Folks,

With the approval of moderator acid_kewpie (Chris), I'm pimping the 6th edition of my Red Hat study guide. It covers all objectives for both the Red Hat Certified Systems Administrator and Red Hat Certified Engineer exams.

It's now available at least from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The link to the Amazon listing is here: http://www.amazon.com/RHCSA-Linux-Ce...dp/0071765654/ . In the "From the Author" section, I've provided a detailed description of what's in the book.

The official detailed description is available from McGraw-Hill, at http://www.mhprofessional.com/produc...sbn=0071765654 . It's more up to date than the Amazon listing (yes, the 6th edition is over 1000 pages.)

I'll try to answer any questions that you may have on this book. I'll do my best to keep up to date with this board for at least a couple of months, and address any problems that you might find.

While I hope I didn't make any mistakes, I'm human. If you find an error, post it here. If you need more information on exam objectives than what you've been able to find in the book, ask a specific question here. Of course, I won't tell you what's on the exam. I will do my best to show you how to learn more about a specific published Red Hat objective. To that end, I may refer to you a specific page or chapter for more information.

Of course, if you like the book, I would appreciate a positive review on a site like Amazon

Thanks,
Mike

Be aware that you are on something of a narrow ledge here. On one side, there is the idea that allowing 'random' (please don't take this personally) individuals to advertise their works is not entirely encouraged; on the the other side, there are clearly members who have a need to know more about this and related subjects, and this topic (what book should I get for...) does come up repeatedly - OK, not daily, but certainly something like monthly.

I'll make a couple of points:

• posting, eg, a table of contents would give members a better idea of the contents of the book and whether it is likely to cover any particular subject in which they are interested; as an aid to members, I would think of that as allowable (but if a mod wants to disagree, you'd have to go with their determination on the subject)
• my advice to anyone looking for a study book is to actually have a look at a few; some you will get on with, others you won't. Bearing that in mind, I don't want to be perceived as recommending or counter-recommending any particular book, but the fact that there is another book which is a potential aid to anyone seeking this kind of help is generally a good thing

2 members found this post helpful.

FWIW, I did ask one of the moderators for permission beforehand, and have been in contact with Jeremy on the subject. Jeremy has just (more recently) asked that I make sure to include content in my posts.

I appreciate your comments, and your points are good. As my comments on the alternative book would be biased, I'll just include a link to the Amazon listing at http://www.amazon.com/Hands--Guide-R...dp/0321767950/

In addition, as requested, I include the basic TOC here, with two comments:

1) Chapters 1-9 is focused on helping readers learn tasks associated with the RHCSA; Chapters 10-17 is focused on helping readers learn tasks associated with the the RHCE.
2) Most of the labs (and all four sample exams) are --only-- on the CD, so the reader is forced to simulate the "electronic delivery" previously announced by the Red Hat Director of Certification.

Chapter 1: Prepare for Red Hat Hands-on Certifications
Chapter 2: Virtual Machines and Automated Installations
Chapter 3: Fundamental Command Line Skills
Chapter 4: RHCSA-Level Security Options
Chapter 5: The Boot Process
Chapter 6: Linux Filesystem Administration
Chapter 7: Package Management
Chapter 8: User Administration
Chapter 9: RHCSA Level System Administration Tasks
Chapter 10: A Security Primer
Chapter 11: System Services and SELinux
Chapter 12: RHCE Administrative Tasks
Chapter 13: Electronic Mail Servers
Chapter 14: The Apache Web Server
Chapter 15: The Samba File Server
Chapter 16: More File Sharing Services
Chapter 17: Administrative Services: DNS, NTP, and Logging
Appendix A: Prepare a System for the Sample Exams
Appendix B: Sample Exam 1: RHCSA
Appendix C: Sample Exam 2: RHCSA
Appendix D: Sample Exam 3: RHCE Sample Exam 1
Appendix E: Sample Exam 4: RHCE Sample Exam 2
Appendix F: About the CD

Hi all,

I am new around here and this is my first post. Although i am using this forum for a long time to solve my doubts.

