Top 11 AIX Administrator Certifications

Certifications are important for an AIX Administrator in the job market because they demonstrate a high level of technical expertise and knowledge of the AIX operating system. Certifications provide employers with assurance that their potential hires have the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in their roles. Additionally, certifications can help differentiate one candidate from another when competing for the same position. Finally, having certifications can open up more opportunities for advancement within an organization or even help to secure higher salaries.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for AIX Administrators and explain how they can help an AIX Administrator advance their career.

What are AIX Administrator Certifications?

AIX Administrator Certification is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills of experienced AIX administrators. AIX (Advanced Interactive eXecutive) is a UNIX-based operating system developed by IBM for their Power Systems servers. With this certification, IT professionals demonstrate their ability to install, configure, and manage AIX systems.

By earning an AIX Administrator Certification, IT professionals can prove their knowledge and understanding of the AIX operating system and its related technologies. This certification helps individuals stand out in the job market by demonstrating their expertise in the field. It also allows them to gain access to more job opportunities and higher salaries in the IT industry. Moreover, it increases the visibility of a professional’s profile in the eyes of employers.

Overall, AIX Administrator Certification provides numerous benefits that can help an individual advance his or her career in the technology sector. It ensures that IT professionals have all the necessary skills to effectively manage and maintain AIX systems. Furthermore, it serves as a great way for employers to identify qualified candidates for specific roles within their organizations.

Pro Tip: When studying for an AIX Administrator certification exam, ensure you have a good understanding of the concepts and processes involved in the installation, configuration and maintenance of AIX systems. Make sure to practice on real-life scenarios to get a better feel for how the system works and become familiar with common commands. Also, be sure to review the topics covered by the exam so that you can focus your study time where it will be most beneficial.

Related: What does an AIX Administrator do?

Top 11 AIX Administrator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to AIX Administrators today.

1. IBM Certified System Administrator - AIX V7.1 & V7.2

IBM Certified System Administrator - AIX V7.1 & V7.2 is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in administering IBM AIX systems. This certification validates the skills necessary to install, configure, manage, maintain, and troubleshoot IBM AIX V7.1 and V7.2 systems.

To obtain this certification you must pass two exams: C9010-022 (AIX 7 Administration) and C9010-023 (Power Systems with AIX 7 Technical Sales). Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and costs $200 USD per exam.

The total cost of obtaining the IBM Certified System Administrator – AIX V7.1 & V7.2 certification is $400 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with taking the exams. It typically takes around 2 months to prepare for both exams and obtain the certification after passing them both successfully.

2. IBM Certified System Administrator - AIX V6.1 & V6.2

IBM Certified System Administrator - AIX V6.1 & V6.2 is a certification that validates the skills and knowledge of system administrators who install, configure, manage, and support IBM AIX 6.1 and 6.2 operating systems. This certification demonstrates the administrator’s ability to maintain an efficient and secure environment for their organization’s critical applications running on the AIX platform.

It typically takes around 2-3 months to prepare for and pass this certification exam, depending on the individual’s experience level. To get certified, candidates must first pass one of two exams: C9010-030 or C9010-031. The cost of these exams varies depending on region but typically range from $200-$300 USD each. After passing either exam, candidates will receive their IBM Certified System Administrator - AIX V6.1 & V6.2 certification credential.

3. IBM Certified Advanced Technical Expert – AIX

IBM Certified Advanced Technical Expert – AIX is a professional certification that recognizes an individual's technical expertise in the installation, configuration, and support of IBM's AIX operating system. This certification is designed for experienced professionals who are responsible for managing and maintaining AIX environments.

To become certified, individuals must pass the IBM Certified Advanced Technical Expert – AIX exam. This exam consists of multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70%. The exam typically takes about two hours to complete.

Individuals can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on location, but generally ranges from $200 to $300 USD.

4. IBM Certified Specialist – Power Systems with AIX Sales Professional v2

The IBM Certified Specialist – Power Systems with AIX Sales Professional v2 is a professional certification designed for sales professionals who are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in selling IBM Power Systems with AIX solutions. This certification validates a candidate's ability to understand customer requirements, design and recommend solutions, and develop an implementation plan for the solution.

