RedHat Enterprise Linux

Background

I picked up RedHat Linux version 4.0 around 1997. Before that, I used SCO, Interactive and other expensive, proprietary UNIX's for Intel (ATT, MicroPort, Dell UNIX, Everex ESIX, Xenix). I tried other Linux distributions but wasn't satisfied with their maturity.

RedHat was an instant winner. It installed on my hardware without much fuss and gave me a working environment comparable to my production SCO server. Over the next year, I upgraded to RedHat 5 and migrated my entire office from SCO to RedHat.

RedHat Work Experience

I have used RedHat Linux in a production environment since 1997. Here are some of the things I've done with RedHat Linux:

Microsoft Compatible File & Print Services with SAMBA. Samba makes a Linux/UNIX server look and act like a NT4/Win2000 server. It is free of cost and requires no expensive Client Access Licenses. It is fast, stable, well supported and transparent. I've had Samba installed in clients sites since 1995. In many cases staff didn't even know they weren't using Micro$oft.
Host Hundreds of Web Sites using the Apache web server. Apache is the most popular web server in use on the Internet. Just ask NetCraft. An excellent replacement for the Netscape or iPlanet web server. Significantly more reliable and efficient than IIS, a single Apache powered server can run 300+ sites with ease.
Server Consolidation. I've helped clients replace expensive Sun, HP and SCO servers with Linux systems. The fact is, Intel CPUs perform as well as or better than more expensive RISC processors. Linux harnesses that power and makes it available for the cost of a PC server. Just be sure to use quality hardware and configure in extra redundancy (RAID, symmetric multi-processing, etc.).
Network Consolidation. Linux can act as a Router, Virtual Private Network gateway and a Firewall at the same time. Commercial router/VPN/Firewall appliances are often under powered or limited by expensive user licenses. A PC running Linux can handle the largest routing or firewall chores and Virtual Private Network loads. And, a Linux VPN can handle up to 100 concurrent sessions with no license fees!
Mail Servers. I've deploy mail servers for large user communities. Linux comes with Sendmail, the mail handling software that moves about 75% of the Internet's mail. It also comes with a Web Mail Client that lets you work with your In-Basket via any web browser. By deploying Linux mail solutions, you can save tens of thousands of dollars over expensive proprietary solutions such as Exchange.
Network Management and Intrusion Detection services. There are many open source tools to help secure and manage your network. Can't afford CA Unicenter or HP OpenView? Check out NAGIOS for a free and effective alternative. Also, look at Nessus if you need a remote security scanner.
Just want to watch your network for bandwidth consumption? Take a look at the Multi-Router Traffic Grapher.

For the last two years, I have been working as a contract instructor for RedHat RH253/RH300 equivalent classes offered by Global Knowledge.

Linux Publications

I have been involved with two Linux publishing projects for Syngress Publishing. Here's what I've done...

I co-authored a complete rewrite of the RHCE Exam Study Guide for it's second edition. This book is more than a study guide... it offers tutorial examples that go well beyond the requirements of RHCE. I rewrote the sections on DNS, SendMail, Samba and Linux Security including IPTables and IPChains.

Hack Proofing Linux was written to show how to effectively deploy Linux in a hostile network environment (e.g.: the Internet). It covers tools that come with Linux such as the nmap port scanner and tripwire intrusion detection software. It also covers popular Open Source tools such as nessus for network intrusion detection and netfilter, software that implements Linux firewalls.
My job was to read and comment on the author's drafts to help ensure the technical accuracy of the book.

RedHat Certified Engineer - RHCE

I earned this certificate in May 2001 by sitting the RH302 exam. I completed the Installation and Troubleshooting sections with a score of 100% (I actually completed all 6 troubleshooting questions, not just the required 4). I am not quite as good at vendor recommends multiple choice questions so I didn't score perfect on the Multiple Choice component.
Overall, my RHCE test score was 96.7%.

RedHat Certified Instructor - RHCI

Sorry, no Pic! I completed an undocumented RedHat class in January 2004 and am now a RedHat Certified Instructor (RHCI). This certificate allows me to teach all RedHat content up to and including RH300.
To earn this certificate, I had to:

Score extremely highly on my RHCE exam (96.6%).
Demonstrate competence in RedHat's Enterprise Linux product line.
Provide documentation supporting my abilities as a high-tech trainer.

RedHat Certified Examiner - RHCX

Sorry, no Pic! I completed an undocumented RedHat class in January 2004 and am now a RedHat Certified Examiner (RHCX). This certificate entitles me to run the RH302 exam for RHCE as well as the exam for RHCT. I am now also certified to teach all of RedHat's training classes up to RH300.

Why I Like Linux

All proprietary vendors limit your right to use their products. License restrictions, expensive Client Access Licenses, inflated hardware prices, lack of after market choices and other tactics drive up your cost of computing. Enter Linux...

With Linux, the operative word is FREE. Linux's various licenses including GPL enshrine your right to use the software however you want, to support as many users, processes, devices (etc.) as you see fit without cost. By removing licensing fees as well as license maintenance and tracking chores from your to-do list and your budget, Linux literally allows organizations to save thousands upon thousands of dollars.