RHCSA Rapid Track Course (RH199) Online Training vs. Classroom vs. Virtual Classroom

After mulling about for the last 6 months and debating whether to go for the RHCSA/RHCE or not, I've decided to proceed with this as my new job is willing to pay for both the certs and potentially the training.

A little background: My last job was 50% Linux (mostly Debian), 50% Windows. My current gig is 100% Red Hat. Obviously, the first step here is to grab the RHCSA. I have gone through the objectives for it and can confidently say I know the majority of the objectives (about 60% - 70%) off the top of my head.

I want to give myself a crash course in RHEL7 (we use 5 and 6 at work) and Red Hat in general to try and fill some of these gaps in my knowledge. It sounds like RH's Rapid Track Course is what I want. Here are my questions though:

What's the difference between the Online, Classroom, and Virtual Classroom set ups? I imagine the material is the identical, but are the labs/sims the same?
Does anyone have any experience with this particular course (RH199)? Is it worth the time to do this?
How fast is the pace? Would I be better off "filling the knowledge gap" with self-study? Do you think the class would be effective for this purpose?
Any general advice/words of wisdom for the RHCSA?

Lastly, I'm thinking about doing a blog-style thread for motivational purposes on this quest I'm undertaking. I noticed this sub isn't terribly active but would love to post questions/discussion topics in said thread; any interest amongst you guys for this?

Thanks for any and all help!

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DoubleNNs

I can't answer your questions, but I can tell you that I'd be interested in your thread.

asummers

ChickenNuggetz wrote: »

After mulling about for the last 6 months and debating whether to go for the RHCSA/RHCE or not, I've decided to proceed with this as my new job is willing to pay for both the certs and potentially the training.

A little background: My last job was 50% Linux (mostly Debian), 50% Windows. My current gig is 100% Red Hat. Obviously, the first step here is to grab the RHCSA. I have gone through the objectives for it and can confidently say I know the majority of the objectives (about 60% - 70%) off the top of my head.

I want to give myself a crash course in RHEL7 (we use 5 and 6 at work) and Red Hat in general to try and fill some of these gaps in my knowledge. It sounds like RH's Rapid Track Course is what I want. Here are my questions though:

What's the difference between the Online, Classroom, and Virtual Classroom set ups? I imagine the material is the identical, but are the labs/sims the same?

Does anyone have any experience with this particular course (RH199)? Is it worth the time to do this?

How fast is the pace? Would I be better off "filling the knowledge gap" with self-study? Do you think the class would be effective for this purpose?

Any general advice/words of wisdom for the RHCSA?

Lastly, I'm thinking about doing a blog-style thread for motivational purposes on this quest I'm undertaking. I noticed this sub isn't terribly active but would love to post questions/discussion topics in said thread; any interest amongst you guys for this?

Thanks for any and all help!

In answer to your questions

1. What's the difference between the Online, Classroom, and Virtual Classroom set ups? I imagine the material is the identical, but are the labs/sims the same?

Generally the course content is the same. I have not done a virtual classroom - only online (ROL) and Classroom. Online the manual was delivered via webpage whereas I personally prefer the hard copy you get for a real classroom. I did not enjoy my online experience. The labs were slow over the internet but functional and there was no one to ask any questions of. So when I got stuck I was stuck for longer than I would have been in a real classroom.

2. Does anyone have any experience with this particular course (RH199)? Is it worth the time to do this?
No I did the other Fast Track course (since been descoped) in a classroom but I found them really good - and more importantly at the right pace as I, like you, was happy with most of the material before I started.

3. How fast is the pace? Would I be better off "filling the knowledge gap" with self-study? Do you think the class would be effective for this purpose?
If you are comfortable with the 70% of the objectives then it's the right pace. If not, then you should self study the topics first. Most of the people on my course were "experienced" linux/*nix guys that did not brush up before hand, one or two were very talented - they all failed.

4. Any general advice/words of wisdom for the RHCSA?
May sound silly but learn the objectives so you could do them in your sleep, and don't turn off firewall/selinux. Also if you have not done a "live" exam before - they are something special - some people find them easier, some find them harder. You should try and simiulate it if possible - get a work buddy to draw up some tasks and give yourself 60 mins to fix.

A online resource
http://www.tecmint.com/category/rhcsa/

ChickenNuggetz

asummers wrote: »

In answer to your questions

1. What's the difference between the Online, Classroom, and Virtual Classroom set ups? I imagine the material is the identical, but are the labs/sims the same?

Generally the course content is the same. I have not done a virtual classroom - only online (ROL) and Classroom. Online the manual was delivered via webpage whereas I personally prefer the hard copy you get for a real classroom. I did not enjoy my online experience. The labs were slow over the internet but functional and there was no one to ask any questions of. So when I got stuck I was stuck for longer than I would have been in a real classroom.

2. Does anyone have any experience with this particular course (RH199)? Is it worth the time to do this?
No I did the other Fast Track course (since been descoped) in a classroom but I found them really good - and more importantly at the right pace as I, like you, was happy with most of the material before I started.

