#hawkstack technologies

[qcsdclabs]

Understanding the Boot Process in Linux

                    Six Stages of Linux Boot Process

Press the power button on your system, and after few moments you see the Linux login prompt.

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes from the time you press the power button until the Linux login prompt appears?

The following are the 6 high level stages of a typical Linux boot process.

                             BIOS        Basic Input/Output System

                             MBR        Master Boot Record executes GRUB

                             GRUB      Grand Unified Boot Loader Executes Kernel

                             Kernel      Kernel executes /sbin/init

                             Init            init executes runlevel programs

                             Runlevel   Runlevel programs are executed from /etc/rc.d/rc*.d/

1. BIOS

BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System

Performs some system integrity checks

Searches, loads, and executes the boot loader program.

It looks for boot loader in floppy, cd-rom, or hard drive. You can press a key (typically F12 of F2, but it depends on your system) during the BIOS startup to change the boot sequence.

Once the boot loader program is detected and loaded into the memory, BIOS gives the control to it.

So, in simple terms BIOS loads and executes the MBR boot loader.

2. MBR

MBR stands for Master Boot Record.

It is located in the 1st sector of the bootable disk. Typically /dev/hda, or /dev/sda

MBR is less than 512 bytes in size. This has three components 1) primary boot loader info in 1st 446 bytes 2) partition table info in next 64 bytes 3) mbr validation check in last 2 bytes.

It contains information about GRUB (or LILO in old systems).

So, in simple terms MBR loads and executes the GRUB boot loader.

3. GRUB

GRUB stands for Grand Unified Bootloader.

If you have multiple kernel images installed on your system, you can choose which one to be executed.

GRUB displays a splash screen, waits for few seconds, if you don’t enter anything, it loads the default kernel image as specified in the grub configuration file.

GRUB has the knowledge of the filesystem (the older Linux loader LILO didn’t understand filesystem).

Grub configuration file is /boot/grub/grub.conf (/etc/grub.conf is a link to this). The following is sample grub.conf of CentOS.

#boot=/dev/sda

default=0

timeout=5

splashimage=(hd0,0)/boot/grub/splash.xpm.gz

hiddenmenu

title CentOS (2.6.18-194.el5PAE)

          root (hd0,0)

          kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-194.el5PAE ro root=LABEL=/

          initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.18-194.el5PAE.img

As you notice from the above info, it contains kernel and initrd image.

So, in simple terms GRUB just loads and executes Kernel and initrd images.

4. Kernel

Mounts the root file system as specified in the “root=” in grub.conf

Kernel executes the /sbin/init program

Since init was the 1st program to be executed by Linux Kernel, it has the process id (PID) of 1. Do a ‘ps -ef | grep init’ and check the pid.

initrd stands for Initial RAM Disk.

initrd is used by kernel as temporary root file system until kernel is booted and the real root file system is mounted. It also contains necessary drivers compiled inside, which helps it to access the hard drive partitions, and other hardware.

5. Init

Looks at the /etc/inittab file to decide the Linux run level.

Following are the available run levels

0 – halt

1 – Single user mode

2 – Multiuser, without NFS

3 – Full multiuser mode

4 – unused

5 – X11

6 – reboot

Init identifies the default initlevel from /etc/inittab and uses that to load all appropriate program.

Execute ‘grep initdefault /etc/inittab’ on your system to identify the default run level

If you want to get into trouble, you can set the default run level to 0 or 6. Since you know what 0 and 6 means, probably you might not do that.

Typically you would set the default run level to either 3 or 5.

6. Runlevel programs

When the Linux system is booting up, you might see various services getting started. For example, it might say “starting sendmail …. OK”. Those are the runlevel programs, executed from the run level directory as defined by your run level.

Depending on your default init level setting, the system will execute the programs from one of the following directories.

Run level 0 – /etc/rc.d/rc0.d/

Run level 1 – /etc/rc.d/rc1.d/

Run level 2 – /etc/rc.d/rc2.d/

Run level 3 – /etc/rc.d/rc3.d/

Run level 4 – /etc/rc.d/rc4.d/

Run level 5 – /etc/rc.d/rc5.d/

Run level 6 – /etc/rc.d/rc6.d/

Please note that there are also symbolic links available for these directory under /etc directly. So, /etc/rc0.d is linked to /etc/rc.d/rc0.d.

Under the /etc/rc.d/rc*.d/ directories, you would see programs that start with S and K.

Programs starts with S are used during startup. S for startup.

Programs starts with K are used during shutdown. K for kill.

There are numbers right next to S and K in the program names. Those are the sequence number in which the programs should be started or killed.

For example, S12syslog is to start the syslog deamon, which has the sequence number of 12. S80sendmail is to start the sendmail daemon, which has the sequence number of 80. So, syslog program will be started before sendmail.

There you have it. That is what happens during the Linux boot process.

for more details visit www.qcsdclabs.com

[hawkstack]

Master the Core of Cloud Operations with Red Hat OpenStack Administration I (CL110)

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations demand robust, scalable, and open infrastructure solutions to power their workloads. Red Hat OpenStack Platform is a proven IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) solution designed for enterprise-scale deployments. But to manage and operate this powerful platform effectively, skilled domain operators are essential.

That’s where Red Hat OpenStack Administration I (CL110) comes in.

🚀 Why Learn OpenStack?

OpenStack is the foundation of private cloud for thousands of enterprises worldwide. It enables organizations to manage compute, storage, and networking resources through a unified dashboard and powerful APIs.

Whether you're a cloud administrator, system engineer, or IT professional seeking to upskill, CL110 offers you the operational expertise required to succeed in OpenStack-based environments.

📘 What You’ll Learn in CL110

Red Hat OpenStack Administration I focuses on core operations necessary for domain operators managing project resources in OpenStack. This course introduces you to both command-line tools and the Horizon web interface for efficient day-to-day cloud operations.

