Need some advice on learning networking

[Phil B.]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Phil,

That's an incredibly kind offer and I really appreciate. The guy at the company that had the other server called me back a few minutes ago and offered to sell me a Dell PowerEdge R710 2U Server with X5650 2.66GHz 12-Cores / 64gb / 3x 1TB SAS / 2xPSU for $259.00 and I bought it.

good deal

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I need to say something. I started not to because I talk too much as it is. But....


What Phil offered for FREE really touched me. There's a long list of folks on here that have gone out of their way to help me in one way or another. While this place isn't perfect, I've seen NO OTHER PLACE LIKE IT. Period.

I've done a huge amount of taking since I've been here. Learned so much. The acts of kindness have been overwhelming. Some like to criticize this place and that's their right. But where else can you learn so much about copiers and networking? Not a damn place that I know of.

[Phil B.]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I need to say something. I started not to because I talk too much as it is. But....


What Phil offered for FREE really touched me. There's a long list of folks on here that have gone out of their way to help me in one way or another. While this place isn't perfect, I've seen NO OTHER PLACE LIKE IT. Period.

I've done a huge amount of taking since I've been here. Learned so much. The acts of kindness have been overwhelming. Some like to criticize this place and that's their right. But where else can you learn so much about copiers and networking? Not a damn place that I know of.

hey man.. it' sitting around collecting dust..along with an 800gb ide..couple 400gb.. plenty of 80/40gb and plenty smaller.

I too have learned a lot.. and I feel that besides money I have lent info and tips.

yeah I can be a rough ass, but I was raised not to take shit from anybody, and when I know I'm right.. will fight tooth n nail.

got to be that way.. didn't grow up in a 'pansy' environment.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with GNS3? GNS stands for Graphics Network Simulator and it was developed by Cisco. I won't go into great detail, but I want to use it to simulate real world situations with routers, switches, servers, ect.

The problem is that it uses up a lot of computer resources and most computers (unless it's a very high end computer) aren't capable of running it. Which brings me to my next question: I've been reading about Microsoft AZURE and cloud computing. Basically what you're doing is renting a server on the cloud. It's pretty exciting stuff from what I've read. Again, I won't go into great detail but I was wondering if anyone has ever used it and if there's anything you could share with me?

[bsm2]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

CompTIA Training Series: On-Demand, Affordable Courses - ITU Online

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with GNS3? GNS stands for Graphics Network Simulator and it was developed by Cisco. I won't go into great detail, but I want to use it to simulate real world situations with routers, switches, servers, ect.

The problem is that it uses up a lot of computer resources and most computers (unless it's a very high end computer) aren't capable of running it. Which brings me to my next question: I've been reading about Microsoft AZURE and cloud computing. Basically what you're doing is renting a server on the cloud. It's pretty exciting stuff from what I've read. Again, I won't go into great detail but I was wondering if anyone has ever used it and if there's anything you could share with me?

I've been trying to get a grasp on GNS3 and I discovered that I'm not ready for that yet. I'm gonna have to learn about Cisco products and how to configure them and currently I know next to zero about it. I did discover Packet Tracer by Cisco which is another (simpler) simulation tool. This looks like it's gonna take a long time to learn. We'll see....

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

The command line entries for Cisco are crazy. But I did manage to get the router up and running.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Thus far I've set up a simple network consisting of 1 router and 2 PC's and they're working. That may sound simple, but with Cisco it's probably more involved than you may think.

Packet Tracer is a very powerful tool. The trick is gonna be learning this stuff and carrying it over to the Virtual Machine World where it's gonna be the real deal.


I have a LONG ways to go.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

By the lack of comments, I'm gonna assume that there's not many Cisco fans out there.


Up until this point, most of my training has been via virtual servers & PC's and I learned a lot. In fact, it was invaluable. However, what was lacking was routers, switches and building different type of networks and really understanding how to set it up.

I stumbled across Packet Tracer by Cisco and I couldn't be more impressed. Instead of going out and buying a bunch of expensive equipment, you just choose what you want and learn how to connect it and configure via command line. Learning the command line entries isn't gonna be as hard as I first thought...I don't think. It's just gonna take some practice.


If you haven't tried Packet Tracer, I highly recommend it. And it's free.


You can download it here: Cisco Packet Tracer - Networking Simulation Tool

[blackcat4866]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Sorry. I'm sure I don't have a clue what you're talking about, but it's been interesting to read. =^..^=

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Quick Update:


I set up a new network that consists of the following:

2 Routers
2 Switches
4 PC's

Remember that routers divide networks. We have 2 routers, so how many networks do we have? Do we have 2 networks? No. We have 3 networks. This was the confusing part to me and it took a while to grasp.

I'd love to explain it but it'd be too confusing to put into words. I'll post the video at the bottom if anyone is interested.

Also, I connected the 2 routers via a serial cable which opened up a whole new can of worms and I had to configure all of the Cisco routers & Switches via command line. I'm starting to get the hang of that.


See video below:


<b>

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

So, I set up the same exact network as in the video I posted above. It should have been easy to set up as long as I followed the same steps as shown in the video. Wrong.

The first problem I ran into was that when I tried to ping the switch, it said "no configured ports available". I did a quick search on the internet and discovered that I needed to configure Cisco Switch much the same way I configured the Cisco Router. See video below:

Once I got the switch configured and working, the next issue I ran into was not being able to ping from a PC on one network to a PC on a different network. Turns out that I had to do more configuring in the Cisco Router. This involves configuring the IP path from the 1st network to the 2nd network. If you fail to do this, the router doesn't know how to find the other network.

Finally, I got everything working as it should. In the process, I learned a LOT. And this is just basic stuff in the world of Cisco.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

The more I learn about networking, the more I wonder why I'm doing it...other than for my own entertainment. I can see no scenario in which I will be doing any of this in a customer's office. That includes setting up a shared hard drive on a server or jacking around with routers and switches.

Just give me an IP address and tell me where you want the shared folder.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

My last post of the day in this thread. This simulation program has worn me out for the day.


I discovered that I can import pre-constructed networks to Packet Tracer. Some of them even come with problems that were done on purpose and I have to troubleshoot them.


The last thing I worked on today was layer 2 switches & VLANS. The network also had a wireless access point and laptop. There's no end to the devices that you can add. It's pretty f'n incredible.

[slimslob]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Have you considered checking with your nearest community college to see what they might offers as far as computer science courses in operating systems, networking, computer security and programming?