RHCT/RHCE certification suggestions??? help!...

[daffyduc]

ok so here is the long and short of my situation.

I work as a general systems administrator and want to get a redhat cert. I have been using redhat/centos for years and have been using multiple distros as my main desktop since college. I have a associate degree in computer networking systems and a BAS in information security. I have been working for a major corporation as a network/systems administrator for appprox 3 years. everything with a network connection or keyboard is my problem. (150 users, 13 switches, 18 servers (ms/vms/redhat/centos/ubuntu) 3 routers, across 3 seperate networks) I am very well versed but am getting a little tired of being the sole IT swiss army knife (literally the only IT guy other than a programmer that cannot connect a network cable without a manual). I want to get a certification for redhat but I cannot decide which one will be most beneficial.

I will be attending the week class followed by the test. I am tossed up between the rhct and rhce.

the 1 week rhce is a fast paced get you through it kinda class as far as I can tell where as the rhct class sounds much more indepth class.

I think I will be fine with the rhct but I really want to go all out and get the rhce.

I can take the 2 separately but the cost obviously doubles.

if you have any insight you are willing to share it is greatly appreciated.

also I am asking anyone who has been through either of these certs for their opinions on their experiences.

3 questions:

1. how fast paced is the RHCE that includes the RHCT certs rolled in? do you actually get anything out of it or is it just a quick and dirty get through the test?

2. do you think I will get more out of taking just the RHCT as it is more in depth and detailed?

3. what should I do?


the reason I am so concerned about this is I have met far to many MCSE/A and other highly sought after certification holders that could not figure out a cardboard box. I dont want a certification I cannot live up to..... I dont want to go through this just to get a piece of paper.

Thanks in advance



admins feel free to move this to the appropriate place if this is not correct.

[HROAdmin26]

If you have been using multiple distro's for "years," you will likely breeze through the RHCT. I can tell you the RHCE is the real deal. If your experience is correct, it may be a little challenging and you will probably need to learn some RH-specific enterprise management topics such as Jumpstart (in depth.)

RHCE = Engineer
RHCT = Technican

RHCE is hands down a higher certification. A week long "cram session" to pass the RHCE will *require* that you already have a good idea of what you're doing.

I know about 3 years ago, the RHCE involved a written, oral, and a "hands-on" section. The hands-on involved a complete RH environment (multiple servers, switches, apps) where they "break" something, then you have a time limit to find/fix the problem.

I agree 100% with your experiences with MCS* holders, as I have found the same...for over 10 years now. Although the "churn" has slowed down and the recent tests have gotten a little more "real world" and applicable...

[meton_magis]

I have the RHCT, and can tell you that it wont do you any good. The rhct was enough to get me a job in linux / unix operations, but if your allready administrating systems, your experience is going to make an rhct nothing more than an extra bullet point on a resume. I would deffinately go for the RHCE. The best thing to do would get the RHEL5 RHCE study guide by Michael Jang. You could probably get it on ebay for cheap. It is considered by many people to be the best study guide, and the money you spend on it will be well put. It is NOT a manual to learn stuff, it is a guide to help you find out what you need to learn. If you can get through his book without many questions, you will certainly be OK with the fast track RHCE course, and can get it no problem. Dont waste your money on the RHCT though. Without a doubt it was the best thing i've done for my career, but I was 19 when I got it, and had only ever had fast food jobs. But in your situation, it wouldn't do you much good.

[daffyduc]

thank you very much, thats exactly the opinion base I wanted. I will be picking up mr Jang's book asap and getting down to business.

I have been taking the assessment tests for the rhct and rhce and I can get through the rhct assessment test only missing 2 questions the rhce I missed 10 but they were the specific port numbers for certain protocols and such.

I think the fast track double classes (RH300) is the option i will be going with. worst case scenario i come out with the RHCT and restest for the RHCE.

thanks for your input.

here is one of 3 server rooms that i take care of. 80% RHEL/Centos, 15%MS, 5% VMS.




also to clearify. I started college in 2001 and installed redhat desktop in class in 2002. I started using it seriously around fedora core 6 since it was installed on a second partition on my laptop anyway and my windows partition had crapped out due to random virus. I was in the middle of a paper and had to get it done asap. I used fedora to complete the paper and then while going to class the next day wondered why i was using MS at all.... I still kept windows on a secondary partition until last year. I found my self using it less and less but there was still a few apps that I needed it for. as of last year i got a new laptop and did not even get through the first boot before popping the tray and popping ubuntu in. so i am completely non MS dependent. I have been taking care of RHEL servers full time since early 2007 when we needed a webserver setup. since then we have added a few more linux servers and only one windows server. the cost benefit ratio is through the roof for us and luckilly I was able to show this to management.

[daffyduc]

I am officially registered for the RH300 (RHCE fast track) class in mid march in Atlanta.

thanks for everyones help.