HCIP-openGauss vs HCIA-openGauss: Which Certification Should You Take First?
OpenGauss has quickly emerged as a powerful, enterprise-grade relational database widely adopted across finance, telecom, government, cloud, and other sectors. With this growth comes increasing demand for skilled openGauss professionals-database administrators, developers, and O&M engineers who understand how to build, manage, and optimize openGauss and GaussDB environments. Huawei's openGauss certification path includes two major levels: HCIA-openGauss (associate) and HCIP-openGauss (professional).
Overview of the Certifications
HCIA-openGauss (Associate Level)
The HCIA-openGauss certification (Exam Code: H14-311_V1.0) is designed for beginners entering the world of openGauss. It validates basic understanding of database fundamentals, openGauss architecture, SQL basics, and the ability to support simple enterprise workloads.
Key Focus Areas:
●Database basics
●openGauss architecture & ecosystem
●SQL foundations
●Deployment and basic O&M
●Introduction to GaussDB enterprise features
This certification is ideal for those with limited database experience or those new to openGauss.
HCIP-openGauss (Professional Level)
The HCIP-openGauss certification (Exam Code: H14-321_V1.0) validates advanced professional capabilities. It covers enterprise-grade system management, complex SQL development, database security, migration, and application integration.
Key Focus Areas:
●Advanced SQL syntax
●Stored procedures & triggers
●Database system & node management
●Database object management
●Application development with openGauss APIs
●Migration and security
●Professional O&M skills
This certification is designed for experienced database engineers and developers.
Exam Difficulty Comparison
| Feature | HCIA-openGauss | HCIP-openGauss |
| Level | Associate | Professional |
| Difficulty | Beginner to intermediate | Intermediate to advanced |
| Required Experience | None to basic SQL knowledge | Solid SQL skills + DB management experience |
| Focus | Fundamentals | Practical, in-depth operations |
| Exam Format | More basic topics, drag & drop, true/false | More technical short responses |
| Recommended Preparation Time | 2–4 weeks | 6–10 weeks |
In short:
●HCIA is beginner-friendly.
●HCIP requires hands-on experience and deeper technical understanding.
What Skills Will You Gain?
Skills from HCIA-openGauss
●Understanding of database principles
●Ability to install and deploy openGauss
●Basic SQL operations
●Managing tables, users, and database objects
●Awareness of enterprise features in GaussDB
These competencies are foundational and essential before diving into more advanced topics.
Skills from HCIP-openGauss
●Writing complex SQL queries and stored procedures
●Designing database objects and structures
●Managing database systems, nodes, and performance
●Ensuring database security and performing audits
●Migrating databases across platforms
●Integrating openGauss with applications
HCIP equips you with the abilities needed to function as a professional database engineer.
Career Path Comparison
HCIA-openGauss Careers
●Junior Database Administrator
●Assistant Database Engineer
●Technical Support Engineer
●SQL Developer (entry-level)
●Pre-sales engineer for database solutions
HCIP-openGauss Careers
●Database Administrator/Senior DBA
●Database Development Engineer
●O&M Specialist
●Application Integration Developer
●Database Migration Engineer
●Security-focused Database Consultant
The higher your certification level, the broader and more advanced your career opportunities become.
Which Certification Should You Take First?
Take HCIA-openGauss first if:
●You are new to databases
●You are learning SQL for the first time
●You have never deployed openGauss or GaussDB
●You want a structured introduction
●You are switching careers into database engineering
The HCIA provides the essential foundation you must understand before attempting HCIP-level concepts.
You may go directly to HCIP-openGauss if:
●You already have strong SQL knowledge
●You have experience with PostgreSQL, MySQL, or Oracle
●You have worked with database operations or debugging
●You’re comfortable reading logs, managing tables, and analyzing performance
●You want to fast-track your certification path
Since openGauss is PostgreSQL-compatible, professionals with similar DB backgrounds may find HCIP approachable without needing HCIA first.
Recommendation: The Ideal Certification Path
Best Path for Most Learners
●Start with HCIA-openGauss → Progress to HCIP-openGauss
This ensures:
Strong foundational knowledge
Better understanding of openGauss workflows Greater chances of passing the professional exam A smoother and more structured learning journey
Best Path for Experienced Database Engineers
●Skip HCIA and go directly to HCIP-openGauss
If you already manage databases professionally or have PostgreSQL experience, HCIP is a practical and efficient choice.
Both HCIA-openGauss and HCIP-openGauss certifications offer valuable skills and industry recognition. Your best starting point depends on your background, experience, and career goals.
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