Exams Vouchers: Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Network Automation Individual Exam (EX457)

The Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Network Automation Exam is a performance-based test used to assess the skills and knowledge to manage network infrastructure using Red Hat® Ansible®.

By passing this exam you become a Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Network Automation and can apply your credential toward earning a certification as a Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA®).

Audience for this exam

• Network administrators and infrastructure engineers who want to demonstrate skill in using Ansible automation to configure and manage network devices

Preparation

Red Hat encourages you to consider taking Red Hat Ansible for Network Automation (DO457) to help prepare.  Attendance in these classes is not required; students can choose to take just the exam.

While attending Red Hat classes can be an important part of your preparation, attending class does not guarantee success on the exam. Previous experience, practice, and native aptitude are also important determinants of success. 

Many books and other resources on system administration for Red Hat products are available. Red Hat does not endorse any of these materials as preparation guides for exams. Nevertheless, you may find additional reading helpful to deepen your understanding.

Exam format

The Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Network Automation exam is a hands-on, practical exam that requires you to undertake real-world tasks. Internet access is not provided during the exam, and you will not be permitted to bring any hard copy or electronic documentation into the exam. This prohibition includes notes, books, or any other materials. For most exams, the documentation that ships with the product is available during the exam.

Scores and reporting

Official scores for exams come exclusively from Red Hat Certification Central. Red Hat does not authorize examiners or training partners to report results to candidates directly. Scores on the exam are usually reported within 3 U.S. business days.

Exam results are reported as total scores. Red Hat does not report performance on individual items, nor will it provide additional information upon request.

Candidates for the Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Network Automation should be able to accomplish the tasks below without assistance.

Study points for the exam

Work from a Red Hat Enterprise Linux command line environment

• Use a text editor to create and modify files
• Run commands from the shell
• Use SSH to log in to remote systems

Work with Git and perform basic Git operations

• Clone a Git repository
• Add files to a Git repository
• Upload changes to a remote Git repository
• Perform simple Git customizations

Configure Ansible

• Customize the configuration file
• Configure the connection method
• Configure authentication details
• Verify the configuration

Run Ansible commands and playbooks

• Execute Ansible ad hoc commands
• Create Ansible playbooks
• Modify existing Ansible playbooks

Use standard Ansible constructs

• Work with variables
• Loop over a list of IP addresses
• Perform conditional tests
• Manipulate data with filters
• Control playbook execution with tags
• Work with templates
• Use registers to capture the output of a task
• Use Ansible vault to secure sensitive information

Work with Ansible roles

• Use an existing role
• Create a new role

Automate network device management

• Gather facts about devices and systems
• Configure routers, switches and ports
• Configure OSPF
• Configure BGP
• Configure VLANs
• Create a multi-play playbook to back up a device configuration
• Configure devices to use syslog and SNMP

Use Ansible Tower

• Create credentials
• Create organizations, users and teams
• Create a dynamic inventory
• Create a project from a Git repository
• Create a job template
• Create a survey

• Experience with network administration and an understanding of basic concepts of networking, routing and switch/router configuration
• Familiarity with command line management of network devices
• Familiarity with VyOS and Cisco IOS
• Experience working in a Linux command line environment.  Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) or equivalent knowledge recommended
• Understanding of Ansible and Ansible Tower