Embarking on to becoming a certified Red Hat System Administrator (RHCSA) and Red Hat System Engineer (RHCE) is a very recommendable decision for any IT professional. These certifications not only validate your skills but also open doors to numerous career opportunities. This article serves as an introduction to a series of guides that will help you prepare for and succeed in these prestigious certifications.

Understanding the Certifications

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

The RHCSA certification focuses on the core system administration skills required in Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments. Key areas covered in the rapid track course are:

• Access systems and get help: Log in to local and remote Linux systems, and investigate problem resolution methods provided through Red Hat Insights and support.
• Navigate file systems: Copy, move, create, delete, and organize files while working from the bash shell.
• Manage local users and groups: Create, manage, and delete local users and groups and administer local password policies.
• Control access to files: Set Linux file system permissions on files and to interpret the security effects of different permission settings.
• Manage SELinux security: Protect and manage the security of a server by using SELinux.
• Tune system performance: Evaluate and control processes, set tuning parameters, and adjust process scheduling priorities on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux system.
• Install and update software packages: Download, install, update, and manage software packages from Red Hat and DNF package repositories.
• Manage basic storage: Create and manage storage devices, partitions, file systems, and swap spaces from the command line.
• Control services and the boot process: Control and monitor network services, system daemons, and the boot process using systemd.
• Manage networking: Configure network interfaces and settings on Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers.
• Analyze and store logs: Locate and accurately interpret logs of system events for troubleshooting purposes.
• Implement advanced storage features: Create and manage logical volumes containing file systems and swap spaces from the command line, and configure advanced storage features.
• Schedule future tasks: Schedule tasks to automatically execute in the future.
• Access network-attached storage: Access network-attached storage, using the NFS protocol.
• Manage network security: Control network connections to services using the system firewall and SELinux rules.
• Running Containers: Obtain, run, and manage simple, lightweight services as containers on a single Red Hat Enterprise Linux server.

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

The RHCE certification emphasizes advanced skills in automation and DevOps. As an RHCE exam candidate, you should be able to handle all responsibilities expected of a Red Hat Certified System Administrator, including these tasks:

• Be able to perform all tasks expected of a Red Hat Certified System Administrator.
  • Understand and use essential tools
  • Operate running systems
  • Configure local storage
  • Create and configure file systems
  • Deploy, configure, and maintain systems
  • Manage users and groups
  • Manage security
• Understand core components of Ansible.
  • Inventories
  • Modules
  • Variables
  • Facts
  • Loops
  • Conditional tasks
  • Plays
  • Handling task failure
  • Playbooks
  • Configuration files
  • Roles
  • Use provided documentation to look up specific information about Ansible modules and commands
• Use roles and Ansible Content Collections.
  • Create and work with roles
  • Install roles and use them in playbooks
  • Install Content Collections and use them in playbooks
  • Obtain a set of related roles, supplementary modules, and other content from content collections, and use them in a playbook.
• Install and configure an Ansible control node.
  • Install required packages
  • Create a static host inventory file
  • Create a configuration file
  • Create and use static inventories to define groups of hosts
• Configure Ansible managed nodes.
  • Create and distribute SSH keys to managed nodes
  • Configure privilege escalation on managed nodes
  • Deploy files to managed nodes
  • Be able to analyze simple shell scripts and convert them to playbooks
• Run playbooks with Automation content navigator.
  • Know how to run playbooks with Automation content navigator
  • Use Automation content navigator to find new modules in available Ansible Content Collections and use them
  • Use Automation content navigator to create inventories and configure the Ansible environment
• Create Ansible plays and playbooks
  • Know how to work with commonly used Ansible modules
  • Use variables to retrieve the results of running a command
  • Use conditionals to control play execution
  • Configure error handling
  • Create playbooks to configure systems to a specified state
• Automate standard RHCSA tasks using Ansible modules that work with:
  • Software packages and repositories
  • Services
  • Firewall rules
  • File systems
  • Storage devices
  • File content
  • Archiving
  • Task scheduling
  • Security
  • Users and groups
• Manage content
  • Create and use templates to create customized configuration files
  • Use Ansible Vault in playbooks to protect sensitive data

Tips and Strategies for Success

1. Set Clear Goals and Deadlines
   Setting specific, achievable goals and deadlines is essential. Break down your study plan into manageable tasks and assign deadlines to each. This approach will help keep you focused and on track.
2. Get Hands-On Practice
   The Red Hat certifications are highly practical. It’s crucial to gain hands-on experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Set up a home lab or use virtualization software to practice installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.
3. Use Official Study Resources
   Red Hat offers official training courses and resources that align closely with the exam objectives. Enroll in these courses if possible, and make use of the extensive documentation available on the Red Hat website.
4. Join Study Groups and Online Communities
   Collaborating with peers can provide additional insights and support. Join online forums, study groups, and communities dedicated to Red Hat certifications. Platforms like Reddit, LinkedIn, and specialized tech forums are great places to start.
5. Focus on Key Exam Objectives
   Review the exam objectives provided by Red Hat and focus your study on these areas. Ensure you understand each topic thoroughly and can perform the associated tasks confidently.
6. Practice with Sample Exams
   Taking practice exams can help you familiarize yourself with the exam format and identify areas where you need further study. Red Hat and other educational platforms offer sample exams and practice questions.
7. Stay Updated
   Red Hat regularly updates its technologies and certifications. Stay informed about the latest developments and changes in exam objectives. Subscribe to relevant newsletters, blogs, and Red Hat’s official announcements.
8. Leverage Learning Platforms
   Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Pluralsight offer courses specifically designed for RHCSA and RHCE preparation. These courses often include video tutorials, practical labs, and quizzes.
9. Build Real-World Projects
   Apply what you learn by working on real-world projects. This could involve setting up a web server, configuring network services, or automating tasks using Ansible. These projects will reinforce your knowledge and demonstrate your skills to potential employers.

Becoming a Red Hat Certified System Administrator and a Red Hat Certified Engineer is a significant achievement that requires dedication, practical experience, and strategic study. This introductory article is just the beginning of a comprehensive series aimed at helping you navigate the certification process. Stay tuned for more in-depth guides, practical tips, and resources to aid you on your journey to becoming a Red Hat expert.

Happy hacking, and best of luck on your path to certification!