Exam objectives – EX401

The Red Hat® Certificate of Expertise in Enterprise Deployment and Systems Management Exam (EX401) tests candidates' abilities to use Red Hat-supported products, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux®, Red Hat Network Satellite, 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 Red Hat Enterprise Deployment and Systems Management Expertise Exam. Red Hat is not responsible for the content or accuracy of other guides, books, online resources, or any other information provided by organizations or individuals other than Red Hat Training and Certification 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 evaluation 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 Red Hat Enterprise Deployment and Systems Management Certificate of Expertise credential should verify any and all claims by people claiming to hold this credential by requesting their certificate number and verifying it using the Red Hat certification verification tool.

Authorized training partners

Only Red Hat and Red Hat Certified Training Partners offer 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 training@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 5 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 Red Hat Enterprise Deployment and Systems Management Expertise Exam

Red Hat encourages all candidates for the Red Hat Enterprise Deployment and Systems Management Expertise Exam to consider taking the Red Hat Enterprise Deployment and Systems Management (RH401) training course. 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

Red Hat Enterprise Deployment and Systems Management Expertise Exam has 1 section:

  • Red Hat Network Satellite server installation and configuration: 4 hours

Study points for the exam

Prerequisite skills for the exam

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

SELinux policy administration

Candidates should be able to perform the tasks listed below:

  • Install, configure, and use Red Hat Network Satellite server.

  • Install an RHN 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.

  • Create a custom RPM spec file and build a binary RPM from source code.

  • Upload custom RPMS to an RHN Satellite server.

  • Create Activation keys.

  • Assign groups, software channels, and configuration channels to the Activation key.

  • Configure errata.

  • Provision clients using kickstart.

  • Set up and configure DHCP.

  • Configure PXE-boot.

  • Set up an SVN version control repository.

  • Kickstart a machine using Cobbler.

  • Manage virtual systems using Red Hat Network Satellite server.

  • Clone channels and use a cloned channel.

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

Red Hat course covering these skills

The Red Hat Enterprise Deployment and Systems Management course trains IT professionals 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.