Network Admin - Recommendations on Books/Online Courses

[vospertw]

I had been looking at taking an associates degree program in network administration as a way to increase my knowledge and make myself a little more valuable at work. I don't have time to take a formal program right now but wondering if anyone could recommend some books or online training that would cover the same topics?

I can get around a computer and do the normal consumer network set-up tasks but pretty much need to start at the beginning; I'm sure I don't know what I don't know.

Thanks in advance!

[Nuuze]

What about Cisco CCENT or CCNA books? You can always take the course later...

[igorts]

free course
have not watched it myself..

[AreWeFree]

If you don't already have it in you, you wont be much good.

Read lots of books, good luck.

[vospertw]

If you don't already have it in you, you wont be much good.

Read lots of books, good luck.

Ok, I know you meant it seriously but it did make me laugh. Yeah, I'm not planning on a career change but I work as an analyst on various projects; since everything touches or rides a network I'd like to have a working knowledge if only to understand some of the technical discussions and as a BS check when an engineer says "we can't do that".

Right now I'm kind of stuck with "ok... bummer".

Nuuze/Igorts - thanks!

[Subotai]

Cuyamaca College has a Cisco program.

[AreWeFree]

Ok, I know you meant it seriously but it did make me laugh. Yeah, I'm not planning on a career change but I work as an analyst on various projects; since everything touches or rides a network I'd like to have a working knowledge if only to understand some of the technical discussions and as a BS check when an engineer says "we can't do that".

Right now I'm kind of stuck with "ok... bummer".

Nuuze/Igorts - thanks!

it's good, you're giving me a decent laugh too.
fingers crossed you have a strong 'network ride.'

[Mute]

Ok, I know you meant it seriously but it did make me laugh. Yeah, I'm not planning on a career change but I work as an analyst on various projects; since everything touches or rides a network I'd like to have a working knowledge if only to understand some of the technical discussions and as a BS check when an engineer says "we can't do that".

Right now I'm kind of stuck with "ok... bummer".

Nuuze/Igorts - thanks!

Books aren't going to help you with this. Without hands on experience and some certification courses, you won't really know.

[vospertw]

Books aren't going to help you with this. Without hands on experience and some certification courses, you won't really know.

I have some GI Bill benefits that I could use. But if I can find online courses - even without getting the actual cert - I would rather do that than spend your taxpayer $$$.

[lazyworm]

these costs $, but check out safaribooks.com and lynda.com. And don't discount your local library or just hanging out at the book store

You'd benefit a lot from hands on experience -- try to either buy some old switches/router and have a lab setup or at least get a beefy enough computer to make a bunch of virtual machines for a virtual lab.

[yellowsulphur]

Understanding bash (Bourne Again Shell) and how to write scripts in command line Linux is a skill that will not be wasted. Logic learned can be carried over to other systems.

This Book is a nice start:

https://www.amazon.com/Linux-Command-Line-Complete-Introduction/dp/1593273894

[bigmike82]

Cisco's CCNA courseware does a decent job of teaching basic networking.

[SheepDog78]

OP, check out http://www.udemy.com They have courses for many things IT. When I was studying for my CCNA, I used this course:

https://www.udemy.com/newccnax-200-120/learn/v4/overview

Best part is it's free. The instructor is a dual CCIE, really knows his stuff. You won't find a more knowledgeable instructor. His course probably helped me the most to pass my CCNA exam. I can also recommend courses by Chris Bryant and Lazaro Diaz. I bought CCNP, CCNA security, and CCNA wireless from the website too. They're usually $15-$20 per course, so it's a great deal.

The CCNA course can be pretty intensive if you're new to networking. It's also obviously geared towards Cisco equipment. If your company doesn't have Cisco enterprise level hardware, or you just want general network technology training, you might be better off taking a CompTIA Net+ course. The CCNA is aimed at people wanting to start or advance their career as a network engineer.

[DannyInSoCal]

Tagged - Lots of great info for my niece...

[vospertw]

Thanks all!

Sheepdog - you bring up an interesting point. We work mostly government networks; I should look through our job req's and see which quals keep popping up. CompTIA Net+ is certainly one.

Love the Strongbad, by the way. Not enough SB in the world.