Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) EX200 Prep

A warm welcome to the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) EX200 Prep course by Uplatz.

The Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) EX200 exam is a hands-on certification exam that tests your ability to perform core system administration tasks on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) systems. It is a globally recognized credential for professionals who want to demonstrate their Linux system administration skills.

Exam Objectives

The RHCSA exam assesses your skills and knowledge in the following domains:

1. Understand and Use Essential Tools

   • Use shell prompts and scripts.

   • Access command-line help and documentation.

   • Use file management tools to create, view, copy, move, and delete files and directories.

   • Archive and compress files with tar, gzip, and other utilities.

   • Redirect text streams and use pipelines.

2. Operate Running Systems

   • Boot, reboot, and shut down systems.

   • Identify processes and manage them.

   • Monitor system performance.

   • Use systemctl to manage system services.

   • Configure local storage using partitions and logical volumes.

3. Configure Local Storage

   • Create and manage logical volumes.

   • Configure file systems and mount points.

   • Use Access Control Lists (ACLs) to secure files.

4. Create and Configure File Systems

   • Create, mount, and unmount file systems.

   • Use ext4, xfs, and vfat file systems.

   • Configure file system permissions, ownership, and SELinux security contexts.

5. Deploy, Configure, and Maintain Systems

   • Install RHEL and configure basic networking.

   • Configure static IP addresses.

   • Set hostname and resolve DNS.

   • Update and manage software packages using YUM/DNF.

6. Manage Users and Groups

   • Add, delete, and modify user accounts and groups.

   • Configure password aging policies.

   • Set up user limits and configure sudo access.

7. Manage Security

   • Implement SELinux rules and troubleshoot issues.

   • Configure firewalls using firewalld.

8. Automate System Administration Tasks

   • Schedule tasks using cron and at commands.

Exam Format

• Duration: 3 hours

• Format: Performance-based, hands-on tasks on live systems.

• Delivery: In-person at a Red Hat or authorized testing partner facility, or remotely via the Remote Exam option.

Eligibility and Prerequisites

• No formal prerequisites, but it is recommended that candidates complete the Red Hat System Administration I (RH124) and Red Hat System Administration II (RH134) courses.

• Basic knowledge of Linux command-line and system administration is helpful.

Skills Validation

Candidates must demonstrate their ability to perform tasks like system installation, network configuration, storage setup, security management, and troubleshooting.

Scoring

• The exam is scored out of 300 points, with a minimum passing score of 210 (70%).

• Results are emailed within 3 business days.

Languages

The exam is offered in English, and other languages may be available depending on the testing center.

Validity and Recertification

• The RHCSA certification is valid for 3 years.

• To maintain certification, candidates can retake the exam or pursue higher certifications like RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer).

Registration and Cost

• Exam Fee: Varies by location, typically between $400 and $600 USD.

• Registration: Through the Red Hat website or authorized training partners.

Exam Preparation Tips

1. Practice all hands-on tasks listed in the exam objectives.

2. Familiarize yourself with the RHEL environment.

3. Learn from the EX200 certification preparatory courses like this one.

4. Use Red Hat’s official training materials and practice labs.

5. Review documentation and practice command-line troubleshooting.

6. Simulate exam scenarios to ensure you’re comfortable completing tasks within time constraints.

Key Benefits of Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) Certification

1. Globally Recognized Credential

   • The RHCSA certification is a widely recognized and respected credential in the IT industry, validating your expertise in Linux system administration.

2. Career Advancement

   • Opens doors to high-demand roles like System Administrator, Linux Administrator, DevOps Engineer, and Cloud Engineer.

3. Increased Earning Potential

   • Certified professionals often earn higher salaries than their non-certified peers due to their validated skillset.

4. Enhanced Technical Skills

   • Builds hands-on expertise in Linux system administration, including storage management, networking, security, and task automation.

5. Foundation for Advanced Certifications

   • Serves as a stepping stone for advanced certifications like Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) and Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA).

6. Job Market Relevance

   • Employers prioritize candidates with RHCSA certification for Linux-related roles, ensuring job market relevance.

7. Validated Hands-On Experience

   • The performance-based exam ensures that certified individuals can perform real-world tasks, boosting employer confidence in your abilities.

8. Preparation for Hybrid Cloud Roles

   • Linux is the backbone of most cloud platforms. RHCSA certification prepares you to work effectively in hybrid cloud environments.

9. Improved Troubleshooting Skills

   • Certification training emphasizes troubleshooting and problem-solving, enabling you to resolve complex system issues efficiently.

10. Recognition in Open-Source Communities

• Demonstrates your commitment to open-source technologies and positions you as a proficient Linux professional in the community.

11. Support for Enterprise Systems

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is widely used in enterprise IT environments. The certification equips you to support and manage enterprise-grade systems.

12. Confidence in System Administration

• Provides in-depth knowledge and practical experience, enhancing your confidence in managing and securing Linux systems.

13. Vendor-Neutral Skills

• While it focuses on RHEL, the skills learned are transferable to other Linux distributions like Ubuntu, CentOS, and SUSE.

14. Better Networking Opportunities

• Becoming certified connects you with a community of professionals and organizations that value Red Hat certifications.

15. Boost in Organizational Value

• Employers often invest in RHCSA-certified professionals to improve team capabilities and reduce reliance on external support.

16. Preparation for Automation and DevOps Roles

• RHCSA builds foundational skills for automating administrative tasks, which are crucial for DevOps and modern IT workflows.

This certification is an excellent choice for IT professionals aiming to advance their careers in Linux system administration or related fields.

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) EX200 Prep – Course Curriculum

1. Course Introduction

• Course Overview

• Introduction to Linux

• Setting Up the RHCSA Practice Lab

2. System Installation and Configuration

• Linux Installation

• How to Access Linux Server

3. Basic Linux Operations

• Getting Started with Linux Commands

• Common Linux Commands

4. User and Group Administration

• Linux User Administration

• Linux Password Policy

• YUM Repository Configuration

• Creating Groups and Setting Group Passwords

5. File System Management

• Linux File Permissions

• Access Control List (ACL)

• Special File Permissions

• Sudo User Access

• How to Create Partitions in Linux

• Deleting Linux Partitions

6. Logical Volume Management (LVM)

• Introduction to LVM (Logical Volume Manager)

• Extending LVM Volumes

• Extending LVM Without Data Loss

• Reducing LVM Volumes

• Reducing LVM Without Data Loss

7. System Administration Tools

• How to Get Help From CLI

• Installing and Configuring SSH

• Syslog Server in Linux

8. Data Management

• Archiving and Compressing Files

• RPM (Red Hat Package Manager)

• SCP Command (Secure Copy)

9. Task Automation

• Automating Regular Tasks Using Cron and Crontab

10. Process and Security Management

• Listing and Managing Linux Processes

• SELinux (Security Enhanced Linux)

• Regular Expressions with Grep Command

11. Networking in Linux

• Linux Networking Basics

• Nmcli Command Line Networking

• Nmtui (Text-Based User Interface)

• Network Settings Using GUI

12. File Redirection and Text Editing

• Redirecting Command Output to a File

• vi and vim (World’s Best Text Editors)

• Nano Text Editor

13. System Management and Optimization

• RHEL Boot Process

• Linux Soft and Hard Links

• Swap Memory

14. Advanced System Administration

• Systemctl Command

• Firewall Configuration

• Kernel Upgrades

• Linux Virtualization

15. Exam Preparation

• Overview of RHCSA 8

• RHCSA EX200 Exam Guidance