It takes approximately 10 hours of study time to prepare for this certification exam. The exam consists of one multiple-choice test that covers topics such as Power Systems technology, product positioning, pricing, competitive analysis, and customer satisfaction. To obtain the certification, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of the certification exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $100 - $200 USD. Candidates can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

5. IBM Certified Database Administrator – DB2 UDB for AIX v9 Family

IBM Certified Database Administrator – DB2 UDB for AIX v9 Family is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates expertise in administering IBM's DB2 Universal Database (UDB) for the AIX operating system. This certification validates a professional’s ability to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot DB2 UDB databases on AIX systems.

It typically takes 3–6 months of preparation time to become certified. To get certified, you must pass the IBM C2090-616: DB2 11 DBA for LUW (Linux, Unix and Windows) exam. The exam consists of 66 multiple-choice questions and requires a passing score of 63%.

The cost of the exam is $200 USD.

6. IBM Certified Solution Implementer – High Availability for AIX Solutions

IBM Certified Solution Implementer – High Availability for AIX Solutions is a professional certification program designed to demonstrate an individual’s expertise in the design, implementation, and management of high availability solutions for IBM AIX. This certification validates an individual's ability to configure and maintain a highly available AIX environment that can handle unexpected system outages with minimal disruption.

To obtain this certification, individuals must pass two exams: C9020-561 - IBM System Storage DS8000 Technical Solutions V5 and C9020-568 - High Availability for AIX - Technical Support and Administration V2. The exams are offered by Pearson VUE, and the cost of each exam is $200 USD. It typically takes around 2-3 months to prepare for the exams, depending on your experience level.

7. IBM Certified Application Developer – AIX and Linux Applications

IBM Certified Application Developer – AIX and Linux Applications is a professional certification that validates the skills of application developers who work with IBM’s AIX and Linux operating systems. This certification is designed to demonstrate a developer’s expertise in developing applications for these two operating systems, including knowledge of programming languages, scripting tools, debugging techniques, system administration tasks, and more.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to prepare for this certification exam depending on the individual's experience and background. To get certified, individuals must pass one or more exams related to the topics covered in the certification program. The cost of each exam varies depending on the specific type of exam taken.

To become an IBM Certified Application Developer – AIX and Linux Applications, individuals must first register for their desired exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. After registering for an exam, they can then purchase study materials from IBM or other third-party vendors to help them prepare for their exams. Once they have completed their studies and feel prepared to take their exams, they can then schedule their exams online through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

The cost of each exam varies depending on the specific type of exam taken but typically ranges from $200 - $300 USD per exam.

8. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) in Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power Systems

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) in Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power Systems is a certification that validates the skills and knowledge of system administrators and engineers who are responsible for deploying, configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Red Hat Enterprise Linux on IBM Power Systems. The RHCE certification is a performance-based certification that requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to configure networking services, security, package management, and other core system administration tasks.

It typically takes between six months to a year to prepare for the RHCE exam. Candidates should have experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems and be familiar with basic Linux commands, shell scripting, network configuration, system installation, security settings and more. It is also recommended that candidates take a course or training program from an authorized Red Hat Training Partner prior to taking the exam.

The cost of the RHCE exam depends on the country you are located in and the type of test you choose (e.g., online or proctored). Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $400-$600 USD per exam attempt.

9. Oracle Solaris 10 System Administrator Certification

Oracle Solaris 10 System Administrator Certification is a certification program offered by Oracle that validates the skills and knowledge of system administrators who manage Oracle Solaris 10 systems. The certification is designed to prove that the certified individual has the skills and knowledge necessary to install, configure, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot Oracle Solaris 10 systems.

To obtain this certification, you must complete an exam that covers topics such as installation, configuration, patching and updating, user management, security management, troubleshooting and more. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150-$200 USD. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. Once you have passed the exam you will be awarded an Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) in Oracle Solaris 10 System Administration certification.

10. Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert Certification

Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert Certification is a professional-level certification that validates an individual’s expertise in designing, building, and maintaining cloud solutions on Microsoft Azure. This certification demonstrates an individual’s ability to design, build, and manage secure and scalable cloud solutions using the latest technologies available on Microsoft Azure.

The Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert Certification requires individuals to pass two exams: AZ-303: Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies and AZ-304: Microsoft Azure Architect Design. The AZ-303 exam covers topics such as virtual networking, security, compute services, storage services, data services, messaging services, application development services, and more. The AZ-304 exam covers topics such as designing for identity and security, data platform solutions, messaging solutions, deploying applications with containers or serverless computing models, and more.

It typically takes around 6 months of study time to prepare for the two exams needed for this certification. To get started on your journey towards becoming a certified Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert you should first review the exam objectives for both exams and then create a study plan that includes self-study materials (books/videos/tutorials) as well as hands-on experience with the technology. It is also recommended that you take practice exams to help you identify any areas where you may need additional focus.

The cost of taking each exam is $165 USD per exam. Therefore the total cost of obtaining this certification would be $330 USD (2 exams x $165).

11. CompTIA Cloud+ Certification

CompTIA Cloud+ is a vendor-neutral certification that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals working in cloud computing environments. It is designed to help IT professionals understand cloud infrastructure, virtualization, security, resource management, and business continuity. CompTIA Cloud+ certifies that individuals have the necessary skills to design, deploy, manage, and maintain cloud technologies.

The exam for CompTIA Cloud+ takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as cloud models, virtualization, storage and networking concepts, security best practices, resource management strategies, and troubleshooting techniques.

To obtain the CompTIA Cloud+ certification you must pass the CompTIA Cloud+ exam (CV0-002). The exam fee is $319 USD. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

In addition to passing the exam you must also agree to adhere to CompTIA's Code of Ethics and attest to your understanding of it before you can be certified.

Do You Really Need a AIX Administrator Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual situation and goals. If you are an AIX Administrator, then having a certificate can help demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the field. It can be a valuable asset when applying for jobs or promotions, as it shows potential employers that you have the necessary skills to work with their AIX systems.

On the other hand, if you are not an AIX Administrator but want to learn more about the system, then a certificate may not be necessary. There are many online resources available that can provide you with the same information and knowledge as a certification course. Additionally, some companies offer free training courses for those who wish to become certified in specific areas of AIX administration.

Ultimately, whether or not an AIX Administrator Certificate is necessary depends on your individual goals and circumstances. If you feel it would benefit you professionally or if your company requires certification for certain positions, then obtaining one could be beneficial. However, if neither of these apply to you, then there are other ways to obtain the knowledge needed for working with AIX systems without having to get certified.

Related: AIX Administrator Resume Examples

FAQs About AIX Administrator Certifications

1. What is the difference between an AIX Administrator Certification and other certifications?

Answer: AIX Administrator Certification is a specialized certification that focuses on the administration of the IBM AIX operating system. This certification requires knowledge of topics such as installing, configuring, managing, and troubleshooting the AIX Operating System. It also covers advanced topics such as security and high availability. It is different from other certifications because it focuses solely on the administration of the AIX Operating System.

2. What type of job can I get with an AIX Administrator Certification?

Answer: An AIX Administrator Certification can lead to a wide variety of positions within IT departments that require experience in managing the IBM AIX operating system. These positions include but are not limited to System Administrators, Systems Engineers, Technical Support Specialists, Network Administrators, Database Administrators, and Security Analysts.

3. Are there any prerequisites for taking an AIX Administrator Certification exam?

Answer: Yes, there are prerequisites for taking an AIX Administrator Certification exam. Candidates must have at least six months of experience working with IBM AIX or a related technology before they can take the exam. Additionally, some exams may require additional study materials or training courses prior to taking the exam.

4. How long does it take to earn an AIX Administrator Certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to earn an AIX Administrator Certification depends on several factors such as how much prior experience you have with IBM AIX or related technologies and how much time you are able to devote to studying for the exam(s). Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 6-12 months to earn a certification depending on your individual circumstances and commitment level.

5. Is there any cost associated with earning an AIX Administrator Certification?

Answer: Yes, there may be costs associated with earning an AIX Administrator Certification depending upon which certification you choose and what type of study materials/training courses you use in order to prepare for the exam(s). Generally speaking, most candidates spend between $500-$3000 in total costs when pursuing their certification goals depending upon which route they choose to take (self-study vs instructor-led training).