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Red Hat Enterprise Deployment, Virtualization, and Systems Management: Expertise Exam Preparation Guide

Overview

The EX401 Deployment, Virtualization, and Systems Management Expertise Exam tests candidates' abilities to use Red Hat-supported products including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat Network Satellite Server, and virtualization to deploy and manage systems in an efficient, scalable, replicable and reliable manner.

This guide provides information candidates may use in preparing to take the EX401 Deployment, Virtualization, and Systems Management Expertise Exam. Red Hat is not responsible for the content or accuracy of other guides, books, on-line resources, or any other information provided by organizations or individuals other than Red Hat Global Learning Services. Red Hat reserves the right to change this Guide when appropriate and candidates who have enrolled in forthcoming classes or exams are advised to check this guide periodically for changes.

Performance-based Exams

This exam is a performance-based evaluations of system administration skills and knowledge. Candidates perform a number of routine system administration tasks and are evaluated on whether they have met specific objective criteria. Performance-based testing means that candidates must perform tasks similar to what they perform on the job.

Prospective employers of people with the EX401 Deployment, Virtualization, and Systems Management Certificate of Expertise credential should verify any and all claims by people claiming to hold one of this credential by requesting their certificate number and verifying it here.

Authorized Training Partners

Only Red Hat and Red Hat Certified Training Partners administer this exam. Prospective candidates should exercise due diligence when purchasing a seat in an exam from a provider other than Red Hat itself. They should verify that the provider is, in fact, an authorized training partner in good standing. Please notify greymarket@redhat.com about organizations that purport to offer Red Hat exams, but who are not Red Hat Certified Training Partners.

Official scores for this exam come exclusively from Red Hat Certification Central. Red Hat does not authorize examiners or training partners to report results to candidates directly. Scores on the exam are usually reported within ten (10) US business days.

Exam results are reported as section scores. Red Hat does not report performance on individual items, nor will it provide additional information upon request.

Preparation for the EX401 Deployment, Virtualization, and Systems Management Expertise Exam

Red Hat encourages all candidates for the EX401 Deployment, Virtualization, and Systems Management Expertise Exam to consider taking RH401 - Red Hat Enterprise Deployment, Virtualization, and Systems Management Attendance in this class is not required, so one can choose to take just the exam. Many successful candidates who have come to class already possessing substantial skills and knowledge have reported that the class made a positive difference for them.

While attending Red Hat classes can be an important part of one's preparation to take this exam, attending class does not guarantee success on the exam. Previous experience, practice, and native aptitude are also important determinants of success.

Many books and other resources on system administration for Red Hat's products are available. Red Hat does not officially endorse any as preparation guides for its exam. Nevertheless, you may find additional reading deepens understanding and can prove helpful.

Components of the Exam

EX401 Deployment, Virtualization, and Systems Management Expertise Exam is organized into two sections:

  • Satellite Server Installation and Configuration: 3.5 hours
  • Virtualization with Xen: 1.5 hours

In order to earn the Deployment, Virtualization, and Systems Management Certificate of Expertise, one must earn a score of 70 or higher on Section I and a score of 80 or higher on Section II.

Study Points for the Exam

Prerequisite skills

Candidates must be a Red Hat Certified Engineer on a release that is considered current in order to take this exam.

Deployment, Virtualization, and Systems Management Expertise Exam

Candidates who earn this endorsement should be able to perform the tasks listed below.

Satellite Server Installation and Configuration

  • Install a satellite server
  • Add base channels from ISO images
  • Create child channels of a base channel
  • Create different types of users
  • Create groups and add group admins
  • Create configuration channels
  • Build custom RPMS
  • Upload custom RPMS to satellite server
  • Create Activation keys
  • Assign groups, software channels and configuration channels to the Activation key
  • Configure errata
  • Provisioning clients using kickstart
  • Set up and configure DHCP
  • Configure PXE-boot
  • Set up version control using CVS

Virtualization with Xen

  • Install, configure, and manage virtual machines
  • Snapshots of virtual systems
  • Configure networking, including private networks, masquerading, and physical network separation
  • Adding HD images to existing virtual machines
  • Kickstart a virtual machine
  • Migrate a virtual machine from one physical machine to another

As with all Red Hat performance-based exams, configurations must persist after reboot without intervention.

Red Hat Courses Covering These Skills

RH401 - Red Hat Enterprise Deployment, Virtualization, and Systems Management

RH401 trains people with RHCE-level competency on skills required to manage and deploy large-scale deployment and management of Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems successfully. Course participants will learn how to install and use a Red Hat Network Satellite Server to deploy and manage systems. The use of virtualization technology as a key deployment tool is also examined.