Haha, yeah. I figured the Online was stuff was going to be garbage compared to the classroom training. I was leaning more towards that anyways, looks like I'm sold on the classroom stuff.

asummers wrote: »

In answer to your questions
3. How fast is the pace? Would I be better off "filling the knowledge gap" with self-study? Do you think the class would be effective for this purpose?
If you are comfortable with the 70% of the objectives then it's the right pace. If not, then you should self study the topics first. Most of the people on my course were "experienced" linux/*nix guys that did not brush up before hand, one or two were very talented - they all failed.

I've read this elsewhere and honestly this is what has me worried. I've known guys that I would personally hold to be *nix experts that struggled with the exam. Sounds like I'll need to pump a decent amount of self-study into this before the class and use the class as a week long review before the exam.

asummers wrote: »

In answer to your questions
4. Any general advice/words of wisdom for the RHCSA?
May sound silly but learn the objectives so you could do them in your sleep, and don't turn off firewall/selinux. Also if you have not done a "live" exam before - they are something special - some people find them easier, some find them harder. You should try and simiulate it if possible - get a work buddy to draw up some tasks and give yourself 60 mins to fix.

A online resource
RHCSA

Good to know! I like the idea of getting a few co-workers to help on this...they're really supportive and pretty gung-ho about me getting certified; I'm sure they'd be happy to do this.

Thanks a lot for your answers. Based off of what you said and my own work and life schedule, it looks like I may be shooting for either the August class or (worst-case) the November one.

asummers

One final note - RHCSA requires you know to a very broad set of topics fairly well.

RHCE and above exams typically require you to know a few (RHCE) or 1 (others) areas extremely well.

In it's own way RHCSA is harder than RHCE because there is so much to remember.

I would estimate that most people who do not study for it (and do not already have it) will fail if they walked in - even if they consider them unix experts

jdancer

Also, there's nothing stopping you from learning on the side. Since, I'll be paying for my own cert, I will be self-studying. Still waiting on RHCSA 7 books to come out.

asummers

jdancer wrote: »

Also, there's nothing stopping you from learning on the side. Since, I'll be paying for my own cert, I will be self-studying. Still waiting on RHCSA 7 books to come out.

Don't think you need to wait for the books - there is plenty of resources online in this area - that link I posted is a good example

jdancer

asummers wrote: »

Don't think you need to wait for the books - there is plenty of resources online in this area - that link I posted is a good example

I agree but since I'm "old-school" I learn the material better if there's a hard copy of the information. I have shelves and shelves of technical books.

ChickenNuggetz

asummers wrote: »

One final note - RHCSA requires you know to a very broad set of topics fairly well.

RHCE and above exams typically require you to know a few (RHCE) or 1 (others) areas extremely well.

In it's own way RHCSA is harder than RHCE because there is so much to remember.

I would estimate that most people who do not study for it (and do not already have it) will fail if they walked in - even if they consider them unix experts

I've heard this as well. I suppose it's a good thing I'm going for the RHCE as well! I had planned on studying for both since they pretty much coincided with one another. I'm a little too nervous to take both exams back to back so that's why I'm starting out with the RHCSA first. Thanks again for the wise words!

jdancer wrote: »

I agree but since I'm "old-school" I learn the material better if there's a hard copy of the information. I have shelves and shelves of technical books.

There's only one RHEL7 book out now. The updated Jang book doesnt come out until August I think? I dont really want to wait that long. I agree with asummers that there's plenty of resources out there now to get started.

DoubleNNs

ChickenNuggetz wrote: »

There's only one RHEL7 book out now.

Which book is that?

ChickenNuggetz

DoubleNNs wrote: »

Which book is that?

http://www.amazon.com/RHCSA-RHCE-Red-Enterprise-Linux/dp/1495148203/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1429536317&sr=8-4&keywords=red+hat+7

It's only available in paperback right now.

ChickenNuggetz

ChickenNuggetz wrote: »

http://www.amazon.com/RHCSA-RHCE-Red-Enterprise-Linux/dp/1495148203/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1429536317&sr=8-4&keywords=red+hat+7

It's only available in paperback right now.

Just updating this comment: The above book is now available for Kindle as well. I just purchased it; I'll let you all know how the book turns out!

asummers

ChickenNuggetz wrote: »

Just updating this comment: The above book is now available for Kindle as well. I just purchased it; I'll let you all know how the book turns out!

That should be a fun read

varelg

ChickenNuggetz wrote: »

http://www.amazon.com/RHCSA-RHCE-Red-Enterprise-Linux/dp/1495148203/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1429536317&sr=8-4&keywords=red+hat+7

It's only available in paperback right now.

If Ashgar is following the same pattern of his RH6 book, I am skipping it. So publisher expects people to pay $50 to learn the difference between absolute and relative path? Lol...
I'd be better off with the RH7 Sys Admin Guide, even that writing seems to be more in-depth

ally_uk

Agreed I got the last Ghori book thought it was a bit lacking more like a summary of technologies and not enough meat. Certainly wouldn't of paid what I did for the book. Anyways I have done some digging and have found over 5 gigs worth of RHEL7 course training

hehe