Linux Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE - EX294)

Master the essential Linux automation skills using Ansible, specifically designed for professionals preparing for the RHCE (EX294) certification.

This course provides a comprehensive roadmap to automate repetitive system administration tasks, streamline IT operations, and prepare for one of the most respected Linux certifications in the industry. By the end of this course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to manage Linux systems efficiently, automate workflows, and scale their expertise to enterprise-level environments.

What you’ll learn

• Understand the RH294 exam format and acquire strategies to successfully pass the RHCE certification
  
  

• Gain proficiency in automating routine Linux administration tasks using Ansible
  
  

• Learn how Ansible integrates seamlessly with other Red Hat technologies
  
  

• Acquire skills to manage systems in modern DevOps environments
  
  

• Develop the ability to write, implement, and maintain Ansible playbooks
  
  

• Simplify complex playbooks using roles and reusable components
  
  

• Progress towards earning the Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) credential
  
  

• Configure and manage Apache web services in automated workflows
  
  

• Secure SSH service and understand its best practices

Requirements

• A computer with a minimum of 4-8 GB of RAM and at least 60 GB of free storage
  
  

• Completion of Red Hat System Administration I (RH124) and Red Hat System Administration II (RH134), or equivalent foundational Linux knowledge
  
  

• It is recommended to have Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) certification for optimal results
  
  

• For those who have not yet earned RHCSA, taking the “Linux Red Hat Certified Administrator (RHCSA 8)” course is suggested to build the foundational skills necessary for RHCE

Course Description

If you are seeking a high-quality RHCE course that is both practical and comprehensive, you have come to the right place. This program has been specifically designed for IT professionals who already possess a working knowledge of Linux and are looking to elevate their expertise to an advanced level by mastering automation using Ansible. In today’s fast-paced IT environment, proficiency in automation is no longer optional—it is essential. Organizations increasingly rely on automated solutions to maintain efficiency, consistency, and reliability across large-scale systems. Manual server management, once the cornerstone of system administration, is now being replaced by processes that can be automated, scaled, and executed consistently. This course addresses this shift directly by focusing on the practical application of Ansible, a powerful automation tool that has rapidly become a standard in enterprise environments.

The current RHCE (EX294) exam emphasizes automation as its central theme, reflecting broader industry trends. The days when system administrators could manually configure individual servers are largely over. Modern IT infrastructures require administrators to manage complex, multi-node environments where tasks must be executed quickly, accurately, and repetitively without human error. Ansible provides a solution that enables administrators to define system configurations, deploy applications, and manage infrastructure efficiently across multiple machines simultaneously. In this course, you will gain a deep understanding of how Ansible interacts with Red Hat technologies, giving you the tools needed to automate daily administrative tasks and improve operational workflows.

Throughout this program, you will learn by doing. The course is structured around hands-on exercises that guide you through the automation of common Linux administration tasks. You will begin with the fundamentals of Ansible, including its architecture, key concepts, and benefits. Then, you will progress to creating practical playbooks—reusable, structured scripts that allow you to automate repetitive tasks. By writing and implementing these playbooks, you will learn how to configure services, manage files, schedule jobs, control user accounts, and enforce security policies in an automated, error-free manner. Each exercise is designed to reinforce concepts and provide real-world experience, ensuring that you not only understand Ansible theoretically but also know how to apply it effectively in operational environments.

A significant portion of the course is dedicated to teaching advanced Ansible features that are essential for managing complex environments. You will learn how to use roles to modularize playbooks, making them easier to maintain and reuse across multiple projects. Variables and facts will allow you to create dynamic configurations that adapt to different systems and conditions. You will also explore Ansible Vault, a feature that enables you to encrypt sensitive information within your playbooks, enhancing security in automated workflows. By mastering these advanced capabilities, you will be equipped to handle larger, more complex infrastructures with confidence.

Automation is a cornerstone of DevOps, and the RHCE certification serves as proof that you can implement it effectively. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills to deploy, manage, and support Linux systems at scale. You will also understand how to integrate automation into broader DevOps practices, ensuring that your work contributes to organizational efficiency and reliability. The expertise you develop through this program will not only prepare you to pass the RHCE exam but will also make you highly valuable in the IT job market. Employers are actively seeking professionals who can streamline operations, reduce manual workload, and implement automation across enterprise systems, and this course positions you perfectly to meet that demand.

Ultimately, this course is more than just exam preparation. It is a practical journey into modern Linux system administration and automation with Ansible. By the end of the program, you will be able to manage services, automate user accounts, deploy applications, configure security policies, and optimize operational workflows. You will also have the skills to handle advanced scenarios involving roles, variables, and secure playbooks, ensuring you can confidently manage complex Linux environments. This course is the ideal step for anyone looking to advance their career, gain industry-recognized certification, and become proficient in the automation-driven IT landscape of today and tomorrow.

