I get emails from fresh computer science graduates on career guidance. Many of them want to enter the field of computer networking and security. So they ask me what should they do. Many of them have already done course like CCNA, RHCE, etc. hoping that those certifications would help them to start their career. To my surprise I understood that they successfully obtained their certification despite the fact that many of them don’t even know the basics of computer Networking.
If someone asks my opinion about joining such a course, I would discourage them, unless they know the fundamentals of computer networking. And I suggest them to go through their text books once gain before they spend money on any such course. Many of them asks me to suggest a list of things they are supposed to know to start a career in computer networking. This prompted me to compile a list of articles entirely from the Web which would enable a fresh-out-of-college to gain fair amount of knowledge to find an entry level job in this field.
Here is the list I prepared. Go through it and I am sure that you can start a career in computer networking with confidence once you finish it. All the best.
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o Start your journey here [compnetworking.about.com].
This is a very good tutorial with a good breadth of coverage. This will help you understand the basic concepts and to build a vocabulary on the subject.
o Learn Linux. Linux is your best friend in understanding what really happens behind the scenes. I would recommend you to use a distribution like Debian Linux and not the ones like Ubuntu. If you use a Linux distribution with well-designed GUI such as Ubuntu, you will take longer to understand what you are actually doing. Once you learn what’s is happening behind, you can do the same on Windows and Ubuntu with insight.
This page [www.debian.org] will help you to get started with Debian Linux.
o Once you have learnt Linux, you start the real learning here [linux-ip.net]. Don’t get discouraged that this tutorial is too much Linux specific. You gotta learn some tools to learn hands-on Networking and I would say that Linux is the one of the best tools around. So go ahead and graduate in Linux Networking.
o Now you can move on to Windows. Windows too has got a bunch of useful command line tools. Start with them. This tutorial [commandwindows.com] will help you to get acquainted with those commands.
o Now you are familiar with basic Networking concepts, principles and tools. Now you can have a look at Windows Networking. I am sure that you will be able to look at the already-familiar mechanisms of Windows such as File Sharing and Firewalling with a deeper insight now. Read it here [compnetworking.about.com].
o Still most of the Network administrator jobs are in medium to large organizations running Microsoft Windows. I think now you have reached a position to design and implement a Windows Network. This Cisco Web page will help you to get started.
o Now, send me your résumé 🙂 You will get to know IP Networking inside out at Linuxense.
PS: Let me know if this list of URLs helped you improve your knowledge. More importantly, if you come across a useful URL, please forward it for inclusion here so that others too will be benefited.