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, you should be OK with a 27" monitor, according to this document:

https://www.redhat.com/en/resources/remote-exams-preparation-ebook 

[youidzero]

What external camera will work with a Thinkpad T480 running Fedora 34 when taking the exam remotely?

Cheers!

[JS_Learning]

Hi there, 

I have moved your question here, please see the first and second posts to find suggestions.

Note: you might run Fedora 34, but the Remote Exam runs from the live usb environment and loads it's own Linux system (I think it's based on Fedora 33 at the moment). 

Cheers,

[ricepower]

Any external USB camera with auto-focus, wide angle view and works with Linux operating system. You might want to scroll back from the beginning of this thread to checked out the allowed brands/models. 

[Ajay2307]

Hi there,

The laptop's inbuilt mic is not working in Live OS. So I ran the compatibility test using wired earphones. Finally, the compatibility test is succeeded in Live OS.

Can we use wired earphones in the examination?

[JS_Learning]

Hi,refer to this document for more information:

https://www.redhat.com/rhdc/managed-files/tr-remote-exams-preparation-ebook-f27382-202103-en.pdf 

From my experience a wired earphone was not allowed. I had the headset + microphone on the desk and the proctor asked me to discard it.

Your webcam microphone mic will be used I think, since you require an external camera...

Look carefully in the doc above there are some steps about the microphone test not working. You can also live chat with the support, from the Remote Exam compatibility test, to discuss that particular matter.

Cheers,

[douradoden]

Hello,

I have an upcoming remote exam and was running the compatibility check. I noticed that my external webcam was recording the mirror image of myself in front of my monitor. I experimented with showing my ID document to the webcam and it displayed the reverse image. In other words the printing looked backwards, like in a mirror. will this be a problem? there doesn't seem to be any controls in the compatibility setup that let you adjust anything about the camera and there are no buttons or controls on the webcam that allow you to do anything.

I have other webcams and they all do the same thing.  they show your mirror image.  Like its looking at you from a mirror.  so printing appears backwards, like a mirror image.   I'm surprised NOBODY has ever mentioned this.   Was this a problem for the exam Anybody?

[JS_Learning]

Hi,

That's normal, and the viewer will see you and the ID properly.

It's quite common for webcams to show you "horizontally flipped", to be easier for you to see, and the remote viewers see normally (not horizontally flipped).

Cheers,

[ericbos]

I use Logitech C930 and on the webcam preview my ID shows mirrored, but it was accepted every time, I sat 4 exams with it. Only, it took a long time for the proctor to verify my ID.

[PetrCihlar]

yes, flipped image is not a problem. Some cameras do it so.