Key Learning Outcomes:

✅ Understanding the Red Hat OpenStack Platform architecture ✅ Managing cloud projects, users, roles, and quotas ✅ Launching and managing virtual machine instances ✅ Working with software-defined networking (SDN) in OpenStack ✅ Configuring persistent and ephemeral block storage ✅ Automating tasks using OpenStack CLI tools ✅ Managing security groups, key pairs, and cloud-init ✅ Troubleshooting common operational issues

This hands-on course is structured around real-world use cases and lab-based scenarios to make sure you're job-ready from Day 1.

🧑‍🏫 Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

System administrators working in enterprise cloud environments

Domain/project operators managing OpenStack infrastructure

DevOps engineers needing to interact with OpenStack resources

IT professionals preparing for Red Hat Certified Specialist in Cloud Infrastructure

🛠️ Why Choose HawkStack Technologies?

At HawkStack Technologies, we are a Red Hat Certified Training Partner with a proven track record of delivering enterprise-grade cloud learning. Our CL110 training includes:

🔹 Instructor-led sessions by Red Hat Certified Architects 🔹 100% hands-on lab environment 🔹 Access to RHLS for extended practice 🔹 Post-training support and mentorship 🔹 Placement assistance for eligible learners

🎓 Certification Pathway

Upon completing CL110, learners are recommended to follow up with:

➡️ CL210: Red Hat OpenStack Administration II ➡️ EX210: Red Hat Certified System Administrator in Red Hat OpenStack

This puts you on the fast track to becoming a Red Hat Certified OpenStack professional.

🌐 Ready to Build and Operate the Cloud?

Whether you're modernizing your data center or building new cloud-native environments, mastering Red Hat OpenStack with CL110 is the critical first step. For more details www.hawkstack.com

[qcs01]

Master Red Hat Certifications with HawkStack: Your Path to RHCSA and RHCE Success

In today's IT-driven world, Red Hat certifications hold a special place. They validate your skills in enterprise Linux environments and open doors to lucrative career opportunities in system administration and DevOps. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or aiming to level up, Red Hat's RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator) and RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer) certifications are the benchmarks for excellence.

At HawkStack, we understand the growing demand for certified professionals in open-source technologies. That’s why we’re excited to offer comprehensive training courses aligned with Red Hat’s official curriculum—specifically RH199 for RHCSA and RH294 for RHCE.

Why Choose HawkStack for Red Hat Training?

Official Curriculum: Our courses are designed around the official Red Hat training modules, ensuring you gain in-depth knowledge of key concepts.

Hands-on Labs: We focus on practical, real-world scenarios to reinforce your understanding of system administration tasks.

Expert Trainers: Learn from industry experts with years of experience in Red Hat technologies.

Flexible Learning: Whether you prefer live virtual classes or in-person sessions, HawkStack offers flexible training options to suit your schedule.

Certification Preparation: Our training includes exam preparation and tips to help you succeed in the RHCSA and RHCE exams on your first attempt.

Course Highlights

RHCSA Training (RH199)

Basics of Linux system administration

Managing users and groups

Understanding permissions and processes

Configuring storage, networking, and security

Core troubleshooting skills

RHCE Training (RH294)

Advanced Linux system administration

Mastering Ansible automation

Configuring network services

Advanced security management

Automating tasks and deploying applications with Ansible

Benefits of Red Hat Certification

Global Recognition: Red Hat certifications are recognized by top enterprises worldwide.

Enhanced Career Opportunities: Certified professionals are in high demand for roles in system administration, cloud infrastructure, and DevOps.

Hands-on Expertise: Gain practical skills that can be immediately applied in real-world environments.

Enroll Now with HawkStack

Ready to boost your career in Linux system administration and automation? Enroll in our RHCSA and RHCE training courses today and get one step closer to achieving your Red Hat certifications.

Visit HawkStack Training Portal to explore our courses, schedules, and pricing.

Don’t just learn—master the technology with HawkStack!

[qcsdslabs]

Top DevOps Practices for 2024: Insights from HawkStack Experts

As the technology landscape evolves, DevOps remains pivotal in driving efficient, reliable, and scalable software delivery. HawkStack Technologies brings you the top DevOps practices for 2024 to keep your team ahead in this competitive domain.

1. Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Simplified Scalability

In 2024, IaC tools like Terraform and Ansible continue to dominate. By defining infrastructure through code, organizations achieve consistent environments across development, testing, and production. This eliminates manual errors and ensures rapid scalability. Example: Use Terraform modules to manage multi-cloud deployments seamlessly.

2. Shift-Left Security: Integrate Early

Security is no longer an afterthought. Teams are embedding security practices earlier in the software development lifecycle. By integrating tools like Snyk and SonarQube during development, vulnerabilities are detected and mitigated before deployment.

3. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Faster Delivery

CI/CD pipelines are more sophisticated than ever, emphasizing automated testing, secure builds, and quick rollbacks. Example: Use Jenkins or GitHub Actions to automate the deployment pipeline while maintaining quality gates.

4. Containerization and Kubernetes

Containers, orchestrated by platforms like Kubernetes, remain essential for scaling microservices-based applications. Kubernetes Operators and Service Mesh add advanced capabilities, like automated updates and enhanced observability.

5. DevOps + AI/ML: Intelligent Automation

AI-driven insights are revolutionizing DevOps practices. Predictive analytics enhance monitoring, while AI tools optimize CI/CD pipelines. Example: Implement AI tools like Dynatrace or New Relic for intelligent system monitoring.

6. Enhanced Observability: Metrics That Matter

Modern DevOps prioritizes observability to ensure performance and reliability. Tools like Prometheus and Grafana offer actionable insights by tracking key metrics and trends.

Conclusion

Adopting these cutting-edge practices will empower teams to deliver exceptional results in 2024. At HawkStack Technologies, we provide hands-on training and expert guidance to help organizations excel in the DevOps ecosystem. Stay ahead by embracing these strategies today!

For More Information visit: www.hawkstack.com

[hawkstack]

Enterprise Kubernetes Storage with Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation (DO370)

In the era of cloud-native transformation, data is the fuel powering everything from mission-critical enterprise apps to real-time analytics platforms. However, as Kubernetes adoption grows, many organizations face a new set of challenges: how to manage persistent storage efficiently, reliably, and securely across distributed environments.

