Need some advice on learning networking

[BillyCarpenter]

I guess I'm posting this in the right forum.

Until about a year ago I knew NOTHING about networking. Now I know enough to get the copiers networked and I can set up scan to PC and email. But I have ran into a range of problems @ the customer's office and had to call someone else to solve the problem.

I haven't had much time to devote to networking because I've been busy learning other stuff. I think I'm ready to tackle to world of networking.

How did you guys get your training and are you satisfied with your abilities?

Are there any books or videos that you recommend? I'm open to any suggestions. Thank you.

[Phil B.]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I guess I'm posting this in the right forum.

Until about a year ago I knew NOTHING about networking. Now I know enough to get the copiers networked and I can set up scan to PC and email. But I have ran into a range of problems @ the customer's office and had to call someone else to solve the problem.

I haven't had much time to devote to networking because I've been busy learning other stuff. I think I'm ready to tackle to world of networking.

How did you guys get your training and are you satisfied with your abilities?

Are there any books or videos that you recommend? I'm open to any suggestions. Thank you.

A+ Networking Certificate: Program Summary

[bsm2]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I used Testout to pass my CompTia network plus
excellent program will have some black Friday deals.

Many free videos online.

Most of our work involves troubleshoot connection problems not installing networks or setting up servers etc....

Good video's on troubleshooting network to problems using ping command etc.....

Black Friday deals from other companies I will post
I used Testout because they have simulation lab that teaches more than theory.

I posted some deals last year for a couple of other companies as well

[bsm2]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

CompTIA Training Bundle - ITU Online| - 200+ Hours For One Low Price


$59.00 Bucks

[bsm2]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Some Copy companies offer online training, I've been through Konica and Xerox, Xerox was the hardest by far and that was for every Main body tech. Konica training was very dated and was still teaching Windows XP at that time and not very good.

Also Konica gave you Zero credit for any other training you had. That sucked as you had to go through learning the copy process and paper basics like a rookie really STUPID!

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

I used Testout to pass my CompTia network plus
excellent program will have some black Friday deals.

Many free videos online.

Most of our work involves troubleshoot connection problems not installing networks or setting up servers etc....

Good video's on troubleshooting network to problems using ping command etc.....

Black Friday deals from other companies I will post
I used Testout because they have simulation lab that teaches more than theory.

I posted some deals last year for a couple of other companies as well

TestOut looks pretty good and they offer a free 7-day trial. I'll give it try. Thank you.

[copier tech]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

To be honest to install a printer you don't really need to have advanced networking skills.

Set the copier to DHCP let it pick up an IP address download & install the driver most have a setup.exe simply run this it will find the printer & install it automatically.


To set up scan to email all you need to do is enter the SMTP details given to into the MFP same with SMB scan to folder customer IT will know the admin passwords you can have all the network training in the world but without these passwords you can't set anything up!


Most large companies have on site IT anyway.

Basically an end user can install a copier.

[slimslob]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

To be honest to install a printer you don't really need to have advanced networking skills.

Set the copier to DHCP let it pick up an IP address download & install the driver most have a setup.exe simply run this it will find the printer & install it automatically.


To set up scan to email all you need to do is enter the SMTP details given to into the MFP same with SMB scan to folder customer IT will know the admin passwords you can have all the network training in the world but without these passwords you can't set anything up!


Most large companies have on site IT anyway.

Basically an end user can install a copier.

I have had 2 customers where scan to email was not possible due to concerns over corporate espionage concerns. One was a petroleum construction company. The other was the west coast proving grounds ground for Hyundai/Kia. Hyundai/Kia even had me disable scan to memory devices.

[bsm2]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

If your looking to get certification CompTia Network+ would be the one.

PDI+ was discontinued but it was for copier and laser printer.

I was lucky and got to take the Beta test and passed.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

To be honest to install a printer you don't really need to have advanced networking skills.

Set the copier to DHCP let it pick up an IP address download & install the driver most have a setup.exe simply run this it will find the printer & install it automatically.


To set up scan to email all you need to do is enter the SMTP details given to into the MFP same with SMB scan to folder customer IT will know the admin passwords you can have all the network training in the world but without these passwords you can't set anything up!


Most large companies have on site IT anyway.

Basically an end user can install a copier.

When I was learning to set up scan to PC I couldn't get it to work. Keep in mind I had never done it before. After a few long hours of frustration, I discovered that SMB was off. Major headache. I've run into so many unexpected problems in the field with things like firewall settings, router settings that need to be changed, ect. Not to mention crappy networks that weren't set up right.

I'm not looking to be a network guru but I believe that knowledge is power and the more you have the better. I like to sound and feel knowledgeable when I'm talking to an IT person or customer. Right now I don't feel that confident that I can fix a problem should it pop up.

