* Novell preps online Linux skills assessment tool
Novell is this week is expected to launch on its training Web site an online Linux skills assessment tool that will give you immediate feedback on your level of Linux knowledge and recommend some training and courseware to get you on your way to servicing Novell’s Linux platform.
How much longer NetWare will be on this earth is a topic of much discussion over at the Novell NetWare Tips newsletter, but it is safe to say that Novell is keen for its installed base to migrate to Open Enterprise Server, which Novell describes as NetWare 6.5 Service Pack 4, and eventually to Novell’s SuSE Linux Enterprise platforms.
Certified Novell Engineer professionals are seeing the gradual retirement of Novell legacy courses, including training for NetWare 5 and Master CNE courses, and some NetWare 6 courses (click here for more details), so it’s not surprising that some Novell pros are wondering what they should do next. In one of last month’s Novell NetWare Tips newsletter, a reader who held a CNE 5 certification asked newsletter author Dave Kearns whether it is worth going for the CNE 6 certification given that some of the courses will be soon retired. Read the newsletter for Dave’s response (short answer: yes).
But what would the options be if the reader wanted to take the plunge and go for Linux training? As a starter, and for networking professionals who will just be running NetWare services on OES, Novell recommends taking OES integrator courses, says Steven King, director of training services at Novell’s training service group. These courses are the beginner-level Novell Open Enterprise Server Self-Study Bundle and the advanced 5-day classroom or self-study Deploying Novell Open Enterprise Server Course.
But for professionals who likely want to get inside the kernel, Novell recommends its Linux-specific training courses, and certifications: the Novell Certified Linux Professional and the advanced Novell Certified Linux Engineer designations.
King says there is still demand for NetWare 6.5 training, which will be around for a while. “You’re more marketable if you are an administrator on both NetWare and Linux,” he says. King particularly recommends the integrator courses for starters because it aims to get professional up to speed on the NetWare services available on OES, he says.
Aside from Linux training, Novell says it is also beefing up its courses for its other products areas, including identity management, systems management and security, and expects to make announcements at the beginning of November.
* I wanted to point you to an interesting feature article in this week’s Network World that talks about IT worker shortage. In the article, CIOs discuss how they are struggling to staff their departments with the right mix of technical expertise and business mix.