To solve this, Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation (ODF) emerges as a powerful solution — and the DO370 training course is designed to equip professionals with the skills to deploy and manage this enterprise-grade storage platform.

🔍 What is Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation?

OpenShift Data Foundation is an integrated, software-defined storage solution that delivers scalable, resilient, and cloud-native storage for Kubernetes workloads. Built on Ceph and Rook, ODF supports block, file, and object storage within OpenShift, making it an ideal choice for stateful applications like databases, CI/CD systems, AI/ML pipelines, and analytics engines.

🎯 Why Learn DO370?

The DO370: Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation course is specifically designed for storage administrators, infrastructure architects, and OpenShift professionals who want to:

✅ Deploy ODF on OpenShift clusters using best practices.

✅ Understand the architecture and internal components of Ceph-based storage.

✅ Manage persistent volumes (PVs), storage classes, and dynamic provisioning.

✅ Monitor, scale, and secure Kubernetes storage environments.

✅ Troubleshoot common storage-related issues in production.

🛠️ Key Features of ODF for Enterprise Workloads

1. Unified Storage (Block, File, Object)

Eliminate silos with a single platform that supports diverse workloads.

2. High Availability & Resilience

ODF is designed for fault tolerance and self-healing, ensuring business continuity.

3. Integrated with OpenShift

Full integration with the OpenShift Console, Operators, and CLI for seamless Day 1 and Day 2 operations.

4. Dynamic Provisioning

Simplifies persistent storage allocation, reducing manual intervention.

5. Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Cloud Ready

Store and manage data across on-prem, public cloud, and edge environments.

📘 What You Will Learn in DO370

Installing and configuring ODF in an OpenShift environment.

Creating and managing storage resources using the OpenShift Console and CLI.

Implementing security and encryption for data at rest.

Monitoring ODF health with Prometheus and Grafana.

Scaling the storage cluster to meet growing demands.

🧠 Real-World Use Cases

Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB with persistent volumes.

CI/CD: Jenkins with persistent pipelines and storage for artifacts.

AI/ML: Store and manage large datasets for training models.

Kafka & Logging: High-throughput storage for real-time data ingestion.

👨‍🏫 Who Should Enroll?

This course is ideal for:

Storage Administrators

Kubernetes Engineers

DevOps & SRE teams

Enterprise Architects

OpenShift Administrators aiming to become RHCA in Infrastructure or OpenShift

🚀 Takeaway

If you’re serious about building resilient, performant, and scalable storage for your Kubernetes applications, DO370 is the must-have training. With ODF becoming a core component of modern OpenShift deployments, understanding it deeply positions you as a valuable asset in any hybrid cloud team.

🧭 Ready to transform your Kubernetes storage strategy? Enroll in DO370 and master Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation today with HawkStack Technologies – your trusted Red Hat Certified Training Partner. For more details www.hawkstack.com

[hawkstack]

Migrating Virtual Machines to Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization with Ansible Automation Platform

As enterprises modernize their infrastructure, migrating traditional virtual machines (VMs) to container-native platforms is no longer just a trend — it’s a necessity. One of the most powerful solutions for this evolution is Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization, which allows organizations to run VMs side-by-side with containers on a unified Kubernetes platform. When combined with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, this migration can be automated, repeatable, and efficient.

In this blog, we’ll explore how enterprises can leverage Ansible to seamlessly migrate workloads from legacy virtualization platforms (like VMware or KVM) to OpenShift Virtualization.

🔍 Why OpenShift Virtualization?

OpenShift Virtualization extends OpenShift’s capabilities to include traditional VMs, enabling:

Unified management of containers and VMs

Native integration with Kubernetes networking and storage

Simplified CI/CD pipelines that include VM-based workloads

Reduction of operational overhead and licensing costs

🛠️ The Role of Ansible Automation Platform

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform is the glue that binds infrastructure automation, offering:

Agentless automation using SSH or APIs

Pre-built collections for platforms like VMware, OpenShift, KubeVirt, and more

Scalable execution environments for large-scale VM migration

Role-based access and governance through automation controller (formerly Tower)

🧭 Migration Workflow Overview

A typical migration flow using Ansible and OpenShift Virtualization involves:

1. Discovery Phase

Inventory the source VMs using Ansible VMware/KVM modules.

Collect VM configuration, network settings, and storage details.

2. Template Creation

Convert the discovered VM configurations into KubeVirt/OVIRT VM manifests.

Define OpenShift-native templates to match the workload requirements.

3. Image Conversion and Upload

Use tools like virt-v2v or Ansible roles to export VM disk images (VMDK/QCOW2).

Upload to OpenShift using Containerized Data Importer (CDI) or PVCs.

4. VM Deployment

Deploy converted VMs as KubeVirt VirtualMachines via Ansible Playbooks.

Integrate with OpenShift Networking and Storage (Multus, OCS, etc.)

5. Validation & Post-Migration

Run automated smoke tests or app-specific validation.

Integrate monitoring and alerting via Prometheus/Grafana.

- name: Deploy VM on OpenShift Virtualization

  hosts: localhost

  tasks:

    - name: Create PVC for VM disk

      k8s:

        state: present

        definition: "{{ lookup('file', 'vm-pvc.yaml') }}"

    - name: Deploy VirtualMachine

      k8s:

        state: present

        definition: "{{ lookup('file', 'vm-definition.yaml') }}"

🔐 Benefits of This Approach

✅ Consistency – Every VM migration follows the same process.

✅ Auditability – Track every step of the migration with Ansible logs.

✅ Security – Ansible integrates with enterprise IAM and RBAC policies.

✅ Scalability – Migrate tens or hundreds of VMs using automation workflows.

🌐 Real-World Use Case

At HawkStack Technologies, we’ve successfully helped enterprises migrate large-scale critical workloads from VMware vSphere to OpenShift Virtualization using Ansible. Our structured playbooks, coupled with Red Hat-supported tools, ensured zero data loss and minimal downtime.