Linux Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE – EX294)

Course Syllabus

This course is designed to offer a thorough and in-depth understanding of Linux automation using Ansible while preparing students for the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) EX294 certification exam. The syllabus has been structured to combine theoretical knowledge with extensive hands-on labs and practical exercises, ensuring that learners gain both the conceptual understanding and the real-world experience required to excel in enterprise environments. Each section is carefully developed to guide students through progressively advanced topics, from basic Ansible concepts to complex automation tasks, making it suitable for professionals aiming to advance their careers in Linux system administration and DevOps.

Section 1: Introduction

The first section introduces students to the course framework, detailing its objectives, learning outcomes, and the expectations for the program. Students receive guidance on how to navigate the course effectively and how to leverage the resources provided to maximize learning. A comprehensive overview of the RHCE certification is included, explaining its significance, prerequisites, and the core competencies assessed by the EX294 exam.

This section also breaks down the exam format, highlighting the practical, hands-on nature of the test and providing insights into the scoring system. Learners gain an understanding of what is required to succeed, including the types of tasks, time management strategies, and the skill areas that are emphasized. By the end of this section, students have a clear roadmap to approach the certification process with confidence, ensuring they are well-prepared for both theoretical and practical challenges.

Section 2: Introduction to Ansible

This section provides a detailed overview of Ansible, its origins, purpose, and relevance in modern IT operations. Students explore the benefits of automation, including improved efficiency, consistency, and reduced errors. Key Ansible concepts such as modules, inventories, playbooks, and tasks are explained in detail, giving learners a strong foundational understanding of the tool.

The interaction of Ansible with Red Hat technologies and other enterprise tools is emphasized, showing how it fits into larger IT infrastructures. Students learn to design practical lab environments for hands-on practice, starting with the installation of Oracle VirtualBox and the configuration of Linux nodes as Ansible clients. They also learn to add and manage multiple clients, install and configure the Ansible Automation Platform, and modify the Ansible configuration file.

YAML syntax, which is essential for writing effective playbooks, is introduced with examples covering structure, data types, and proper formatting. Students reinforce their understanding through handouts and quizzes, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will serve as the foundation for more advanced topics.

Section 3: Ansible Playbook Implementation

In this section, students are guided through writing their first Ansible playbook, understanding its structure, including tasks, modules, and outputs. They learn how to generate and interpret playbook output to verify successful execution and troubleshoot errors effectively.

The curriculum advances to multi-task playbooks, which automate complex operations, such as installing and starting services on remote clients, ensuring students can handle real-world automation scenarios. Students also explore the syntax and configuration of the hosts file, inventory management techniques, and methods for establishing and verifying connectivity to remote systems.

Hands-on exercises allow learners to practice writing and executing playbooks under conditions similar to those they will encounter in the EX294 exam. Quizzes and lab assignments reinforce the material and ensure students can apply their knowledge in practical situations.

Section 4: Deploy Files to Managed Hosts/Clients

File management is a critical component of Linux administration, and this section focuses on automating these tasks using Ansible. Students learn to copy files efficiently from local systems to remote clients, modify file permissions and ownership, and check the status of files and directories programmatically.

The curriculum covers the creation and removal of files and directories, as well as adding or modifying content within files. Learners gain experience in automating these operations across multiple systems, applying best practices to ensure accuracy and consistency. Practical labs reinforce these concepts, allowing students to implement automation strategies that reduce manual effort and improve operational efficiency.

Section 5: Manage Complex Plays and Playbooks

This section introduces advanced playbook management and techniques for executing complex tasks. Students learn to configure the Apache web server, open firewall ports, and run shell scripts on remote systems to automate repetitive administrative functions.

Additional topics include scheduling tasks using crontab, downloading packages from external URLs, managing software installations, and creating and mounting new storage devices using Ansible playbooks. These exercises provide students with the skills required to implement comprehensive automation solutions in enterprise environments. Hands-on labs allow learners to practice these tasks in real-world scenarios, preparing them for both practical exams and workplace applications.

Section 6: Automate Linux Administration Tasks

This section focuses on automating essential Linux administration tasks. Students gain expertise in managing user accounts, including creating, modifying, and deleting accounts, as well as updating passwords securely.

