Novell CNA Certification :Certified Novell Administrator

July 1, 2010 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Novell.Inc 

The Certified Novell Administrator (CNA) certification is the first credential for network administrators working with Novell’s NetWare software. Individuals holding this certification are qualified to provide software support in professional offices, small business and corporate information services. The CNA is the first step to becoming a Certified Novell Engineer (CNE).
Exam details and overview
The CNA has two separate tracks each focusing on a specific Novell technology:
CNA in Novell Open Enterprise Server for NetWare
CNA in NetWare 6.5
Novell Open Enterprise Server for NetWare
To earn the CLA credential for Novell Open Enterprise Server for NetWare, candidates must pass one exam:
050-696 Foundations of Novell Open Enterprise Server for NetWare
The exam is a form-based exam consisting of 66 questions and 75 minutes in which to complete them. Candidates must get a total score of 650 or higher to pass. In form-based exams, every candidate is given the same set of questions and are then graded on the number of questions they answer correctly. Topics that are covered in the Foundations of Novell Open Enterprise Server for NetWare exam include:
Describing the evolution of NetWare
Disabling and deleting User Objects
Installing the Novell client
Securing a network etc.
For an up-to-date list of all the exam objectives click the link above to visit the official 050-696 web page.
Netware 6.5
To become certified under the NetWare 6.5 track candidates must pass one exam:
050-686 Foundations of Novell Networking
The exam is also a form-based exam consisting of 66 questions and 75 minutes in which to complete them. Candidates must achieve a total score of 650 or higher to pass. Topics covered on the exam include:
Installing NetWare 6.5
Installing the Novell client
Identifying the guidelines for planning network volumes
Evaluating directory structures etc.
The full and current list of topics for this exam can be found on Novell’s Netware 6.5 test objectives page.
Cost
The cost for either CNA exam is US$125 however, depending on the country location of the testing center, prices may vary due to currency and local factors. Novell exams are administered through Pearson VUE testing centers which have locations worldwide.
Check in on the official Novell website from time to time, as Novell periodically offer discounts on the exam fees. Additionally, discount exam vouchers are often available that not only reduce the cost of the exam but also include free training material. These discount vouchers can be bought through independant third-party suppliers.
Retake Policy
The retake policy for the CNA certification exams is the same as for all Novell certifications. Candidates are not required to wait for any period of time between their first and second attempt at passing an exam, however there is a waiting period of at least 30 days before their third and any subsequent attempts to pass the same exam. If successful in passing an exam, a candidate must wait a minimum of twelve months if they wish to retake the same exam. The exam fee is payable for each and every attempt at the exam.
Continuing Certification Registration
Novell credentials do not expire, however applicants will be obliged to sign an agreement before taking their CNA exam agreeing to take any Continuing Certification Registration (CCR) exams that are periodically required by Novell. The onus is on the candidate to keep up-to-date with what CCRs are required. Candidates who do not complete the CCRs may have their CNA certification revoked and may no longer claim to be Novell certified.

Novell CLDA Certification :Certified Linux Desktop Administrator

June 30, 2010 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Novell.Inc 

The Novell Certified Linux Desktop Administrator (CDLA) certification is a stand alone entry level certification designed for Linux professionals and Windows Administrators to demonstrate their ability to install, configure and manage a Linux desktop environment using SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop. Although it is a Novell Linux Certification, it is a stand-alone certification and is not a part of the Novell Linux Certification path (which includes the CLA and CLE tracks).
Exam details and overview
Although not required, Novell recommends that candidates first take the 5 day SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop Administration course either in the classroom or through self study.
To earn the CLDA credential, candidates are required to pass one exam:
050-708 SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 Administration
The exam is a form-based exam consisting of 66 questions. The exam lasts 70 minutes and candidates must get at least 536 points to pass the exam. Test topics for the CLDA include:
an overview of the Linux Desktop
using the GNOME Desktop Environment
understanding YaST basics
the BASH shell
and so on. For an up-to-date list of all the CLDA test objectives, visit the Novell Website.
Cost
The cost to sit for the exam is US$125 although time to time Novell does offer discounts on the price of the exam – check Novell’s website or contact them directly before you pay for your exam. The price may vary due to currency fluctuations depending on the country the candidate takes the exam.
It’s worth keeping in mind that there are discount vouchers available for Novell exams that not only reduce the cost of the exam but also include free training material. Discount vouchers can be bought through independant third-party suppliers.
The Novell exams are administered through Pearson VUE testing centers which have locations worldwide.
Retake Policy
There is no waiting period required before taking the CLDA exam a second time if a candidate fails the first exam. If a candidate fails the second exam, they must wait a period of 30 days before their third and any subsequent attempts to pass the same exam. If a candidate passes an exam they must wait a minimum of twelve months before retaking the same exam.
Continuing Certification Registration
The Novell certifications have no date of expiration. However, the applicant signs an agreement before taking the CLDA exam which states that they will take Continuing Certification Registration (CCR) exams that are periodically required by Novell. Once the candidate has received their CLDA certification, it is their responsibility to keep up to date with what CCR’s are required. If they do not complete the CCR’s, their CLDA certification can be revoked and the candidate may no longer claim to be Novell certified.

