Red Hat RHCE 8 (EX294) Cert Guide

About

Features

• Complete and concise: get all the knowledge you need, without wading through thousands of pages!
• Authoritative coverage by one of the world's leading Red Hat experts, consultants, and instructors
• Fully reflects the new RHCE 8 exam, with its extensive new focus on Ansible automation and administration
• Test-taking strategies, tips, notes, and two full sample exams delivered by Pearson’s advanced test engine
• Ancillary instructor resources will be offered

Description

Learn, prepare, and practice for Red Hat RHCE 8 EX294 exam success with this Cert Guide from Pearson IT Certification, a leader in IT certification learning.
* Master RHCE 8 EX294 exam topics
* Assess your knowledge with chapter-ending quizzes
* Review key concepts with step-by-step exercises, code examples, and complete labs after every chapter, designed to closely resemble the exam
* Practice with realistic exam questions from four full practice exams: two printed in the book and two more on the companion website
* Supplement your learning with an hour of video mentoring


Red Hat RHCE 8 (EX294) Cert Guide is the authoritative exam study guide. Leading Red Hat and Linux consultant, trainer, and author Sander van Vugt walks you through the RHCE EX 294 objectives so you have a full study resource. He shares preparation hints and test-taking tips, helping you identify areas of weakness and improve both your conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills. Material is presented in a concise manner, focusing on increasing your understanding, retention of exam topics, and hands-on practice so you can feel ready to take the exam.

The book presents you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques. Exam topic lists make referencing easy. Chapter-ending Exam Preparation Tasks help you drill on key concepts you must know thoroughly. Review questions help you assess your knowledge, and a final preparation chapter guides you through tools and resources to help you craft your final study plan. The end of chapter labs are an essential part of learning each topic and cover each chapters key concepts so you can test yourself and put your knowledge to work.

The companion website contains two additional practice exams, flashcards that test you on the glossary terms in the book, an hour of video mentoring from the author, and study resources.


Well regarded for its level of detail, assessment features, and challenging review questions and exercises, this study guide helps you master the concepts and techniques that will enable you to succeed on the exam the first time.

The study guide helps you master all the topics on the RHCE 8 exam, including

* Understanding configuration management
* Installing Ansible and setting up managed environments
* Using ad hoc commands
* Getting started with playbooks
* Working with variables and facts
* Using task control
* Deploying files
* Using Ansible roles
* Using Ansible in large environments
* Troubleshooting Ansible
* Managing software with Ansible
* Managing users, processes, tasks, and storage

Sample Content

Online Sample Chapter

Deploying Files

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 8)

