About 1Z0-820 Exam
Summary of Oracle 1Z0-820 certification
The Oracle 1Z0-820 certification sits firmly within a very focused niche. It isn’t for beginners. It’s built for seasoned Solaris 10 administrators who are ready to shift into the Solaris 11 environment with confidence. Oracle designed this exam as a stepping stone for professionals who already understand Solaris and now need to update their knowledge to newer enterprise-ready tools.
The 1Z0-820 isn’t just about passing a test. It’s about validating your hands-on system administration experience and transitioning smoothly to updated Oracle infrastructure. Those who pass are seen as reliable, real-world-ready admins by hiring managers. This is one reason why so many companies still rely on Oracle Solaris in large-scale environments.
Why this Oracle upgrade exam still matters in 2025
This upgrade cert still carries weight in real-world infrastructure teams. Solaris might not be trendy, but it’s still everywhere in banking, telecom, and Unix-heavy deployments. With most Solaris 10 certs becoming outdated, the 1Z0-820 keeps you valid in Oracle’s ecosystem.
It also opens access to more modern enterprise features like ZFS enhancements, IPS packaging, and AI-based provisioning tools in Solaris 11. For folks already managing Solaris, this upgrade bridges that gap.
This one’s built for experienced system admins
If you’ve already cleared the Oracle Certified System Administrator for Solaris 10 and have a few years of Unix or Solaris experience under your belt, this upgrade is probably your next step. It’s aimed at sysadmins working in corporate IT, data centers, and managed hosting environments.
Those in mid-senior roles benefit most from upgrading their certification, especially if they’re expected to maintain legacy systems while deploying new ones.
Skill set you walk away with after passing
Getting certified with 1Z0-820 means you’ve got hands-on understanding of:
- Installing Solaris 11 using automated installer
- Managing IPS and boot environments
- Configuring ZFS storage pools and file systems
- Using RBAC and SMF for services and permissions
- Setting up zones and virtual networks
This cert signals to employers that you’ve worked in production-like environments and can handle admin tasks at scale. It’s not theory-based.
Here’s what to expect from the actual test
The 1Z0-820 Test is structured as a multiple-choice exam. You’ll face around 80 questions, and Oracle gives about 2.5 hours to complete it. A passing score hovers around the mid-60s in percentage.
The test is taken through Oracle’s testing platform and is typically proctored. It’s a closed-book format and leans heavily into configuration-based and scenario-type questions.
The key domains you need to master
There’s no shortcut if you’re going into this unprepared. The Oracle 1Z0-820 Syllabus is clear, and here’s what you’ll have to tackle:
Domain Area |
Weight in Exam |
Installing Oracle Solaris 11 |
High |
Managing ZFS File Systems |
High |
Boot Environments & Updates |
Medium |
Networking in Solaris |
Medium |
User and Role Administration |
Medium |
Zones and Virtualization |
Low to Medium |
Package Management with IPS |
Medium |
System Services using SMF |
Medium |
You’ll notice it skips basic Unix theory it’s hands-on and admin-focused.
It’s not easy but it’s not impossible
The Oracle upgrade exam has a moderate difficulty level. If you’re coming directly from hands-on Solaris 10 usage, much of the learning curve will come from newer tools in Solaris 11, especially packaging, boot environments, and networking differences.
Without prep, you’ll struggle. But for someone familiar with enterprise CLI tools and system lifecycles, it’s manageable with the right focus.
This cert still connects to real job roles
1Z0-820 holders often land roles that expect deeper admin experience. Common roles include:
- Senior Solaris Administrator
- UNIX/Linux Systems Engineer
- Infrastructure Support Analyst
- Enterprise Systems Specialist
Here’s a breakdown of typical roles and compensation:
Role Title |
Avg. Annual Salary (US) |
Solaris System Admin |
$98,000 |
Infrastructure Analyst |
$87,000 |
UNIX/Linux Senior Engineer |
$110,000 |
Platform Engineer |
$103,000 |
So yeah, the Oracle 1Z0-820 Salary outcomes still look decent in Solaris-heavy orgs.
Get smart about preparation, don’t guess
You’ll want to combine Oracle docs, lab exercises, and scenario-driven study material. Practice the commands. Test service configurations. Don’t just memorize. Dumps are useful, but combine them with hands-on review of ZFS, boot environments, and IPS. These are the trickiest parts.
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