Hiring Network and Server Techs

[ComputerPro]

Ok techs... you have exactly one hour to repair the system in front of you. They all have various issues, none of which are disclosed. You will be judged on your technique, time to repair, quality and accuracy of repair. The winning techs will move on to round 2 and the losing techs will battle to see who goes home. The final winner will secure employment with our illustrious team............
Hey, if it works for The Apprenctice and Master Chef.... why not lol.

@ NetWizz, you passed! lol. Broadcast addresses. I usually don't ask for 2 different ones especially on different subnets but you get the idea. Network guru's will recognize either a network or broadcast address especially by suspicious numbers like 31, 63, 95, 127 etc.
Got the folder vs container reference and group policy only able to be applied to the OU. We used to have a sheet of awesome questions long ago but I need to dig it up. Some were easy and some were hard but they basically gave you a pretty good understanding of where the tech stood.

One day, long long ago I drank too much (true story) and for whatever reason decided to write a 'how to subnet in your head' paper. I have a long version too but here is the condensed one.
Subnet in your head condensed

 

[PCX]

Thank you guys, this is the type of information I was hoping for.

 

[NETWizz]

Great paper, BTW. I like the part about the connecting wire as the network.

That is EXACTLY how I think of it. Usually I draw an oval around the end points and label the networks.

In the config files you might see various advertised networks for each of a router's directly connected networks "i.e. wires"

Adding Switches is more or less STILL a wire because it is just a Layer-2 Device. Now, technically, Layer-3 Switches absolutely divide up networks, too... (if configured)

 

[kwest]

If they have decided on the cisco route, then yes, the CCNA/CCNP/etc. Honestly, I've met guys who have other networking certs like Juniper. But they should have Net+ and Sec+ at a minimum if we are talking about certifications for a networking guy. Outside of that, vendor specific will still cover the same concepts and troubleshooting steps when it comes to general networking, but the equipment will be based on the vendor. Experience wise, if it is a tech/administrator (not an engineer), then I'd expect them to have at least 4+ years in networking. A degree with a specialization in networking would be nice to see as well, but not required if they have they certs.

For the server techs/administrator, I want to see MS server certs. If the last cert they have is for Server 2003, they can keep walking. I hired a guy with 2008, and felt that that was on the border of what is considered acceptable and out of date. But because we are talking servers, then I want to see server specific certifications from MS. You are useless as a Server Admin if you can't navigate through an AD, or know the difference between a Sharepoint Server and File Server.

My last cert was 2003 and I run a business and currently support 20 servers actively. Certs get you a job but that is about it. On job experience is what you should be looking for.

 

[OaksLabs]

Another area to look at is knowledge of the command line or powershell. If you are working with server core or any large scale operation, if you can script a job it is almost always better. Also, experience with mass deployment of applications is a good test-- "How would you install Office 2013 on a network of 100 Windows 7 workstations?" Answers relating to SCCM, powershell, and using the unattended.xml file are all good. Reimaging all the PC's (assuming roaming profiles) is a cheap answer. If you're going for a harder question, use Adobe Dreamweaver instead of Office (a tool to make an unattended install exists).

 

[Choppie]

Looks like I'm in the same boat. Will post some questions here later this week...way too busy at the moment. Awesome thread by the way! I have found an awesome domain name and registered it as an LLC, took years to find one that works. Now I have to get it up and running. Here is my half backed website that I need to complete. Computer got stolen and the template file from Dreamweaver went with it. Now i upload them all to the server as a safety net...

http://coastalitgroup.com