Hands-on course on Ceph deployment and administration

New course updated to Squid, the latest version of Ceph, using RHEL, Rocky, or Ubuntu Linux

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IBM Storage Ceph (formerly Red Hat Ceph) Hands-on Course

IBM Storage Ceph Course Syllabus

1. Ceph Fundamentals

  • 🏗️ Introduction to Ceph: Distributed architecture, scalability, and high availability.
  • 💻 Supported operating systems: Red Hat, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, and Ubuntu Linux.
  • 📋 Ceph-ready environment: Network and storage prerequisites before deployment.
  • 📦 Repository selection: Upstream Ceph vs IBM Storage Ceph (RHCS).

2. Deploying Ceph

  • ⚙️ Cluster bootstrap: Initialization and basic configuration.
  • 🖥️ Host integration: Adding hosts to the cluster via command line and GUI.
  • 🔑 Initial configuration: Dashboard setup and basic observability.
  • 🛠️ Creation of OSDs: Through graphical interface and CLI.
  • 🏷️ Host labeling for logical and efficient organization.
  • 🗂️ Placement Groups (PGs) and data redundancy levels.

Choose your Ceph: Open Source or Supported

This course can be delivered using either the supported IBM Storage Ceph or the upstream open-source Ceph version. Both share the same codebase, but IBM Storage Ceph includes enterprise-grade support, SLA, and additional tools like IBM Storage Insights. Choose the option that best fits your projects — whether you’re looking for 100% open source or a supported enterprise deployment. With SIXE you have the possibility to choose freely.

Course length and delivery options

This course is delivered in an intensive morning format, over three days from 9:00 to 16. The length and duration of the course can be adapted to the client’s needs.

Audience and course objectives

This course is designed for IT professionals, system administrators, and solution architects looking to both deepen their knowledge of managing and optimizing storage solutions with IBM Storage Ceph (formerly known as Red Hat Ceph). The course can be delivered using your community versions on Rocky Linux or Ubuntu.

3. Storage Architecture and Core Services

  • 📈 OSD lifecycle: Adding, removing, reinitializing, and managing storage devices.
  • 🏊 Pools, data distribution, and snapshots: Creating and managing storage pools and data protection.
  • 🖥️ CephFS and Metadata Server (MDS): Deploying and managing the Ceph file system.
  • 🪣 Object Storage (RGW): RADOS Gateway fundamentals and S3-compatible access.
  • 🔐 Authentication and access control: Permission management with Cephx for clients and users.

4. Client Integration and Storage Provisioning

  • 🧱 Block (RBD) / iSCSI: Provisioning of remote block devices.
  • 📁 NAS (CephFS/NFS): Sharing directories and files over the network.
  • 🔀 Client access models: Use cases and criteria for choosing between block, file, and object storage.

5. Troubleshooting and Operations

  • 📋 Cluster health and logging: Using logs and dashboards for diagnostics and monitoring.
  • 🔧 Troubleshooting and recovery: Strategies for diagnosing and recovering from common cluster failures.
  • 📘 Operational best practices: Guidelines for day-to-day cluster management and maintenance.

6. Monitoring and Performance Tuning

  • 📊 Monitoring tools: Using both console and dashboards.
  • ⚡ Tuning parameters to improve cluster performance.

Our added value

Our courses are deeply oriented to the role to play. It is not the same the needs of mastering a technology for a team of developers, as it is for the people in charge of deploying and managing the infrastructure.

That’s why, beyond commands and tasks, we focus on solving the problems that arise in the day-to-day of each team. We provide our students with the knowledge, competencies and skills required for each project. In addition, our documentation is based on the latest version of each product.

Need help with CEPH? Do you want to try it or have us help you migrate?

At SIXE we are IBM Storage BP. We sell, install and offer IBM Ceph Storage. We also carry out customized training, seminars and technical talks. Request a product demonstration without obligation.
In addition, at SIXE we can help you with:
  • License Acquisition: We provide advice to acquire IBM Storage Ceph licenses.
  • Product Deployment: We propose customized strategies for effective implementation in your organization.
  • Technical Support: We provide high-level technical support, ensuring efficient management of your Red Hat + Ceph-based solutions.

Do you have doubts?

Request a meeting with our instructor without obligation. We introduce you to the course, show you the materials, the laboratories and answer any questions your technical teams may have.

​Ceph Learning Path
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★★★ Advanced
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Migration to Ceph
SIXE