- Hacking contest demonstrates live attacks and blocking measures
- Leading developers to hold tutorials on Linux Kernel, Java Tomcat, ZFS, Gimp and Scribus
- Free LPI classrooms and LPI exams at reduced fees
- Participation in LinuxTag approved by Land of Berlin as educational leave
Berlin, 27 May 2010 – From 9 to 12 June 2010 the focus at LinuxTag Berlin will be on advanced training. In addition to numerous tutorials held by leading developers the programme will once again feature the traditional hacking contest. An offer of optimum preparation for gaining an LPI certificate and reduced-rate exam fees rounds off this wide-ranging programme. Participants may apply for educational leave.
Ingo Wichmann, Chairman of LinuxTag e. V., lists this year’s highlights at Europe’s leading event on Linux and Open Source: “Nowadays the hacking contest, which eight years ago began as a fun event at LinuxTag in which security experts took part, demonstrates how Linux security works in an entertaining and informative way. Visitors in search of in-depth knowledge on current topics such as Linux Kernel, Tomcat and ZFS, can obtain first-hand information at LinuxTag. At the Committer tutorials only speakers directly involved in the development process will be discussing their relevant topics. The long-standing cooperation with the Linux Professional Institute is set to continue. Participants will be able to take their exams at rates costing half the normal fee. Many of the LPI classrooms which prepare candidates for the exam are free of charge.“
Fun and security all in one – the hacking contest
The hacking contest combines fun and security all in one. Together with the main sponsor Astaro, a manufacturer of Linux-based firewalls, LinuxTag will be inviting amateurs and professionals on stage. The contest runs as follows: to begin with two teams will be given access to one notebook each with a freshly installed, free operating system, with no details of the hardware in question, keyboard layout, operating system or distribution. Each team has 15 minutes to install loopholes in the security system to facilitate access later on. Thereupon the teams swap systems and during the next 15 minutes each team attempts to find and remove the loopholes previously installed by the other team. The teams then swap systems again and each team attempts to hack its way into the system and gain access.
Teams with specialist knowledge at every level are invited to describe and demonstrate their ideas on safety loopholes, as well as the respective measures to block attacks. “We have had both newcomers to system administration as well as kernel developers with astonishing ideas taking part in the hacking contest", is how Wichmann comments this traditional event, which starts at 2 p.m. on Friday, 11 June 2010, and takes place in the Open Source Arena. Teams interested in taking part are requested to submit their names to LinuxTag in advance, as only a limited number of places are available (hacking@linuxtag.org). More details are available at http://www.linuxtag.org/2010/de/program/open-source-arena.html
First-hand information – Committer tutorials
In cooperation with Linuxhotel, an Essen-based training facility, LinuxTag is holding four one-day Committer tutorials. A maximum of ten participants will receive hands-on training at their own computer directly from tutors involved in the respective open source projects. “The credibility of the tutor is key to the success of a tutorial. Thus the presence of leading developers, among them Peter Rossbach, who works on the Java application server Tomcat, and Jonathan Corbet, who is actively involved in work on the Linux Kernel, will be of particular advantage to visitors in search of answers to the special questions they have", says Wichmann.
On Thursday, 10 June 2010, the programme features the topics ”ZFS under FreeBSD" with Lars Engels, and ”Scribus Print Publishing" with Christoph Schäfer. On Friday, 11 June 2010 Jonathan Corbet will hold a tutorial entitled “Kernel development process". On Saturday he will be the keynote speaker at the open series of lectures. Peter Rossbach will conclude the day’s papers on Saturday, 12 June, with a talk on “JVM memory management - virtual machines and tools“. More details and information on fees are available at http://www.linuxtag.org/2010/de/program/tutorien.html
Certified knowledge – LPI certificates
An LPI certificate is the easiest way for career starters and experienced administrators alike to supply proof of their knowledge of Linux to prospective employers. An all-day workshop on the first day of the fair on 9 June 2010 is the ideal way for candidates to prepare for the LPIC 1 exam. Those who have already prepared can obtain daily last-minute information about the exams and the relevant procedures from LPI classrooms in the Open Source Arena.
As in the last seven years LPI is enabling candidates to take part in the exams at reduced-rate fees. More than 130 bookings have already been received for the exams taking place during LinuxTag. Only a limited number of places are still available for the following exams: LPIC-1 (101, 102), LPIC-2 (201, 202), LPIC-3 (301, 302, 303) and the Univention Certified Professional Exam (LPI 198). For more details: http://www.linuxtag.org/2010/de/program/zertifizierungen.html
The LPIC workshops on 9 June offer candidates an opportunity to put some final questions, and to test and improve their knowledge before the exam. This is where they can sit down with a lecturer from Linuxhotel and other candidates on the day before the LPI exam.
Application forms and further details are available at: http://www.linuxtag.org/2010/de/program/tutorien.html
LinuxTag approved as educational leave
Even if you are not attending in an official capacity taking part in LinuxTag is still easy. This is the third year that Europe’s leading event on Linux and Open Source has been approved as educational leave. Thus visitors from many federal States can apply to attend LinuxTag in Berlin without the need to sacrifice their annual leave.
About LinuxTag
LinuxTag is Europe's leading event on Linux and free software. The four-day event has been taking place annually on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds since 2007. It offers the very latest information for professional users, decision-makers, developers, beginners and the community. In addition to the programme of papers and a separate Business & Public Authorities Conference, LinuxTag traditionally includes an exhibition featuring projects and companies associated with the Open Source sector. A total of 10,780 visitors from around the world attended LinuxTag 2009. Verein LinuxTag e.V. is the non-commercial organiser of the event, which is staged jointly with Messe Berlin GmbH. More details can be found at www.linuxtag.org