5/10/2005 -- If there is one company that can be credited with popularizing computer certifications back in the ‘90s, it's Novell. The company's Certified NetWare Engineer (CNE) certification wasn’t quite first on the market, but it was the first that the market couldn’t get enough of. Demand vastly exceeded supply for a number of years, and the momentum behind it brought forth the IT certification world as we know it today. That was well over a decade ago; Novell then jumped the shark, so to speak, when they divided the CNE into CNE 3 and CNE 4. Where do they stand now?

Surprisingly, Novell certifications seem to be poised for a second wave of popularity and esteem. Part of this can be attributed to its use of new technologies to deliver some of its exams in hands-on format, while a huge portion is also attributable to a move toward more open-source solutions and related credentials. This article provides an overview of the many certifications currently available from Novell.

Certified Novell Administrator (CNA)
The simplest certification in the Novell fold is CNA. At one point in time, this was an acronym for Certified NetWare Administrator, but is now for Certified Novell Administrator. In order to obtain this certification, you must pass one, entry-level, exam; there are three options:

• NetWare 5.1 Administration (050-653)
• Foundations of Novell Networking (050-677)
• Foundations of Novell Networking: NetWare 6.5 (050-686)

The first exam is essentially unchanged in the past four years, and is only recommended for those who are replacing retiring administrators of existing NetWare 5.1 networks. While there is value in setting out now to become a master of this NOS, it is akin to setting out now to become an expert in MS DOS 5: There just isn’t that much demand for it.

The second option, Foundations of Novell Networking, focuses on networking from the standpoint of NetWare 6. There is much more of an emphasis placed on open protocols and solutions, instead of seeking proprietary answers.

The third option has only recently become available and it updates the Foundations exam to focus on NetWare 6.5. (Look for a review of this exam coming soon to this site).

Certified Novell Engineer (CNE)
The CNE moniker can presently be earned in two tracks: NetWare 5 and NetWare 6 (which will soon offer many 6.5 exam options, although 6.5 is not officially broken out into a separate track). Both build upon their respective CNA certification. The NetWare 5 track then requires you to pass five more exams:

• NetWare 5.1 Advanced Administration (050-654): This builds on the knowledge needed for CNA.
• Networking Technologies (050-632): This requirement is waived if you are CompTIA Network+ certified. It is recommended that you go that route since it offers the opportunity to add another certification to your resume as you pursue this one. MCSE certification also waives the requirement of this exam, but most who are MCSE certified aren’t also becoming certified in NetWare 5.
• Novell eDirectory Design and Implementation (050-664): You must know the intricacies of the directory structure Novell employs.
• Service and Support (050-658): One of the oldest requirements to still be around, this exam requires you to know how to maintain the server and work with the troubleshooting tools included with the NOS.
• Upgrading to NetWare 6 (050-658): Yes, in order to become certified in NetWare 5 at the CNE level, you must also know the latest version of the network operating system. To really be current, however, forgo this exam in favor of Upgrading to NetWare 6.5 (050-688).

You'll also need to pass an elective exam, of which there are currently seven to choose from. A list of the valid electives can be found here (scroll down to view).

For NetWare 6, the CNE track requires you to already be a CNA, and then pass four more exams (note that the CNE 6.5 exams below have yet to be released):

• Novell Network Management: NetWare 6 (050-681) or Novell Network Management: NetWare 6.5 (050-690)
• Advanced Novell Network Management: NetWare 6 (050-682) or Advanced Novell Network Management: NetWare 6.5 (050-691)
• Novell eDirectory Design and Implementation (050-664)
• Desktop Management with ZENworks for Desktops 4 (050-683) or ZENworks 6.5 Desktop Management (050-692)

If you are a CNE with NetWare 5 and want to upgrade to 6 or 6.5, you can do so with a single exam (use the links in the CNE 5 requirements, above, for more information about these exam options).

Master Certified Novell Engineer (Master CNE)
What does it take to become a Master CNE after becoming a CNE? Not that much actually. First, your CNE must be on the current NOS (in other words, skip the NetWare 5 track). Next, you must become Project+ certified by CompTIA.

Following that, pass the TCP/IP for Networking Professionals exam (050-649) and two electives. Elective choices include ZENworks, GroupWise, and eDirectory. A list of the possibilities can be found here.

TESTING NOTE: Because Novell’s CNA, CNE and Master CNE exams are standard-format exams (vs. the hands-on exams used for the company’s Linux certifications), you can find them at any Prometric or Pearson Vue testing center worldwide for $125 (U.S.) each. To register, go to www.2test.com or www.vue.com.

Certified Linux Engineer (CLE and CLE 9)
The CLE is one of the newest in the acronym battery, coming from Novell's’s push toward all things Linux. The equivalent of CNE, the CLE is based on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) instead of NetWare. The original version of this certification – which appeared quite recently – was known simply as CLE and based on SLES version 8 and some other Novell-based entities. That certification is now being phased out in favor of CLE 9; based on SLES version 9 (the CLE 9 exam is scheduled to debut in September).

Becoming CLE certified is much simpler than becoming a CNE in that it requires passing only a single exam. The difficulty, however, lays in the nature of the exam. Known as a “practicum,” the exam is lab-based. The testing machine that you sit at establishes a connection with a server and you are given a number of tasks to do on that server. You either pass or fail, and the only way to truly prepare for the exam is to know the product (and Linux, in general) very well.

To find out more about the current CLE credential and its exam, go here. To find out more about the upcoming CLE 9, go here.

TESTING NOTE: Because of the technology used for its hands-on exams, Novell does not deliver its Linux exams through the standard delivery channels. Instead, you must take the exams through a select network of Novell testing centers. To find a location worldwide, go here. The price for these exams is the same as the the price for Novell's standard-format exams: $125 (U.S.).

Certified Linux Professional (CLP)
The SAT now no longer includes analogies, but if they did, they would say that Certified Linux Professional (CLP) is to CLE as CNA is to CNE. Also practicum-based, the difficulty level of the one exam you must pass is not nearly as difficult as for CLE.

This certification is targeted for an audience that has established they know Linux (through LPI or similar vendor-neutral certification), and now wants to move to an intermediate level and demonstrate knowledge with SLES 9. Recently repositioned, CLP will be a full-fledged stepping-stone toward the upcoming CLE 9 certification (it is only recommended for the current CLE).

To learn more about this title and its related exam, go here.

NOTE: If you were once a SuSE Certified Linux Professional, you are now a Certified Linux Professional. In January, Novell converted all of those certified on its once-concurrent SuSE title into full-fledged CLPs.

And That’s Not All…
In addition to the main ones listed here, Novell also offers certifications for instructors inside (Novell Academic Instructor) and outside (Certified Novell Instructor) their training centers. There is a great deal of overlap as CNIs often teach within the channel as well. Information on NAIs can be found here. If your interested in more information on the CNI program, go here.

Certifications are also available internally for the Novell sales staff, making it is possible to become either a Certified Novell Salesperson or a Certified Linux Salesperson.

Novell continues to update its program, so keep an eye out for changes (especially the new roster of Netware 6.5 CNE exams). If you need more information on any aspect of Novell’s certification program, go here.