Red Hat RHCSA/RHCE 7 Cert Guide: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 (EX200 and EX300) (Certification Guide) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0789754053/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_iKXFAbWY8CJKH
Sander Van Vugt has a great book that covers rhcsa and RHCE. I used them both to get my RHCE. Not really for beginners. You'll have to do a lot of researching to figure things out not covered in the book. Also plural sight is great video site with some Linux trainings. Linux academy is a great resource too but I think it's a bit pricey after the trial ends.
I know this is the opposite of what you said, but do you know if this one is any good?
More people online seem to prefer this over that one, do you think they have any merit..
I hate choices that are not obvious. :(
Looks like it came out ahead of schedule, or the person told me the wrong date. http://www.amazon.com/RHCSA-RHCE-Cert-Guide-Certification/dp/0789754053
That's the "new" book, but as I said either one should be fine.
Just as an addendum though. You can read and read and read all ya like, but you will learn by doing (and breaking & fixing it Lol) so use the books as a jumping off point, something to get you comfortable... Then go crazy and see what you can do :)
Okay then. I'm glad that you have a can-do attitude and sound hungry. First let's get something settled. You're nearly as high up in the certifications chain as you can be with Microsoft and you're noticing it's not getting you the places you need to go. This is a supply and demand problem. Employers can get people like you on the cheap from contracting agencies, and often they needn't even be in the united states. You need to increase your value. Here's what you do, you're going to dive in head first. There are two distributions of Linux that are widely known to have some level of enterprise support, which means enterprises (the companies that will pay you lots of money) will be attracted to them. These distrubutions are Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Ubuntu Server Edition. I recommend that you start with Red Hat, but not necessarily because it's a better distro but because they have a well-designed certification program.
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You're currently using Windows. This is going to be extremely uncomfortable for you at first but you will need to start using Linux on the desktop, and this shouldn't be your side project, this should be your daily laptop you rely upon for everything. There are two distributions that match RHEL exactly in every way but remove the redhat enterprise stuff so you don't have to pay for a license. These distros are Scientific Linux and CentOS. They're both fine to use for the desktop, i'd recommend going Scientific just a matter of personal preference.
I typed the previous because of some encounters I've had with Windows admins who have been forced to learn the bare minumum of linux and hated it. They installed it on some ancient piece of crap computer or just on a virtual machine on Windows. They didn't have to rely upon it and therefore learned basically nothing. Linux isn't a toy for you to play with on the side, it's your primary computer now. I cannot stress enough how important this is if you are going to be successful. Sometimes things aren't going to work and you're going to have to figure it out.
Go to IRC on Freenode when you have questions and can't find the answers from googling, there are general ##linux channels but there are also ones more specific to your distro like #centos or what you are trying to accomplish like #bash or #nginx
From your linux laptop set up VM's there for your research. you can use virtualbox for a straight VM or it would be much more career relevant to learn how to use docker. You can also get a small number of free AWS machines in their free teir program.
Your goal is to obtain an RHCE. Red Hat Certified Engineer. As a prerequisite, you will need an RHCSA, a Red Hat Certified Systems Administrator.
It seems that now even every linux bash command has a video for it on youtube. There's a ton of resources on youtube now for linux training. Utilize them.
Books
Start drilling yourself. There's another less impressive certification called the LPIC which has three tests, there's sample tests all over the web for free, i recommend taking them often and when you don't get a question correct go into your VM and use what you were asked
Pick a language, I recommend first getting really good at BASH then Python.
Don't stay at jobs. We get raises by moving to new companies. Your median stay should be about 18 months if it seems like you've topped out. Don't be afraid to GTFO of Florida. I stayed close to home for too long and wasted a lot of time limiting myself in the Midwest. If you are able to relocate and have an RHCE i guarantee your salary will double in 3 years. DOUBLE. And it will keep increasing. And you'll be working on way more interesting stuff.
Please take a look at these resources. They have been outstanding so far!
http://www.rhatcertification.com/
He has a complete video course (~$150 with discount)
Sander also has a partially completed book (pdf) for RHCSA/RHCE costing only $16 and will provide updates.
His book IS going to be published and can be pre-ordered (~$40) on amazon.com = http://www.amazon.com/RHCE-RHCSA-Cert-Guide-Certification/dp/0789754053/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420367281&sr=1-1
The video tutorial is great! I signed up for the lab environment and contact hours. I'll be starting that in a day or two after registration is completed.
> Publisher: Prentice Hall; 4th edition (July 24, 2010)
That is older than the current Jang book, and is not RHCSA/RHCE specific.
There is another RHCE book I was looking at here, but that does not come out until September 10th.
To be honest, I have not cracked Ghori's book yet, as I have not had time to study seriously.