RHEL 10 RHCE Certification | Syllabus and Preparation Tips

Table of Contents

• What Is the RHCE Certification?
• RHCE Exam Syllabus for RHEL 10
• Creating an Effective Study Plan
• Hands-On Practice Tips
• Recommended Study Resources
• Exam Day Tips
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the RHCE Certification?

The RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer) certification, specifically the EX294 exam for RHEL 10, is a performance-based test that evaluates your ability to perform advanced system administration tasks. It focuses heavily on automation using Ansible, alongside skills in networking, security, and system management. Unlike the RHCSA, which covers foundational skills, the RHCE is designed for professionals who need to automate complex tasks, manage enterprise environments, and integrate RHEL systems with other technologies. Passing the RHCE proves you’re ready to tackle real-world challenges in large-scale Linux deployments. The exam is hands-on, lasting 4 hours, and requires a score of 210 out of 300 (70%) to pass.

RHCE Exam Syllabus for RHEL 10

The RHCE exam for RHEL 10 (EX294) emphasizes automation with Ansible, but it also tests advanced RHEL administration skills. Below is a table summarizing the key objectives, based on Red Hat’s official guidelines, tailored to RHEL 10’s features released in May 2025.

Key Areas Explained

Ansible Automation: The RHCE heavily focuses on Ansible, a tool for automating system tasks. You’ll write playbooks (YAML files) to configure systems, manage services, and deploy applications. For example, a playbook might use ansible.builtin.service to start a web server across multiple nodes.

System Configuration: Tasks include configuring advanced networking (e.g., bonding with nmcli), managing LVM storage (lvcreate), and enabling services with systemctl.

Security Management: You’ll configure SELinux policies (sepolicy), manage firewall rules (firewall-cmd), and secure SSH with key-based authentication.

Container Management: RHEL 10 emphasizes containers, so you’ll use podman to run, manage, and secure containers, including rootless setups.

Scripting: Write shell scripts to automate tasks like backups or log rotation, and schedule them with crontab.

Creating an Effective Study Plan

Preparing for the RHCE requires a structured approach, especially since it builds on RHCSA skills and adds advanced automation. A 12-16 week study plan is ideal, depending on your experience. Here’s a week-by-week guide:

• Weeks 1-3: Review RHCSA Skills
  • Refresh core skills: user management (useradd, passwd), permissions (chmod, chown), and storage (fdisk, mkfs).
  • Practice basic networking with nmcli and services with systemctl.
  • Ensure you’re comfortable with SELinux and firewall-cmd.
• Weeks 4-6: Learn Ansible Basics
  • Install Ansible on RHEL 10 (dnf install ansible) and set up an inventory file.
  • Write simple playbooks to manage files, users, and services.
  • Learn Ansible modules like ansible.builtin.user and ansible.builtin.service.
• Weeks 7-9: Advanced Ansible
  • Create roles with ansible-galaxy init for reusable configurations.
  • Practice conditionals, loops, and variables in playbooks.
  • Automate complex tasks like web server setup or firewall configuration.
• Weeks 10-12: Advanced System Administration
  • Configure network bonding and VLANs with nmcli.
  • Manage advanced storage with LVM snapshots and vgextend.
  • Secure services with SELinux policies and SSH key authentication.
• Weeks 13-15: Containers and Scripting
  • Run and manage containers with podman (e.g., podman run -d nginx).
  • Write shell scripts for automation and schedule with crontab.
  • Integrate Ansible with Podman for container automation.
• Weeks 16: Practice and Review
  • Take full-length practice exams to simulate real conditions.
  • Focus on weak areas, like complex Ansible playbooks or SELinux troubleshooting.
  • Practice time management for 4-hour exam duration.

Tip: Study 2-3 hours daily, splitting time between theory (30%), videos (20%), and hands-on practice (50%). If you’re already RHCSA-certified, you may shorten this to 10 weeks.

Hands-On Practice Tips

The RHCE exam is performance-based, so hands-on practice is critical. Here’s how to build your skills:

• Set Up a Lab: Create a multi-node lab with RHEL 10 virtual machines (use VirtualBox or KVM). Get a free Red Hat developer subscription for non-production use.
• Simulate Exam Scenarios: Practice tasks like writing an Ansible playbook to configure a web server or setting up a secure SSH service.
• Focus on Ansible: Write playbooks for real-world tasks, like deploying Apache (dnf module) or managing firewall rules.
• Troubleshoot Deliberately: Break configurations (e.g., misconfigure SELinux or Ansible inventory) and fix them using logs (/var/log/ansible.log).
• Use the Terminal: The exam is terminal-based, so avoid graphical tools like Cockpit for practice.
• Time Yourself: Aim to complete complex tasks (e.g., playbook creation) in 15-20 minutes.
• Leverage Documentation: Practice using man, ansible-doc, and Red Hat’s online docs, as they’re allowed in the exam.

