Firstly, you can move this thread to the appropriate folder (this is the best I can get)

So, my goal is exactly the one in the subject, to "increase my value as a Linux professional". I am planning to do this by building my Linux 'foundation' knowledge then take a LPI certification, then a Redhat certification. But the exact way to do this, I don't really know.

How do you think I should get to increase my value as a Linux professional?

Well, currently, I am studying SSH on my Debian box (and another Debian guest in a virtualbox).

Cheers!

If you're looking to get into Linux system / server admin then learn the fundementals of Windows server admin and if you can afford to, take a Microsoft server certification too.


Most companies are mixed environments and, speaking for "the day job", we wouldn't hire anyone that doesn't have dual knowledge.

I would obtain a degree from a technical college or university. That's probably the only realistic way to do it.

It's been my experience that people that come to us straight from school with a degree usually have a much higher opinion of their skills and unrealistically high salary / position expectations.

doing those certs will help up to a point, but you need to go beyond what's possible in exam.
Setup a few VMs so you've got 'virtual' network and learn how to setup various services and co-ordinate them across multiple 'machines'.

Most real Admin envs have this sort of setup, often on actual metal, although VMs are becoming more popular.

Work through http://www.linuxhomenetworking.com/ and use this for reference www.linuxtopia.org

By the way, I am a currently working as for production application support for some Oracle application, and would like to change career to a Linux professional.

"Linux Professional" is a rather vague term.


I'm an internet infrastructure admin, primarily admin for LAMP stacks plus associated networking, routing, switches, load-balancers, Citrix XenServer, etc. As that's the "day job", that makes me a "Linux Professional"


I don't claim to know much about Linux on the desktop (other than that I think it's a bad idea for a corporate desktop). That makes me a "Linux Amateur!"


If you've experience of Oracle applications then consider specialising in the Database Administrator area, as companies get more and more in to "big data" the demand for this skillset will increase.