Module 00: RHCE Exam Overview¶

🎯 Learning Objectives¶

By the end of this module, you will understand:

• The RHCE exam format and structure
• Required lab environment setup
• Effective study strategies and timeline
• Key success factors for exam day
• Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

📋 Exam Details¶

RHCE EX294 Exam Specifications¶

Exam Code: EX294 - Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
Duration: 4 hours
Format: Performance-based, hands-on lab exam
Passing Score: 210/300 (70%)
Prerequisites: RHCSA certification required

Exam Environment¶

• Control Node: RHEL 9 system with Ansible pre-installed
• Managed Nodes: Multiple RHEL 9 systems for automation targets
• Network Access: Systems can communicate via SSH
• Documentation: Access to man pages and ansible-doc
• No Internet: No access to external documentation or resources

Key Constraints¶

⏰ Time Pressure: 4 hours for multiple complex tasks
🚫 No Internet: Only local documentation available
🔒 No Preparation: Cannot modify environment before exam starts
📝 Performance-Based: Must demonstrate working solutions, not just knowledge

🎯 Official RHCE Exam Objectives¶

The RHCE EX294 exam tests your ability to perform these official Red Hat objectives:

Prerequisites¶

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

1. Understand core components of Ansible¶

• Inventories - Static and dynamic host management
• Modules - Using built-in and collection modules effectively
• Variables - Variable types, scoping, and precedence
• Facts - System information gathering and utilization
• Loops - Iterating over data structures
• Conditional tasks - When clauses and control flow
• Plays - Task organization and execution
• Handling task failure - Error handling and recovery
• Playbooks - Multi-play automation workflows
• Configuration files - ansible.cfg setup and management
• Roles - Reusable automation components
• Use provided documentation - ansible-doc command proficiency

2. Use roles and Ansible Content Collections¶

• Create and work with roles - Role structure and development
• Install roles and use them in playbooks - ansible-galaxy integration
• Install Content Collections - Modern Ansible content management
• Use Content Collections in playbooks - FQCN and collection integration
• Obtain content from collections - Related roles, modules, and supplementary content

3. Install and configure an Ansible control node¶

• Install required packages - Ansible installation and dependencies
• Create a static host inventory file - INI and YAML inventory formats
• Create a configuration file - ansible.cfg customization
• Create and use static inventories - Host groups and group variables

4. Configure Ansible managed nodes¶

• Create and distribute SSH keys - Passwordless authentication setup
• Configure privilege escalation - sudo/become configuration
• Deploy files to managed nodes - File transfer and management
• Analyze shell scripts and convert to playbooks - Legacy automation migration

5. Run playbooks with Automation content navigator¶

• Run playbooks with navigator - Modern Ansible execution interface
• Find new modules in Content Collections - Module discovery and usage
• Create inventories with navigator - Dynamic inventory management
• Configure Ansible environment - Environment setup and management

6. Create Ansible plays and playbooks¶

• Work with commonly used modules - Core module proficiency
• Use variables for command results - Register and variable manipulation
• Use conditionals for execution control - When statements and logic
• Configure error handling - Failed_when, ignore_errors, and handlers
• Create playbooks for system state - Desired state configuration

7. Automate standard RHCSA tasks using Ansible modules¶

• Software packages and repositories - dnf/yum, repository management
• Services - systemd service control and configuration
• Firewall rules - firewalld automation
• File systems - Filesystem creation and mounting
• Storage devices - Disk and volume management
• File content - File creation, modification, and management
• Archiving - Backup and archive operations
• Task scheduling - Cron job automation
• Security - SELinux, file permissions, and access controls
• Users and groups - Account management automation

8. Manage content¶

• Create and use templates - Jinja2 templating for configuration files
• Template customization - Variable substitution and logic

🛠️ Lab Environment Setup¶

Minimum Requirements¶

Control Node (ansible-controller):

• RHEL 9 with Ansible installed
• SSH client configured
• At least 2GB RAM, 20GB disk

Managed Nodes (2-3 systems):

• RHEL 9 systems
• SSH server running
• Python 3 installed
• At least 1GB RAM, 10GB disk each

Network Configuration¶

# Example network layout
Control Node:    192.168.1.10  (ansible-controller)
Managed Node 1:  192.168.1.11  (node1)
Managed Node 2:  192.168.1.12  (node2)
Managed Node 3:  192.168.1.13  (node3)

SSH Key Setup¶

# Generate SSH key on control node
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 2048

# Copy to all managed nodes
ssh-copy-id user@node1
ssh-copy-id user@node2
ssh-copy-id user@node3

# Test connectivity
ansible all -m ping

Essential Ansible Installation¶

# Install Ansible on RHEL 9
sudo dnf install ansible-core

# Verify installation
ansible --version

# Install additional collections
ansible-galaxy collection install ansible.posix
ansible-galaxy collection install community.general

