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Exam Information
Official specifications published by IBM
Exam Format
75 min
45
71%
Specialty
Registration
$100 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
English
Validity
Does not expire
Pass a higher-level IBM Systems certification; Complete continuing education requirements; Pass the latest version of the specialty exam
S2000-025 Exam Topics and Domains
S2000-025 is organized into 8 weighted domains. Expect to work with init, LVM commands, /etc/security, at daemon, and more.
1
Setup
15%
User Environment Management
Set user's environment
- Configure and manage user environment settings
- Set and export environment variables
- Customize shell behavior
System Console and Remote Access
Connect to AIX System Console
- Connect to AIX System Console
- Configure remote log-in to System Console
AIX Management Tools
Define AIX management tools including SMIT
- Navigate and use SMIT effectively
- Understand SMIT log files and fast paths
Device Management
Manage devices and attributes
- Manage physical and logical devices
- Configure device attributes
Boot and Shutdown
Manage the AIX boot and shutdown sequence
- Understand AIX boot sequence
- Perform proper system shutdown
System Updates
Install AIX fixes and updates
- Install and manage AIX fixes
- Apply technology levels and service packs
Open Source Package Management
Manage open source packages with rpm
- Install and manage RPM packages
- Resolve package dependencies
2
Operations
15%
System Backup
Create and verify system backups
- Create system backup using mksysb
- Create volume group backups with savevg
- Verify backup integrity
File Management
Manage file backups and archives
- Create and manage file archives
- Use compression tools effectively
System Documentation
Document the systems configuration
- Document system configuration
- Generate system reports
Service Management
Manage services using System Resource Controller
- Manage services using SRC
- Monitor service status
Root Email Management
Manage root email
- Configure root email forwarding
- Manage mail aliases
Process Management
Define the process lifecycle and priorities
- Understand process lifecycle
- Manage process priorities
Job Scheduling
Scheduling execution of commands
- Schedule recurring tasks with cron
- Schedule one-time tasks with at
- Use batch for load-dependent scheduling
3
Storage Management
13%
LVM Concepts
Explain the LVM terminology
- Understand LVM components and relationships
- Explain PP to LP mapping
Volume Group Management
Manage volume groups
- Create and manage volume groups
- Export and import volume groups
Logical Volume Management
Manage logical volumes
- Create and extend logical volumes
- Configure LV mirroring and striping
File System Management
Manage file systems
- Create and manage JFS2 file systems
- Mount and unmount file systems
- Perform file system maintenance
Raw Physical Volumes
Manage raw physical volumes
- Configure raw physical volumes
- Understand raw device usage scenarios
4
System Security
12%
Basic Security
Manage basic system security
- Configure basic security policies
- Implement password policies
User and Group Management
Manage users and groups
- Create and manage user accounts
- Configure user attributes and groups
File Permissions
Explain file permissions
- Understand and set file permissions
- Configure ACLs and special permissions
5
Network Management
10%
IP Configuration
Manage basic IP configuration
- Configure network interfaces
- Assign IP addresses and netmasks
Name Resolution
Manage hosts and name resolution order
- Configure name resolution
- Manage hosts file and DNS settings
Network Services
Manage network services with inetd
- Configure inetd services
- Manage network service security
NFS
Mount and export NFS
- Configure NFS exports
- Mount NFS file systems
6
Performance Management and Tuning
15%
Performance Bottlenecks
Identify potential performance bottlenecks
- Identify CPU, RAM, and I/O bottlenecks
- Use performance monitoring tools
CPU Concepts
CPU types and concepts
- Explain difference between logical, physical, and virtual CPU
- Understand SMT concepts
Memory Management
VMM concepts and memory monitoring
- Define basic VMM concepts
- Monitor memory usage
Paging Space
Paging space management
- Expand paging space
- Monitor paging space usage
I/O Performance
Monitor I/O performance
- Monitor I/O performance
- Interpret I/O statistics
System Tunables
Display system tunables
- Display and understand system tunables
- Know common tuning parameters
7
Problem Determination and Management
15%
Error Monitoring
Monitor for hardware and software messages
- Use errpt for error monitoring
- Configure and use syslog
- Manage alog subsystems
IBM Support
Generate files for IBM Support
- Define requirements to generate files for IBM Support
- Use snap command effectively
Login Troubleshooting
Troubleshoot client log-in issues
- Troubleshoot client log-in issues
- Identify authentication problems
Boot Troubleshooting
Troubleshoot boot errors
- Troubleshoot boot errors
- Interpret LED codes
Alternate Boot
Boot AIX from an alternate source
- Boot AIX from alternate source
- Access maintenance mode
File System Troubleshooting
Troubleshoot the file system
- Troubleshoot file system issues
- Perform file system recovery
Diagnostics
Use diag for troubleshooting
- Use diag for basic troubleshooting and maintenance
- Run hardware diagnostics
8
Version 7.3 Specific Changes
5%
AIX 7.3 New Features
Version 7.3 specific changes
- Understand AIX 7.3 specific enhancements
- Know migration considerations from earlier versions
How do I earn this certification?
Passing S2000-025 earns the IBM AIX v7.3 Administrator Specialty certification. It sits in the IBM Systems - AIX track.
Current Level Exams
- S1000-007 - IBM AIX v7 Administrator Specialty
- S1000-008 - IBM PowerHA SystemMirror V7.2.5 AIX Administrator Specialty
Next Level Options
- S2000-024 - IBM PowerVC v2.2 Administrator Specialty
- C1000-187 - IBM watsonx Mainframe Modernization Architect v1 - Associate
Alternative Paths
- S2000-020 - IBM Power Virtual Server v1 SpecialtyCloud deployment of AIX workloads
- S1000-008 - IBM PowerHA SystemMirror V7.2.5 AIX Administrator Specialty HA/DR expertise for AIX
- Red Hat RHCSA - Red Hat Certified System Administrator Cross-platform UNIX/Linux skills
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the official PlanetCert Practice Test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for S2000-025.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2023-01-01
- Announcement date: 2022-11-01
Updates
- Live Update 2.0 New topic likely in future exam updates • Release date: 2024-07-01
- PowerHA SystemMirror 7.2.5 Related but separate specialty exam available • Release date: 2024-04-01
- VIOS 3.1.4 Virtualization topics may be updated • Release date: 2024-05-15
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by AIX System Administrators and UNIX/Linux Administrators transitioning to AIX.
- 6-12 months of hands-on AIX administration experience
- Basic understanding of UNIX/Linux concepts
- Experience with PowerVM environments
- Familiarity with IBM Power Systems hardware