Novell CLE Certification : Certified Linux Engineer

June 28, 2010 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Novell.Inc 

The Novell Certified Linux Engineer (CLE) certification is the third and final certification in Novell’s Linux Certification Path. Candidates must hold both the Certified Linux Administrator (CLA) and the Certified Linux Professional (CLP) certifications before applying to take the CLE. Candidates must show “engineer level” knowledge of the Linux operating system including Network Services and Security. The CLE will rigorously test the candidate’s skill sets in both Linux and Novell systems.

Exam details and overview

There are separate CLE exams for SUSE versions 9 and 10, so the candidate should take the courses and exams for the SUSE version for which they hold CLA and CLP credentials. Novell recommendeds that candidates take the 5 day SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Network Services and the 5 day SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Security Course, either by self study or through a classroom, before applying to take the CLE exam, although neither is mandatory. The CLE credential requires passing one exam of which there are two versions:

Novell Practicum: 050-693 Novell CLE 9, or

Novell Practicum: 050-698 Novell CLE 10

The exam is a 120 minute pass/fail practical exam (‘Practicum’ in Novell-speak). The Practicum is a rigorous hands-on, non-written exam which presents test items as real world scenarios which are designed to test the candidates experience level. A scenario will comprise numerous objectives which the candidate is expected to be able to complete in a live (virtual) environement. The CLE covers topics such as:

Configuring a mail server

monitoring network traffic

cryptography

general firewall design

etc.

The complete list of test topics can be found on the Novell website.

Candidates who are already CLE 9 certified can upgrade their credential by passing the following exam:

Novell Practicum: 050-699 CLP 10/CLE 10 Upgrade Exam

Cost

The cost to take the exam is US$195 although, for non-US residents, the cost may vary depending on location and currency fluctuations. Periodically, Novell will offer discounts on price of the exam (keep an eye on the official site) and there are discount vouchers available for some Novell exams from independant third-party suppliers.

The tests are administered by Pearson VUE testing centers which have locations worldwide.

Retake Policy

There is no waiting period required before taking the CLE exam a second time if the candidate fails the first exam. If the candidate fails the second exam, they must wait a period of 30 days before their third and any subsequent attempts to pass the same exam. If a candidate passes an exam they must wait a minimum of twelve months before retaking the same exam.

Continuing Certification Registration

Novell certifications have no date of expiration, however the applicant signs an agreement before taking the CLE exam which states that they will take any Continuing Certification Registration (CCR) exams that are periodically required by Novell. Once the candidate has received their CLE certification, it is their responsibility to keep up-to-date with what CCRs are required. If the candidate does not complete the CCRs, their CLE certification may be revoked and the candidate may no longer claim to be Novell certified.

Novell CLA Certification: Certified Linux Administrator

June 25, 2010 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Novell.Inc 

The Novell Certified Linux Administrator (CLA) certification is designed for entry level Linux System Administrators to prove their knowledge of the daily administration of a SUSE Linux Enterprise Server network. It is the first certification on the Novell Linux Certification track and is a prerequisite to the more advanced CLE certification.
Exam details and overview
Although not required, Novell recommends that individuals complete both the three day SUSE Enterprise Fundamentals and the five day SUSE Linux Administration courses for the version of the SUSE Linux Operating System they are interested in, e.g. for candidates wishing to be SUSE 11 certified, then the candidate would complete the SUSE 11 Fundamentals course. These courses can be taken in a classroom setting or by self study.
To gain the Novell CLA credential, a candidate must pass just one exam:
050-710 CLA Novell Certified Linux Administrator (SUSE 10), or,
050-720 CLA Novell Certified Linux Administrator 11 (SUSE 11)
Both versions of the exam are a traditional form-based exam consisting of 69 questions. Candidates are given 90 minutes to complete the CLA exam and must get a total of 512 points to pass the exam. Form-based tests provide every candidate with the same set of questions and are graded on the number of questions they answer correctly. These types of tests will typically demonstrate what knowledge the candidate has, but not their practical abilities. Exam objectives include:
how to access and use the man pages
how to create and view files
how to use piping and redirection
how to manage users and groups accounts through YaST and from the command line etc.
The complete list of test objectives can be found on the Novell website
Cost 0b0-103
The cost for the CLA exam is US$125 however prices can change and will undoubtedly vary depending on the country where you take the exam. From time to time, Novell offer discounts on the price of the exam so it pays to contact them before paying for your exam to see if they have any current or ‘coming soon’ offers. Novell exams are administered through Pearson VUE testing centers which have locations worldwide.
For many Novell exams there are discount exam vouchers available that not only reduce the cost of the exam but also include free training material. These discount vouchers can be bought through independant third-party suppliers.
Retake Policy
There is no waiting period required before taking the CLA exam a second time if the candidate fails the first exam. If the candidate fails the second exam, they must wait a period of 30 days before their third and any subsequent attempts to pass the same exam. If a candidate passes an exam they must wait a minimum of twelve months before retaking the same exam.
Continuing Certification Registration
Novell certifications have no date of expiration, however the applicant signs an agreement before taking the CLA exam which states that they will take any Continuing Certification Registration (CCR) exams that are periodically required by Novell. Once the candidate has received their CLA certification, it is their responsibility to keep up-to-date with what CCRs are required. If the candidate does not complete the CCRs, their CLA certification may be revoked and the candidate may no longer claim to be Novell certified.