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How much networking knowledge and certification should be obtained as a sys admin?
SrSysAdmin
Member Posts: 259
As a sys admin I realize my most important certs are going to be on the Microsoft and Linux tracks. However, I'm just curious about how much knowledge of networking I will need and if I should bother to get any networking certs.
Currently I'm in the middle of jamming far too much MS knowledge into my head but I'm just curious for once I have completed my current certification path.
We have a couple of Cisco PIX515 firewalls at the moment and are in the process of implementing a pair of McAfee Sidewinder firewalls. This is a smaller company (~100 employees) so I realize that when I work at the big shops I won't get to have so much fun but I can always hope that I get to work at places like where I am currently
So what do you guys think? Is it worth the time investment to go after say my CCNA once I finish my MS certs or is that too far outside the realm of what a sys admin does at a typical company?
Currently I'm in the middle of jamming far too much MS knowledge into my head but I'm just curious for once I have completed my current certification path.
We have a couple of Cisco PIX515 firewalls at the moment and are in the process of implementing a pair of McAfee Sidewinder firewalls. This is a smaller company (~100 employees) so I realize that when I work at the big shops I won't get to have so much fun but I can always hope that I get to work at places like where I am currently
So what do you guys think? Is it worth the time investment to go after say my CCNA once I finish my MS certs or is that too far outside the realm of what a sys admin does at a typical company?
Current Certifications:
* B.S. in Business Management
* Sec+ 2008
* MCSA
Currently Studying for:
* 70-293 Maintaining a Server 2003 Network
Future Plans:
* 70-294 Planning a Server 2003 AD
* 70-297 Designing a Server 2003 AD
* 70-647 Server 2008
* 70-649 MCSE to MCITP:EA
* B.S. in Business Management
* Sec+ 2008
* MCSA
Currently Studying for:
* 70-293 Maintaining a Server 2003 Network
Future Plans:
* 70-294 Planning a Server 2003 AD
* 70-297 Designing a Server 2003 AD
* 70-647 Server 2008
* 70-649 MCSE to MCITP:EA
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Hyper-Me
Banned Posts: 2,059
I would know what you need to know to make your systems function and internetwork properly.
For instance, setting up sitess/subnets in AD requires knowledge of subnets and CIDR notation.
Luckily generic knowledge of a technology (such as a firewall) is going to transfer over somewhat to other products in that same category. Obviously there are differences in the different products and such but a solid base knowledge will get you through. -
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unsupported
Member Posts: 192
CCNA may be overkill. Maybe Network+ would give you enough knowledge, with a little more dive into TCP/IP.-un
“We build our computer (systems) the way we build our cities: over time, without a plan, on top of ruins” - Ellen Ullman -
Optionsdynamik
Banned Posts: 12,312 ■■■■■■■■■□
I'd say CCNA at a minimum. You may not do as much with WANs and routing protocols, but I would contend that it's imperative to understand CCNA-level switching concepts.
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MentholMoose
Member Posts: 1,525 ■■■■■■■■□□
I've found having CCNA level knowledge very useful despite not touching much Cisco stuff.MentholMoose
MCSA 2003, LFCS, LFCE (expired), VCP6-DCV -
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NightShade03
Member Posts: 1,383 ■■■■■■■□□□
I'm in a similar role (working for a small company) and as a small IT department even though I deal with mostly Microsoft stuff when the network has issues I have to put on the networking cap and deal with it. Have a broad range of certifications makes you able to handle situations like that. Just remember, wearing many hats tends to make you a jack of all trades but master of none...