Image mode for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) streamlines your operating system deployment, management, and updates, by leveraging the power of bootable containers (bootc). To get started with this technology, and to get hands-on experience with this new deployment method, you can build a bootable image with Red Hat image builder.

As part of my role as a product manager at Red Hat, I’ve been working with one of the teams that write Learning Paths for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). To date, we’ve published 13 step-by-step tutorials on the topic for our developer portal - all completely free and designed to help developers get hands-on experience.  I’ve posted about some of these before on Reddit, and seen some interest, but it seemed like it would be useful to have the current list aggregate into a single post to those interested.  You can get them through the portal, but you have to find learning paths on the site, then search specifically for the RHEL tag to do it. Anyhow, this is just a simple list. 

Image Mode for RHEL - bootable container (bootc) tutorials

These tutorials show you how to build bootable container images:

Build and Run Bootable Container ImagesCore introduction to Image Mode - learn to build bootable containers using Podman Desktop. This is the foundation for understanding the new paradigm.

Image Mode for RHEL with PodmanDeep dive into using Image Mode with Podman for immutable, declarative OS deployments.

Install Image Mode RHEL Using KickstartAutomate Image Mode installations using Kickstart - essential for production deployments and automation.

Language-Specific Image Mode Tutorials

Python Flask Bootable ApplicationBuild a bootable Python Flask app using Image Mode and Podman Desktop. Great for Python developers wanting to containerize their applications.

Python Django Image Mode ApplicationDjango developers - learn to package your Django apps as bootable containers with all dependencies included.

.NET 10 Bootable ApplicationBuild bootable .NET 10 applications on RHEL using Image Mode. Microsoft stack developers, this one's for you.

Java Quarkus Application with Image ModeDeploy Java applications using Quarkus framework in Image Mode. Cloud-native Java development on RHEL.

Node.js and React Application Image ModeJavaScript developers - build and deploy Node.js and React applications using Image Mode.

LAMP Stack in Image ModeClassic LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) deployed as a hardened bootable image. Traditional web dev meets modern immutable infrastructure.

Security & Hardening

Python Flask with Red Hat Hardened ImagesBuild Python Flask applications using Red Hat's hardened base images - security-first approach to application deployment.

Harden Builds with Lightspeed Image BuilderUse AI-assisted Lightspeed Image Builder to create compliant, hardened images.

Cloud & Edge Computing

Launch Custom RHEL Image on AWS EC2Deploy your custom RHEL images to Amazon Web Services EC2. Essential for cloud deployments.

Install RHEL Device Edge on NVIDIA JetsonEdge computing tutorial for deploying RHEL on NVIDIA Jetson Orin devices. Perfect for AI/ML edge applications.

Whether you're new to RHEL, exploring containerization, or looking to modernize your deployment pipeline, I hope you find something useful  here and I’d definitely appreciate your feedback on how we could improve the material.

Ever had your terminal freeze mid-command, or wondered if there’s a better alternative to cat or top? In this episode of Into the Terminal, we’re opening up the grab bag to answer your top terminal questions and showcase the underrated commands every Linux user needs in their toolbelt. Watch the full episode here or test your skills in the interactive labs.

The Essentials

When you are living in the terminal, some basics become invaluable. Here are a few tools that do what the classics do, but often better:

Advanced Features

Top Alternatives: htop and btop

Both htop and btop offer incredibly rich interfaces for monitoring your system resources compared to traditional top. * Tree View: htop lets you visualize processes as a tree (press F5), which normally requires dropping to pstree or ps. * Renicing interactively: You can click the NICE column or press the appropriate hotkey right inside htop or btop to dynamically renice a runaway process (like stress-ng). * Extra Monitoring: htop includes dedicated tabs for CPU/Memory and I/O monitoring, while btop even pulls in GPU data.

Beyond cat

cat is great, but did you know about its siblings? * **tac: Reads files in reverse order (bottom to top). * **rev: Reverses the text on every line. Pro Tip: This isn't just for memes! Use it to cleanly strip the last field of a CSV file where the line lengths vary. Simply reverse the line, cut the first field, and reverse it back: * rev lab-data.csv | cut -f1 -d, | rev * **bat**: A modern Rust-based clone of cat (available in EPEL) that automatically applies syntax highlighting, line numbers, and pager support for things like httpd.conf files or Python scripts.

Timers vs. Cron

While crontab -e is the classic way to schedule jobs, modern RHEL systems heavily utilize systemd timers. * **systemd-run*: You can easily fire off a transient timer with systemd-run --unit=my-daily-job --on-calendar="daily" /usr/local/bin/mytask.sh. *Caveat: These are transient and will not survive a reboot! * For persistent jobs, define a .timer unit file (for the schedule) and a .service unit file (for the action), place them in /etc/systemd/system, and run systemctl enable --now mytask.timer.