🔚 Conclusion

As cloud-native adoption grows, merging the worlds of VMs and containers is no longer optional. With Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization and Ansible Automation Platform, organizations get the best of both worlds — a powerful, policy-driven, scalable infrastructure that supports modern and legacy workloads alike.

If you're planning a VM migration journey or modernizing your data center, reach out to HawkStack Technologies — Red Hat Certified Partners — to accelerate your transformation. For more details www.hawkstack.com 

[hawkstack]

Developing and Deploying AI/ML Applications on Red Hat OpenShift AI (AI268)

As AI and Machine Learning continue to reshape industries, the need for scalable, secure, and efficient platforms to build and deploy these workloads is more critical than ever. That’s where Red Hat OpenShift AI comes in—a powerful solution designed to operationalize AI/ML at scale across hybrid and multicloud environments.

With the AI268 course – Developing and Deploying AI/ML Applications on Red Hat OpenShift AI – developers, data scientists, and IT professionals can learn to build intelligent applications using enterprise-grade tools and MLOps practices on a container-based platform.

🌟 What is Red Hat OpenShift AI?

Red Hat OpenShift AI (formerly Red Hat OpenShift Data Science) is a comprehensive, Kubernetes-native platform tailored for developing, training, testing, and deploying machine learning models in a consistent and governed way. It provides tools like:

Jupyter Notebooks

TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn

Apache Spark

KServe & OpenVINO for inference

Pipelines & GitOps for MLOps

The platform ensures seamless collaboration between data scientists, ML engineers, and developers—without the overhead of managing infrastructure.

📘 Course Overview: What You’ll Learn in AI268

AI268 focuses on equipping learners with hands-on skills in designing, developing, and deploying AI/ML workloads on Red Hat OpenShift AI. Here’s a quick snapshot of the course outcomes:

✅ 1. Explore OpenShift AI Components

Understand the ecosystem—JupyterHub, Pipelines, Model Serving, GPU support, and the OperatorHub.

✅ 2. Data Science Workspaces

Set up and manage development environments using Jupyter notebooks integrated with OpenShift’s security and scalability features.

✅ 3. Training and Managing Models

Use libraries like PyTorch or Scikit-learn to train models. Learn to leverage pipelines for versioning and reproducibility.

✅ 4. MLOps Integration

Implement CI/CD for ML using OpenShift Pipelines and GitOps to manage lifecycle workflows across environments.

✅ 5. Model Deployment and Inference

Serve models using tools like KServe, automate inference pipelines, and monitor performance in real-time.

🧠 Why Take This Course?

Whether you're a data scientist looking to deploy models into production or a developer aiming to integrate AI into your apps, AI268 bridges the gap between experimentation and scalable delivery. The course is ideal for:

Data Scientists exploring enterprise deployment techniques

DevOps/MLOps Engineers automating AI pipelines

Developers integrating ML models into cloud-native applications

Architects designing AI-first enterprise solutions

🎯 Final Thoughts

AI/ML is no longer confined to research labs—it’s at the core of digital transformation across sectors. With Red Hat OpenShift AI, you get an enterprise-ready MLOps platform that lets you go from notebook to production with confidence.

If you're looking to modernize your AI/ML strategy and unlock true operational value, AI268 is your launchpad.

👉 Ready to build and deploy smarter, faster, and at scale? Join the AI268 course and start your journey into Enterprise AI with Red Hat OpenShift.

For more details www.hawkstack.com 

[hawkstack]

Master Multicluster Kubernetes with DO480: Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus Training

In today’s enterprise landscape, managing multiple Kubernetes clusters across hybrid or multi-cloud environments is no longer optional — it’s essential. Whether you’re scaling applications globally, ensuring high availability, or meeting regulatory compliance, multicluster management is the key to consistent, secure, and efficient operations.

That’s where Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus and the DO480 course come in.

🔍 What is DO480?

DO480: Multicluster Management with Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus is an advanced, hands-on course designed for platform engineers, cluster admins, and DevOps teams. It teaches how to manage and secure Kubernetes clusters at scale using Red Hat’s enterprise-grade tools like:

Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management (ACM) for Kubernetes

Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security (ACS) for Kubernetes

OpenShift GitOps and Pipelines

Multi-cluster observability

📌 Why Should You Learn DO480?

As enterprises adopt hybrid and multi-cloud strategies, the complexity of managing Kubernetes clusters increases. DO480 equips you with the skills to:

✅ Deploy, govern, and automate multiple clusters ✅ Apply security policies consistently across all clusters ✅ Gain centralized visibility into workloads, security posture, and compliance ✅ Use GitOps workflows to streamline multicluster deployments ✅ Automate Day-2 operations like backup, disaster recovery, and patch management

👨‍💻 What Will You Learn?

The DO480 course covers key topics, including:

Installing and configuring Red Hat ACM

Creating and managing cluster sets, placement rules, and application lifecycle

Using OpenShift GitOps for declarative deployment

Integrating ACS for runtime and build-time security

Enforcing policies and handling compliance at scale

All these are practiced through hands-on labs in a real-world environment.

🎯 Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

Platform engineers managing multiple clusters

DevOps professionals building GitOps-based automation

Security teams enforcing policies across cloud-native environments

Anyone aiming to become a Red Hat Certified Specialist in Multicluster Management

🔒 Certification Path

Completing DO480 helps prepare you for the Red Hat Certified Specialist in Multicluster Management exam — a valuable addition to your Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) journey.

🚀 Ready to Master Multicluster Kubernetes? Enroll in DO480 – Multicluster Management with Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus and gain the skills needed to control, secure, and scale your OpenShift environment like a pro.

🔗 Talk to HawkStack today to schedule your corporate or individual training. 🌐 www.hawkstack.com

[hawkstack]

Master Advanced OpenShift Operations with Red Hat DO380

In today’s dynamic DevOps landscape, container orchestration platforms like OpenShift have become the backbone of modern enterprise applications. For professionals looking to deepen their expertise in managing OpenShift clusters at scale, Red Hat OpenShift Administration III: Scaling Deployments in the Enterprise (DO380) is a game-changing course.

