GL281 · 4 days · 7+ hrs hands-on labs

Red Hat Enterprise Linux v8 Differences

Available for RHEL

Master the architectural changes and new tooling that distinguish RHEL 8 from its predecessor. This focused course takes experienced RHEL 7 administrators through every major subsystem, including software management, networking, storage, security, containers, clustering, and desktop, equipping them to plan and execute confident migrations to RHEL 8 environments.

Software management coverage spans the transition from YUM to DNF, Application Streams and modular content delivery, and custom image building with Lorax and composer-cli. Networking chapters address the shift from iptables to nftables with hands-on rule creation and migration tooling, NetworkManager enhancements, chronyd time synchronization, and TCP BBR congestion control tuning. Storage sections cover the Stratis management framework with thin provisioning and snapshots, the LUKS2 on-disk format with online re-encryption, and automated disk decryption through Network-Bound Disk Encryption with Tang and Clevis.

Security hardening topics include OpenSCAP compliance scanning against STIG and PCI-DSS profiles, system-wide cryptographic policies, fapolicyd application whitelisting, USBGuard device control, tlog session recording, and auditd v3 kernel-level auditing. Students also gain practical experience with daemonless container management using Podman, Buildah, and Skopeo, including rootless containers and Kubernetes YAML generation, alongside Corosync 3 and Pacemaker 2 clustering updates and Cockpit web-based administration. Hands-on labs reinforce key skills across software management, networking, storage, security, and container workflows.

Who Should Attend

Experienced RHEL 7 system administrators, infrastructure engineers, and DevOps practitioners responsible for planning or executing migrations to RHEL 8. Ideal for professionals managing enterprise Linux environments who need to rapidly adopt the new tooling, security frameworks, and container workflows introduced in RHEL 8.

Skills You'll Gain

Manage software with DNF, Application Streams, and modular repositories
Build custom system images using Image Builder and composer-cli
Configure nftables firewall rules and transition from iptables-based firewalling
Tune TCP congestion control algorithms and benchmark network performance with iperf3
Create and manage Stratis storage pools, thin-provisioned filesystems, and snapshots
Deploy LUKS2 encrypted volumes with Network-Bound Disk Encryption using Tang and Clevis
Perform security compliance scanning with OpenSCAP and enforce system-wide cryptographic policies
Implement application whitelisting with fapolicyd and USB device control with USBGuard
Configure session recording with tlog and kernel-level auditing with auditd
Build and manage rootless containers using Podman, Buildah, and Skopeo
Administer systems through the Cockpit web console

Chapters & Labs

22 labs · 7+ hours hands-on
  1. Software Management 4 labs · 105 min
  2. Networking 3 labs · 40 min
  3. Storage 5 labs · 80 min
  4. Security 4 labs · 55 min
  5. Container Technology Overview 4 labs · 90 min
  6. Clustering
  7. Virtualization 1 lab · 10 min
  8. Desktop

Appendices

  • Pre-Installation Considerations
  • Installing

Prerequisites

Strong working knowledge of RHEL 7 system administration including package management, networking, storage, and security. GL250 (Enterprise Linux Systems Administration) or equivalent hands-on experience required.