Table of Contents

Introduction xxii

Part I: Introduction to Ansible

Chapter 1 Understanding Configuration Management 3

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 3

Foundation Topics 6

Understanding Automation 6

    What Is Automation? 6

    Understanding the DevOpsWay of Working 7

    UnderstandingInfrastructure as Code 8

    Other AutomationSolutions 8

Understanding Ansible Essential Components 9

    Ansible Is Python 9

    Ansible Architecture 9

    Understanding AnsibleTower 10

    Understanding the AnsibleWay 11

Understanding Ansible Use Cases 11

    Using Ansible forConfiguration Management 11

    Using Ansible forProvisioning 12

    Using Ansible forContinuous Delivery 12

Summary 12

Exam Preparation Tasks 12

Review All Key Topics 12

Define Key Terms 13

Chapter 2 Installing Ansible 15

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 15

Foundation Topics 18

Understanding an Ansible Environment 18

Understanding Controller Host Requirements 20

Understanding Installation Methods 20

    Installing Ansible on RHEL8 21

    Installing Ansible onCentOS 8 21

    Using python-pip toInstall Ansible 21

Configuring Managed Hosts 22

Configuring the Ansible User 23

    Setting Up SSH for theAnsible User 23

    Configuring sudo for theAnsible User 25

Summary 26

Exam Preparation Tasks 26

Review All Key Topics 26

Memory Tables 27

Define Key Terms 27

Review Questions 27

End-of-Chapter Lab 28

Chapter 3 Setting Up an Ansible Managed Environment 31

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 31

Foundation Topics 34

Understanding Projects 34

Configuring Static Inventory 35

    Listing Hosts 35

    Inventory Host Groups 36

    Using Inventory inCommands 37

    Specifying Host Variables38

Working with Dynamic Inventory 39

    Working withCommunity-Provided Dynamic Inventory Scripts 39

    Writing Your OwnInventory Scripts 40

    Using Multiple InventoryFiles 42

Managing Settings in ansible.cfg 42

Summary 44

Exam Preparation Tasks 44

Review All Key Topics 44

Memory Tables 44

Define Key Terms 44

Review Questions 45

End-of-Chapter Lab 45

Chapter 4 Using Ad Hoc Commands 47

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 47

Foundation Topics 50

Understanding Ad Hoc Commands 50

Working with Modules 53

    Exploring EssentialModules 54

        command 54

        shell 55

        raw 55

        copy 55

        yum 56

        service 56

        ping 56

    Browsing AvailableModules 58

Consulting Module Documentation 58

    Using ansible-doc 58

    Usinghttps://docs.ansible.com 62

Running Ad Hoc Commands from Shell Scripts 64

Summary 66

Exam Preparation Tasks 66

Review All Key Topics 66

Memory Tables 66

Define Key Terms 66

Review Questions 67

End-of-Chapter Lab 67

Chapter 5 Getting Started with Playbooks 69

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 69

Foundation Topics 72

Exploring Your First Playbook 72

    From Ad Hoc Commands toPlaybook 72

    Playbook Elements 73

    Running the Playbook 74

    Undoing PlaybookModifications 75

Working with YAML 77

    Indentation 77

    Using Key-Value Pairs 78

    Understanding YAML Lists79

    Using YAML Strings 79

    Verifying Syntax 80

    Performing a Playbook DryRun 81

Managing Multiplay Playbooks 83

    Multiplay PlaybookConsiderations 83

    Multiplay PlaybookExample 84

    Increasing OutputVerbosity 86

Summary 92

Exam Preparation Tasks 92

Review All Key Topics 93

Memory Tables 93

Define Key Terms 93

Review Questions 93

End-of-Chapter Lab 94

Chapter 6 Working with Variables and Facts 97

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 97

Foundation Topics 100

Understanding the Use of Variables in Ansible Playbooks 100

Working with Ansible Facts 101

    Gathering Facts 102

    Understanding How FactsAre Displayed 104

    Managing Fact Gathering108

    Working with Custom Facts109

Working with Variables 111

    Defining Variables 112

    Using Include Files 112

    Managing Host and GroupVariables 113

    Using MultivaluedVariables 115

    Working with MagicVariables 117

    Understanding VariablePrecedence 119

Using Vault to Manage Sensitive Values 119

    Understanding Vault 119

    Managing Encrypted Files120

    Using Vault in Playbooks120

    Managing Files withSensitive Variables 121

Capturing Command Output Using register 122

Summary 125

Exam Preparation Tasks 125

Review All Key Topics 125

Memory Tables 125

Define Key Terms 126

Review Questions 126

End-of-Chapter Labs 126

Part II: Common Ansible Management Tasks

Chapter 7 Using Task Control 131

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 131

Foundation Topics 134

Using Loops and Items 134

    Working with Loops 134

    Using Loops on Variables135

    Using Loops onMultivalued Variables 136

    Understanding with_items137

Using when to Run Tasks Conditionally 139

    Working with when 139

    Using Conditional TestStatements 141

    Testing MultipleConditions 144

    Combining loop and when145

    Combining loop andregister 147

Using Handlers 149

    Working with Handlers 149

    Understanding HandlerExecution and Exceptions 154

Dealing with Failures 156

    Understanding TaskExecution 156

    Managing Task Errors 156

    Specifying Task FailureConditions 158

    Managing Changed Status161

    Using Blocks 163

    Using Blocks with rescueand always Statements 164

Summary 169

Exam Preparation Tasks 169

Review All Key Topics 169

Memory Tables 170

Define Key Terms 170

Review Questions 170

End-of-Chapter Lab 171

Chapter 8 Deploying Files 173

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 173

Foundation Topics 176

Using Modules to Manipulate Files 176

    File Module ManipulationOverview 176

    Managing File Attributes176

    Managing File Contents180

    Creating and RemovingFiles 182

    Moving Files Around 183

Managing SELinux Properties 187

    Managing SELinux FileContext 188

    Applying Generic SELinuxManagement Tasks 189

Using Jinja2 Templates 194

