RHCE Certification Study Guide

Welcome to the comprehensive Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification study repository! This resource provides complete coverage of all RHCE exam objectives with practical automation focus for passing the EX294 exam.

🎯 About the RHCE Certification

The Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification demonstrates your ability to use Ansible for enterprise automation, configuration management, and orchestration. The EX294 exam focuses on:

  • Ansible Automation: Complete playbook and role development
  • Configuration Management: Template-based system configuration at scale
  • Task Control: Advanced conditionals, loops, and error handling
  • Security: Ansible Vault implementation and secure automation practices
  • System Administration: Automating all standard RHCSA tasks with Ansible

📚 Comprehensive Study Resources

🌟 Core Reference Documents

Essential quick-access materials for study and exam preparation:

🎯 Comprehensive Study Modules

Complete 9-module curriculum covering all RHCE exam objectives (8,777+ total lines):

Foundation Level:

Core Skills Level:

Advanced Skills Level:

🧪 Practice Resources

  • Knowledge Gaps Checklist - Self-assessment for focused study
  • Anki Flashcards - anki/rhce_deck.csv for command memorization and concept reinforcement

🚀 Quick Start Guide

For Immediate Exam Preparation

  1. Start with 📊 eBook Summary - Get comprehensive overview of all topics
  2. Use 📋 Exam Quick Reference - Essential syntax for exam day
  3. Practice with 📖 Command Reference - Master all required commands

For Complete Mastery

  1. Begin with Module 00: RHCE Exam Overview - Understand exam format and strategy
  2. Set up RHEL 9 lab environment - Control node + 2-3 managed nodes for hands-on practice
  3. Work through all 9 modules systematically - Foundation → Core Skills → Advanced Features
  4. Practice with Anki flashcards daily - Import anki/rhce_deck.csv for spaced repetition
  5. Use quick references during final preparation - Cheat sheets and command references

🏗️ Lab Environment Requirements

Essential Setup for Hands-On Practice:

Control Node:

  • RHEL 9 system with ansible-core installed
  • SSH keys configured for passwordless authentication
  • Required collections: ansible.posix, community.general

Managed Nodes:

  • 2-3 RHEL 9 systems for automation targets
  • Python 3 installed for Ansible module execution
  • SSH server running and accessible from control node

Network:

  • All nodes on same network with SSH connectivity
  • DNS or /etc/hosts configuration for hostname resolution

📖 Strategic Study Approach

Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-2)

Modules 00-01 - Build solid understanding

  • Complete exam overview and Ansible basics
  • Set up complete lab environment with RHEL 9 systems
  • Master SSH key distribution and ansible.cfg configuration
  • Practice ad-hoc commands with all essential modules

Phase 2: Core Skills (Weeks 3-4)

Modules 02-04 - Develop automation proficiency

  • Master playbooks, variables, and task control
  • Build complex multi-play automation with proper error handling
  • Practice with real scenarios using templates and conditionals
  • Focus on debugging and troubleshooting failed automation

Phase 3: Advanced Features (Weeks 5-6)

Modules 05-07 - Professional automation patterns

  • Master Jinja2 templating and configuration management
  • Develop reusable roles with Galaxy and collection integration
  • Automate complete system administration workflows
  • Practice enterprise-grade patterns and performance optimization

Phase 4: Security & Exam Prep (Week 7)

Module 08 + Final preparation

  • Implement comprehensive security with Ansible Vault
  • Master advanced debugging and performance optimization
  • Practice timed scenarios under exam conditions
  • Review all quick references and command patterns

🎯 Key Success Factors

  • Hands-On Practice: Performance-based exam requires constant practical implementation
  • Time Management: Master efficient automation patterns under exam pressure
  • ansible-navigator Proficiency: Exam uses navigator, not legacy ansible-playbook
  • FQCN Mastery: All modules must use Fully Qualified Collection Names
  • Vault Integration: Security automation is mandatory for sensitive data
  • Systematic Debugging: Develop consistent approaches to troubleshooting failures
  • Documentation Skills: Master using ansible-doc as your primary reference tool

📋 Complete RHCE Exam Objectives Coverage

This comprehensive study guide covers 100% of official RHCE EX294 exam objectives:

✅ Understand core components of Ansible

  • Inventories, modules, variables, facts, loops, conditionals, plays, playbooks
  • Configuration files, roles, and provided documentation usage

✅ Use roles and Ansible Content Collections

  • Create and work with roles, install from Galaxy
  • Install and use Content Collections with FQCN

✅ Install and configure an Ansible control node

  • Package installation, inventory creation, configuration files

✅ Configure Ansible managed nodes

  • SSH keys, privilege escalation, file deployment, shell script conversion

✅ Run playbooks with Automation content navigator

  • Navigator execution, module discovery, inventory creation

✅ Create Ansible plays and playbooks

  • Common modules, variables, conditionals, error handling, system state

✅ Automate standard RHCSA tasks using Ansible modules

  • Packages, services, firewall, filesystems, storage, files, archives, scheduling, security, users

✅ Manage content

  • Create and use templates with Jinja2 customization

🚀 Begin Your RHCE Journey

Ready to master enterprise Ansible automation?

👉 Start with Module 00: RHCE Exam Overview & Strategy 👈

Get the complete exam format, lab setup guide, and proven success strategies to begin your certification journey with confidence!

Transform your automation skills and advance your career with RHCE certification! 🎯