My Certification Journey: Challenges and Lessons Learned
First Attempt (Failed - August):
I underestimated the importance of practicing real-life lab scenarios long before the exam. As a result, I struggled to understand how real-world scenarios would unfold during the test, which significantly impacted my performance.
Second Attempt (Failed - Free Retake in Nov 2nd ):
Although I had worked on my weak areas, I still made critical mistakes. I chose to take the lab exam at my office on a Saturday night, unaware that network latency would be a major issue. This caused panic, disrupted my focus, and hindered my ability to think clearly.
Additionally, I failed to thoroughly review all the lab practice exams within the crucial 48 hours before the test. With this exam, consistent practice is key—especially if you lack prior Linux administrator experience. You can never practice enough.
Third Attempt (Success - November 26th ):
This time, I addressed the previous challenges effectively. I also reported the network latency issue to the Linux Foundation, who confirmed that the problem stemmed from my internet connection. To my surprise, they granted me a free third attempt, saving me USDxxx in voucher costs. It felt like divine intervention, as they could have simply pointed out the issue without offering another retake. For this attempt, I switched to using my home fiber internet, which made all the difference.
Failure Is a Learning Opportunity
Society often views failure as something negative, but in reality, it provides an opportunity to learn and grow. During my certification journey, I shifted my focus from rote memorization to understanding the underlying logic. Here’s how I approached learning:
Discovering Commands: When I couldn’t recall a specific program or command, I used the apropos command to find related options.
Syntax and Troubleshooting: I relied on the man pages for detailed examples and solutions to mistakes.
Learning Concepts: ChatGPT became a key resource, providing clear and patient explanations. It allowed me to ask follow-up questions until I fully grasped the topic.
Suggestions for Students planning to be certified and the KodeKloud Team
To enhance learning and preparation, I suggest the following:
Firewall Concepts: Introduce labs that demonstrate the use of:
--table filter with commands like --append INPUT/OUTPUT --jump ACCEPT/DROP.
--table nat with --append PREROUTING --jump REDIRECT.
These concepts are foundational for effective firewall management.
Logical Volume Management (LVM): Include a lab that challenges students to expand a logical volume inclusive of filesystem resize. This scenario emphasizes a practical skill critical for real-world administration tasks.
By addressing these areas, students can develop a deeper understanding of fundamental concepts and be better prepared for real-world challenges.
Finally, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to KodeKloud and the entire team. This course was a tremendous source of encouragement and motivation, helping me achieve official certification. Without it, the journey would have been significantly more challenging.
To everyone who contributed to developing this course, I offer my sincere gratitude for the effort and dedication you put into it. Thank you!
