Red Hat RHCSA 10 Cert Guide

Introduction xxx
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 10 Server? 6
Getting the Software 7
Using Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
Using CentOS Stream 8
Other Distributions 8
Understanding Access to Repositories 8
Setup Requirements 9
Cert Guide Environment Description 10
Performing an Installation 10
Summary 21
Exam Preparation Tasks 21
End-of-Chapter Lab 22
Chapter 2 Using Essential Tools 25
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 25
Foundation Topics 28
Basic Shell Skills 28
Understanding Commands 28
Executing Commands 28
I/O Redirection 30
Using Pipes 32
History 33
Bash Completion 35
Editing Files with vim 35
Editing Files with nano 38
Understanding the Shell Environment 39
Understanding Variables 39
Recognizing Environment Configuration Files 40
Using /etc/motd and /etc/issue 41
Finding Help 42
Using --help 42
Using man 42
Finding the Right man Page 43
Updating mandb 45
Using RHEL Lightspeed 46
Summary 47
Exam Preparation Tasks 47
End-of-Chapter Lab 49
Chapter 3 Essential File Management Tools 51
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 51
Foundation Topics 54
Working with the File System Hierarchy 54
Defining the File System Hierarchy 54
Understanding Mounts 55
Managing Files 60
Working with Wildcards 60
Managing and Working with Directories 60
Working with Absolute and Relative Pathnames 61
Listing Files and Directories 62
Copying Files and Directories 63
Moving Files and Directories 64
Deleting Files and Directories 65
Using Links 66
Understanding Hard Links 66
Understanding Symbolic Links 67
Creating Links 68
Removing Links 69
Working with Archives and Compressed Files 70
Managing Archives with tar 70
Creating Archives with tar 71
Monitoring and Extracting tar Files 71
Using Compression 72
Summary 74
Exam Preparation Tasks 74
End-of-Chapter Lab 76
Chapter 4 Working with Text Files 79
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 79
Foundation Topics 82
Using Common Text File-Related Tools 82
Doing More with less 82
Showing File Contents with cat 83
Displaying the First or Last Lines of a File with head and tail 84
Filtering Specific Columns with cut 85
Sorting File Contents and Output with sort 85
Counting Lines, Words, and Characters with wc 86
A Primer to Using Regular Expressions 87
Using Line Anchors 88
Using Escaping in Regular Expressions 89
Using Wildcards and Multipliers 89
Using Extended Regular Expressions 90
Using grep to Analyze Text 91
Working with Other Useful Text Processing Utilities 92
Summary 94
Exam Preparation Tasks 94
End-of-Chapter Lab 96
Chapter 5 Connecting to Red Hat Enterprise Linux 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 105
Understanding Pseudo Terminal Devices 106
Booting, Rebooting, and Shutting Down Systems 107
Using SSH and Related Utilities 108
Accessing Remote Systems Using SSH 108
Securely Transferring Files Between Systems 111
Using scp to Securely Copy Files 111
Using sftp to Securely Transfer Files 112
Using rsync to Synchronize Files 113
Configuring Key-Based Authentication for SSH 113
Using Passphrases or Not? 114
Using Cockpit 114
Understanding Cockpit 115
Performing Common Tasks with Cockpit 115
Summary 116
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 128
Creating and Managing User Accounts 129
System Accounts and Normal Accounts 129
Creating Users 132
Modifying the Configuration Files 133
Using useradd 133
Home Directories 133
Default Shell 134
Managing User Properties 134
Configuration Files for User Management Defaults 135
Managing Password Properties 135
Creating a User Environment 136
Creating and Managing Group Accounts 137
Understanding Linux Groups 137
Creating Groups 138
Creating Groups with vigr 138
Using groupadd to Create Groups 139
Managing Group Properties 139
Summary 140
Exam Preparation Tasks 140
End-of-Chapter Labs 142
Chapter 7 Permissions Management 145
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 145
Foundation Topics 148
Managing File Ownership 148
Displaying Ownership 148
Changing User Ownership 149
Changing Group Ownership 149
Understanding Default Ownership 150
Managing Basic Permissions 151
Understanding Read, Write, and Execute Permissions 151
Applying Read, Write, and Execute Permissions 152
Managing Advanced Permissions 155
Understanding Advanced Permissions 155
Applying Advanced Permissions 157
Setting Default Permissions with umask 159
Working with User-Extended Attributes 160
Summary 161
Exam Preparation Tasks 162
Review All Key Topics 162
End-of-Chapter Lab 163
Chapter 8 Configuring Networking 165
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 165
Foundation Topics 168
Networking Fundamentals 168
IP Addresses 168
IPv6 Addresses 169
IPv4 Network Masks 169
Binary Notation 170
MAC Addresses 171
Protocol and Ports 171
Managing Network Addresses and Interfaces 172
Validating Network Configuration 173
Validating Network Address Configuration 173
Validating Routing 176
Validating the Availability of Ports and Services 177
Managing Network Configuration with nmtui and nmcli 178
Required Permissions to Change Network Configuration 179