Recommended Study Resources

Quality resources are essential for RHCE preparation. Here’s a curated list to guide you:

• Official Red Hat Training: Enroll in RH294 (Red Hat System Administration III: Linux Automation with Ansible) for exam-focused training.
• Books: “RHCSA/RHCE Red Hat Linux Certification Study Guide” by Michael Jang and Alessandro Orsaria (check for RHEL 10 updates).
• Online Courses: Use Udemy, Pluralsight, or Linux Academy for RHCE and Ansible courses.
• Practice Labs: KodeKloud, Red Hat’s Interactive Learning Portal, or Ansible’s Tower/AWX for hands-on practice.
• Red Hat Documentation: Free guides on RHEL 10 and Ansible at docs.redhat.com.
• Community Forums: Join Reddit’s r/redhat, Ansible’s community, or LinuxQuestions.org for tips and support.
• Ansible Documentation: Use ansible-doc and docs.ansible.com for module references.

Exam Day Tips

Stay prepared and confident on exam day with these strategies:

• Read Tasks Carefully: Each task may have multiple steps, so ensure you understand all requirements.
• Manage Time: With 4 hours, allocate 15-20 minutes per task. Skip difficult tasks and return later.
• Verify Configurations: Test Ansible playbooks (ansible-playbook --check), services (systemctl status), and firewall rules (firewall-cmd --list-all).
• Use Documentation: Rely on man, ansible-doc, and installed documentation for quick reference.
• Reboot if Needed: Some tasks (e.g., SELinux changes) may require a reboot to take effect.
• Stay Calm: If stuck, take a deep breath, move on, and revisit the task with a clear mind.
• Bring ID: Arrive early with a government-issued ID for check-in at the testing center.

Conclusion

The RHCE certification for RHEL 10 is a challenging but rewarding step for any Linux professional. By mastering the syllabus—covering Ansible automation, advanced system configuration, and security—you’ll gain the skills to manage enterprise environments with confidence. This guide has outlined a clear study plan, hands-on practice tips, and top resources to help you succeed. With dedication, regular practice in a RHEL 10 lab, and a calm approach on exam day, you’ll be well on your way to earning your RHCE and advancing your career. Start preparing today, and take the next step toward becoming a Red Hat Certified Engineer!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RHCE exam for RHEL 10?

The RHCE (EX294) is a hands-on exam testing advanced RHEL 10 administration and Ansible automation skills.

How long is the RHCE exam?

The exam lasts 4 hours and involves completing practical tasks on a live RHEL 10 system.

What score is needed to pass the RHCE?

You need 210 out of 300 points (70%) to pass the RHCE exam.

Do I need RHCSA to take the RHCE exam?

Yes, RHCSA certification is a prerequisite for the RHCE exam.

How does RHEL 10’s RHCE differ from RHEL 9?

RHEL 10 includes updated Ansible features, enhanced SELinux, and Podman, which are reflected in the exam.

What is Ansible, and why is it important for RHCE?

Ansible is an automation tool for configuring systems. It’s a core focus of the RHCE for task automation.

Can I use graphical tools in the RHCE exam?

No, the exam is terminal-based, so you’ll use commands like ansible-playbook and nmcli.

How do I set up a practice lab for RHCE?

Install RHEL 10 on virtual machines (VirtualBox/KVM) with a free Red Hat developer subscription.

What are Ansible playbooks?

Playbooks are YAML files that define automation tasks, like configuring services or deploying apps.

How do I practice Ansible for the exam?

Write playbooks to automate tasks like user creation or web server setup in a RHEL 10 lab.

What is Podman, and is it on the RHCE exam?

Podman is a container management tool. Basic container tasks are included in the RHCE syllabus.

How do I troubleshoot Ansible issues?

Check logs in /var/log/ansible.log and use ansible-playbook --check to test playbooks.

Can I use documentation during the RHCE exam?

Yes, man, ansible-doc, and installed documentation are available.

How long should I study for the RHCE?

Plan for 12-16 weeks, with 2-3 hours daily, focusing on Ansible and advanced administration.

Are there practice exams for RHCE?

Yes, KodeKloud, Red Hat’s Interactive Learning Portal, and Ansible AWX offer practice labs.

What’s the best book for RHCE on RHEL 10?

“RHCSA/RHCE Red Hat Linux Certification Study Guide” by Jang and Orsaria (check for RHEL 10 updates).

Do I need Red Hat’s RH294 course?

It’s recommended but not mandatory. Self-study with labs and documentation can also work.

How do I configure SELinux for the exam?

Use setenforce to change modes and audit2allow to troubleshoot policy issues.

Can I take the RHCE exam remotely?

Yes, Red Hat offers remote testing. Check their website for details and requirements.

Where can I find more RHCE resources?

Visit Red Hat’s documentation, r/redhat on Reddit, or platforms like Udemy and KodeKloud.