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PiotrS
Flight Engineer
Flight Engineer
  • 33.8K Views

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

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.

Labels (5)
51 Replies
  • 2,728 Views

Hi all. Can anyone check this model and let me know if it is OK to use in remote exam.

TECHNOVIEW HD Webcam with Microphone, Auto Focus HD 720P Web Camera for Video Calling Conferencing Recording, PC Laptop Desktop USB Webcams https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09TPPF6JX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_i_KAB3Z4X7WFERB8Q7BKTX

Also, I am searching for Webcams with cost range within Rs.2000.. Can you suggest the Webcam with this price?
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Loopholelou
Mission Specialist
Mission Specialist
  • 2,312 Views

Any info on supported internal network cards? the rhrexboot OS would not recognize my integrated NIC. its a realtek RTL8125b. 

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Loopholelou
Mission Specialist
Mission Specialist
  • 2,304 Views

If anyone is wondering about network cards for PCs:  This one works with rhrexboot OS based on Fedora 33: Intel Gigabit CT PCI-E Network Adapter EXPI9301CTBLK

Sarang
Mission Specialist
Mission Specialist
  • 2,212 Views

I was able to give exam with below camera so wanted to add it to the list of supported cameras.

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08CNCZKCH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

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Ranjan2
Cadet
Cadet
  • 2,065 Views

I'm not able to connect the Speaker from Fedora image for Remote Exam. 

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PetrCihlar
Moderator
Moderator
  • 2,052 Views

Speakers are not needed for the exam. You just need to be sure the microphone works. See the Sound settings as you boot, and scroll down to see the mic volume (sensitivity) slider. Move it a bit to the right to see the red indicators moving as you speak. There should be no red bars visible in the silence. Do not put the slider fully to the right, the proctor would hear a buzzing sound only. The mic is important, the proctors need to hear your room. Must be quiet, with no other people present. The fact the speakers are not operational can be caused by non-existing or incompatible sound card drivers. You can connect a USB headset and use it to verify the mic. 

Petr Cihlar
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  • 2,028 Views

I don't have an external microphone. I use a hyper-x wireless headphone that has an integrated microphone in it, and it's quality is 100% perfect. Will that be an issue or should I purchase a separate wired microphone AND speakers?

I also have an issue with my ID. It went missing and am filing for its loss, and the process will take time, however, I do have a passport that is in my name and it's still valid. Will this be an issue in the exam?

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PetrCihlar
Moderator
Moderator
  • 2,004 Views

State issues passport or a driving license is ok for the exam.
Wereless mic or speaker is not allowed for the exam, it violates the terms. Speakers are not mandatory but mic is. It has to be internal or external wired. It can be a part of other device, such as a headset or a webcam, but it always has to be usb wired.

Petr Cihlar
Bozhidar
Cadet
Cadet
  • 1,773 Views

Hi,

As this thread has been helpful while I was preparing for a remote exam, I would like to share what worked well for me and what did not work.

TL;DR; If your external camera does not focus, but you still have your integrated laptop camera working and providing readable image of your passport/ID, use it for the passport/ID validation - this is good enough and the proctor allowed me to proceed with the exam (no question asked). 

 

What did not work:

My laptop of choice is Macbook, I bought a cheap external camera and planned to use it for the exam. While running the validations, I realised my ID/Passport is not readable as the camera has no autofocus, nor manual focus feature. The Macbook (in Edge or Chrome browser as this was a preliminary exam) was only showing the external camera and not the internal camera. As I bought the camera last minute and could not make it work, I did not do the exam. Later on, I found out there is a way to manually focus this camera - it requires some tweaking - https://hawksites.newpaltz.edu/myerse/2021/03/08/manually-focusable-logitech-c270/

 

What worked:

I prepared a bit better (borrowed a better camera which allegedly has autofocus) and more in advance for my EX200 exam which I had to take remote as all training center slots were not available (just before XMas). As this is not a preliminary exam, I had to make a USB dongle with RH iso. I got a Dell laptop with Windows 10, the instructions for creating a bootable RH iso worked flawlelsly and then I started the validations. I found a better camera which still would not focus well enough to provide readable ID/Passport to the proctor... I decided I will use a Dell laptop with Windows 10, but when I booted into the exam enviroment, I found out the external camera does autofocus, but not well enough imho... The big difference this time is I was also getting the internal/integrated camera to work, i.e. the proctor would see two cameras and with the integrated camera, the autofocus was working perfectly. I decided to give it a chance and go for the exam this way. I simply showed my ID on the integrated camera, the proctor validated it, no questions asked, I was allowed to proceed with the exam. Overall, the remote exam experience (once all the setup was validated), was really smooth and interestingly I found it smoother and less hassle compared to going to a training center.

Good luck!

pavlospap
Mission Specialist
Mission Specialist
  • 1,740 Views

Hello to all red hatters,

I'd like to ask if anyone knows, can we use a mechanical USB keyboard with backlit  for the remote exam? or it is not allowed? 

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