Configuring the Network with nmcli 180
Configuring the Network with nmtui 182
Working on Network Configuration Files 184
Setting Up Hostname and Name Resolution 185
Hostnames 185
DNS Name Resolution 187
Summary 189
Exam Preparation Tasks 189
End-of-Chapter Lab 191
Part II: Operating Running Systems
Chapter 9 Managing Software 193
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 193
Foundation Topics 196
Managing Software Packages with dnf 196
Understanding the Role of Repositories 196
Registering Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Support 197
Managing Subscriptions 197
Specifying Which Repository to Use 198
Understanding Repository Security 200
Creating Your Own Repository 202
Using dnf 204
Using dnf to Find Software Packages 204
Getting More Information About Packages 206
Installing and Removing Software Packages 207
Showing Lists of Packages 209
Updating Packages 210
Using dnf History 214
Managing Software Packages with rpm 215
Understanding RPM Filenames 216
Querying the RPM Database 216
Querying RPM Package Files 217
Managing Software with Flatpak 219
Understanding Flatpak 219
Installing Flatpak 220
Managing Flatpak Applications 220
Summary 221
Exam Preparation Tasks 222
End-of-Chapter Lab 223
Chapter 10 Managing Processes 227
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 227
Foundation Topics 230
Introducing Process Management 230
Managing Shell Jobs 230
Running Jobs in the Foreground and Background 230
Managing Shell Jobs 231
Understanding Parent-Child Relations 233
Using Common Command-Line Tools for Process Management 233
Understanding Processes and Threads 234
Using ps to Get Process Information 235
Understanding Process Priorities 237
Exploring Relations Between Slices 237
Managing Process Priorities 238
Sending Signals to Processes with kill, killall, and pkill 239
Killing Zombies 241
Using top to Manage Processes 242
Using tuned to Optimize Performance 244
Summary 245
Exam Preparation Tasks 246
End-of-Chapter Lab 247
Chapter 11 Working with Systemd 249
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 249
Foundation Topics 252
Understanding Systemd 252
Understanding Systemd Unit Locations 252
Understanding Systemd Service Units 253
Understanding Systemd Mount Units 254
Understanding Systemd Socket Units 255
Understanding Systemd Target Units 256
Managing Units Through Systemd 257
Managing Dependencies 260
Managing Unit Directives 262
Summary 265
Exam Preparation Tasks 265
End-of-Chapter Lab 266
Chapter 12 Scheduling Tasks 269
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 269
Foundation Topics 272
Understanding Task Scheduling Options in RHEL 272
Using Systemd Timers 272
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 279
Managing cron Security 280
Configuring at to Schedule Future Tasks 281
Summary 281
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 systemd-journald and rsyslogd 288
Reading Log Files 290
Understanding Log File Contents 291
Live Log File Monitoring 292
Working with systemd-journald 292
Using journalctl to Find Events 292
Preserving the Systemd Journal 296
Configuring rsyslogd 298
Understanding rsyslogd Configuration Files 298
Understanding rsyslog.conf Sections 298
Understanding Facilities, Priorities, and Log Destinations 298
Rotating Log Files 302
Using logger 304
Summary 305
Exam Preparation Tasks 305
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 315
Creating MBR Partitions with fdisk 316
Using Extended and Logical Partitions on MBR 318
Creating GPT Partitions with fdisk 320
Creating GPT Partitions with parted 322
Creating File Systems 323
Changing File System Properties 325
Managing Ext4 File System Properties 325
Managing XFS File System Properties 327
Adding Swap Partitions 327
Adding Swap Files 328
Mounting File Systems 329
Manually Mounting File Systems 329
Using Device Names, UUIDs, or Disk Labels 330
Automating File System Mounts Through /etc/fstab 331
Using Systemd Mounts 334
Summary 335
Exam Preparation Tasks 335
End-of-Chapter Lab 337
Chapter 15 Managing Logical Volumes 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 350
Creating the Logical Volumes and File Systems 351
Understanding LVM Device Naming 352
Resizing LVM Logical Volumes 354
Resizing Volume Groups 354
Resizing Logical Volumes and File Systems 354
Reducing Volume Groups 356
Summary 357
Exam Preparation Tasks 357
End-of-Chapter Labs 359
Part III: Performing Advanced System Administration Tasks
Chapter 16 Basic Kernel Management 361
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 361
Foundation Topics 364
Understanding the Role of the Linux Kernel 364
Understanding the Use of Kernel Threads and Drivers 364
Analyzing What the Kernel Is Doing 366
Working with Kernel Modules 368
Understanding Hardware Initialization 368
Managing Kernel Modules 370
Checking Driver Availability for Hardware Devices 373
Managing Kernel Module Parameters 374
Upgrading the Linux Kernel 375
Summary 375
Exam Preparation Tasks 376
End-of-Chapter Lab 377
Chapter 17 Managing and Understanding the Boot Procedure 379
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 379
Foundation Topics 382
