Free Online Course · Self-paced · Hands-on

RHCSA Tutorial: Red Hat Certified System Administrator Course

Free RHCSA course mapped to the Red Hat EX200 objectives on RHEL 10, with hands-on labs for storage, LVM, users, networking, systemd, and SELinux.

  • 13 chapters
  • 53 lessons
  • ~35h
  • Beginner to Intermediate
  • Tested with RHEL 10.2 (Coughlan)
  • Updated Sep 2026
Start the course View syllabus
RHCSA Tutorial: Red Hat Certified System Administrator Course
By Last updated

About this course

This is a free, self-paced course that takes you from a fresh RHEL 10 install to being ready to sit the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (EX200) exam. The syllabus follows the published EX200 objectives category by category, so every skill Red Hat lists is covered and nothing is padded out that the exam never asks about.

EX200 is performance-based, so reading is not enough. Every lesson runs on RHEL 10.2 and most of the second half assumes two virtual machines, a primary lab host and a peer, so you can practice SSH, NFS, autofs, firewalld, and hostname resolution the way the exam tests them. You need a free Red Hat Developer subscription for the ISO and repositories, but no paid training.

If you are new to Red Hat, start with Before You Begin to install and register RHEL 10, then work the chapters in order. If you already run RHEL, jump straight to the areas you are weakest on, usually LVM, SELinux port labels and Booleans, or systemd timers.

What you'll learn

  • Install and register RHEL 10 on lab VMs and work confidently at the command line
  • Manage packages with DNF, RPM, and Flatpak, and write RHCSA-sized shell scripts
  • Operate running systems with systemd, journald, tuning profiles, and process controls
  • Configure GPT partitions, LVM, swap, ext4, XFS, and VFAT filesystems, NFS mounts, and autofs
  • Schedule work with cron, at, and systemd timers, sync time with chrony, and manage GRUB2
  • Configure networking with nmcli, hostname resolution, and firewalld, verified from a second host
  • Manage users, groups, password aging, sudo, SSH keys, and umask
  • Set SELinux modes, file contexts, port labels, and Booleans

Who this course is for

  • Sysadmins and support engineers who want RHEL skills they use at work, not just an exam pass
  • Linux users moving from Ubuntu or CentOS to Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
  • DevOps and cloud engineers who need a solid RHEL foundation before Ansible or containers
  • Anyone booked on, or considering, the Red Hat EX200 (RHCSA) exam

Prerequisites

  • Basic computer literacy and willingness to work in a text terminal
  • A hypervisor (KVM, VMware, or VirtualBox) with room for two RHEL 10 virtual machines
  • A free Red Hat Developer subscription for the RHEL 10 ISO and CDN repository access
  • Two or more spare blank virtual disks on the primary VM for storage practice

Exam objectives covered

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (EX200) blueprint — 10 domains · official objectives

  1. Understand and use essential tools

    • Work at a shell prompt, redirect input and output, and pipe commands
    • Use grep and regular expressions, and create hard and soft links
    • Access remote systems with SSH and switch users in multi-user targets
    • Archive and compress files, and set standard ugo/rwx permissions

  2. Manage software

    • Configure RPM repositories and install and remove RPM packages
    • Configure Flatpak repositories and install and remove Flatpak packages

  3. Create simple shell scripts

    • Use conditionals, loops, and positional parameters
    • Process command output and script input within a script

  4. Operate running systems

    • Boot into different targets and interrupt the boot process for recovery
    • Identify and kill resource-heavy processes and adjust scheduling
    • Read journals, preserve them, and manage tuning profiles

  5. Configure local storage

    • List, create, and delete GPT partitions
    • Create physical volumes, volume groups, and logical volumes
    • Add partitions, logical volumes, and swap non-destructively

  6. Create and configure file systems

    • Create, mount, and use VFAT, ext4, and XFS file systems
    • Mount NFS network file systems and configure autofs
    • Extend existing logical volumes and fix file permission problems

  7. Deploy, configure, and maintain systems

    • Schedule tasks with at, cron, and systemd timer units
    • Configure services and default boot targets, and modify the bootloader
    • Configure time service clients and install packages from the Red Hat CDN

  8. Manage basic networking

    • Configure IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and hostname resolution
    • Start network services at boot and restrict access with firewalld

  9. Manage users and groups

    • Create, delete, and modify local users, groups, and memberships
    • Set password aging and configure privileged access with sudo

  10. Manage security

    • Configure firewalld rules and key-based SSH authentication
    • Set SELinux enforcing and permissive modes and manage file contexts
    • Manage SELinux port labels and Boolean settings