[slimslob]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

If you are an authorized dealer with any of the manufacturers, check their training website. They may offer subsidized CompTIA Network+ training and testing. They will most likely also self paced courses on setting up scanning geared to their equipment. Any free training you can get at home in your spare time is more than worth it.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

If you are an authorized dealer with any of the manufacturers, check their training website. They may offer subsidized CompTIA Network+ training and testing. They will most likely also self paced courses on setting up scanning geared to their equipment. Any free training you can get at home in your spare time is more than worth it.

I'm not an authorized dealer. I hear you and others talk about networking and it sounds like Chinese to me. I got to know what yall are talking about, man.

[n25an]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Ok... you want to do IT for copier and printers...
(never did comptia training and you don't really need it do IT support at a copier dealer/ repair company)
1. Do a survey... find out what your network is going to consists of... copiers, printers, laptops, smart phones, pdas etc?
2. Find out what is expected... will you be delivering the copier and printer and cables and maybe putting in settings or are you going to do everything?
3. Learn your equipment...
-- how to setup scan to smb, email, folder, ftp
-- learn how to fax forward and any other features of your equipment
-- learn how to do printing and scanning in windows 7, 8, 10, server, enterprise
-- learn how to do printing and scanning in mac os x, all versions, iphone and android
-- buy yourself a $50 iphone to check basic iphone connectivity
-- buy yourself a cheap mac laptop to learn how mac does things...
-- download linux distros and learn how to work in each one...
-- if you have access to a system engineer for your copier vendor... keep him or her on speed dial...
-- a lot of answers are on the internet in youtube, and various IT forums and this forum... heck I will even help...
-- also keep in mind that there are some operating systems that are handicapped...
-- also some windows updates kill certain features...
-- mac is always changing
-- and with all your getting learn how to use wireshark and any other tools that you can find. these will teach you whats going on under the surface of your machines and after a while you wont need them...

when you first start out... every install will be a new project... a new adventure... a new learning experience
each one will teach you something new...
I never had to learn how to work with managed switches... but I did have to learn about routers and about how switches and routers work and wifi repeaters, also patch panels, patch cables, running cables...

you are definitely going to need to have a home lab to test out various ideas...

you might have to work with virtual os, android, chrome, citrix managed switches

you might even end up supporting customer problems... so you might end up creating form emails... where you only change the names but the solution will be the same... you will also need to learn to work with remote support software like teamviewer and others...

also its a good idea to find good it blogs to listen to that teach you different things about windows and mac... you never know what will come in handy...

also and most importantly pick up friends that do IT like us here and we will help you... and expand your mind... there is strength in numbers...

that should keep you busy...

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

Ok... you want to do IT for copier and printers...
(never did comptia training and you don't really need it do IT support at a copier dealer/ repair company)
1. Do a survey... find out what your network is going to consists of... copiers, printers, laptops, smart phones, pdas etc?
2. Find out what is expected... will you be delivering the copier and printer and cables and maybe putting in settings or are you going to do everything?
3. Learn your equipment...
-- how to setup scan to smb, email, folder, ftp
-- learn how to fax forward and any other features of your equipment
-- learn how to do printing and scanning in windows 7, 8, 10, server, enterprise
-- learn how to do printing and scanning in mac os x, all versions, iphone and android
-- buy yourself a $50 iphone to check basic iphone connectivity
-- buy yourself a cheap mac laptop to learn how mac does things...
-- download linux distros and learn how to work in each one...
-- if you have access to a system engineer for your copier vendor... keep him or her on speed dial...
-- a lot of answers are on the internet in youtube, and various IT forums and this forum... heck I will even help...
-- also keep in mind that there are some operating systems that are handicapped...
-- also some windows updates kill certain features...
-- mac is always changing
-- and with all your getting learn how to use wireshark and any other tools that you can find. these will teach you whats going on under the surface of your machines and after a while you wont need them...

when you first start out... every install will be a new project... a new adventure... a new learning experience
each one will teach you something new...
I never had to learn how to work with managed switches... but I did have to learn about routers and about how switches and routers work and wifi repeaters, also patch panels, patch cables, running cables...

you are definitely going to need to have a home lab to test out various ideas...

you might have to work with virtual os, android, chrome, citrix managed switches

you might even end up supporting customer problems... so you might end up creating form emails... where you only change the names but the solution will be the same... you will also need to learn to work with remote support software like teamviewer and others...

also its a good idea to find good it blogs to listen to that teach you different things about windows and mac... you never know what will come in handy...

also and most importantly pick up friends that do IT like us here and we will help you... and expand your mind... there is strength in numbers...

that should keep you busy...

I'm impressed. I think that's a very logical approach and it's exactly what I was looking for. It paints a clear picture for me on what I need to know. If I have a question, I will take you up on your offer. Thanks so much.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Need some advice on learning networking

So, I'm going through the TestOut labs and it's going pretty good and then I get to the OSI layer. This is kind of hard to grasp and TestOut does a crappy job of explaining it in a meaningful way. I had to go to Youtube to get a deeper understanding. I'm not there yet but this seems very important. Maybe not so much for copiers but then again, it can't hurt to know this stuff.