This hands-on, comprehensive course is tailored for experienced Linux and UNIX administrators seeking to develop advanced Red Hat system administration skills. Covering key areas from the RHCSA and RHCE syllabuses, this course strengthens existing knowledge while providing a solid foundation for those planning to pursue higher-level Red Hat certifications.
FastTrack Red Hat 8 System Administrator
Accelerate your path to Red Hat expertise
This five-day fast track course builds practical skills for administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (RHEL 8) systems. It’s designed for proficient Linux and UNIX professionals looking to broaden expertise with real-world command-line application.
Learning objectives
- Access systems and manual pages
- Configure networking and remote services
- Manage users and file permissions
- Monitor systems and manage logs
- Install and update software packages
- Apply SELinux policies and firewalls
- Partition disks and manage LVM
- Automate installations with Kickstart
- Schedule tasks and configure file sharing
- Deploy virtual machines and containers
What you’ll learn
You’ll gain experience with advanced administration tasks in RHEL 8, from networking and security to virtualisation and containers. By the end, you’ll be ready to manage systems with confidence and, if desired, prepare for RHCSA certification.
Networking & remote access
This module builds your ability to configure both IPv4 and IPv6 networking, from static and dynamic addressing to fine-tuning network interfaces and devices through the command line. You’ll explore secure communication with SSH, synchronising files with Rsync, and setting accurate network time. Integration with NIS and LDAP servers is also covered, giving you the skills to create networking environments that are secure, efficient, and scalable across diverse systems.
User & file management
Develop a thorough understanding of user and group administration using both command-line and graphical tools. You’ll cover password security, authentication policies, and profile configuration, while deepening your knowledge of file permissions, extended attributes, and Access Control Lists. You’ll also learn how to connect systems to centralised administration environments, ensuring consistent, scalable, and compliant management practices. Interactive exercises reinforce every concept, so you can confidently apply them in live environments.
Security & logging
Security underpins every aspect of system administration, and this section provides a practical, in-depth exploration of how to apply it effectively. You’ll work with SELinux, adjusting policies, managing denials, and configuring contexts, ports, and Booleans. You’ll look at setting up encrypted communications, securely transferring files, and controlling the firewall with firewalld. You’ll also learn to interpret system logs and maintain detailed journals, enabling you to identify issues quickly and maintain security standards that meet industry compliance demands.
Software & kernel
Managing software and keeping the kernel optimised is central to Red Hat administration. You’ll work with the Red Hat Package Management system alongside YUM and DNF to install, update, and remove software, while resolving dependency issues and managing repositories. The module also explores kernel tuning, module management, and dynamic performance optimisation with tools like tuned, ensuring your systems remain secure, stable, and configured for peak operational performance.
What’s included
- Five full days of training with an experienced instructor
- Hands-on practice in live lab environments
- Comprehensive course resources and practical exercises
- An attendance certificate to validate the skills you’ve gained
Key facts
Ideal for
Experienced UNIX and Linux system administrators looking to build expertise in managing and maintaining a Red Hat Enterprise Linux environment.
Prerequisites
Strong Linux knowledge and significant experience working with Linux as a system administrator is recommended. An understanding of the fundamental Linux computing concepts to the level covered on our Red Hat 8 System Administration - Part 1 course is also required.
Learning experience
Our experienced trainers and interactive labs create a focused, practical environment – so you can put theory into practice from day one.
FAQs
This advanced Red Hat course equips experienced administrators with practical command-line skills for effective system management. It also provides a solid foundation for further Red Hat learning and development.
Do I need prior experience to take this course?
Yes, this course is designed for administrators with solid Linux or UNIX experience, including command-line skills and system management knowledge. If you’re new to Linux, you can start with Red Hat 8 System Administration – Part 1, which covers the core fundamentals needed before progressing to this FastTrack programme.
Does the course prepare me for the RHCSA exam?
Yes. Although the RHCSA exam is based on RHEL 9, this course follows core RHCSA objectives and develops the command-line skills required for success. Many learners use it as part of their wider preparation, alongside self-study, practice and additional Red Hat training
What is Red Hat 8 and how does it differ from other versions?
RHEL 8 is a stable, enterprise-grade Linux distribution used in many business and production environments. It introduced key updates over previous versions, including the YUM/DNF package manager, improved container tools like Podman and Buildah, enhanced security through SELinux refinements, and better system performance tuning options. While newer versions such as RHEL 9 build on these features, RHEL 8 remains widely used in organisations that prioritise stability and long-term support.
Does this course cover Linux container management?
Yes. This course includes training on deploying and managing containers using Podman and Buildah, Red Hat’s modern alternatives to Docker. You’ll learn how containers fit into virtualisation strategies and how they’re used in cloud-native and DevOps environments.
What our customers say
“The training was absolutely fantastic. Hats off to the trainer, John.”
Jomon, Senior Specialist Engineer SRE - Government
“Thoroughly enjoyed the course, very informative and a good balance between instruction and practical work.”
Megan, Transport
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