Introduction

The Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification is a widely recognized credential that demonstrates proficiency in Linux system administration. The certification is specifically tailored for professionals who are responsible for configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems in enterprise environments. This 5-day intensive training course covers a broad range of topics, including system installation, configuration, networking, security, and automation. Participants will gain hands-on experience working with Red Hat systems, preparing them for the RHCE exam (EX294).

Course Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will:

1. Gain a deep understanding of RHEL system administration, including installation, configuration, and maintenance.
2. Learn how to configure and manage network services, user accounts, and system resources.
3. Master security practices, including managing firewalls, SELinux, and file permissions.
4. Learn to automate system administration tasks using Ansible.
5. Be fully prepared to take the RHCE exam (EX294) and earn the Red Hat Certified Engineer certification.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• System administrators, IT professionals, and network engineers looking to validate their skills in Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
• Individuals preparing for the RHCE certification exam (EX294).
• Linux professionals who want to enhance their skills in system administration, automation, and troubleshooting in RHEL environments.
• Organizations that want to ensure their IT staff is well-equipped to manage and optimize Linux-based systems.

Day 1: RHEL Installation and System Configuration

• Session 1: Introduction to RHCE and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)

  • Overview of the RHCE certification and its importance in the IT industry
  • Introduction to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and its features
  • Installation options for RHEL: Minimal installation, network installation, and kickstart installations
  • Setting up RHEL in a virtual environment (VMware, VirtualBox, or cloud-based environments)

• Session 2: Installing and Configuring RHEL

  • Installation process of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
  • Configuring disk partitions, LVM (Logical Volume Manager), and file systems
  • Network configuration: Setting static and dynamic IP addresses, configuring hostname and DNS
  • Basic system configuration: Language settings, time zone, and NTP (Network Time Protocol)

• Session 3: Managing RHEL Systems

  • Boot process and services in RHEL
  • Managing user accounts and groups: useradd, passwd, groupadd, usermod
  • File systems: Mounting file systems and managing permissions (chmod, chown, umask)
  • Managing software with dnf (Dandified Yum) and understanding repositories

Day 2: Networking, Security, and User Management

• Session 4: Configuring Networking Services

  • Configuring network interfaces: nmcli, ifconfig, and ip commands
  • Network configuration files: /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ and /etc/hostname
  • Setting up a static IP address, DNS, and routes
  • Configuring firewall settings with firewalld and using iptables

• Session 5: SSH and Secure Remote Access

  • Configuring SSH for remote management
  • Securing SSH: Key-based authentication, disabling root login, and configuring sshd_config
  • Managing SSH keys and working with ssh-agent
  • Enabling and configuring the firewalld service to allow SSH access

• Session 6: Managing User and Group Permissions

  • Creating and managing users and groups: useradd, groupadd, usermod, passwd
  • Managing user and group permissions: File permissions and access control
  • Introduction to SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux): Basics and configuration
  • Using chcon, semanage, and getenforce to manage SELinux contexts and enforcing security policies

Day 3: Service Management and System Monitoring

• Session 7: Service Management in RHEL

  • Introduction to systemd: Systemd service management and systemctl
  • Managing services with systemctl: Enabling, starting, stopping, and checking service status
  • Configuring automatic startup of services during boot
  • Understanding service logs using journalctl

• Session 8: System Monitoring and Performance Tuning

  • Monitoring system resources: top, htop, free, iostat, vmstat, netstat
  • Checking system logs: /var/log/ and using journalctl for troubleshooting
  • Understanding system load: Load average, CPU, memory, and disk usage
  • Performance tuning: Adjusting sysctl parameters and kernel tuning

• Session 9: Scheduling Tasks with Cron

  • Setting up scheduled tasks using cron and crontab
  • Configuring system-wide cron jobs and managing cron daemon
  • Using at for one-time task scheduling
  • Automating system maintenance tasks with scheduled jobs

Day 4: Security, Automation, and Troubleshooting

• Session 10: Managing Firewalls and Security

  • Configuring firewalld and understanding zones
  • Using firewalld to block or allow specific ports and services
  • Configuring SELinux for enhanced security
  • Troubleshooting SELinux issues with getenforce, setenforce, and audit2allow

• Session 11: Automation with Ansible

  • Introduction to Ansible for automation: Benefits, architecture, and components
  • Writing basic Ansible playbooks: Tasks, handlers, and modules
  • Automating system configuration with Ansible: Installing packages, configuring services
  • Managing infrastructure as code (IaC) with Ansible

• Session 12: Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Common Linux boot issues and recovery options
  • Troubleshooting network problems: Connectivity, DNS resolution, and firewalls
  • Using diagnostic tools: dmesg, netstat, traceroute, ping, and tcpdump
  • Debugging system performance issues and using strace for process analysis

Day 5: RHCE Exam Preparation and Final Review

• Session 13: Final Review of Key Topics

  • Comprehensive review of all key RHCE topics: Installation, configuration, security, networking, and services
  • Exam-specific tips: Common scenarios, time management, and understanding the lab environment
  • Reviewing the RHCE exam objectives and practice exam questions

• Session 14: Hands-On Lab Exercises

  • Final hands-on practice: Installing RHEL, configuring services, and troubleshooting in a live environment
  • Simulating the RHCE exam lab environment: Working through common exam scenarios
  • Group troubleshooting exercises to practice critical thinking and system configuration

• Session 15: Final Q&A and Certification Tips

  • Final Q&A session to address lingering questions and clarify difficult concepts
  • Tips for passing the RHCE exam: Focus areas, study resources, and strategies for success
  • Overview of RHCE certification maintenance and professional development opportunities