🎯 What is DO380?

The DO380 course is designed for experienced OpenShift administrators and site reliability engineers (SREs) who want to extend their knowledge beyond basic operations. It focuses on day-2 administration tasks in Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.12 and above, including automation, performance tuning, security, and cluster scaling.

📌 Key Highlights of DO380

🔹 Advanced Cluster Management Learn how to manage large-scale OpenShift environments using tools like the OpenShift CLI (oc), the web console, and GitOps workflows.

🔹 Performance Tuning Analyze cluster performance metrics and implement tuning configurations to optimize workloads and resource utilization.

🔹 Monitoring & Logging Use the OpenShift monitoring stack and log aggregation tools to troubleshoot issues and maintain visibility into cluster health.

🔹 Security & Compliance Implement advanced security practices, including custom SCCs (Security Context Constraints), Network Policies, and OAuth integrations.

🔹 Cluster Scaling Master techniques to scale infrastructure and applications dynamically using horizontal and vertical pod autoscaling, and custom metrics.

🔹 Backup & Disaster Recovery Explore methods to back up and restore OpenShift components using tools like Velero.

🧠 Who Should Take This Course?

This course is ideal for:

Red Hat Certified System Administrators (RHCSA) and Engineers (RHCE)

Kubernetes administrators

Platform engineers and SREs

DevOps professionals managing OpenShift clusters in production environments

📚 Prerequisites

To get the most out of DO380, learners should have completed:

Red Hat OpenShift Administration I (DO180)

Red Hat OpenShift Administration II (DO280)

Or possess equivalent knowledge and hands-on experience with OpenShift clusters

🏅 Certification Pathway

After completing DO380, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue the Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration and progress toward the prestigious Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) credential.

📈 Why Choose HawkStack for DO380?

At HawkStack Technologies, we offer:

✅ Certified Red Hat instructors ✅ Hands-on labs and real-world scenarios ✅ Corporate and individual learning paths ✅ Post-training mentoring & support ✅ Flexible batch timings (weekend/weekday)

🚀 Ready to Level Up?

If you're looking to scale your OpenShift expertise and manage enterprise-grade clusters with confidence, DO380 is your next step.

For more details www.hawkstack.com 

[hawkstack]

Master Linux Automation with RHCE (RH294): Red Hat Certified Engineer on RHEL 9 & Ansible 2.2

In the ever-evolving world of IT automation and DevOps, system administrators and developers are expected to manage large-scale environments with efficiency and precision. That’s where the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification steps in—equipping you with the skills to automate Linux tasks using Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.2 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (RHEL 9).

🔧 What is RHCE?

The RHCE (EX294) certification is a professional-level credential offered by Red Hat, designed for experienced Linux administrators. It focuses on real-world automation using Ansible, one of the most powerful IT automation tools in the industry.

The course behind this certification, Red Hat System Administration III: Linux Automation with Ansible (RH294), is tailored to teach practical, hands-on skills in:

Ansible installation and configuration

Writing and managing playbooks

Automating Linux system administration tasks

Orchestrating deployments and configurations across multiple systems

Using Ansible roles for consistent configuration management

Integrating automation into daily administration

🚀 Why Learn RHCE on RHEL 9 with Ansible 2.2?

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 brings modern capabilities, improved performance, and enhanced security. Pairing that with Ansible Automation Platform 2.2, you gain access to powerful automation workflows, event-driven execution, and dynamic inventories—all necessary for managing enterprise-level infrastructure.

Here’s what makes RH294/RHCE a must-have:

✅ Based on the latest industry-standard platforms ✅ In-demand skillset across DevOps and SysAdmin roles ✅ Prepares you for real-world enterprise scenarios ✅ Hands-on labs to master automation workflows ✅ Career advancement with globally recognized certification

👨‍💻 Who Should Attend?

Linux System Administrators

Infrastructure Engineers

DevOps Professionals

Cloud and Automation Engineers

Anyone aiming to upgrade from RHCSA to RHCE

📘 Course Highlights (RH294)

Introduction to Ansible and YAML syntax

Managing inventories and host variables

Ansible playbooks and ad hoc commands

Creating roles and automating complex tasks

Configuring systems at scale

Troubleshooting and debugging Ansible scripts

🎯 Certification Exam: EX294

The RHCE exam tests your ability to use Ansible for system configuration and management. It’s a performance-based exam, meaning you’ll work on real systems to demonstrate your skills—not just answer multiple-choice questions.

🏁 Final Word

Whether you're aiming to become a Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) or simply want to advance your career with in-demand automation skills, RHCE (RH294) is your next step. With the combined power of RHEL 9 and Ansible 2.2, you're not just learning a tool—you're mastering a strategy to streamline IT operations.

Get Started Today with RHCE Training at HawkStack Technologies 👉 Corporate & Individual Training | Real-World Labs | Exam Prep | Career Guidance

📩 Contact us now to unlock your path to Red Hat certification success.

For more details www.hawkstack.com

[hawkstack]

Mastering OpenShift at Scale: Red Hat OpenShift Administration III (DO380)

In today’s cloud-native world, organizations are increasingly adopting Kubernetes and Red Hat OpenShift to power their modern applications. As these environments scale, so do the challenges of managing complex workloads, automating operations, and ensuring reliability. That’s where Red Hat OpenShift Administration III: Scaling Kubernetes Workloads (DO380) steps in.

What is DO380?

DO380 is an advanced-level training course offered by Red Hat that focuses on scaling, performance tuning, and managing containerized applications in production using Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. It is designed for experienced OpenShift administrators and DevOps professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of Kubernetes-based platform operations.

Who Should Take DO380?

This course is ideal for:

✅ System Administrators managing large-scale containerized environments

✅ DevOps Engineers working with CI/CD pipelines and automation

✅ Platform Engineers responsible for OpenShift clusters

✅ RHCEs or OpenShift Certified Administrators (EX280 holders) aiming to level up

Key Skills You Will Learn

Here’s what you’ll master in DO380:

🔧 Advanced Cluster Management

Configure and manage OpenShift clusters for performance and scalability.

