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The Red Hat Certified Specialist in High Availability Clustering exam (EX436) is a performance-based test of the skills and knowledge needed to implement high-availability services on Red Hat® Enterprise Linux® using the Red Hat Enterprise Linux High Availability Add-on.

This exam is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.

Red Hat recommends that candidates become a Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA®) or a Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE®) before attempting this exam but neither is required.

Exam Preparation - Study points for the exam

To help you prepare, review the exam objectives which highlights the task areas you can expect to see covered in the exam. Red Hat reserves the right to add, modify, and remove exam objectives. Such changes will be made public in advance.

Candidates should be able to perform the tasks listed below:

Configure a high-availability cluster, using either physical or virtual systems, that:
  • Utilizes shared storage.
  • Provides service fail-over between the cluster nodes.
  • Provides preferred node for a given service.
  • Preemptively removes non-functioning cluster members to prevent corruption of shared storage.
Configure a GFS file system to meet specified size, layout, and performance objectives.
Configure iSCSI initiators.
Use multipathed devices.
Configure cluster logging.
Configure cluster monitoring.

As with all Red Hat performance-based exams, configurations must persist after reboot without intervention.

Preparation
  • Red Hat encourages all candidates for the Red Hat Certified Specialist in High Availability Clustering exam (EX436) to consider taking the Red Hat High Availability Clustering (RH436) training course. Attendance in this class is not required, so one can choose to take just the exam. Many successful candidates who have come to class already possessing substantial skills and knowledge have reported that the class made a positive difference for them.
  • While attending Red Hat classes can be an important part of your preparation, attending class does not guarantee success on the exam. Previous experience, practice, and native aptitude are also important determinants of success.
  • Many books and other resources on system administration for Red Hat products are available. Red Hat does not endorse any of these materials as preparation guides for exams. Nevertheless, you may find additional reading helpful to deepen your understanding.
Exam format
  • This exam is a performance-based evaluation of system administration skills and knowledge. Candidates perform a number of routine system administration tasks and are evaluated on whether they have met specific objective criteria. Performance-based testing means that candidates must perform tasks similar to what they perform on the job.
  • This exam consists of one section lasting 3 hours.
Audience for this exam
  • Experienced Linux system administrators responsible for the planning, deployment, and management of more than 1 physical or virtualized server
  • An RHCE interested in becoming a Red Hat Certified Specialist or an RHCA
Prerequisites for this exam

Exam candidates must:

  • Red Hat recommends that candidates become a Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) or a Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) before attempting this exam but neither is required.
  • Have Red Hat High Availability Clustering (RH436) or equivalent experience.
  • Understand that real-world system administration experience is also an important aspect of preparation for the exam.
  • Review exam objectives for the Red Hat Certified Specialist in High Availability Clustering exam.
Recommended next exam or course
  • Red Hat Enterprise High Availability Clustering (RH436)
  • Red Hat Enterprise High Availability Clustering with exam (RH437)