They also learn to monitor system processes and automate the termination of unnecessary or problematic processes. Practical exercises allow students to implement these administrative functions across multiple systems, demonstrating how automation can improve consistency, reduce errors, and increase efficiency in routine operations. Quizzes reinforce the concepts covered, ensuring students retain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Section 7: Implement Task Control

Students are introduced to techniques for controlling the flow of tasks in a playbook. This includes selectively running specific tasks, utilizing Ansible ad-hoc commands for immediate execution, implementing handlers to respond to task outcomes, and applying conditions to manage task execution based on system state.

Loops are also introduced to perform repetitive actions efficiently, allowing learners to automate large-scale operations with minimal effort. Hands-on labs and quizzes provide opportunities to practice these task control techniques, helping students build confidence and proficiency in managing complex automation workflows.

Section 8: Simplify Playbooks with Roles

Ansible roles are introduced to help students modularize playbooks for improved reusability and maintainability. Students learn to organize tasks by application or service, enabling structured automation workflows that are easier to manage in enterprise environments.

The course also covers how to leverage pre-built roles from Ansible Galaxy to accelerate development and reduce redundant work. Labs and quizzes reinforce the concepts, ensuring that students can apply role-based automation effectively in real-world scenarios.

Section 9: Variables, Facts, and Additional Features

This section teaches students how to use tags to selectively execute tasks and define variables to create dynamic, adaptable playbooks. Learners explore managing variables in inventory files for system-specific configurations and gain experience with Ansible Vault, which allows for the secure encryption of sensitive data.

Students practice encrypting strings and files within playbooks, learning how to maintain security in automated environments. Hands-on exercises and quizzes ensure students can effectively apply advanced features to complex automation scenarios.

Section 10: Ansible Tools and Resources

The final section provides an overview of other automation tools and highlights additional Ansible resources. Students gain knowledge of both free and open-source tools and enterprise solutions, including Ansible AWX and Tower.

The course covers advanced Ansible commands for increased efficiency and flexibility, and students are guided on leveraging official documentation and community support for troubleshooting and ongoing skill development. Hands-on labs and quizzes consolidate the learning experience, preparing students for both practical exam tasks and real-world professional applications.

By completing this syllabus, students will leave with the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on expertise required to manage complex Linux environments, implement automation at scale, and successfully achieve the RHCE (EX294) certification.

Who this course is for

• Anyone preparing for the EX294 exam to earn RHCE certification
  
  

• Professionals aiming to advance their careers in Linux administration
  
  

• System administrators, engineers, and developers seeking automation skills
  
  

• Network, storage, and database administrators looking to optimize workflows
  
  

• Individuals interested in learning enterprise-level Linux automation with Ansible

Whether your goal is career advancement, certification, or becoming an expert in Linux automation, this course provides all the tools, guidance, and practical exercises needed to achieve your objectives. By mastering Ansible through this course, you are not only preparing for the RHCE exam but also building a skill set that is essential for modern IT and DevOps practices.

Course Benefits

Enrolling in the Linux Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE - EX294) course offers a wide range of professional and technical advantages for IT professionals looking to advance their careers. This program is designed not only to prepare you for the RHCE certification exam but also to equip you with real-world skills that are highly valued in today’s IT and DevOps environments.

By completing this course, you will gain the ability to automate repetitive system administration tasks, improve operational efficiency, and manage complex Linux environments with confidence. You will also develop a deep understanding of Ansible Automation Platform and its integration with Red Hat technologies, enabling you to implement enterprise-level solutions that scale effectively across multiple systems.

Key benefits include:

• Master automation using Ansible to reduce manual tasks and errors
  
  

• Gain hands-on experience writing and executing Ansible playbooks
  
  

• Learn to manage services, users, and files efficiently across multiple systems
  
  

• Implement secure configurations using Ansible Vault and best practices
  
  

• Simplify complex workflows using roles and reusable automation components
  
  

• Schedule and automate system maintenance tasks with precision
  
  

• Understand integration with Red Hat technologies for enterprise-level deployments
  
  

• Improve consistency, reliability, and scalability of IT operations
  
  

• Prepare thoroughly for the RHCE (EX294) certification exam
  
  

• Develop skills that are highly sought after in DevOps and IT operations roles
  
  

• Enhance your career prospects and earning potential in Linux system administration

Enroll Today

Take the next step in your Linux career by enrolling in the Linux Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE – EX294) course today. This program is designed for IT professionals, system administrators, and developers who want to master automation with Ansible and achieve the prestigious RHCE certification. Gain hands-on experience, practical skills, and industry-recognized credentials that will set you apart in the competitive IT job market. Don’t wait to advance your career—start learning how to automate Linux administration, improve operational efficiency, and manage complex environments with confidence. Enroll now and transform your expertise into professional success.