📈 Monitoring & Tuning

Use tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and the OpenShift Console to monitor system health, tune workloads, and troubleshoot performance issues.

📦 Autoscaling & Load Management

Configure Horizontal Pod Autoscaling (HPA), Cluster Autoscaler, and manage workloads efficiently with resource quotas and limits.

🔐 Security & Compliance

Implement security policies, use node taints/tolerations, and manage namespaces for better isolation and governance.

🧪 CI/CD Pipeline Integration

Automate application delivery using Tekton pipelines and manage GitOps workflows with ArgoCD.

Course Prerequisites

Before enrolling in DO380, you should be familiar with:

Red Hat OpenShift Administration I (DO180)

Red Hat OpenShift Administration II (DO280)

Kubernetes fundamentals (kubectl, deployments, pods, services)

Certification Path

DO380 also helps you prepare for the Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Scaling and Performance (EX380) exam, which counts towards the Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) credential.

Why DO380 Matters

With enterprise workloads becoming more dynamic and resource-intensive, scaling OpenShift effectively is not just a bonus — it’s a necessity. DO380 equips you with the skills to:

✅ Maximize infrastructure efficiency

✅ Ensure high availability

✅ Automate operations

✅ Improve DevOps productivity

Conclusion

Whether you're looking to enhance your career, improve your organization's cloud-native capabilities, or take the next step in your Red Hat certification journey — Red Hat OpenShift Administration III (DO380) is your gateway to mastering OpenShift at scale.

Ready to elevate your OpenShift expertise?

Explore DO380 training options with HawkStack Technologies and get hands-on with real-world OpenShift scaling scenarios.

For more details www.hawkstack.com

[hawkstack]

Red Hat OpenStack Administration I (CL110): Core Operations for Domain Operators

Introduction

In today’s cloud-first world, organizations are rapidly adopting OpenStack for building and managing private and hybrid cloud environments. Red Hat, a trusted name in enterprise open source, offers a comprehensive training course — Red Hat OpenStack Administration I: Core Operations for Domain Operators (CL110) — to equip IT professionals with the essential skills to operate and manage Red Hat OpenStack Platform (RHOSP).

If you're an aspiring cloud administrator or a domain operator responsible for day-to-day operations within a tenant or project in OpenStack, this course is your stepping stone into the world of enterprise cloud operations.

🧠 What is CL110 All About?

CL110 focuses on the core operations needed by domain operators within a multi-tenant OpenStack environment. The course helps learners understand and practice essential tasks like:

Managing projects (tenants), users, and roles

Launching and managing virtual instances

Configuring networks and security groups

Working with block and object storage

Automating common cloud operations

The course uses Red Hat OpenStack Platform, providing a hands-on learning experience that mirrors real-world scenarios.

🎯 Who Should Take This Course?

This course is ideal for:

Cloud and Linux system administrators

DevOps professionals

Infrastructure operators

Anyone responsible for managing tenants and workloads in OpenStack environments

If you're planning to move toward OpenStack Administration II (CL210) or become a Red Hat Certified OpenStack Administrator (EX210), this is your perfect starting point.

🧰 Key Skills You Will Learn

Navigate and use the Horizon dashboard and OpenStack CLI

Create and manage instances (VMs) using cloud images

Deploy and manage networks, routers, and floating IPs

Implement object and block storage solutions

Create security groups and configure access control

Understand project and user resource quotas

Automate operations using Heat orchestration templates

🧪 Hands-On Lab Experience

Every Red Hat course is lab-intensive, and CL110 is no different. Through practical labs, you'll:

Launch and troubleshoot instances

Configure and test network topologies

Set up self-service environments

Perform snapshot and volume operations

Simulate real-life operational challenges

This lab-driven approach ensures you're not just learning concepts — you're applying them.

📈 Why This Course Matters

With organizations looking to build agile, scalable private clouds, OpenStack administrators are in high demand. This course provides foundational knowledge and hands-on skills that employers look for in cloud engineers.

By mastering CL110, you’ll be better equipped to:

Handle day-to-day cloud operations

Support developers and DevOps teams

Manage infrastructure in a secure and scalable way

Progress toward OpenStack certification and career growth

🎓 Certification Path

After completing CL110, the next step is:

➡️ CL210: Red Hat OpenStack Administration II ➡️ EX210: Red Hat Certified OpenStack Administrator Exam

These credentials boost your credibility and open doors to roles like:

Cloud Administrator

DevOps Engineer

Infrastructure Consultant

Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)

🏁 Final Thoughts

Red Hat OpenStack Administration I (CL110) is not just a course — it’s a career enabler. Whether you're managing a private cloud or supporting tenant workloads in a hybrid setup, CL110 gives you the confidence and skills to succeed in the OpenStack world.

🌐 Ready to level up your cloud skills? www.hawkstack.com  Talk to our training consultants at HawkStack Technologies and enroll in CL110 today.

#RedHatTraining #OpenStack #RHOSP #CL110 #CloudComputing #RHCSA #RHCA #CloudAdministrator #DevOps #HybridCloud #PrivateCloud #RedHatOpenStack #LinuxTraining #RHCE #InfrastructureAsAService

[hawkstack]

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE): Your Gateway to Mastering Linux Automation

In today’s fast-paced IT landscape, where automation, scalability, and security are key pillars of infrastructure success, the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification has emerged as a benchmark for Linux system administrators aspiring to take their skills to the next level. Whether you're managing hybrid cloud environments or streamlining DevOps processes, RHCE equips you with the expertise needed to stay ahead.

🔍 What is RHCE?

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a prestigious certification offered by Red Hat for IT professionals who have already earned their Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) credential. While RHCSA proves your foundational skills in Linux system administration, RHCE validates your ability to automate and manage systems at scale using tools like Ansible.

RHCE is all about automation, efficiency, and advanced troubleshooting. It is not just another Linux certification — it is a career accelerator.

