Linux+ XK0-004 vs XK0-005: What's New?

Change is inevitable. Especially in the IT industry, as technology continuously evolves, certificates evolve right along with them. In fact, most IT certifications are updated on a fairly regular cadence — and the CompTIA Linux+ is no exception.

In this article, we’ll discuss how the new Linux+ compares with its predecessor, specifically, the XK0-004 vs. the XK0-005. The XK0-004 will be retired on January 16, 2023. While that may seem soon, there are times when it’s advantageous to take the old one over the new one. Without further ado, let’s discuss the Linux+ exam in general, the differences between the two exams, and which one is right for your career goals.

What is the Linux+ Exam?

The Linux+ exam was introduced in 2001 to validate knowledge of all things related to the Linux operating system, which had been released 10 years prior. It’s around 90 questions long with multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Candidates must complete the exam in under 90 minutes with a score of at least 720 out of 900 to earn the certification. The Linux+ exam costs $358 at the time of this writing.

The Linux+ cert exam is naturally geared toward the Linux operating system. With that being said,  a lot of the knowledge gained from taking the exam can be applied to all sorts of other operating systems. Ubuntu, for example, is a Linux distribution. Red Hat is also a Linux distribution. In other words, this exam is perfect for anyone who needs to use a Linux-like operating system.

The first Linux+ exam released was called Linux+ XK0-001. Naturally, after several iterations, we arrived at XK0-004 and subsequently XK0-005. 

While these may be different exams, the overarching theme is the same: to validate an IT professional’s skills with the Linux operating system. The candidate must be able to configure, monitor, and support servers running the Linux OS. If that is what the two exams share, then let’s discuss how they diverge.

What’s Different about the XK0-005?

With the advent of cloud computing, the purview of the two exams has changed a decent amount. It’s nothing earth-shattering, but certainly worth paying attention to. Here is a breakdown of the two exams side-by-side. 

The most obvious thing to notice is that the XK0-005 consists of only four domains instead of five. The slightly more nuanced take is that the word “Hardware” has been removed from the domain entirely. It’s safe to assume that is because cloud computing has become all the rage, hardware expertise has taken a backseat in terms of demand. 

Scripting, containers, and automation, however, are in demand. Now that we have a broad overview of the difference between the two, let’s get a little more granular. Here are three different areas where the two exams really differ. Specifically, we’ll go over containerization, security, and Kubernetes.

1. Containerization 

When the XK0-004 was released, containerization software such as Docker was barely given a second thought. Now, Docker is everywhere. Especially in the cloud, and especially on Linux. That’s why it’s specifically targeted in domain three. 

For example, Section 3.2 of the exam objectives requires users to have a working understanding of basic container operations. I would highly recommend anyone taking this exam to become familiar with the Docker CLI. For this test, you will need to push Docker containers to the cloud, pull them back in, list them, run them, you name it. In addition to deploying containers, it is now expected that the test taker can expose ports and review container logs.

2. Security

The domain of security has had a significant overhaul since XK0-004. Now because of the cloud (always, because of the cloud), the focus of security has shifted more towards Identity Access and Management, rather than on-site or antiquated security practices.

Notice in Section 2.1, how much emphasis is placed on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). In a virtual environment, nearly all transactions require a public and private key decryption/encryption mechanism. Additionally, CompTIA is really honing in on specific forms of authentication, such as MFA, SSO, and LDAP. All three of these protocols are critical to securing cloud infrastructure.

3. Kubernetes

Lastly, we arrive at Kubernetes, the infamous container orchestration software. Go to the XK0-004 exam guide, and use the ctrl-f function to search for Kubernetes. There will be zero mentions. Kubernetes has taken the world by storm only recently, and Linux professionals are in the eye of that storm.

And Kubernetes is specifically mentioned in section 3.5 of the XK0-005 exam guide. Linux professionals are expected to understand Pods, Side Cars, and Ambassador Containers. Furthermore, persistent storage is within the purview of Kubernetes as well. Remember, this is a Linux exam, not a Kubernetes exam! Just have an understanding of some of its basic deployable units, and its overall purpose, and that will be enough.

Who Should Take the Linux+ XK0-005 Exam?

Let’s cut to the chase: a Linux+ certification is a valuable accreditation that proves the possessor has a wide breadth of experience with Linux. And yes, employers deeply value the reputation of CompTIA and its penchant for producing highly qualified professionals.

If you are new to Linux, then this is the perfect certificate to get your feet wet. Let’s take a look at a couple of roles that benefit from the CompTIA Linux+ Certification.

Linux Administrator

Assuming you are applying for a Linux admin position, there really couldn’t be a better certificate to put on your resume. If you are already a Linux administrator, it is guaranteed that there will be something valuable that you didn’t know about when studying for this exam. One of the best reasons to prepare for an exam is that it teaches you concepts that you never even knew you needed to know. With that being said, a Linux admin with a Linux+ certification will be a highly trusted individual in his or her organization.

Junior Cloud Engineer

The cloud runs on Linux distributions. It’s just a fact. Any automated process for the cloud is written as a shell script — rarely PowerShell and almost never a .bat file. Because Linux is ubiquitous to the cloud, a Linux+ certification will act as excellent leverage to break into the industry.

For example, MS Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud have one (of many) things in common. They all allow their end users to create virtual machines. (AWS calls them EC2 instances) All of these virtual machines have a default OS installed, and 95% of the time that default OS is *nix based. A Linux-qualified individual would be an invaluable asset to provision these boxes for further use within the organization.

Who Should Take the Linux+ XK0-004 Exam?

If you are already studying for the XK0-004, then there is no need to switch to the XK0-005. It is always better to get a certification sooner rather than later. The one drawback is that the exam will be retired by January 2023. So it’s very important the test is taken prior to that date. With exception to the junior cloud engineer position, all of these aforementioned positions are perfect for anyone getting this certification.

Final Thoughts

The most important thing to remember is this: if you are already studying for the XK0-004 exam, then continue studying for it. There is no rush to take the XK0-005. You have until January to pass the XK0-004 exam. 

Otherwise, go ahead and take the latest Linux+ exam. It’s a great way to learn the fundamentals of Linux OS. Furthermore, it validates your ability to troubleshoot, deploy, and maintain a Linux Operating System. All of these skills will vastly increase your marketability in an increasingly competitive job market.