Versions and testing environment

Every command in this course was run on this stack

ComponentVersionNotes
RHEL 10.2 (Coughlan) Primary lab OS for every lesson, running kernel 6.12
systemd 257.x Boot targets, services, journald, and timer units
LVM2 2.03.x Partition, volume group, and logical volume labs with xfsprogs and e2fsprogs
SELinux targeted policy 42.1.x Contexts, port labels, and Boolean settings
OpenSSH 9.9p1 Remote access, key authentication, and file transfer

Syllabus

13 chapters · 53 lessons · ~35h of reading

  1. 1 Before You Begin — Foundation and Lab Setup 2 lessons · ~12 min
    1. Part 1 Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 in a Virtual Machine Coming soon
    2. Part 2 Register RHEL with Subscription Manager 12 min read
  2. 2 Understand and Use Essential Tools 10 lessons · ~2h 35m
    1. Part 3 Linux Command Line Basics 13 min read
    2. Part 4 Linux Filesystem Hierarchy and Path Navigation 14 min read
    3. Part 5 Create, Copy, Move and Delete Files in Linux 39 min read
    4. Part 6 Create and Edit Text Files from the Linux Command Line 12 min read
    5. Part 7 Linux Input, Output Redirection and Pipes 13 min read
    6. Part 8 Grep and Regular Expressions in Linux 8 min read
    7. Part 9 Create and Extract Tar Archives in Linux 20 min read
    8. Part 10 Hard Links vs Symbolic Links in Linux 9 min read
    9. Part 11 Linux File Permissions and Ownership 15 min read
    10. Part 12 Access Remote Linux Systems with SSH 12 min read
  3. 3 Manage Software 3 lessons · ~29 min
    1. Part 13 Manage Packages and Repositories with DNF 9 min read
    2. Part 14 Query, Install and Verify RPM Packages 9 min read
    3. Part 15 Install and Manage Flatpak Applications 11 min read
  4. 4 Create Simple Shell Scripts 1 lesson · ~7 min
    1. Part 16 Bash Shell Scripting for Linux Administrators 7 min read
  5. 5 Operate Running Systems 9 lessons · ~2h 4m
    1. Part 17 Boot, Reboot and Shut Down Linux with systemd 16 min read
    2. Part 18 Manage systemd Targets in Linux 13 min read
    3. Part 19 Linux Process Management 13 min read
    4. Part 20 Change Linux Process Priority with nice and renice 8 min read
    5. Part 21 Manage Tuned Performance Profiles 28 min read
    6. Part 22 View and Preserve Linux Logs with journalctl 11 min read
    7. Part 23 Manage Linux Services with systemctl 10 min read
    8. Part 24 Securely Copy Files Between Linux Systems with scp 10 min read
    9. Part 25 Recover Root Access on RHEL 10 15 min read
  6. 6 Configure Local Storage 4 lessons · ~42 min
    1. Part 26 Create GPT Disk Partitions in Linux 8 min read
    2. Part 27 Configure LVM in Linux 14 min read
    3. Part 28 Mount Linux Filesystems with UUID and Labels 14 min read
    4. Part 29 Create and Manage Swap Space in Linux 6 min read
  7. 7 Create and Configure File Systems 4 lessons · ~1h 43m
    1. Part 30 Create and Mount ext4, XFS and VFAT Filesystems 53 min read
    2. Part 31 Mount and Persist NFS Client Shares in Linux 17 min read
    3. Part 32 Configure autofs in Linux 13 min read
    4. Part 33 Extend an LVM Logical Volume and Filesystem 20 min read
  8. 8 Deploy, Configure, and Maintain Systems 5 lessons · ~1h 24m
    1. Part 34 Schedule Recurring Tasks with Cron 9 min read
    2. Part 35 Schedule One-Time Linux Tasks with at 36 min read
    3. Part 36 Schedule Tasks with systemd Timers 13 min read
    4. Part 37 Configure Time Synchronization with Chrony 15 min read
    5. Part 38 Configure the GRUB2 Bootloader on RHEL 11 min read
  9. 9 Manage Basic Networking 3 lessons · ~36 min
    1. Part 39 Configure Linux Networking with nmcli 15 min read
    2. Part 40 Configure Hostname Resolution in Linux 11 min read
    3. Part 41 Configure firewalld in Linux 10 min read
  10. 10 Manage Users and Groups 3 lessons · ~37 min
    1. Part 42 Manage Linux Users and Groups 15 min read
    2. Part 43 Configure Password Aging in Linux 8 min read
    3. Part 44 Configure Sudo and Privileged Access in Linux 14 min read
  11. 11 Manage Security 4 lessons · ~1h 11m
    1. Part 45 Configure Default File Permissions with umask 12 min read
    2. Part 46 Configure SSH Key Authentication 14 min read
    3. Part 47 Manage SELinux Modes and File Contexts 13 min read
    4. Part 48 Configure SELinux Port Labels and Booleans 32 min read
  12. 12 RHCSA Cheat Sheet 1 lesson · ~11 min
    1. Part 49 RHCSA Cheat Sheet 11 min read
  13. 13 Optional RHEL Administration Expansion 4 lessons · ~23 min
    1. Part 50 Install RHEL Automatically with Kickstart 14 min read
    2. Part 51 Manage Containers with Podman 9 min read
    3. Part 52 Understand RHEL Image Mode Coming soon
    4. Part 53 Use RHEL Lightspeed for System Administration Coming soon