📘 What You’ll Learn in RHCE

The RHCE curriculum focuses heavily on Ansible Automation and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), enabling you to:

Automate common system administration tasks using Ansible

Deploy and manage systems across physical, virtual, and cloud environments

Write playbooks and manage inventories

Implement role-based access and system security

Troubleshoot and maintain enterprise-level systems efficiently

🎯 Who Should Take RHCE?

RHCE is ideal for:

Linux system administrators looking to grow into DevOps roles

IT professionals responsible for managing enterprise infrastructure

Cloud engineers managing hybrid environments

Anyone with RHCSA certification aiming to specialize in automation

🧪 The RHCE Exam (EX294)

The EX294 exam tests your practical, hands-on skills. It’s performance-based, meaning you’re required to perform real-world tasks on a live system — no multiple-choice questions. This ensures you’re ready for real challenges, not just theory.

Duration: 3 hours

Mode: Performance-based

Prerequisite: RHCSA Certification (EX200)

💼 Career Benefits of RHCE

Becoming an RHCE isn’t just about earning a badge — it’s about unlocking opportunities:

✅ High demand for certified Linux professionals ✅ Preferred by top tech employers globally ✅ Higher earning potential and promotions ✅ Proof of your ability to automate and lead infrastructure projects

🛠️ RHCE in the Modern IT Ecosystem

With organizations increasingly adopting DevOps, hybrid cloud, and automated CI/CD pipelines, RHCE-certified professionals are in high demand. Skills in Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform make you a valuable asset for any enterprise focused on digital transformation.

🚀 Get Started with RHCE

At HawkStack Technologies, we offer expert-led training programs designed to help you pass the RHCE exam with confidence. Our hands-on labs, real-world scenarios, and Red Hat certified instructors ensure you're job-ready from day one.

📢 Take the Next Step in Your Linux Career – Become a Red Hat Certified Engineer. Whether you're looking to future-proof your career or fast-track your growth in DevOps, RHCE is your launchpad.

For more details www.hawkstack.com

[hawkstack]

Developing and Deploying AI/ML Applications on Red Hat OpenShift AI with Hawkstack

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are driving innovation across industries—from predictive analytics in healthcare to real-time fraud detection in finance. But building, scaling, and maintaining production-grade AI/ML solutions remains a significant challenge. Enter Red Hat OpenShift AI, a powerful platform that brings together the flexibility of Kubernetes with enterprise-grade ML tooling. And when combined with Hawkstack, organizations can supercharge observability and performance tracking throughout their AI/ML lifecycle.

Why Red Hat OpenShift AI?

Red Hat OpenShift AI (formerly Red Hat OpenShift Data Science) is a robust enterprise platform designed to support the full AI/ML lifecycle—from development to deployment. Key benefits include:

Scalability: Native Kubernetes integration allows seamless scaling of ML workloads.

Security: Red Hat’s enterprise security practices ensure that ML pipelines are secure by design.

Flexibility: Supports a variety of tools and frameworks, including Jupyter Notebooks, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and more.

Collaboration: Built-in tools for team collaboration and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD).

Introducing Hawkstack: Observability for AI/ML Workloads

As you move from model training to production, observability becomes critical. Hawkstack, a lightweight and extensible observability framework, integrates seamlessly with Red Hat OpenShift AI to provide real-time insights into system performance, data drift, model accuracy, and infrastructure metrics.

Hawkstack + OpenShift AI: A Powerful Duo

By integrating Hawkstack with OpenShift AI, you can:

Monitor ML Pipelines: Track metrics across training, validation, and deployment stages.

Visualize Performance: Dashboards powered by Hawkstack allow teams to monitor GPU/CPU usage, memory footprint, and latency.

Enable Alerting: Proactively detect model degradation or anomalies in your inference services.

Optimize Resources: Fine-tune resource allocation based on telemetry data.

Workflow: Developing and Deploying ML Apps

Here’s a high-level overview of what a modern AI/ML workflow looks like on OpenShift AI with Hawkstack:

1. Model Development

Data scientists use tools like JupyterLab or VS Code on OpenShift AI to build and train models. Libraries such as scikit-learn, XGBoost, and Hugging Face Transformers are pre-integrated.

2. Pipeline Automation

Using Red Hat OpenShift Pipelines (Tekton), you can automate training and evaluation pipelines. Integrate CI/CD practices to ensure robust and repeatable workflows.

3. Model Deployment

Leverage OpenShift AI’s serving layer to deploy models using Seldon Core, KServe, or OpenVINO Model Server—all containerized and scalable.

4. Monitoring and Feedback with Hawkstack

Once deployed, Hawkstack takes over to monitor inference latency, throughput, and model accuracy in real-time. Anomalies can be fed back into the training pipeline, enabling continuous learning and adaptation.

Real-World Use Case

A leading financial services firm recently implemented OpenShift AI and Hawkstack to power their loan approval engine. Using Hawkstack, they detected a model drift issue caused by seasonal changes in application data. Alerts enabled retraining to be triggered automatically, ensuring their decisions stayed fair and accurate.

Conclusion

Deploying AI/ML applications in production doesn’t have to be daunting. With Red Hat OpenShift AI, you get a secure, scalable, and enterprise-ready foundation. And with Hawkstack, you add observability and performance intelligence to every stage of your ML lifecycle.

Together, they empower organizations to bring AI/ML innovations to market faster—without compromising on reliability or visibility.

For more details www.hawkstack.com 

[hawkstack]

Master the Cloud with Red Hat OpenStack Administration I (CL110)

Your First Step Toward OpenStack Domain Expertise

In today’s fast-evolving IT landscape, cloud computing is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. Enterprises across the globe are adopting private cloud platforms to maintain control, compliance, and customization. One of the leading platforms in this space is Red Hat OpenStack Platform, an enterprise-ready Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solution built on open standards.

If you're a system administrator, network engineer, or an IT operations professional looking to dive into OpenStack, the Red Hat OpenStack Administration I: Core Operations for Domain Operators (CL110) course is your ideal starting point.

🧭 What is CL110?