    Working with SimpleTemplates 194

    Applying ControlStructures in Jinja2 Using for 197

    Using ConditionalStatements with if 198

    Using Filters 198

Summary 200

Exam Preparation Tasks 200

Review All Key Topics 200

Memory Tables 201

Define Key Terms 201

Review Questions 201

Exercise Answers 201

End-of-Chapter Labs 202

Chapter 9 Using Ansible Roles 205

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 205

Foundation Topics 208

Using Ansible Roles 208

    Understanding AnsibleRoles 208

    Understanding RoleLocation 209

    Using Roles fromPlaybooks 210

    Creating Custom Roles 210

    Managing RoleDependencies 213

    Understanding FileOrganization Best Practices 213

Using Ansible Galaxy Roles 214

    Working with Galaxy 215

    Using the ansible-galaxyCommand 216

    Managing Ansible GalaxyRoles 218

Using RHEL System Roles 219

    Understanding RHEL SystemRoles 220

    Installing RHEL SystemRoles 220

    Using the RHEL SELinuxSystem Role 221

    Using the RHEL TimeSyncSystem Role 224

Summary 225

Exam Preparation Tasks 225

Review All Key Topics 226

Memory Tables 226

Define Key Terms 226

Review Questions 226

End-of-Chapter Labs 227

Chapter 10 Using Ansible in Large Environments 229

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 229

Foundation Topics 232

Advanced Inventory Usage 232

    Working with Host NamePatterns 232

    Configuring DynamicInventory 233

    Using theansible-inventory Command 235

    Working with MultipleInventory Files 236

Optimizing Ansible Processing 237

    Managing Parallel TaskExecution 237

    Managing Serial TaskExecution 238

Including and Importing Files 239

    Importing Playbooks 240

    Importing and IncludingTask Files 242

    Using Variables WhenImporting and Including Files 243

Summary 247

Exam Preparation Tasks 247

Review All Key Topics 248

Define Key Terms 248

Review Questions 248

End-of-Chapter Lab 249

Chapter 11 Troubleshooting Ansible 251

Do I Know this Already? Quiz 251

Foundation Topics 254

Managing Ansible Errors and Logs 254

    Using Check Mode 254

    Understanding Output 256

    Optimizing Command OutputError Formatting 259

    Logging to Files 259

    Running Task by Task 260

Using Modules for Troubleshooting and Testing 263

    Using the Debug Module263

    Using the uri Module 263

    Using the stat Module 265

    Using the assert Module268

Using Tags 271

Troubleshooting Common Scenarios 275

    Analyzing ConnectivityIssues 275

    Analyzing AuthenticationIssues 276

Summary 277

Exam Preparation Tasks 277

Review All Key Topics 278

Memory Tables 278

Define Key Terms 278

Review Questions 278

End-of-Chapter Lab 279

Part III: Managing Systems with Ansible

Chapter 12 Managing Software with Ansible 281

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 281

Foundation Topics 284

Using Modules to Manage Packages 284

    Configuring RepositoryAccess 284

    Managing Software withyum 285

    Managing Package Facts287

Using Modules to Manage Repositories and Subscriptions 289

    Setting Up Repositories290

    Managing GPG Keys 291

    Managing RHELSubscriptions 292

Implementing a Playbook to Manage Software 297

Summary 301

Exam Preparation Tasks 302

Review All Key Topics 302

Memory Tables 302

Define Key Terms 302

Review Questions 302

End-of-Chapter Labs 303

Chapter 13 Managing Users 305

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 305

Foundation Topics 308

Using Ansible Modules to Manage Users and Groups 308

    Modules Overview 308

    Managing Users and Groups308

    Managing sudo 309

Managing SSH Connections 313

    Understanding SSHConnection Management Requirements 313

    Using the Lookup Plug-in314

    Setting Up SSH User Keys314

Managing Encrypted Passwords 319

    Understanding EncryptedPasswords 319

    Generating EncryptedPasswords 319

    Using an AlternativeApproach 321

Managing Users Advanced Scenario Exercise 323

Summary 329

Exam Preparation Tasks 330

Review All Key Topics 330

Memory Tables 330

Define Key Terms 330

Review Questions 330

End-of-Chapter Lab 331

Chapter 14 Managing Services and the Boot Process 333

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 333

Foundation Topics 336

Managing Services 336

    Managing Systemd Services336

    Managing cron Jobs 337

    Managing at Jobs 338

Managing the Boot Process 341

    Managing Systemd Targets341

    Rebooting Managed Hosts342

Managing the Boot Process and Services Advanced Exercise 344

Summary 346

Exam Preparation Tasks 346

Review All Key Topics 346

Memory Tables 347

Define Key Terms 347

Review Questions 347

End-of-Chapter Lab 348

Chapter 15 Managing Storage 351

Do I Know This Already? Quiz 351

Foundation Topics 354

Discovering Storage-Related Facts 354

    Using Storage-RelatedFacts 354

    Using Storage-Related Factsin Conditional Statements 357

Managing Partitions and LVM 364

    Creating Partitions 364

    Managing Volume Groupsand LVM Logical Volumes 366

    Creating and MountingFile Systems 367

    Configuring Swap Space368

Configuring Storage Advanced Exercise 371

Summary 379

Exam Preparation Tasks 380

Review All Key Topics 380

Memory Tables 380

Define Key Terms 380

Review Questions 380

End-of-Chapter Lab 381

Chapter 16 Final Preparation 383

Generic Tips 383

    Verifying Your Readiness383

    Registering for the Exam384

    On Exam Day 384

        During the Exam 385

        The Nondisclosure Agreement 386

Part IV: Practice Exams

Practice Exam A 387

Practice Exam B 391

Part V: Appendixes

Appendix A Answers to the Do I Know This Already? Quizzesand Review Questions 395

Appendix B Getting Started with Ansible Tower 415

Appendix C Red Hat RHCE 8 (EX294) Cert Guide ExamUpdates 431

Glossary 433

Online Elements:

Practice Exam C

Practice Exam D

Appendix D Memory Tables

Appendix E Memory Tables Answer Key

Appendix F Study Planner

Glossary

9780136872436  TOC   8/25/2020

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