Learn, prepare, and practice for Red Hat RHCSA 8 (EX200) exam success with this Cert Guide from Pearson IT Certification, a leader in IT Certification learning. Master Red Hat RHCSA 8 EX200 exam topics Assess your knowledge with chapter-ending quizzes and labs Review key concepts with exam-preparation tasks Practice with four unique practice tests Learn from two full hours of video training from the author’s Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) Complete Video Course, 3rd Edition. Red Hat RHCSA 8 Cert Guide is a comprehensive exam study guide. Leading Linux consultant, author, and instructor Sander van Vugt 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 and retention of exam topics. 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 companion website also contains two additional practice tests plus two full hours of personal video training from the author’s Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) Complete Video Course, 3rd Edition. 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, including Basic system management: Installation, tools, file management, text files, RHEL8 connections, user/group management, permissions, and network configuration Operating running systems: Managing software, processes, storage, and advanced storage; working with Systemd; scheduling tasks; and configuring logging Advanced system administration: Managing the kernel and boot procedures, essential troubleshooting, bash shell scripting Managing network services: Configuring SSH, firewalls, and time services; managing Apache HTTP services and SE Linux; accessing network storage; and managing containers

Table of Contents:
Introduction xxviii Part I: Performing Basic System Management Tasks Chapter 1 Installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 3 Foundation Topics 6 Preparing to Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 What Is Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Server? 6 Getting the Software 7 Using Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Using CentOS 7 Other Distributions 8 Understanding Access to Repositories 8 Setup Requirements 9 Cert Guide Environment Description 9 Performing a Manual Installation 10 Summary 24 Exam Preparation Tasks 25 End-of-Chapter Lab 26 Chapter 2 Using Essential Tools 29 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 29 Foundation Topics 32 Basic Shell Skills 32 Understanding Commands 32 Executing Commands 32 I/O Redirection 34 Using Pipes 36 History 37 Bash Completion 39 Editing Files with vim 39 Understanding the Shell Environment 42 Understanding Variables 42 Recognizing Environment Configuration Files 43 Using /etc/motd and /etc/issue 43 Finding Help 44 Using --help 44 Using man 45 Finding the Right man Page 46 Updating mandb 47 Using info 48 Using /usr/share/doc Documentation Files 49 Summary 50 Exam Preparation Tasks 50 End-of-Chapter Lab 51 Chapter 3 Essential File Management Tools 53 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 53 Foundation Topics 56 Working with the File System Hierarchy 56 Defining the File System Hierarchy 56 Understanding Mounts 57 Managing Files 61 Working with Wildcards 62 Managing and Working with Directories 62 Working with Absolute and Relative Pathnames 63 Listing Files and Directories 64 Copying Files and Directories 65 Moving Files and Directories 66 Deleting Files and Directories 66 Using Links 68 Understanding Hard Links 68 Understanding Symbolic Links 69 Creating Links 69 Removing Links 70 Working with Archives and Compressed Files 71 Managing Archives with tar 72 Creating Archives with tar 72 Monitoring and Extracting tar Files 73 Using Compression 74 Summary 75 Exam Preparation Tasks 75 End-of-Chapter Lab 77 Chapter 4 Working with Text Files 81 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 81 Foundation Topics 84 Using Common Text File–Related Tools 84 Doing More with less 84 Showing File Contents with cat 85 Displaying the First or Last Lines of a File with head and tail 86 Filtering Specific Columns with cut 87 Sorting File Contents and Output with sort 87 Counting Lines, Words, and Characters with wc 88 A Primer to Using Regular Expressions 89 Using Line Anchors 90 Using Escaping in Regular Expressions 90 Using Wildcards and Multipliers 91 Using grep to Analyze Text 92 Working with Other Useful Text Processing Utilities 93 Summary 94 Exam Preparation Tasks 95 End-of-Chapter Lab 9 Chapter 5 Connecting to Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 99 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 99 Foundation Topics 102 Working on Local Consoles 102 Logging In to a Local Console 102 Switching Between Terminals in a Graphical Environment 103 Working with Multiple Terminals in a Nongraphical Environment 104 Understanding Pseudo Terminal Devices 106 Booting, Rebooting, and