CL110 is a hands-on training course developed by Red Hat to help professionals learn the core operations needed to manage cloud instances, networking, storage, and more—within a specific project or domain on a Red Hat OpenStack Platform.

Unlike the more infrastructure-heavy OpenStack courses, CL110 focuses on cloud consumer-level operations, making it perfect for domain operators who are responsible for managing and consuming OpenStack resources without needing to administer the entire cloud.

📘 What You’ll Learn in CL110

Here's what the course covers in detail:

✅ Understanding OpenStack Architecture

Overview of the core OpenStack services (Nova, Neutron, Glance, Cinder, etc.)

How projects, users, and roles function

✅ Launching and Managing Instances

Create and manage virtual machines (VMs)

Use images, flavors, key pairs, and security groups

✅ Networking in OpenStack

Configure internal and external networks

Set up floating IPs and routers

Understand how Neutron works with instance connectivity

✅ Block and Object Storage Operations

Attach and detach volumes

Create snapshots and manage storage lifecycles

✅ Cloud Resource Quotas and Limits

Manage quotas to control cloud usage

Allocate compute, storage, and networking limits per project

✅ Using the OpenStack Dashboard (Horizon) and CLI

Navigate through the GUI and perform operations via the command line

Automate repeatable tasks with scripts

🎯 Who Should Attend?

CL110 is ideal for:

System Administrators managing virtual machine workloads

DevOps Engineers deploying test and development environments

IT Operators and Support Staff in OpenStack domains

Cloud Engineers exploring OpenStack before managing infrastructure

Prerequisite: Basic Linux administration skills and knowledge of networking concepts will help you grasp the content faster.

🎓 Certification Pathway

CL110 is the first step towards earning the Red Hat Certified OpenStack Administrator (EX210) certification. After completing CL110, learners often continue with:

CL210 – Red Hat OpenStack Administration II (focused on deployment and administration)

EX210 – Red Hat Certified System Administrator in Red Hat OpenStack

🚀 Why Choose Red Hat OpenStack Platform?

Open Standards: No vendor lock-in

Enterprise-Grade: Designed for mission-critical applications

Scalable and Secure: Supports automation and security at scale

🔧 How HawkStack Can Help

At HawkStack Technologies, we offer instructor-led CL110 training, access to Red Hat Learning Subscription (RHLS), and custom lab support for corporate teams and individuals. Whether you're preparing for certification or upskilling your workforce, our Red Hat certified experts ensure you get hands-on experience with real-world scenarios.

📌 Final Thoughts

Cloud computing is the future, and OpenStack gives you full control over how you build and run it. Whether you're working in a private cloud environment or aiming to support enterprise projects, Red Hat OpenStack Administration I (CL110) sets a solid foundation for your journey.

💡 Ready to kickstart your OpenStack journey? Join our upcoming CL110 batch or explore RHLS Corporate Packages tailored to your team's needs.

For more details www.hawkstack.com  

[hawkstack]

Multicluster Management with Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus (DO480)

In today’s hybrid and multi-cloud environments, managing multiple Kubernetes clusters can quickly become complex and time-consuming. Enterprises need a robust solution that provides centralized visibility, policy enforcement, and automation across clusters—whether they are running on-premises, in public clouds, or at the edge. Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus rises to this challenge, offering a comprehensive set of tools to simplify multicluster management. The DO480 training course equips IT professionals with the skills to harness these capabilities effectively.

What is Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus?

OpenShift Platform Plus is the most advanced OpenShift offering from Red Hat. It includes everything in OpenShift Container Platform, along with key components like:

Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management (RHACM) for Kubernetes

Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security (RHACS) for hardened security posture

Red Hat Quay for trusted image storage and management

These integrated tools make OpenShift Platform Plus the go-to solution for enterprises managing workloads across multiple clusters and cloud environments.

Why Multicluster Management Matters

As organizations scale their cloud-native applications, they often deploy multiple OpenShift clusters to:

Improve availability and fault tolerance

Support global or regional application deployments

Comply with data residency and regulatory requirements

Isolate development, staging, and production environments

But managing these clusters in silos can lead to inefficiencies, inconsistencies, and security gaps. This is where Advanced Cluster Management (ACM) comes in, providing:

Centralized cluster lifecycle management (provisioning, scaling, updating)

Global policy enforcement and governance

Application lifecycle management across clusters

Central observability and health metrics

About the DO480 Course

The DO480 – Multicluster Management with Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus course is designed for system administrators, DevOps engineers, and cloud architects who want to master multicluster management using OpenShift Platform Plus.

Key Learning Objectives:

Deploy and manage multiple OpenShift clusters with RHACM

Enforce security, configuration, and governance policies across clusters

Use RHACS to monitor and secure workloads

Manage application deployments across clusters

Integrate Red Hat Quay for image storage and content trust

Course Format:

Duration: 4 days

Delivery: Instructor-led (virtual or classroom) and self-paced (via RHLS)

Hands-On Labs: Practical, scenario-based labs with real-world simulations

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

Platform engineers who manage large OpenShift environments

DevOps teams looking to standardize operations across multiple clusters

Security and compliance professionals enforcing policies at scale

IT leaders adopting hybrid cloud and edge computing strategies

Benefits of Multicluster Management

By mastering DO480 and OpenShift Platform Plus, organizations gain:

✅ Operational consistency across clusters and environments ✅ Reduced administrative overhead through automation ✅ Enhanced security with centralized control and policy enforcement ✅ Faster time-to-market for applications through streamlined deployment ✅ Scalability and flexibility to support modern enterprise needs

Conclusion

Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus, with its powerful multicluster management capabilities, is shaping the future of enterprise Kubernetes. The DO480 course provides the essential skills IT teams need to deploy, monitor, and govern OpenShift clusters across hybrid and multicloud environments.

At HawkStack Technologies, we offer Red Hat Authorized Training for DO480 and other OpenShift certifications, delivered by industry-certified experts. Whether you're scaling your infrastructure or future-proofing your DevOps strategy, we're here to support your journey.

For more details www.hawkstack.com