CCNA/Server - Clueless

Actually, I'm so in a confused mood right now - I don't have an idea on how to keep up with the challenges in the networking field. I just started my CCNA training/studying this month and I am planning to sit for the cert exam next month.
Just about 10 minutes ago, a friend of mine (CCNA certified), just got a Network Admin Job and he won't stop mumbling about things I have never heard about. ESX, Citrix, what on earth is that? Seriously, didn't know about these things until today.
So my question is what exactly is up about being a network engineer ? Do I need to know about Server OS. I was thinking knowing the Cisco Router Management/R&S and blah blah is enough to secure a stand in the networking field.. now I have to learn how to Operate Servers. I don't even know what evolves around a Server, never saw one - never worked on one. Any idea on how to help a clueless aspiring network administrator ?

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Comments

chX

I personally think it depends a little bit on where you end up working. For example, I started a new role in Networking about 7 months ago, and I'd say most of what I do is networking, but it's not all plain Cisco or Juniper. There's load balancers, firewalls, SSL VPN appliances, WAN optimisers. How do I know what to do with those, when I haven't studied it or worked with them before? People show me. Learn by doing. Ask questions. We also have multiple SysAdmin teams who deal with all the Citrix/Active Directory/server stuff.

Coming into that job, I only had my CCNA.

You might end up in a role where you only worry about the network, or a role where you also take on some server-ish responsibilities too. Maybe there will be a dedicated System team for that stuff, maybe not. Who knows. You really can't prepare for everything that might come your way, so the Cisco stuff is a good start for a networking job. You will likely pick up the other skills as you work and develop, it just takes time.

danstar

Great! Thanks for your contribution!
I was worried I'd have to go the Sys Admin track while I am on Networking already. This IT world, you never know enough. Every day is a learning process.

krjay

The majority of job postings in my area tend to seek individuals with a jack of all trades background opposed to someone that specializes in any one technology. Maybe it's because I'm only looking at junior-mid tier admin type jobs. Either way, I've decided after I finish the CCNA I'm going to jump into Linux+ next. I want to get a solid IT foundation and see where it takes me. While I'd love to focus solely on networking I think I'd be hurting myself if I don't at least have exposure to other things. Again this could just be the market I'm in, if you're in a big city or willing to relocate you could probably more easily focus on networking.

danstar

@Krjay, I'm looking to do the same thing as you. I'm a complete noob when it comes to Linux or whatever the other names of OS can be. I'm thinking about giving up Windows for Linux. Everyone is going Linux, and I believe this world will be a better place if I do too LOL. I'm looking to stick to Networking but on the side, gain some Linux abracadabra

JeanM

It depends on the shop, but if you think about it, the routers/switches are nothing w/o the end devices and servers that provide services to the end users.

HackedAlias

In my position (cisco partner noc) the main focus is cisco networking, however, I am required to be a jack of all trades. From Call manager administration to servers (physical and virtual) to ASA's and really anything that can be found on a network. But I think it all comes down to where you work and what your title is.

danstar

@JeanM, isn't that for the system admins to worry about @HackedAlias, how are you able to cope ?

boobobobobob

I think when you first start out you'll be required to be jack of all trades. But more then likely after a few years of experience and a more senior level networking role you'll probably specialize in something. But this also depends on where you work. If you work for a reseller alot of times their engineers will specialize in a specific trade, but if you work for a government agency you'll probably have to fix a bit of everything.

I work for a reseller and only work on switches/routers and firewalls. I do not touch servers, phones or wireless. We have other engineers that do that stuff and specialize in those fields. But, when i first started I had to learn everything servers, phones, wireless, everything... I learn it all at a very low level but I think it was very important for making me well rounded.

HackedAlias

danstar wrote: »

@JeanM, isn't that for the system admins to worry about @HackedAlias, how are you able to cope ?

It can be very strenuous. When I first started I was fresh to everything. (no practical experience or certs) so it was a lot and I didn't know if I could handle it but I just turned the doubt into motivation and it takes a level of committing to learn the technologies to keep on top of everything. It also helps to have a good team to fall back to in cases that I get stuck on which just adds to the exp when I watch and learn from them.

JeanM

danstar wrote: »

@JeanM, isn't that for the system admins to worry about @HackedAlias, how are you able to cope ?

Well, that is all up to you and where you work. It deff. won't hurt to AT LEAST know your way around it.

Bill3rdshift

Don't overwhelm yourself, learning the different technologies/products/etc takes time, no one learns it all in one day. I would recommend reading some websites that talk about networking news. I personally love the TechRepublic app for smart phones (or TechRepublic email subscriptions). If you download the app and glance through a few articles that interest you each day, before you know it you will know about ESXi exploits and Citrix tid-bits that your friend may not even know.

I also listen to twit podcasts all the time. There are many different twit.tv podcast subjects. My favorite is SecurityNow and Enterprise Tech. Both are free and very informative. SecurityNow might seem dull and lame at first but I came around after a couple episodes.

SecurityNow podcasts can be downloaded from:
https://www.grc.com/securitynow.htm

GoodLuck after all you are in the right place!

danstar

Thanks everyone for your contribution. It's really appreciated.. and @Bill3rdshift, podcasts ? really? I'll check it out. This will really help a lot.

Bill3rdshift

danstar wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your contribution. It's really appreciated.. and @Bill3rdshift, podcasts ? really? I'll check it out. This will really help a lot.

Everyone is different and learns in different ways. I think it is safe to say that most people that are in IT/Networking are hands on learners. Like me I am an engineer-type, thus I like to visualize, then after I learn I like to put things to the test. With that being said there are a million ways to learn these technologies. CBT nuggets, Train Signal, College, Books, Podcasts, etc etc.

I have always used magazines & Podcast's to spark my interest in areas of my enthusiasm.

With SecurityNow Podcast's... start with the first episodes that cover the fundamental protocols, then progress at your own pace. I have learned so much from those podcast's.

Just my 0.02

DoubleNNs

Enterprise Tech?
Where do I find that?

Bill3rdshift

DoubleNNs wrote: »

Enterprise Tech?
Where do I find that?

This Week in Enterprise Tech | TWiT.TV

or

This Week in Enterprise Tech 42 | TWiT.TV

TWIT = This week in tech... Started by Leo Laporte and gained local notoriety from "The Tech Guy" radio show. Since 2005 he has parlayed the original podcast/radio discussion into an enormous community called "TWIT". The Enterprise Podcast likes to call themselves TWIET which I think means "This Week In Enterprise Tech". Hard to keep track sometimes. However the podcast is substantive, the host Robert Ballecer is very informative and charismatic, which makes for an entertaining show

Personally I have an affinity to cyber-security so I listen to SecurityNow, but the other podcast's have so much to offer, so I get around.

Christopher Dobkowski

ESX i believe he was referring to the VMware platform called ESXi.. It's nothing difficult, just think of it as this:
You have Cisco routers and other products as Intrusion Prevention Systems, Firewalls right? Those are boxes which cost pretty much.
Well with ESXi from VMware, you can have one tough PC and install some cisco devices in a form of a software, which saves you from buying all those boxes.

It's called Virtualization