Shutting Down Systems 106 Using SSH and Related Utilities 108 Accessing Remote Systems Using SSH 108 Using Graphical Applications in an SSH Environment 111 Securely Transferring Files Between Systems 111 Using scp to Securely Copy Files 112 Using sftp to Securely Transfer Files 112 Using rsync to Synchronize Files 113 Configuring Key-Based Authentication for SSH 114 Using Passphrases or Not? 114 Using the screen Command 115 Summary 117 Exam Preparation Tasks 117 End-of-Chapter Labs 118 Chapter 6 User and Group Management 121 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 121 Foundation Topics 124 Understanding Different User Types 124 Users on Linux 124 Working as Root 124 Using su 125 sudo 126 PolicyKit 126 Managing User Accounts 127 System Accounts and Normal Accounts 127 Creating Users 131 Modifying the Configuration Files 131 Using useradd 131 Home Directories 132 Managing User Properties 132 Configuration Files for User Management Defaults 132 Managing Password Properties 133 Creating a User Environment 134 Creating and Managing Group Accounts 135 Understanding Linux Groups 135 Creating Groups 136 Creating Groups with vigr 136 Using groupadd to Create Groups 137 Managing Group Properties 137 Summary 138 Exam Preparation Tasks 138 End-of-Chapter Lab 140 Chapter 7 Permissions Management 143 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 143 Foundation Topics 146 Managing File Ownership 146 Displaying Ownership 146 Changing User Ownership 147 Changing Group Ownership 148 Understanding Default Ownership 148 Managing Basic Permissions 149 Understanding Read, Write, and Execute Permissions 149 Applying Read, Write, and Execute Permissions 150 Managing Advanced Permissions 152 Understanding Advanced Permissions 152 Applying Advanced Permissions 155 Managing ACLs 156 Understanding ACLs 156 Preparing Your File System for ACLs 157 Changing and Viewing ACL Settings with setfacl and getfacl 157 Working with Default ACLs 159 Setting Default Permissions with umask 160 Working with User-Extended Attributes 162 Summary 163 Exam Preparation Tasks 163 End-of-Chapter Lab 165 Chapter 8 Configuring Networking 167 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 167 Foundation Topics 170 Networking Fundamentals 170 IP Addresses 170 IPv6 Addresses 171 Network Masks 171 Binary Notation 172 MAC Addresses 173 Protocol and Ports 173 Managing Network Addresses and Interfaces 174 Validating Network Configuration 175 Validating Network Address Configuration 175 Validating Routing 178 Validating the Availability of Ports and Services 178 Configuring Network Configuration with nmtui and nmcli 180 Required Permissions to Change Network Configuration 180 Configuring the Network with nmcli 181 Configuring the Network with nmtui 187 Working on Network Configuration Files 189 Setting Up Hostname and Name Resolution 190 Hostnames 190 DNS Name Resolution 192 Summary 194 Exam Preparation Tasks 194 End-of-Chapter Lab 195 Part II: Operating Running Systems Chapter 9 Managing Software 197 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 197 Foundation Topics 200 Managing Software Packages with yum 200 Understanding the Role of Repositories 200 Registering Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Support 201 Managing Subscriptions 202 Specifying Which Repository to Use 203 Understanding Repository Security 206 Creating Your Own Repository 208 Using yum 209 Using yum to Find Software Packages 210 Getting More Information About Packages 211 Installing and Removing Software Packages 212 Showing Lists of Packages 214 Updating Packages 215 Working with yum Package Groups 216 Using yum History 218 Managing Package Module Streams 220 Understanding Modules 220 Managing Modules 221 Managing Software Packages with rpm 225 Understanding RPM Filenames 226 Querying the RPM Database 226 Querying RPM Package Files 227 Using repoquery 228 Summary 229 Exam Preparation Tasks 229 End-of-Chapter Labs 231 Chapter 10 Managing Processes 233 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 233 Foundation Topics 236 Introducing Process Management 236 Managing Shell Jobs 236 Running Jobs in the Foreground and Background 236 Managing Shell Jobs 237 Managing Parent-Child Relations 239 Using Common Command-Line Tools for Process Management 239 Understanding Processes and Threads 239 Using ps to Get Process Information 240 Adjusting Process Priority with nice 242 Sending Signals to Processes with kill, killall, and pkill 244 Using top to Manage Processes 246 Using tuned to Optimize Performance 248 Summary 249 Exam Preparation Tasks 249 End-of-Chapter Lab 251 Chapter 11 Working with Systemd 253 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 253 Foundation Topics 256 Understanding Systemd 256 Understanding Systemd Unit Locations 256 Understanding Systemd Service Units 257 