RedHat Remote Exam supported hardware (cameras, mice, keyboards)

[PiotrS]

Hi

I'd like to start a thread related to Remote Exam supported hardware.

In the other discussion there are a lot of questions related to cameras, keyboard/mouse setup etc.

So let's start.

Disclaimer: This page is about recommendations by other candidates. There can be various factors which can impact and lead to a different results. As an example maybe a external webcam was not able to autofocus, and a candidate used the laptop internal webcam (which is not mandatory to have) instead. In that scenario, recommending the external webcam might be a bit flawed. 

1. The official requirement page: https://learn.redhat.com/t5/Certification-Resources/Getting-Ready-for-your-Red-Hat-Remote-Exam/ba-p/... 
2. The official Remote Exams FAQ: https://www.redhat.com/en/resources/certification-remote-exams-FAQ

I had an opportunity to test the following hardware during my exam (status for Aug 31st, 2020):

1. Camera - Logitech C920 - works like a charm, sometimes I had issue with microphone but it was related to external noise.

2. Keyboard - Dell KB213p - no issues at all

3. Mouse - generic Dell mouse - no issues at all

I also tested Logitech MX Master 2S mouse - it worked well BUT it's a wireless mouse so it's not allowed on Remote Exams (I had to replace it with wired mouse).

4. Monitor - Dell 25" QHD monitor - no issues at all (exam workspace could be a little bit larger but I had no issues with terminal window/web browser)

What was not allowed:

1. Any type of network connected webcam

2. Smartphone with external software like DroidCamX etc.

Please add your equipment - It could be helpful for future candidates.

[JS_Learning]

Hi @Mostafa ,

It's another candidate who said that, I checked the link he gave was:

https://www.amazon.es/gp/product/B074QJW96C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

It's in Spanish, I translated in google. It's true it also says no autofocus.

In fact the autofocus or manual focus does not matter if the webcam can properly read the ID; in a way that is readable by the proctor.

The candidate feedback was, "autofocus worked during the exam". It's a bit contradictory because it does not have autofocus (feature). I would interpret that as "the proctor was able to read the ID" (which is what is actually important here). 

As I warned on that topic earlier, we rely on the candidate feedback quality, I hope that the candidate did not show the ID using any internal webcam (which are not mandatory) instead of through the external wired webcam (which is the only mandatory webcam to have).

I can not tell your with certainty, the candidate feedback being a bit technically misleading, yet that person said it was perfectly fine during the exam.

Cheers,

[t3comp]

Which ID do you mean ? 

Best,

Jochen 

[ricepower]

---

@t3comp wrote:

Which ID do you mean ? 

Best,

Jochen 

---

What they meant for ID is that during the pre scan by the proctor, you need to show a valid ID (i.e goverment issued id, passport, driving license etc).. You need to hold this ID infront of the camera and this should be visible/readble from the proctor side. You can monitor this on the camera preview. So in short, a decent autofocus webcam is a must.

[t3comp]

ah, got you.
Thank you.

Best,
Jochen

[t3comp]

Hi Guys,

you have to be careful about that one (Evotor HD 720P). Looks there are different versions out there:

In the Manual it says it works with Linux ;o(

I tried that one:

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B074QJW96C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Unfortunately it is not working on:

- MacBook Pro, 15'', Early 2011, OS X High Sierra (tried directly on USB-Port and with USB-Dongle (USB 3.0 UGreen) 
UPDATE: only my internal camera was active whatever I did (attaching externa cam directly to usb or usb dongle

=> You can easily find out on the compability test on the third (i think?) page, through: 
1. the green light next to the internal cam being active. 
2. trying to cover the lense of the internal cam or external cam to see what reacs

- Lenovo ThinkPad T520, tried with above USB-Dongle.
UPDATE: tried attaching the cam directly to the usb-port of Lenovo ThinkPad 520 and that WORKED !

Talked to Redhat Remote Exam Support and the recommendation was, to always attach 
devices directly to the USB instead of through a USB Dongle. 
(which is now the case for my upcoming exam) 

-> Although card reader worked fine as well through usb-dongle (UGreen USB 3.0)

Best,

Jochen 

[t3comp]

Hi guys,

I would not recommend the EIVOTOR Webcam 720P either.

Mine also has no autofocus and it is a real hazzle, because you have identify yourself
with your id-card at the beginning of the exam, and it is either really small or if you put your id nearer to the lens it is blurry.

That's the one I used:

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B074QJW96C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Best,

Jochen 

[sen]

Hi there.

I took remote exam in october 5th.

I used below item.

- Web Camera - DEPSTECH D04-JP - no issues at all

[ricepower]

I just took my remote exam today (27 Oct 2020) and the below wide angle autofucos webcam is acceptable to the proctor.

FeelTek FHD Webcam  

I used a Dell latitude 7490 + WD15 USB dock with an external keyboard, mouse and 24" monitor.

[qwq]

just wondering if we can use a sd card with a card reader instead of a usb thumbdrive?

[t3comp]

Hi,

that is currently my setup. No idea if there are any
requirements/restrictions not to do this.


Best,


Jochen