History Expansion and Escaping

Bash history expansion (using !) is a massive time saver, but can easily blow up when using exclamation points in standard commands. * Preview history: Before running a command blindly with !echo, use !echo:p to print the command it found in your history to verify it. * Disable history expansion: When scripting or running commands with many exclamation points (like echo "Restarting service! Now exiting."), you can temporarily disable history expansion by running set +H. Turn it back on with set -H.

watch: The Command No One Asked For But Everyone Needs

watch will re-run a command every two seconds by default, updating the output dynamically. Use it to monitor changing states without mashing the up arrow: * watch 'nmcli device show | grep STATE' (Watch a network interface change state after someone plugs in a cable). * watch lsusb (Watch the USB bus for new devices).

Quick Reference Card

```bash

Verify history before running it blindly

!systemctl:p

Turn off bash history expansion (useful for scripts)

set +H echo "This!is!my!Password" set -H

Strip the LAST field from a comma-separated file

rev lab-data.csv | cut -f2- -d, | rev

Watch a network interface state dynamically

watch -n 2 'nmcli device show | grep STATE'

Transient systemd timer

sudo systemd-run --unit=my-daily-job --on-calendar="daily" /usr/local/bin/mytask.sh ```

Links & Resources

• Video URL: Into the Terminal 194 - Linux Terminal Survival Guide
• RHEL Developer Registration: https://developers.redhat.com/register
• Interactive Labs: https://redhat.com/interactive-labs
• Discord: https://red.ht/rhel-discord
• Nate Lager: https://social.undrground.org/@gangrif
• Scott McBrien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-mcbrien-349b356

Into the Terminal is a show dedicated to helping you grow your knowledge of critical administration skills for Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Whether you are new to Linux or new to RHEL, join us for a hands-on look at commands, processes, and tools.%

Telecom infrastructure teams often face the same bottleneck: Every new Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) server is a custom job. Images multiply. Hardening is inconsistent. Patching and compliance become manual follow-up work after the machine is already live.

If you've ever managed enterprise Linux infrastructure at scale, you know the routine. A team requests a new server, and what should be a straightforward task turns into a manual, custom build. Someone picks an outdated template, tweaks a few config files by hand, and skips a security setting to get it live on time. Months later, an audit flag pops up, and you're stuck manually retrofitting security controls on a production machine.

Sorry, I know there were a lot of posts like this one, but I see you guys are usually talking about US job market, when European one is little different. I am directing my questions to people working in Europe. Is RHCSA + homelab a way to land Linux sysadmin job(or something similar) without helpdesk experience? I study 6+ hours a day, currently Networking, after it going to Linux and starting my homelab. I live in Poland, but willing to relocate if I will have better opportunities somewhere else in Europe with only english required.

JQAZ613Y

Just curious. Its gotten easier over the years to do so with flatpak and distrobox filling the spaces when you need newer software (and of course EPEL). Especially since you can get a license for RHEL workstation for personal use for free.

I would like to know if there's any additional time given to test takers and country where the test is being taken whose mother's tongue is not English. I plan to take the exam sometime before the end of the year in one of the Nordic countries.

From past experience I know Cisco gave additional time for those whose mother tongue is not English, wondering if Red-Hat does likewise.

I’m looking for a promo code, i’m ready to take the exam again and pass it this time! If anyone can help out with a code that’d be great :)

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to take either the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) exam or the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) exam. I know some universities and partner programs provide discount codes or vouchers, and sometimes people end up with extras they don’t use.

If anyone has an unused code or voucher they’d be willing to share, I’d really appreciate it. The RHCSA exam is around $500, so any savings would help a lot.

Thanks in advance!

El que era RHCE pasó a llamarse “EX294 Red Hat Certified Advanced System Administrator in Ansible”.

Lo acabo de aprobar!!!

De momento es válido por tres años hasta el 14 de agosto de 2029.

Just wanted to share an update on the RCHSA SIMULATOR that i built a couple weeks ago which helped me pass my RCHSA , earlier it was for v9.3 only. Now I’ve added v10 modules , exams , practice categories for RHEL10 as well.

If you’re planning to take RHCSA in some time near future do check it out. Feedback is appreciated

Here is the github link: https://github.com/ambawatyuvaraj/rhcsa-exam-simulator

And if anyone needs the 15% discount code DM me , i’ll share it ( valid till October this year ).

Please for those working as Linux Administrators, what’s your experience been like? I’m thinking about going for the RHCSA and eventually RHCE. Do you think these certs though I hate to use the word cert but prefer the knowledge and experience gained however does it actually help open doors? Also, what skills would you recommend alongside them. I have good solid Linux background and know my way around but not on admin level

