Red Hat Linux Essentials (RHCSA Track)
Solid Linux fundamentals aligned with RHCSA-style tasks: user management, storage, services, networking and troubleshooting. Perfect base for DevOps, Cloud & Security.
Overview
This course builds a strong Linux foundation with a focus on Red Hat–style administration tasks that appear in RHCSA and real production environments. You’ll become comfortable on the command line, managing users, storage, services, network settings and basic security.
The goal is not just to remember commands, but to understand why each configuration exists, what can break, and how to troubleshoot calmly when a service doesn’t start, a system doesn’t boot, or a mount fails.
Who this is for
- Beginners moving into Linux system administration or DevOps.
- Students preparing for RHCSA or similar admin certifications.
- Security learners who need solid Linux skills for hacking / defense.
- Developers deploying apps on Linux who want OS-level control.
What you’ll be able to do
- Install, update and manage Red Hat–style systems via CLI.
- Configure users, groups, permissions and basic security controls.
- Work with storage: partitions, filesystems, LVM basics and mounts.
- Start/stop services, manage boot targets, and troubleshoot issues.
RHCSA-aligned mindset
Labs and tasks are aligned with RHCSA-style objectives: you won’t just run commands, you’ll practice under light time pressure, with “ticket-style” tasks similar to real-world issues and exam questions.
Curriculum
The curriculum follows a practical progression: from basic shell navigation to managing services and storage, with RHCSA-relevant labs after each module.
Module 1
Linux & Red Hat Basics
What is Linux, distributions, Red Hat family (RHEL, CentOS, Rocky/Alma), shell overview, terminal basics, help systems (man, --help) and understanding file system hierarchy (/, /home, /var, /etc, /usr…).
Module 2
Command Line Navigation & Text Utilities
Navigating with ls, cd, pwd, working with paths, auto-completion,
wildcards and history. Viewing and searching text with cat, less, head, tail,
grep, pipelines and redirection. Building “one-liners” that save time.
Module 3
Files, Directories & Permissions
Creating, copying, moving, and deleting files/directories. Permission model
(rwx), ownership, groups, chmod, chown, chgrp, umask, and understanding
special bits (setuid, setgid, sticky) with RHCSA-style examples.
Module 4
Users, Groups & Sudo
Managing users and groups with useradd, passwd, usermod, groupadd.
Password policies, /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, /etc/group, sudoers basics and
secure privilege delegation. Mapping tasks to typical RHCSA objectives.
Module 5
Software Management (Yum/DNF & Repos)
Installing, updating and removing packages using yum / dnf. Understanding
repositories, enabling/disabling repos, local vs remote repos, and handling
dependency issues. Practical examples from admin life.
Module 6
Processes, Services & systemd
Viewing processes (ps, top), killing misbehaving programs, understanding
systemd units and targets. Managing services with systemctl, enabling/disabling
at boot, and checking logs with journalctl.
Module 7
Storage, Partitions & Filesystems
Working with disks using lsblk, fdisk/parted, creating partitions,
formatting with ext4/xfs, mounting, temporary vs persistent mounts (/etc/fstab),
and troubleshooting common mount errors.
Module 8
LVM Basics (Logical Volume Manager)
Concepts of PV, VG, LV. Creating logical volumes, extending file systems safely, snapshots (conceptual), and where LVM helps in real environments and exams.
Module 9
Networking on Red Hat Systems
Viewing and configuring IP addresses, gateways, DNS, and hostname. NetworkManager,
basic troubleshooting tools (ping, ss, curl), and RHCSA-style tasks for
network configuration.
Module 10
Basic Security: firewalld & SELinux (Overview)
firewalld zones, services, and ports. Managing firewall rules. SELinux concepts: enforcing vs permissive, basic troubleshooting workflow when SELinux blocks actions. High-level link to deeper security courses.
Module 11
RHCSA-style Task Practice & Exam Strategy
Putting it all together as short scenarios: configure new users, fix broken services, mount disks, adjust permissions, and verify. We also discuss exam mindset, time management, and how to verify tasks quickly under pressure.
Labs & Practice
Linux is learned by breaking and fixing systems, not just watching commands. You’ll work in real VMs, performing admin tasks and recovering from mistakes in a safe environment.
Hands-on VM Labs
Build and manage Linux VMs (local or cloud). Create users, manage services, configure network settings, and test what happens when things go wrong.
Task Sheets & Checklists
For each topic, you get task checklists that can be reused for revision before RHCSA or for day-to-day admin work in your job or lab.
Mini “Mock Exam” Scenarios
Timed scenarios where you configure a system to meet a set of requirements, verify everything, and simulate real exam or production change tickets.
Prerequisites
Recommended starting point
- Basic computer use (files, browser, simple settings).
- No prior Linux required, but curiosity helps a lot.
- Comfort reading commands and documentation in English.
Hardware & Tools
- PC / laptop with at least 8 GB RAM (more is better).
- Ability to run virtualization (VirtualBox, VMware) or use cloud VMs.
- Stable internet connection for downloads and remote sessions.
If you’re unsure your system can handle labs, SmartFind can guide you on whether to use local VMs or a cloud-based setup.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, Linux will feel like a familiar environment instead of a black box. You will understand what is happening when you change configurations and run commands.
Operational confidence
Log into Linux servers, understand their state, and perform day-to-day admin tasks without constantly copy-pasting from random tutorials.
RHCSA-ready foundation
Topics map strongly to RHCSA objectives, so you can continue with official materials and exam-specific practice using a solid mental model.
Base for DevOps & Security
Almost every DevOps/cloud/security role assumes Linux comfort. This course gives you that base so tools like Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible and security tooling make sense.
Schedule & Delivery
We run this course in flexible formats to support students, working professionals and teams. Exact batch dates and timings vary.
| Mode | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend cohort | 4–6 weeks | Live sessions on Sat–Sun with guided labs and doubt clearing. |
| Weekday evenings | 3–5 weeks | Short weekday classes plus self-paced practice between sessions. |
| Custom / team batch | Flexible | Designed for internal IT / DevOps / security teams wanting Linux standardization. |
Pricing / Engagement Options
Pricing varies with format (live cohort vs custom batch) and whether you bundle this with other SmartFind courses (Linux for Hackers, OSCP prep, Cloud Security, DFIR, etc.).
Individual learner
Ideal starting point if you’re moving from zero Linux knowledge to a solid admin baseline for certifications or career growth.
Ask for current fee →Career track bundles
Combine with security / DevOps / cloud courses into a full learning track tailored to your goals (e.g., SOC analyst, pentester, DevOps engineer).
Get bundle options →Teams / academic batches
Customised delivery for organizations or colleges, including lab guidelines and optional assessment components.
Talk to us →FAQs
I have never used Linux before. Is this okay for me?
Yes. We start from basics and build up to RHCSA-style tasks. You’ll need basic computer familiarity, but no prior Linux experience is required.
Will this course alone be enough to clear RHCSA?
It gives you a strong foundation and task practice. For the actual exam, you should combine this with official objectives, extra lab time and exam-style practice, which we’ll guide you on.
Do I need a powerful laptop for labs?
8 GB RAM is usually enough for basic labs. If your hardware is limited, we can discuss using cloud-based VMs instead of local virtualization.
Will sessions be recorded?
For most batches, yes. Exact recording access and duration will be shared at the time of enrollment for your specific batch.
Ready to get comfortable with Linux and RHCSA-style tasks?
Connect with SmartFind for upcoming batches, full syllabus, and a suggested learning path if you also plan to move into DevOps, Cloud, or Cybersecurity.
Talk to us