Hands-on labs

6 guided builds you run yourself

  1. Build an LVM volume group and logical volumes

    Turn raw disks into physical volumes, group them, carve logical volumes, and mount a filesystem on top.

  2. Create and persist ext4, XFS, and VFAT filesystems

    Format each filesystem type and mount it at boot by UUID so it survives a reboot.

  3. Export and mount an NFS share across two VMs

    Share a directory from one RHEL VM and mount it persistently on the other.

  4. Configure key-based SSH between two lab hosts

    Generate a key pair, install the public key, and log in without a password, with correct SELinux contexts.

  5. Relabel a service port and flip SELinux Booleans

    Move a service to a non-default port under SELinux and toggle the Booleans that let it run.

  6. Recover root access from the GRUB boot entry

    Interrupt the boot process, drop into rescue mode, and reset a lost root password.

Where to go after this course

  • RHCSA Cheat SheetOne-page command recap for the week before your exam.
  • Book the RHCSA EX200 examConfirm the live objectives, format, and pricing on Red Hat's own page before you schedule.
  • Ansible courseThe usual next step on the Red Hat path toward RHCE and EX294.
  • OpenSSH courseGo deeper on keys, certificates, and hardening once the basics click.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RHCSA exam format?

EX200 is a hands-on, performance-based exam. There are no multiple-choice questions: you complete real system administration tasks on a live RHEL 10 system, and your work is graded on the final state after a reboot, so every change must persist. No internet access, notes, or books are allowed during the exam. Red Hat does not publish a fixed duration on the exam page, so check the official EX200 page for the current time limit before you book.

What changed for RHCSA on RHEL 10?

The current EX200 is based on RHEL 10. The most visible change in the objectives is Flatpak: you are now expected to configure Flatpak repositories and install and remove Flatpak packages alongside the usual RPM and DNF workflows. The storage, networking, users, and SELinux objectives are broadly stable, but always compare your notes against the live objective list before you sit the exam.

How long does it take to prepare for RHCSA?

There is no fixed answer, but plan around the roughly 35 hours of labs in this course plus repeated practice runs. If you are new to Linux, most people spend a few months building muscle memory; experienced admins often need only a few focused weeks. The test is speed under pressure, so practice each task until you can do it without searching.

Do I need to take Red Hat training before the exam?

No. Red Hat recommends the RH124 and RH134 courses (or the RH199 rapid track), but the official prerequisites accept comparable hands-on experience, and you can register for the exam on its own. This free course plus a two-VM lab covers the same objectives that the paid courses prepare you for.

How long is the RHCSA certification valid, and how do I renew it?

Red Hat certifications are current for three years from the date you earn them. You renew before that date by retaking the exam or by earning an eligible higher-level credential, which also renews lower-level certifications you hold. Once a certification goes non-current, you earn it again from scratch. Confirm the current renewal rules in Red Hat's certification program guide.

Can I just read the lessons, or do I have to run the labs?

You can read to learn the concepts, but you will not pass a performance-based exam that way. The tasks that trip people up, like getting an LVM extend, an autofs map, or an SELinux port label to survive a reboot, only stick after you have broken and fixed them yourself on a live system.

Deepak Prasad

R&D Engineer

Founder of GoLinuxCloud with 15+ years of expertise in Linux, Python, Go, Laravel, DevOps, Kubernetes, Git, Shell scripting, OpenShift, AWS, Networking, and Security. With extensive experience, he excels across development, DevOps, networking, and security, delivering robust and efficient solutions for diverse projects.

Expertise
  • Go (programming language)
  • Python (programming language)
  • DevOps
  • Computer Security
  • Cloud Computing
  • Kubernetes
  • Linux
  • Ansible (software)