Well now i have decided to do a RHCSA/RHCE Certification and wanted to buy this book by Michael Jang. But unfortunately in India, this book hasn't been released yet and also on amazon UK. I don't want to spent a huge amount to get it imported.
Do you guys know when this will be released in India or on amazon UK.
If you guys know, please let me know

Thanks
Silverstone

Dear Silverstone,

The public date for release at amazon.co.uk is 15 August, ref http://www.amazon.co.uk/RHCSA-Linux-...dp/0071765654/ . In India, I do see it on 20North.com, ref http://www.20north.com/RHCSA-RHCE-Re...$@!&src=search .

Thanks Mike.

The book is also available on Flipkart in India http://www.flipkart.com/books/007176...ZXBb6SsJfGzQ--. But these are imported ones and they cost much more than what we get in India usually.

Also on Amazon UK, which i have noticed it now, the publish date is mentioned as 18th July and not 15th August.

Guess i will have to shell more and wait for 15+ days to get it delivered.

Thanks,
Silverstone

Mike:

Thank you for all your hard work on this book. I may have found an error on page 579, under "Regulate Access to SSH". The book says to add these:

-A INPUT -i eth0 -p tcp -m tcp --dport 22 -m state --state NEW -j SSH_CHAIN
-A SSH_CHAIN -i eth0 -p tcp -m tcp --dport 22 -m state --state NEW -m recent --update --seconds 60 --hitcount 3 --rttl --name SSH -j DROP

But I had to add some extra lines to make it work properly:

-N SSH_CHAIN
-A INPUT -i eth0 -p tcp -m tcp --dport 22 -m state --state NEW -j SSH_CHAIN
-A SSH_CHAIN -m recent --set --name SSH
-A SSH_CHAIN -i eth0 -p tcp -m tcp --dport 22 -m state --state NEW -m recent --update --seconds 60 --hitcount 3 --rttl --name SSH -j DROP

1 members found this post helpful.

I just purchased the book im really looking forward to using it. Im new to the linux world and trying to get a RHCSA, ive been using the "Hands-on Guide to the Red Hat® Exams: RHCSA™ and RHCE® Cert Guide and Lab Manual" and it hasent been the greatest reference for a newbie but ive looked at the previous addition of your book and im sure your current addition will be a great help.

Dear greenleaf108,

Yup, you're right. Thank you for your correction. To elaborate, the four rules do the following:



1) Set up the SSH_CHAIN set of rules to isolate SSH traffic:

-N SSH_CHAIN

2) Take that traffic destined for port 22 (--dport 22) and redirect it to the SSH_CHAIN:

-A INPUT -i eth0 -p tcp -m tcp --dport 22 -m state --state NEW -j SSH_CHAIN

3) Mark the packet with the source address (--set --name SSH):

-A SSH_CHAIN -m recent --set --name SSH

4) Finally, the third hit from the noted source address within 60 seconds (i.e.: two authentication attempts) is dropped:

-A SSH_CHAIN -i eth0 -p tcp -m tcp --dport 22 -m state --state NEW -m recent --update --seconds 60 --hitcount 3 --rttl --name SSH -j DROP

Dear gesparza,

As I wrote this book with more experienced users in mind, the topics may be a bit difficult for you.

But it sounds like you've started studying Linux in some format, and will be interested in hearing about your experiences with the RHCSA here. If it's too difficult, one alternative is to start with the LPIC Level I certs.

thanks for the advice mike ill keep that in mind. One benefit i do have is i live with a very knowledgeable RHCE who has been guiding through the whole process hes advised me take the Redhat cert path he says it by far the most respected Linux cert in the industry.

How can I get it in HongKong as quick as possible?

The best is that I can buy it directly in bookstore.

Thanks

Dear gujia3166,

I'm sorry, I'm not qualified to answer such detailed sales related questions. Contact information for McGraw-Hill reps in Asia (including Hong Kong) is available from http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/site/abou...s/asia-pacific .

It looks like McGraw-Hill has three offices in Hong Kong. I suggest you use the McGraw-Hill Education contact listed in the noted URL.

HI All,

I am very new in this forum.

I just started linux and looking for certification.
So anyone can help me that from where i can get 6th version of redhat pdf.

please reply me if anyone heav idea on that.

Is there any simulation lab for doing practice.

Regards

Viren

Dear viren,

Thank you for your question!

PDFs and lab simulations are available on the CD that comes with my book. It's available from many online retailers; a link to the Amazon page for the book is shown atop the thread. If you're completely new to Linux, you might consider studying for the LPI Level I exams first.