DO280 do you need to memorize openssl commands or yaml configurations ?

[Yamato]

Would OpenSSL commands be provided on the exam just like in the training or do we have to memorize them ? 

EDIT: 

I want to broaden the question. 

Do you need to memoraze yaml configuration files as well ? 

[flozano · Accepted solution]

I am very bad a memorizing things and that has not prevented me from sucesfully passing more than a dozen certification exams. Not bragging ;-)

Linux sysadmin skills, preferably an RHCSA certification, are a pre-requisite to the EX280 exam (and its preparation course DO280). RHCSA courses teach how to use man, info, and other sources of online help that are standard with RHEL and provided in the exam environment. These would help you with openssl commands and other Linux commands you have to use during the exam.

The DO280 course also teaches how to use Kubernetes and OpenShift features, such as the oc explain command, that provide you online help about Kubernetes resources and also Custom Resources installed by operators, such as the ones used to configure OpenShift authentication, the internal registry, etc.

Finally the exam environment usually provides product documentation that you can refer to during the exam. You just cannot access the internet to check Stack Overflow and other Q&A sites.

[Yamato]

Thank you for the response but that didnt completely answer the question. 

oc expain would be a no go, as i wont have time to read 

the product documentation seems to be a bit of help i will just need to memorize where the yaml examples are. 

what about things like openssl csr ? will they be provided or if we need to generate them will the openssl commands be available as they have nothing to do with the acutal exam ? 

What about dockerfiles, would it be expected to write a dockerfile or we will have one ready for us ? 

[flozano]

Well, I always read a lot when I take exams. I'm not good at memorizing and the exam is not about your ability to memorize syntax but about your ability to perform to a set of requirements that emulate a real-world scenario. In the real world you do read product docs and online help. Very few people can just memorise all that they need and even then it is about making decisions about what to do to meet the requirements.

I cannot give you more detailed and specific answers without violating the exam confidentiality agreement. I don't know by heard how to use the openssl command but I was fine reading its man pages when I had the need to

About writing Dockerfiles, I do not see it as an exam objective for DO280: https://www.redhat.com/en/services/training/ex280-red-hat-certified-specialist-in-openshift-administ...

[Igris]

with this being the case i would have to assume the worst possible outcome and memorize the ssl commands, the fact you are saying you had to lookup the man page about ssl is a hint enough that they do not provide you the openssl-commands.txt that is used in the networking exercise and expect you to do it by yourself. 

[flozano]

I am not saying that I did look at man pages for openssl during the EX280 exam. I am saying that I do that when I manage my OpenShift clusters for test beds and training environments.

Nowadays I don't personally manage any production cluster but if I did I would use a more sophisticated CA management product such as Red Hat Identity Manager, that is included as part of RHEL, or the Red Hat Certificate System.

I might still use openssl comands for troubleshooting and checking files I give as input to these software or that I get as output from them.

[flozano]

Anyway do not assume that any of the helper scripts and files you see in training are available during an exam. The exam might provide helper files or not and it might provide different helper files than courses.

[Yamato]

Well this is what im asking here. 

WILL the exam provide comands (openssl) that are unrelated to openshift or not. I assumed that you are responding from the position of someone who took the exam.

[flozano]

It is because I took the exam I cannot give you a more precise answer. We are forbidden to talk about specific details of an exam.

My advise: don't worry too much about exam tricks. Exams are designed to assess real-world performance. If you can do well in a job-related scenario you will do well in the exam. Practice and practice with a lab environment.

Notice that RHCSA or equivalente knowledge is a pre-requisite of the DO280 course that prepares you to EX280. So it is assumed that you also have Linux sysadmin skills.

[Igris]

I understand you, but its Its precisely because im red hat certified i worry about exam tricks, and lets say i've already found some :) After my first attempt i will know everything i need, however it would be great if its only one. Again in order to make sure i pass i have to assume the worst possible outcome.