Red Hat Certified Datacenter Specialist Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Red Hat Certified Datacenter Specialist (RHCDS)?
  2. Who is eligible to earn RHCDS?
  3. Are the RHCDS-track courses all the same level? Which should be taken first?
  4. How long does an RHCDS certification remain current?
  5. What are the benefits to becoming an RHCDS?
  6. I have already passed the three required exams. Am I now an RHCDS?

1. What is Red Hat Certified Datacenter Specialist (RHCDS)?

Red Hat Certified Datacenter Specialist (RHCDS) is credential available to IT professionals responsible for planning, deploying, and managing systems in mission-critical datacenter environments. An RHCDS is a Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) who has passed an additional three performance-based exams in the following subjects:

  • Deployment and Systems Management
  • Directory Services and Authentication
  • Clustering and Storage Management

2. Who is eligible to earn RHCDS?

One must be an RHCE on a current release in order to take the Certificates of Expertise exams required for RHCDS. Please see the Certificates of Expertise FAQ and the pages about each exam for more information.

3. Are the courses required for RHCDS all on the same level? Which should be taken first?

The courses are all peer level and any order is fine. Some customers find that RH401 gives them a good foundation for other courses.

4. How long does an RHCDS certification remain current?

RHCDS currency is pegged to the currency status of one's RHCE. Consequently, as long as one's RHCE is current (two releases), one's RHCDS is current. When an RHCDS's underlying RHCE is no longer current, the certification verification page will list the non-current RHCE along with all Certificates of Expertise. Once someone has earned a new, current RHCE, their Certificates of Expertise will be attached to the new RHCE number and the verification page will report that the number belongs to an RHCDS.

5. What are the benefits to becoming an RHCDS?

Readiness to handle the rigors and responsibiliteis of mission-critical datacenter environments is the biggest benefit. Being able to communicate that readiness to others is another benefit. By providing your RHCE number, you can allow others to verify your RHCDS status on the verification page. In addition, as an RHCA you will receive a plaque and other items from Red Hat that are for RHCDSs only. We hope to extend additional benefits in the near future.

6. I have already passed the three required exams. Am I now an RHCDS?

If you have already passed the required exams, congratulations! You have earned RHCDS and will be notified. If you are an RHCA, you will also receive an RHCDS.