
both LPIC-1 and LPIC-2. In some cases, the same material was repeated
in different places in the same level of certification. This objective
update provided the opportunity to reduce the overlap of content topics
between levels and objectives.
Notably, where some technologies (such as DNS) are important at both
levels, they are divided into appropriate sections. For example,
at the LPIC-1 level, DNS cover is restricted to use as a client (or
consumer) of DNS services. At the LPIC-2 level, configuration and
security issues or maintaining a DNS server is covered.
2.5 Software Versions
Where appropriate, specific versions of software are noted in the
objectives. For example, 2.4 Linux Kernel coverage has been dropped
in order to focus on 2.6 Linux Kernel content, ReiserFS coverage has
been limited to V3 and BIND 8.x has been removed.
3.0 Major Changes in LPIC-1
3.1 Re-focus/Consistent Focus
Major network services and administration tasks have been moved up
to LPIC-2. LPIC-1 focus remains, and consolidates, Linux usage and
essential local system administration (such as ntp and syslog).
Along these lines, there is now less emphasis in the exams on
non-Linux topics such as generic hardware content (SCSI types, PCMCIA,
etc) and network protocol details (such as what TCP packets look like).
As well, installation content is more consistent with real life and
system usage has increase coverage.
3.2 New Content
3.2.1 SQL Data Management
SQL data is becoming more important as databases become easier to
manage and interact with. In this objective, coverage includes
querying database as well as adding, updating and deleting data.
No specific database is covered. Only standard SQL.
3.2.2 Accessibility
This version of the LPI objectives introduces the need for
an awareness of accessibility issues, software and assistive
technologies.
3.2.3 Localisation and Internationalisation
Non-English centric issues are covered in this objective including
knowledge of timezone issues, important character sets and
environment settings.
3.2.4 Data Encryption
The coverage of ssh as an end-user tool for security has been
increased. As well, coverage of GPG (GnuPG) has been added.
4.0 Major Changes in LPIC-2
4.1 Re-focus/Consistent Focus
For LPIC-2, Kernel topics have been consolidated into this level.
Also, advanced LPIC-1 topics such as installing applications from
source have been moved to LPIC-2.
Also, there is a greater emphasis on Security and Troubleshooting
topics at this level of certification.
4.2 New Content
4.2.1 Troubleshooting and Security
The coverage of troubleshooting and security objectives has
increased dramatically. In many cases where the original
weighting was 1 to 2 for a specific objective it has increased
to 5. This makes troubleshooting as a general topic one of the
largest single components of the LPIC-2 exams.
4.2.2 udev Device Management
This objective has been added to ensure that certification
holders have an understanding of how devices are detected and
managed in modern Linux systems.
4.2.3 LVM
LVM coverage has been greatly expanded and made its own objective.
4.2.4 IMAP/POP
IMAP/POP coverage has been included. Courier and dovecot software
is now covered.