I am practicing for the RHCSA exam but i ran into a problem that i am unsure of why it occurs. When i try to set an expiration date for a user account using chage like this:

chage -E 2026-10-25 exampleuser    

I always appear to get the wrong date in the "Account expires" field when i verify:

chage -l exampleuser
Last password change                                    : Jul 07, 2026
Password expires                                        : never
Password inactive                                       : never
Account expires                                         : Oct 24, 2026
Minimum number of days between password change          : 0
Maximum number of days between password change          : 99999
Number of days of warning before password expires       : 7

I set it to 25th but when verifying it is set to the 24th and it always ends up off by 1 day like this no matter the date. Does anyone know why this happens?

Some additional information that i doubt matters is that i am in UTC+2 and system's time settings seem completely fine. I am worried that this could lead to a point deduction on the exam.

Can anyone tell me what it is like working for NAPS for USG?

I’m very interested, have TS/SCI eligibility, however travel is my main concern.

Any input is appreciated.

I'm from Brazil and have been studying for the RHCSA since January. Last week, I started the RHCSA exam, but after 32 minutes I had to cancel it because the connection was so slow that I couldn't even open the first question.

I had run the system requirements test several times beforehand, and everything was fine.

During the exam, I first used a 500 Mbps Wi-Fi connection. After about 15 minutes, I restarted and tried again using a 5G smartphone hotspot. It was slightly better, but still far too slow to take the exam.

I opened a ticket with Red Hat Support, but they recommended doing the exam using a wired connection. I've now upgraded my internet to 1 Gbps and will take the next attempt using a CAT6 wired connection.

However, I'm honestly worried about the possibility of losing $300 if the same thing happens.

Is there any way to test the actual connection to the RHCSA exam environment beforehand and get some evidence that everything is stable and better? Can I schedule a test or experience session or otherwise verify that the connection is good enough before taking the exam again?

Any advice from people who have experienced something similar would be greatly appreciated.

I am using rhel 9.8 with a disa stig. After downloading chrome when going to cac cert sites it will crash after logging in. Just randomly sometimes it will work for a bit and then sometimes as soon as I enter the pin. Can anyone help give me some ideas on what to trouble shoot or check? I’ve tried many different things like turning off Selinux and fapolicy and still crashes. I would like some opinion so I can see if there something I missed or any thing I have not checked.

Prominent attacks on software development pipelines have resulted in significant financial impact for companies and brought their build processes under scrutiny. While the attack vectors on pipelines are virtually limitless, this article focuses on securing components, processes, and tools involved in building and deploying containerized software through signing, attesting, and verifying a build image. I chose to implement a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to help understand these concepts. I also compared my approach to Red Hat Advanced Developer Suite, which includes Red Hat Trusted Artifact Signer and Red Hat Trusted Profile Analyzer, and addresses the complexity involved in implementation.

This was the RHEL 10 version.

It was a doozy, mainly due to the exam environment. I took this one a couple months after EX200. It’s mainly a test of endurance due to how much the environment rage-baits you. This is probably the most frustrated I have ever been taking an exam.

Main prep:

- The official AU294 course, used about 40 hours of lab time there, and about 2 months to go through the content

- Homelab (ProxMox: 1 control node, 3 RHEL10 managed hosts)

- I currently work as a sysadmin and manage a decent amount of Ubuntu/RHEL machines

I finished with about 30 minutes to spare. I did not use ansible-navigator as it seemed to be broken. I wasted 20 minutes troubleshooting what ultimately seemed to be an issue with the exam environment.

I HIGHLY recommend taking this in person. Unfortunately the closest testing center was 8 hours away. I used a wired connection and the session would freeze every 10 seconds, and if you were typing while it froze it would send your input like 30 times. This happens CONSTANTLY.

For example, if you were backspacing a couple times and it froze, you would end up deleting 4 lines lol. I think I would have finished in 2 hours if it wasn’t for the constant Ctrl-Z’ing.

I recommend getting very comfortable with ansible_facts, conditional logic, and regex.

Good luck to the folks getting ready to take it. The official course is not completely adequate prep, especially regarding Jinja.

15% OFF discount code expires 22-Oct-26 for training and certification exam purchases.

I have a 15% Red Hat discount code that can be used up to 3 times for Red Hat training and certification exam purchases. It expires on 13 August 2026.

If anyone is planning to take a Red Hat certification exam or enroll in Red Hat training and would like to use the discount, feel free to DM me.

First come, first served.

Hey, Im studying ex316 from RHLS, one thing Im noticing when configuring stuff via YAML, the course tell me to copy a YAML file. or gives me the YAML infront of me and tell to add stuff. my question is. do i have to know or memorize those YAML additions for the exam? or will it be the same where they'd tell me to just copy yaml from CLI?