Understanding Systemd Mount Units 258 Understanding Systemd Socket Units 259 Understanding Systemd Target Units 259 Managing Units Through Systemd 261 Managing Dependencies 263 Managing Unit Options 265 Summary 266 Exam Preparation Tasks 267 End-of-Chapter Lab 268 Chapter 12 Scheduling Tasks 271 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 271 Foundation Topics 274 Configuring cron to Automate Recurring Tasks 274 Managing the crond Service 274 Understanding cron Timing 276 Managing cron Configuration Files 276 Understanding the Purpose of anacron 278 Managing cron Security 280 Configuring at to Schedule Future Tasks 281 Summary 282 Exam Preparation Tasks 282 End-of-Chapter Lab 283 Chapter 13 Configuring Logging 285 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 285 Foundation Topics 288 Understanding System Logging 288 Understanding the Role of rsyslogd and journald 288 Reading Log Files 290 Understanding Log File Contents 290 Live Log File Monitoring 292 Using logger 292 Configuring rsyslogd 293 Understanding rsyslogd Configuration Files 293 Understanding rsyslog.conf Sections 293 Understanding Facilities, Priorities, and Log Destinations 294 Rotating Log Files 297 Working with journald 299 Using journalctl to Find Events 299 Preserving the Systemd Journal 302 Summary 304 Exam Preparation Tasks 304 End-of-Chapter Lab 306 Chapter 14 Managing Storage 309 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 309 Foundation Topics 312 Understanding MBR and GPT Partitions 312 Understanding the MBR Partitioning Scheme 312 Understanding the Need for GPT Partitioning 313 Understanding Storage Measurement Units 314 Managing Partitions and File Systems 314 Creating MBR Partitions with fdisk 315 Using Extended and Logical Partitions on MBR 319 Creating GPT Partitions with gdisk 320 Creating GPT Partitions with parted 324 Creating File Systems 325 Changing File System Properties 327 Managing Ext4 File System Properties 327 Managing XFS File System Properties 329 Adding Swap Partitions 329 Adding Swap Files 330 Mounting File Systems 330 Manually Mounting File Systems 331 Using Device Names, UUIDs, or Disk Labels 331 Automating File System Mounts Through /etc/fstab 332 Summary 335 Exam Preparation Tasks 335 End-of-Chapter Lab 337 Chapter 15 Managing Advanced Storage 339 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 339 Foundation Topics 342 Understanding LVM 342 LVM Architecture 342 LVM Features 343 Creating LVM Logical Volumes 344 Creating the Physical Volumes 346 Creating the Volume Groups 349 Creating the Logical Volumes and File Systems 351 Understanding LVM Device Naming 351 Resizing LVM Logical Volumes 353 Resizing Volume Groups 353 Resizing Logical Volumes and File Systems 354 Configuring Stratis 356 Understanding Stratis Architecture 356 Creating Stratis Storage 357 Managing Stratis 358 Configuring VDO 359 Understanding VDO 359 Setting Up VDO 360 Summary 362 Exam Preparation Tasks 362 End-of-Chapter Labs 364 Part III: Performing Advanced System Administration Tasks Chapter 16 Basic Kernel Management 367 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 367 Foundation Topics 370 Understanding the Role of the Linux Kernel 370 Understanding the Use of Kernel Threads and Drivers 370 Analyzing What the Kernel Is Doing 371 Working with Kernel Modules 373 Understanding Hardware Initialization 374 Managing Kernel Modules 376 Checking Driver Availability for Hardware Devices 379 Managing Kernel Module Parameters 380 Upgrading the Linux Kernel 381 Summary 381 Exam Preparation Tasks 381 End-of-Chapter Lab 383 Chapter 17 Managing and Understanding the Boot Procedure 385 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 385 Foundation Topics 388 Managing Systemd Targets 388 Understanding Systemd Targets 388 Working with Targets 388 Understanding Target Units 389 Understanding Wants 390 Managing Systemd Targets 390 Isolating Targets 391 Setting the Default Target 393 Working with GRUB 2 394 Understanding GRUB 2 394 Understanding GRUB 2 Configuration Files 395 Modifying Default GRUB 2 Boot Options 395 Summary 396 Exam Preparation Tasks 397 End-of-Chapter Labs 398 Chapter 18 Essential Troubleshooting Skills 401 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 401 Foundation Topics 404 Understanding the RHEL 8 Boot Procedure 404 Passing Kernel Boot Arguments 406 Accessing the Boot Prompt 406 Starting a Troubleshooting Target 407 Using a Rescue Disk 408 Restoring System Access Using a Rescue Disk 409 Reinstalling GRUB Using a Rescue Disk 411 Re-creating the Initramfs Using a Rescue Disk 411 Fixing Common Issues 413 Reinstalling GRUB 2 413 Fixing the Initramfs 414 Recovering from File System Issues 414 Resetting the Root Password 416 Recovering Access to a Virtual Machine 416 Summary 418 Exam Preparation Tasks 418 End-of-Chapter Lab 420 