calling RHCE's for help

[LT72884]

Ello people. im new here and im new to Linux.

I have only been using Linux since September 6th. I have started a program at my college to get my RHCE. If all goes as planned i should have the RHCE classes done with by next august and hopefully the certificate in my hand by Halloween, unless i get married, then the certificate will have to wait a while. But i do know that i will be getting it.

I would like to know from an RHCE what to expect from the actual exam and what i NEED to know and how to possibly prepare for it. I am new to linux but i have my CCNA stuff all done. I plan on doing my CCNP and cyber security. My goal is to get my RHCE cert, my CCNP classes done and then a couple of certs in cyber security. i have never done networking or computer maintenance prior to January of 07. so im still trying to understand all of this stuff.

Thanx in advance.

[FriedChips]

The placement exams on redhat's website pretty well pointed out that I'm a noob They will certainly give you a good idea about where to start. After I did the assessment tests someone from RedHat even called to talk to me about my goals and where to start.

[NomadRetsif]

I have my RHCT (looking to get the E next year) and can tell you the test itself is very hands on. You are given a list of objectives you need to complete within the given time. You either complete them, or you don't. You should be well versed on how to troubleshoot and configure workstations and servers. They made us sign NDA's so I can't give you specifics on the content of the tests other than the scope is very broad and the better you know your system the better you'll do. The classes are excellent and give you a good refresher on areas of the system you may not be as familiar with, but this isn't the MSCE boot camp stuff. You should spend as much time learning how your system works and how to troubleshoot it when it doesn't work.

Good luck on your endeavor!

[LT72884]

Originally Posted by NomadRetsif

I have my RHCT (looking to get the E next year) and can tell you the test itself is very hands on. You are given a list of objectives you need to complete within the given time. You either complete them, or you don't. You should be well versed on how to troubleshoot and configure workstations and servers. They made us sign NDA's so I can't give you specifics on the content of the tests other than the scope is very broad and the better you know your system the better you'll do. The classes are excellent and give you a good refresher on areas of the system you may not be as familiar with, but this isn't the MSCE boot camp stuff. You should spend as much time learning how your system works and how to troubleshoot it when it doesn't work.

Good luck on your endeavor!

Crap i hate when they make you sign stuff. Ok , ok ,ok, umm so this is how my setup is as in for schooling. there is a place down here in Utah named Guru Labs. Twice a year they have Linus travolds or whatever his name is come down to make sure the curriculum is what it is needed to be. My college is offering three semesters(12months) of Linux. The professor is from Guru Labs and has his RHCE but every time i ask him about it he kinda goes silent. My next class that i start mid december will be class number two and it will be preparing me for the RHCT. Apparently guru labs had 5 world class RHCE's from swedan come down and take there courses. Im trying to do as much as possible at home to set up my own network but money is not my friend right now. I dont want to jump to far ahead and sink. i am a very hands on person, thats the only way i learn. what do i need to know about the system or what can you recommend? where should i start? there is way to much to know with Linux and dont know where to start. thanx guys fro all the input, it means alot. maybe we can both get our E's near the same time. that would be cool.

[NomadRetsif]

Name dropping the developer of the Linux kernel to give a school some credentials, probably won't win you many friends. Why not get the training straight from Red Hat? They have classes available in Salt Lake City, They're generally 4 days long and are conducted by RHCEs, many of which, work for Red Hat. They will prepare you for the test, but you should already have very strong Linux skills before taking the test. Some suggestions:

• You should gain some experience installing RHEL in a variety of different configurations (workstations, server, w/GUI w/o GUI)

• Learn the boot process of a Linux system and how to troubleshoot it

• Learn how the X windows server works and how to configure and troubleshoot it

• Learn the structure of HFS, how to configure a network interface properly (both through using the GUI tools AND editing the text files by hand)

• Know how to manage packages through RPM

• Know how to use the vi editor

• Learn how user authentication and management works

• How to setup NFS, Sendmail, Samba, DNS, DHCP and NIS servers

• Be able to configure the iptables firewall through the command line and editing the configuration files.

• Be able to start, stop and restart and change startup options for the different network services

And I am just starting to scratch the surface of what you need to know. If administering UNIX/Linux systems is what you want to do, then realize this is going to be a long path and won't happen overnight. Do not presume because you spend twelve weeks immersed in a Linux environment that you will have the same level of knowledge as your instructors. Many of them achieved their RHCE's after many years of experience in the field as UNIX and Linux administrators.

If you are going to college, I would highly recommend a degree program in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering as you will get a lot of experience working with one and around UNIX systems as part of that curriculum.

[LT72884]

saweet good info mate. Im actually trying to go for a network engineering degree. I could go for a EE degree but im not really into the whole broadcast engineering type stuff. Just out of curiousity what would a EE or CS degree have that a network engineer would need to know. I might be able to through some electives in there.

[NomadRetsif]

Network Engineering is based on the components of EE and CS. Data networks sprang from the idea that by using electronic signaling, it is possible to send data over a copper wire where it can be processed by another computer. Simple signaling example the "1's & 0's" on a network wire is +5v or -5v (how else did you think computers could tell the difference?) There's nothing wrong with a Network Engineering degree, but if you are looking for an advanced understanding of computer systems (as opposed to networks) you would be better served with one of the other two degrees, which would also give you an understanding of how networks work.

[LT72884]

Originally Posted by NomadRetsif

Network Engineering is based on the components of EE and CS. Data networks sprang from the idea that by using electronic signaling, it is possible to send data over a copper wire where it can be processed by another computer. Simple signaling example the "1's & 0's" on a network wire is +5v or -5v (how else did you think computers could tell the difference?) There's nothing wrong with a Network Engineering degree, but if you are looking for an advanced understanding of computer systems (as opposed to networks) you would be better served with one of the other two degrees, which would also give you an understanding of how networks work.

OPPS, i kinda forgot about the whole +5v and -5v. i just read that in my CCNA book. Oh and dont forget wireless, lol. Hmm thanx for the info. Maybe what i can do is take a few electives in that area. But of coarse that all depends on my school if they will allow me to take some extra electives that are not part of the degree, but i imagine they will because it involves me paying them money. lol. I appreciate your concern and help. how bout this. ill start prayin for the both of us and who ever else wants the RHCT and RHCE cuz i now im gonna need the help. lol. Now if i can just figure out how to get my wifi up and how to use wireshark....