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The Linux Foundation’s $179 Cyber Monday Linux certification offer was a real promotion, but it expired on December 4, 2015. The archived deal bundled LFS201 course access, an LFCS exam attempt, a free retake and a Tux T-shirt; it is not a current offer.
The Linux Foundation published “Give Thanks: Cyber Monday Linux Certification Offer” on November 30, 2015. It advertised a package for people seeking Linux system-administration training and the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) credential.
The promotion ended Friday, December 4, 2015, at midnight Pacific Time. If you found the page through search or an archive, treat it as historical information—not a checkout offer. Its stated $179 price, LFS201 access and T-shirt should not be assumed to be available today.
What the 2015 offer included
| Item | Details stated in the offer |
|---|---|
| Promotional price | $179 |
| Advertised regular price | $499, as stated in that 2015 promotion—not a current price benchmark |
| Training | One year of access to LFS201 Essentials of System Administration |
| Certification exam | One LFCS exam attempt |
| Retake | A free retake |
| Merchandise | A Linux Foundation/Tux T-shirt |
| Deadline | December 4, 2015, at midnight Pacific Time |
The announcement presented Linux training and certification as ways to build job skills or support a career transition. Those were the Foundation’s promotional claims; the post did not provide employment, salary or career-outcome data. It also described online, classroom and on-site training options at that time. That historical description does not mean every current LFCS purchase includes classroom or on-site instruction.
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What LFCS offers now
The current Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator page describes LFCS as an intermediate-level, performance-based certification. The page lists a two-hour exam, 12 months of exam eligibility, one retake, two-year certification validity, an exam simulator, and a digital badge and PDF certificate. Its listed price is $445; check the official page and checkout terms for the current price and applicable conditions before buying.
This is a different product offer from the 2015 bundle. Do not assume a current purchase includes a year of LFS201 access or a T-shirt, or that its retake terms are identical to the old promotion. The live product page is the authority for current inclusions.
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LFS201 and today’s training catalog
The 2015 post named LFS201 Essentials of System Administration. The current Linux Foundation catalog instead lists LFS207 Linux System Administration Essentials. The current course page describes it as preparation for Linux system-administration work and notes that its skills overlap with those tested by LFCS. That does not establish that LFS207 is the same course as LFS201, nor does taking it guarantee a passing exam result.
The current LFS207 page lists the course alone at $299 and a course-plus-THRIVE-ONE option at $625. Prices, bundles and subscription terms can change, so confirm the live listing before purchase. THRIVE-ONE may suit someone intending to use a broader course library; it may be unnecessary if you need only one exam or course.
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Is LFCS a fit for you?
LFCS is most directly relevant if your goal is hands-on Linux system administration, infrastructure, cloud operations, DevOps, site reliability or platform support. It is not automatically the best choice for every IT learner. Compare the credential with job descriptions and the technologies used by employers you are targeting; for example, a role requiring Red Hat-specific administration may call for a different preparation path.
- Consider your starting point. If you are new to Linux or switching from another operating system, foundational study and guided practice may be more useful before attempting an intermediate practical exam.
- Prepare for practical work. Because LFCS is performance-based, practice tasks such as managing users and permissions, services and processes, storage, networking, packages, security settings and troubleshooting. Use the current exam objectives on the official page rather than relying on an old objective list.
- Budget for the whole path. Factor in training, lab or simulator access, retake conditions, renewal requirements, and time spent preparing—not just the exam price. Check whether an employer will reimburse certification costs.
- Set realistic expectations. A credential can document skills, but the 2015 promotion does not substantiate a job guarantee, salary increase or successful career transition.
Where to check current options
For the current exam, start with the official LFCS page. For structured introductory training, review LFS207. The Linux Foundation certification catalog lists other credentials and bundles. Verify any promotion’s dates, eligibility, regional terms, currency and checkout price directly with the Foundation. The existence of later sales does not revive this 2015 deal or make its package terms current.
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