📅 7-Week Study Plan¶

Week 1: Foundation¶

Goals: Environment setup and basic concepts

• Set up lab environment with control and managed nodes
• Complete Module 01: Ansible Basics
• Practice ad-hoc commands and simple playbooks
• Daily Practice: 1-2 hours

Week 2: Core Playbooks¶

Goals: Master playbook fundamentals

• Complete Module 02: Playbooks & Tasks
• Build multi-task playbooks with error handling
• Practice with 20+ common modules
• Daily Practice: 1-2 hours

Week 3: Variables and Control¶

Goals: Dynamic playbooks and logic

• Complete Module 03: Variables & Facts
• Complete Module 04: Task Control
• Build complex conditional playbooks
• Daily Practice: 1-2 hours

Week 4: Templates and Configuration¶

Goals: Configuration management mastery

• Complete Module 05: Templates
• Practice Jinja2 templating extensively
• Build complete configuration management playbooks
• Daily Practice: 1-2 hours

Week 5: Roles and Organization¶

Goals: Code reusability and structure

• Complete Module 06: Roles
• Create custom roles for common tasks
• Practice role dependencies and organization
• Daily Practice: 1-2 hours

Week 6: Security and Advanced Features¶

Goals: Security and troubleshooting

• Complete Module 07: Ansible Vault
• Complete Module 08: Advanced Features
• Practice vault integration and debugging
• Daily Practice: 1-2 hours

Week 7: Exam Preparation¶

Goals: Exam readiness and confidence

• Daily practice with timed exercises
• Review all quick reference materials
• Mock exam scenarios under time pressure
• Daily Practice: 2-3 hours

🎯 Key Success Factors¶

1. Hands-On Practice First¶

❌ Wrong Approach: Reading documentation without practicing
✅ Right Approach: Implement every example in your lab immediately

2. Master the Documentation¶

• Learn to use ansible-doc module_name efficiently
• Practice finding syntax without internet access
• Memorize locations of key information

3. Build Muscle Memory¶

• Practice common patterns until they're automatic
• Create personal cheat sheets for frequent tasks
• Type examples rather than copy-pasting

4. Time Management Skills¶

• Practice common tasks under time pressure
• Learn to prioritize high-value tasks first
• Develop troubleshooting workflows

5. Error Handling Expertise¶

• Master debugging failed playbooks quickly
• Learn common error patterns and solutions
• Practice systematic troubleshooting approaches

⚠️ Common Pitfalls to Avoid¶

Time Management Mistakes¶

• Spending too much time on low-point tasks
• Not leaving time for testing and validation
• Getting stuck on debugging instead of moving forward

Technical Mistakes¶

• YAML syntax errors (indentation, quotes)
• Incorrect variable precedence assumptions
• Not testing playbooks before considering them complete
• Forgetting to handle error conditions

Exam Day Mistakes¶

• Not reading instructions carefully
• Making assumptions about the environment
• Not using available documentation effectively
• Panicking when encountering unexpected issues

🧠 Mental Preparation¶

Build Confidence Through Practice¶

1. Start Simple: Master basic tasks before complex ones
2. Practice Under Pressure: Set timers for your practice sessions
3. Learn from Failures: Every error teaches you something valuable
4. Build a Toolkit: Develop go-to patterns for common scenarios

Exam Day Mindset¶

• Stay Calm: Breathe and think through problems systematically
• Read Carefully: Understand exactly what's being asked
• Test Everything: Verify your solutions work completely
• Move Forward: Don't get stuck on any single problem

📖 Essential Commands to Memorize¶

# Documentation and help
ansible-doc module_name
ansible-config list
ansible-inventory --list

# Testing and validation  
ansible-playbook playbook.yml --check
ansible-playbook playbook.yml --syntax-check
ansible all -m setup

# Debugging
ansible-playbook playbook.yml -v
ansible-playbook playbook.yml --step

# Vault operations
ansible-vault create secrets.yml
ansible-vault edit secrets.yml
ansible-playbook playbook.yml --ask-vault-pass

🔗 Next Steps¶

Now that you understand the exam format and requirements:

1. Set up your lab environment following the specifications above
2. Create a study schedule based on the 7-week plan
3. Start with Module 01: Ansible Basics to build your foundation
4. Practice daily - consistency is key to success

Remember: The RHCE exam tests your ability to do Ansible automation, not just understand it. Focus on hands-on practice from day one!

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Next Module: Module 01: Ansible Basics →