Duration: 2 Days
Day 1: Core System Deployment and Administration
1. Enterprise Linux Deployment and Setup
- Strategies for deploying RHEL across bare-metal and virtualized infrastructure (e.g., Anaconda installer, Kickstart automation).
- Post-installation configuration and establishing a baseline environment (e.g., hostname setup, timezone, locale).
- Software lifecycle management using modern package managers (e.g., configuring repositories, managing dependencies with
dnfandrpm).
2. Identity Management and Access Control
- Lifecycle management of local user accounts and groups (e.g.,
useradd, password aging policies). - Enforcing security through file system permissions and ownership (e.g., standard
rwxmodes, sticky bit, SGID/SUID). - Delegating administrative privileges safely (e.g., configuring
/etc/sudoers, privilege escalation rules).
3. Storage Architecture and Disk Management
- Initializing and maintaining robust file systems (e.g.,
xfs,ext4, consistency checks). - Handling external and internal storage devices (e.g., persistent mounting via
/etc/fstab, automounting). - Flexible storage management using Logical Volume Manager (e.g., creating Physical Volumes, Volume Groups, resizing Logical Volumes).
4. Network Configuration and Essential Services
- Managing network interfaces and connectivity (e.g.,
NetworkManager,nmclicommand-line tool, static vs. dynamic IP). - Deploying and maintaining critical infrastructure services (e.g., caching DNS, DHCP scopes, basic Apache/Nginx web server setup).
- Securing network traffic and enforcing access policies (e.g.,
firewalldzones, understanding SELinux contexts and booleans).
Day 2: Automation, Optimization, and Certification Strategy
5. System Hardening and Security Protocols
- Implementing OS-level security best practices (e.g., disabling unused services, password strength enforcement).
- Auditing system activity and analyzing log data (e.g.,
journalctl,rsyslogconfiguration, interpreting/var/log/secure). - Securing remote administration channels (e.g., SSH key-based authentication, hardening
sshd_config, disabling root login).
6. Introduction to Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
- Understanding the Ansible architecture and agentless model (e.g., inventory files, control nodes).
- Constructing basic Playbooks to automate routine tasks (e.g., YAML syntax, variables, tasks structure).
- Orchestrating system configuration using core modules (e.g.,
user,yum,service,copymodules).
7. Performance Analysis and Tuning
- Identifying bottlenecks and resource saturation (e.g., CPU load, memory leaks, I/O latency).
- Methodologies for troubleshooting performance anomalies (e.g., using
top,vmstat,iostat). - Applying tuning profiles for specific workloads (e.g., using the
tuneddaemon and profiles).
8. Visual Management and Virtualization Insight
- Leveraging web-based management consoles for system health assessment (e.g., RHEL Web Console/Cockpit, graphical metrics).
- Oversight of guest systems in a virtualized environment (e.g., KVM basics, resource allocation monitoring).
- Strategic optimization for enterprise workloads (e.g., kernel parameter adjustments via
sysctl).
9. RHCSA & RHCE Certification Roadmap
- Deconstructing the exam objectives for Administrator and Engineer levels (e.g., competency mapping, time constraints).
- Hands-on lab scenarios simulating exam conditions (e.g., fixing broken boot loaders, automated deployment tasks).
- Tactical approaches for the practical exams (e.g., time management strategies, verifying configuration persistence).