Managing Systemd Targets 382
Understanding Systemd Targets 382
Working with Targets 382
Understanding Target Units 383
Understanding Wants 384
Managing Systemd Targets 384
Isolating Targets 385
Setting the Default Target 387
Working with GRUB 2 388
Understanding GRUB 2 388
Understanding GRUB 2 Configuration Files 390
Modifying Default GRUB 2 Boot Options 390
Summary 391
Exam Preparation Tasks 391
End-of-Chapter Labs 393
Chapter 18 Essential Troubleshooting Skills 395
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 395
Foundation Topics 398
Understanding the RHEL 10 Boot Procedure 398
Passing Kernel Boot Arguments 400
Accessing the Boot Prompt 400
Starting a Troubleshooting Target 401
Using a Rescue Disk 403
Restoring System Access Using a Rescue Disk 403
Reinstalling GRUB Using a Rescue Disk 405
Re-creating the Initramfs Using a Rescue Disk 405
Fixing Common Issues 406
Reinstalling GRUB 2 406
Fixing the Initramfs 406
Recovering from File System Issues 407
Resetting the Root Password 407
Summary 409
Exam Preparation Tasks 409
End-of-Chapter Lab 411
Chapter 19 An Introduction to Automation with Bash Shell Scripting 413
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 413
Foundation Topics 416
Understanding Shell Scripting Core Elements 416
Using Variables and Input 418
Using Positional Parameters 418
Working with Variables 420
Using Conditional Loops 422
Working with if ... then ... else 422
Using || and && 423
Applying for 424
Understanding while and until 425
Understanding case 426
Bash Shell Script Debugging 427
Summary 428
Exam Preparation Tasks 428
End-of-Chapter Lab 429
Part IV: Managing Network Services
Chapter 20 Configuring SSH 433
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 433
Foundation Topics 436
Hardening the SSH Server 436
Limiting Root Access 436
Configuring Alternative Ports 437
Modifying SELinux to Allow for Port Changes 437
Limiting User Access 438
Using Other Useful sshd Options 439
Session Options 440
Connection Keepalive Options 440
Configuring Key-Based Authentication with Passphrases 441
Summary 442
Exam Preparation Tasks 442
End-of-Chapter Lab 444
Chapter 21 Managing Apache HTTP Services 447
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 447
Foundation Topics 450
Configuring a Basic Apache Server 450
Installing the Required Software 450
Identifying the Main Configuration File 450
Creating Web Server Content 453
Understanding Apache Configuration Files 454
Creating Apache Virtual Hosts 456
Summary 458
Exam Preparation Tasks 458
End-of-Chapter Lab 459
Chapter 22 Managing SELinux 463
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 464
Foundation Topics 467
Understanding SELinux Working Modes 467
Understanding Context Settings and the Policy 471
Monitoring Current Context Labels 471
Setting Context Types 473
Finding the Context Type You Need 476
Restoring Default File Contexts 477
Managing Port Access 479
Using Boolean Settings to Modify SELinux Settings 479
Diagnosing and Addressing SELinux Policy Violations 481
Making SELinux Analyzing Easier 483
Summary 485
Exam Preparation Tasks 485
End-of-Chapter Lab 486
Chapter 23 Configuring a Firewall 489
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 489
Foundation Topics 493
Understanding Linux Firewalling 493
Understanding Previous Firewalling Solutions 493
Understanding Firewalld 493
Understanding Firewalld Zones 494
Understanding Firewalld Services 495
Working with Firewalld 496
Summary 500
Exam Preparation Tasks 500
End-of-Chapter Lab 502
Chapter 24 Accessing Network Storage 505
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 505
Foundation Topics 508
Using NFS Services 508
Understanding NFS Security 508
Setting Up NFS 508
Mounting the NFS Share 509
Mounting Remote File Systems Through fstab 510
Mounting NFS Shares Through fstab 510
Using Autofs to Mount Remote File Systems 511
Understanding Autofs 512
Defining Mounts in Autofs 512
Configuring Autofs for NFS 512
Using Wildcards in Autofs 513
Summary 514
Exam Preparation Tasks 514
End-of-Chapter Lab 515
Chapter 25 Configuring Time Services 517
"Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 517
Foundation Topics 520
Understanding Local Time 520
Using Network Time Protocol 521
Managing Time on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 521
Using date 522
Using hwclock 522
Using timedatectl 523
Managing Time Zone Settings 525
Configuring Time Service Clients 527
Summary 528
Exam Preparation Tasks 529
End-of-Chapter Lab 530
Chapter 26 Final Preparation 533
General Tips 533
Verifying Your Readiness 533
Registering for the Exam 533
On Exam Day 534
During the Exam 535
The Nondisclosure Agreement 536
Chapter 27 Theoretical Pre-Assessment Exam 539
Part V: RHCSA Practice Exams
RHCSA Practice Exam A 541
RHCSA Practice Exam B 543
Appendix A Answers to the "Do I Know This Already?" Quizzes and Review Questions 545
Appendix BRed Hat RHCSA 10 Cert Guide: EX200 Exam Updates 579
Glossary 581
Online Elements:
RHCSA Practice Exam C
RHCSA Practice Exam D
Appendix C Memory Tables
Appendix D Memory Tables Answer Key
Appendix E Study Planner
Glossary

9780135576663 TOC 4/24/2026