Chapter 19 An Introduction to Bash Shell Scripting 423 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 423 Foundation Topics 426 Understanding Shell Scripting Core Elements 426 Using Variables and Input 428 Using Positional Parameters 428 Working with Variables 430 Using Conditional Loops 432 Working with if ... then ... else 432 Using || and && 433 Applying for 434 Understanding while and until 435 Understanding case 436 Bash Shell Script Debugging 438 Summary 438 Exam Preparation Tasks 438 End-of-Chapter Lab 440 Part IV: Managing Network Services Chapter 20 Configuring SSH 443 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 443 Foundation Topics 446 Hardening the SSH Server 446 Limiting Root Access 446 Configuring Alternative Ports 447 Modifying SELinux to Allow for Port Changes 447 Limiting User Access 448 Using Other Useful sshd Options 449 Session Options 450 Connection Keepalive Options 450 Configuring Key-Based Authentication with Passphrases 451 Summary 452 Exam Preparation Tasks 452 End-of-Chapter Lab 454 Chapter 21 Managing Apache HTTP Services 457 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 457 Foundation Topics 460 Configuring a Basic Apache Server 460 Installing the Required Software 460 Identifying the Main Configuration File 460 Creating Web Server Content 463 Understanding Apache Configuration Files 464 Creating Apache Virtual Hosts 465 Summary 468 Exam Preparation Tasks 468 End-of-Chapter Lab 469 Chapter 22 Managing SELinux 471 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 472 Foundation Topics 475 Understanding SELinux Working and Modes 475 Understanding Context Settings and the Policy 479 Monitoring Current Context Labels 479 Setting Context Types 481 Finding the Context Type You Need 484 Restoring Default File Contexts 485 Using Boolean Settings to Modify SELinux Settings 487 Diagnosing and Addressing SELinux Policy Violations 488 Making SELinux Analyzing Easier 490 Preparing for SELinux Coverage on the Exam 492 Summary 492 Exam Preparation Tasks 492 End-of-Chapter Lab 494 Chapter 23 Configuring a Firewall 497 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 497 Foundation Topics 500 Understanding Linux Firewalling 500 Understanding Previous Solutions 500 Understanding Firewalld 500 Understanding Firewalld Zones 501 Understanding Firewalld Services 502 Working with Firewalld 503 Summary 506 Exam Preparation Tasks 506 End-of-Chapter Lab 508 Chapter 24 Accessing Network Storage 511 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 511 Foundation Topics 514 Using NFS Services 514 Understanding NFS Security 514 RHEL 8 NFS Versions 514 Setting Up NFS 515 Mounting the NFS Share 516 Using CIFS Services 516 Discovering CIFS Shares 517 Mounting Samba Shares 518 Authenticating to Samba Shares 518 Configuring a Samba Server 518 Mounting Remote File Systems Through fstab 520 Mounting NFS Shares Through fstab 520 Mounting Samba Shares Through fstab 521 Using Automount to Mount Remote File Systems 521 Understanding Automount 521 Defining Mounts in Automount 522 Configuring Automount for NFS 522 Using Wildcards in Automount 523 Summary 524 Exam Preparation Tasks 524 End-of-Chapter Lab 525 Chapter 25 Configuring Time Services 527 “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 527 Foundation Topics 530 Understanding Local Time 530 Using Network Time Protocol 531 Managing Time on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 531 Using date 532 Using hwclock 532 Using timedatectl 533 Managing Time Zone Settings 535 Configuring Time Service Clients 537 Summary 538 Exam Preparation Tasks 539 End-of-Chapter Lab 540 Chapter 26 Managing Containers 543 Do I Know This Already Quiz 543 Foundation Topics 546 Understanding Containers 546 Container Host Requirements 546 Containers on RHEL 8 548 Container Orchestration 548 Running a Container 549 Working with Container Images 552 Using Registries 553 Finding Images 555 Inspecting Images 557 Performing Image Housekeeping 559 Managing Containers 560 Managing Container Status 560 Running Commands in a Container 561 Managing Container Ports 563 Managing Container Environment Variables 564 Managing Container Storage 565 Running Containers as Systemd Services 566 Exam Preparation Tasks 569 End-of-Chapter Lab 570 Chapter 27 Final Preparation 573 General Tips 573 Verifying Your Readiness 573 Registering for the Exam 573 On Exam Day 574 During the Exam 574 The Nondisclosure Agreement 576 Chapter 28 Theoretical Pre-Assessment Exam 577 Part V: RHCSA RHEL 8 Practice Exams RHCSA Practice Exam A 581 RHCSA Practice Exam B 583 Appendix A Answers to the “Do I Know This Already?” Quizzes and Review Questions 585 Glossary 619 Online Elements: RHCSA Practice Exam C RHCSA Practice Exam D Appendix B Memory Tables Appendix C Memory Tables Answer Key Appendix D Study Planner Glossary