I’ve passed the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) exam.
This one felt easy and straightforward - and it’s exactly the kind of exam format I actually enjoy.
Unlike theoretical multiple-choice tests, LFCS is hands-on: you’re dropped into a real Linux environment and asked to solve practical tasks. That’s my comfort zone. It’s the sort of “real work” exam where you can stay calm, think clearly, and just execute.
What I liked#
This exam reminded me of the “old days” in the best possible way:
- you hit a problem you don’t fully remember
- you read the man pages
- you test, iterate, and ship the fix
- and everything clicks
That flow - read → understand → apply - is exactly what I love about Linux.
Small challenges (still fun)#
Even though the overall difficulty was very manageable, there were a couple of tasks that were outside my recent muscle memory:
- NAT with nftables (I’ve done it before, but not recently)
- virt-manager / virtualization bits I hadn’t touched in ages
But honestly… that’s what made the exam interesting. It wasn’t frustrating - it was fun. It felt like solving real sysadmin tickets under a timer, and it was genuinely enjoyable.
Compared to Red Hat exams#
A Red Hat practical exam would likely be harder (more strict, more depth, more pressure), but LFCS still hits a very satisfying sweet spot: practical, realistic tasks, minimal fluff, and plenty of room to rely on fundamentals.
Notes#
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys “RTFM done right” and building answers from first principles, LFCS is a great match.