Small business network and security

['putertutor]

I can strip and rebuild a pc in no time flat (definitely in less than a month or two, three on the outside), but unfortunately my networking and security skills are a bit lacking. I know that this is an area I need to become skilled in if I want my business to grow.

What tools, resources, software do you recommend to the noob networker. In my area there are far more small businesses than large, 2-10 computers, so I am assuming workgroups are the norm, but what if a customer wants a server, or security features. This is the type of information I want to start delving into. Any help would, er, help.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

I can strip and rebuild a pc in no time flat (definitely in less than a month or two, three on the outside), but unfortunately my networking and security skills are a bit lacking. I know that this is an area I need to become skilled in if I want my business to grow.

What tools, resources, software do you recommend to the noob networker. In my area there are far more small businesses than large, 2-10 computers, so I am assuming workgroups are the norm, but what if a customer wants a server, or security features. This is the type of information I want to start delving into. Any help would, er, help.

Comptia's Network+ and/or Security+ would probably be a good place to start.

 

[nesrinamb]

www.professormesser.com

great resource for what you need.

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

I can strip and rebuild a pc in no time flat (definitely in less than a month or two, three on the outside), but unfortunately my networking and security skills are a bit lacking. I know that this is an area I need to become skilled in if I want my business to grow.

What tools, resources, software do you recommend to the noob networker. In my area there are far more small businesses than large, 2-10 computers, so I am assuming workgroups are the norm, but what if a customer wants a server, or security features. This is the type of information I want to start delving into. Any help would, er, help.

If you are not going to worry about certifications, and I don't think you really do need to worry about them at this point, I'd recommend:

You can read a Network+ book in one afternoon at the barns n nobles or library for free. take a legal pad for notes. This outlines the overall skills required to do the normal tasks. This is the big picture so to speak.

Next, I would be most keen on learning the Supporting MS Win7 pro workstation corse which is a $30-50 book with 1500 pages and you can read it in a few days. This will teach you things you thought you knew but were wrong about Windows. This same interface familiarity will be added on with the next course: Supporting MS win2011 server another $49 book. They both come with 180 day evaluation software so you can get practical hands on experience with all this.

You can do this with any single core 2-3 Gb mem system.

Better if you have two PCs, one for the server and one for the workstation in your lab.

With this setup you can practise adding users, workstations, test permissions, Terminal server, RDP and all manner of Windows technology.

Good Luck.

Just like a new install and setup of windows is easier than finding a problem in an old OS, so too is it easier to install and setup WinServer than diagnose and solve issues. however this is a beginning place.

You should find a mentor, perhaps someone that when you call them on a paying job you let them take the $$$ and you sit along side and watch them even if it is your customer.

This protects you and your customer aganst getting in over your head.

 

[tek9]

Next, I would be most keen on learning the Supporting MS Win7 pro workstation corse which is a $30-50 book with 1500 pages and you can read it in a few days. This will teach you things you thought you knew but were wrong about Windows. This same interface familiarity will be added on with the next course: Supporting MS win2011 server another $49 book. They both come with 180 day evaluation software so you can get practical hands on experience with all this.

Tony,
Are there any specific books/titles you recommend? (I searched on Amazon and didn't get very far...)
I'm in the same boat as the OP...

 

[MobileTechie]

If you know little or nothing of networking then Network+ is the easiest place to start I think.

Personally I would recommend then doing the microsoft exams for the desktop, server admin and network infrastructure. Doing the course books and exercises and labs will force you to learn the stuff in a structured manner and give you confidence you know what you're talking about. Maybe it's just me being lazy but without an exam looming I don't study with the same intensity and consistency to get on with it.

I prefer the Sybex books coupled with either Trainsignal or CBT Nuggets disks, followed by Transcender if you need practice exams.

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

Tony,
Are there any specific books/titles you recommend? (I searched on Amazon and didn't get very far...)
I'm in the same boat as the OP...

I've not bought any in a while but this is what I would do.

I'd go to the book store and write down the names/authors of what you like there and then do a ebay search for buying them used, or amazon used marketplace. I bought a whole MCSE 2008 6 or 7 course program for $12.99 or $9.99. It might have been pirated copies of the real CBT because I have not seen it lately.

It was extremely good quality, I think it was called Golden Nuggets CBT.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...ing&_osacat=18793&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

 

['putertutor]

Great information! Thanks! I'll get to cracking open some books and setting up a lab. I'd love to find a mentor, unfortunately there is only one local tech and he does not have the best reputation.

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

Great information! Thanks! I'll get to cracking open some books and setting up a lab. I'd love to find a mentor, unfortunately there is only one local tech and he does not have the best reputation.

WHERE ARE YOU? Maybe someone could help.

 

[parker.casey]

I can strip and rebuild a pc in no time flat (definitely in less than a month or two, three on the outside)

... I'm sorry, I hope I'm misunderstanding. It takes you months to rebuild a pc?

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I was thinking the same thing when I first read it, but decided it has to be a joke.

 

[parker.casey]

I was thinking the same thing when I first read it, but decided it has to be a joke.

I hope so! I do I do ...

 

[MrB]

lots of good books

hi-
i have used a subscription to safari online books for years now. it's as low as $10/month and i get unilimited access to 5 cisco press books. it's a great deal!

(note- i don't work for safari or cisco, i just like their website/books)

for networking, i'd recommend the ccna books from cisco. even if you're not interested in getting a certificaiton, those books outline all of the fundamentals you'll need to begin networking.

best of luck!

 

[piinesi]

Someone on another thread mentioned podnutz pro, you might want to check that out.

As for books, for networking have a look at Head First Networking from O'Reilly. For security you might want to check out the Security + material.

 

['putertutor]

I know this is a long dead thread, but.....

to adam_chevyss & parker.casey:
yes it was a joke. If it did actually take me that long, I don't think I'd admit it publicly.