Developing a checklist of things to learn, focus = server 03, active directory, etc

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by rickyjo, Oct 9, 2010.

Loading...
  1. rickyjo

    rickyjo New Member

    I have set up a small network in my home for learning's sake. So far it is comprised of three machines, one running windows server 2003, one running windows XP Pro, and another running MAC OS 10.4. An ubuntu installation should be included soon. All units are connected to each other through a 24 port Intel switch I had lying around (yay, overkill).

    In the interest of becoming a competent network administrator I would like some suggestions concerning things I should make sure I know and understand that can be implemented in the context of my small set-up.

    Thus far I have created network shares on all three computers, joined them into a work-group and have them talking to each other (all three units can talk to any other unit on the network to a varying degree based on file permissions). I mostly did this to familiarize myself with OSX which I have never used before. I haven't even touched active directory yet.

    Help me compile a list of concepts I can implement on my network for practice and learning! Remember I can only have about 5 computers max due to space limitations.

    I'm currently a computer repair guy with an A+, N+, and MCP XP Pro. That is a fairly accurate representation of my current skill set.

    I can't tell you guys how exciting this is for me and how grateful I am for any help!
    Also links to good tutorials for any concepts you find important would probably prove a big help!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 9, 2010
  2. imalcolm

    imalcolm New Member

    My suggestions...

    You can get cheap surplus Cisco equipment off of eBay, such as a router and switch, maybe a PIX firewall. That's one of the things I did to help get my CCNA.

    Also, if you are a student with a .edu email address, you can sign up at Microsoft DreamSpark and get FREE academic licensed software, including Server 2008, Visual Studio, SQL Server, and more. If you're interested in Microsoft certs, Prometric currently has a deal on "second shot" exam vouchers.

    Another thing you might want to do is to make one or more of your servers accessible from the internet, to host a website or set up a VPN so you can connect from outside.
     
  3. rickyjo

    rickyjo New Member

    Thanks for your thoughtful response!

    I actually have two exam vouchers for server 03 I purchased years ago that are still valid (last I checked). I originally intended to get an MCSA but three certs in I got distracted by opening my own business and never completed the program (two more to go).

    I've set up an Apache server on windows XP in the past to host my website. I took it down because I never bothered to complete my website and it was a waste of power and technically in violation of my agreement with my ISP :). It was fun though, and I learned a bit.

    I'm afraid I don't have a .edu web address, but I wonder if my wife still does? Or perhaps Excelsior will issue her one.

    I've never set up a VPN before, I think that will go on my list.
     
  4. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    Hi Ricky -

    Recommendation: You're operating on last generation software, I'd suggest using your MCP to get yourself registered as a Microsoft Partner and spending the money on a Technet or Action Pack subscription. You'd get license keys for a lot of different software, 7, Office, Exchange etc. and be able to play to your hearts content so long as you pay mind to the licensing requirements.

    Next up:
    - OS 10.4 is a good cry back from 10.6 and at the very least you should be on 10.5.
    - I'd recommend working on core directory services with the 2003 or 2008 server licensing you'll be getting. Unless you're working in a very small office, workgroup computing isn't going to get you far. (DNS, DHCP, etc.)

    Offering this as you're going to need to learn stuff regardless, and there's no need to learn stuff to unlearn stuff to learn more stuff. IT is a field where if you're not learning regularly anyway you're not going to go far.. so it's really, really important to not waste time learning on old stuff if you can help it.

    However, kudos to you for being proactive. Wish I had more guys on staff that acted as responsibly.
     
  5. rickyjo

    rickyjo New Member

    Another great post, thanks :)
    I'm using MAC OS 10.4 because I recently acquired an old lampshade IMAC for $10 :). I was relieved that getting past the admin password was unbelievably easy, even without an OSX disc and setting up a file share was essentially the same with an extra step to enable windows file sharing.

    Active directory and setting up a domain is definitely in the works, I just wanted to make sure I had the basics covered on all platforms before I commenced the real work. I'm glad to see the basics are easy on OSX, but I've been warned that putting them on a windows domain is tricky.

    Now I'm planning to insert a windows 7 computer into the mix in the interest of using modern software. I want the windows XP computer involved because I think it's accurate to say that it's still the most widely used operating system in the world and businesses don't always keep abreast of modern advances.

    I guess the next step (after I put in the linux computer today) is to start setting up the domain. I'm afraid I'm stuck with old software for now, I just can't afford anything at all for the moment. I'll stick to the basics until I get modern.

    I can't work on this much today, but hopefully by the end of tomorrow I'll have a domain.
     
  6. Beagle412

    Beagle412 New Member

    Rickyjo - glad to see that there are still IT pros like you that have the ambition and initiative to advance their skillsets. I'm in my 14th year in IT and started exactly where you are now. If you can allocate or save the funds for it, I'd definitely recommend acquiring a server-class machine that can handle some sort of virtualization platform (VMWare Server is free, as is Citrix XenServer). That way with a decent server you can get 4 or 5 virtual machines in one box, and would be able to do a lot in the way of testing and learning things like Active Directory, virtualization (server, desktop, application), etc. quickly and easily. It's like a whole lab in one server and the best part is that with even a cheap USB drive, you can archive all the VM's you build and reconfigure your lab to your heart's content in a fraction of the time and cost of building out separate servers or workstations. I've seen servers on Craigslist that are VMWare capable (at least 4GB of RAM and 2-4 procs) for under $500. Heck, you can get a new lab server from TigerDirect for something like $600 now. There's almost always trial/eval/beta versions of all the latest software and server platforms from Microsoft, VMWare, Citrix, Cisco, etc. that you can learn on in this type of environment. The best part is that when the 60 day eval license for your trial version of Windows Server 2008R2 runs out, for example, you can just blow that virtual server away and rebuild it with something new! It's definitely worth a thought, and at the same time will expose you to the latest virtualization and server technologies that are quickly becoming the de facto standard in most enterprise datacenters. Keep up the great attitude and good luck!!! Like ITJD said, I wish half my colleagues, clients, and staff had half the learning initiative that you do!
     

Share This Page