Thursday, December 6, 2012

How can I transition from Desktop Support to a Networking/Security career?

Q. I've been doing desktop troubleshooting and helpdesk work for about 5 years now, and I just got a job doing it for the State (responsible for about 25,000 users). However, the job seems to be a dead-end and i'm looking for advice on what would be the best way to cross-train my way to an overall IT management position (Preferably something along the lines of security, but i'll go where the 100k jobs are). Any ideas besides just getting my certs and hoping someone gives me a shot? Should I just stay with this new job and work towards management? Learn a few programming languages? Thanks.

- Stressed out techie
(Already have a B.S., thinking about getting an MBA with a focus on IT)

A. Well it sounds like you established a good career track in terms of starting in IT on help desk and now moving up, its a natural progression. Here's the approach I would take.

Keep the state job for a six month period to build up your resume and point out how you have experience with large scale deployments. After this look into real industry respected Certs ( go here for more details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber_security_certification ) , prepare and Take them . The cert just says you know how to pass a test, but while your at your state job you can try and implement a few security ideas even better, all in an effort to bolster your resume in this area.

Then when 6 months go by begin you job hunt for a security position, contact CTO's directly if you can, begin doing consulting work on the side. etc.. Write a how to blog or contribute to a well known site. All this is about building your brand..

From a technical perspective , you'll need to get a really strong handle on Networking (routers, Cisco, firewalls) , followed by a solid understanding of OS (Windows, Linux) , some knowledge of databases, etc. Not so much programming, security is really more about plugging holes , and most of that can be done using hardware and software configurations. Learning the ins and outs of those configuration settings (example appache httpd.conf file) is what does the trick..

good luck


What do you need to run a web server or a website of your computer?
Q. I want to know what you need to run a web server or website off of a computer and how to set one up. I don't wnat anything extreme just a basic web or website (I don't know proper terminology) server.

A. Any computer, add more hard drives for space,
server software, and max out the RAM that the motherboard will support!

If you talk performance, it is still the same things just more of it.

Better server = larger case that supports over eight hard drives, motherboard that supports dual/quad/2 or 4 CPUs. Redundant power supply. Cooling fans to keep inside of case cool.

Your software: Operating System = Server Software, Web creation software, application software, router, two network cards, Back up server - so, where do you want to go, it is up to your pocket book.

Go to www,Microsoft.com the training site.

Computer Help Page

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ http://oss.netfarm.it/winpe/
http://www.paraglidernc.com/ http://www.bootcd.us/

VISTA Upgrade or Requirements

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

http://www.diskgenius.com/

http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm

http://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html

http://www.disk-image.net/products.htm

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

http://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html

http://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html

http://www.theosfiles.com/

http://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw

http://www.winternals.com/

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp

http://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm
Visit our Helpdesk for PC Bug Doctor
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PC Beginner software
http://www.pchell.com/support/limitedconnectivity.shtml
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
http://www.bootdisk.com/utility.htm
Chapter 1: Purchasing Components
Chapter 2: Component Overview
Chapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard
Chapter 4: Installing The Mainboard In The Case
Chapter 5: Installing Drives
Chapter 6: Connecting Components
Chapter 7: Installing AGP and PCI Cards
Chapter 8: Testing the System and Completing Assembly
Chapter 9: Installing Windows XP
Chapter 10: Configuring Windows XP
Chapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System (Linux And Windows XP)
Chapter 12: Home Video -- �So, You Want to Be the Next Steven Spielberg?�
Chapter 13: What�s Next?

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http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/
http://www.free-pc-checkup.com/
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=Googlebspeed
http://pcperformancetools.com/recovermyfiles.htm
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/...
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-100459...
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/...
http://www.aarp.org/learntech/computers/...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using...
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/co...

BUILD YOU OWN COMPUTER:
www.directron.com
www.newegg.com

A Good PC Cleaner

http://www.pc-error-cleaner.com/?gclid=COzW8YTD0ogCFRL1YgodAD0pbg

NTFS Boot Disk:

http://www.ntfs.com/boot_disk_includes.htm

To place Active@ KillDisk Pro onto a floppy disk type the following at the command prompt:
COPY G:\KILLDISK.EXE A:
COPY G:\DOS4GW.EXE A:
The above assumes that the G:\ drive is the bootable CD-ROM drive and the A:\ drive is the floppy disk drive.
DOS4GW.EXE is a required file for Active@ KillDisk, Active@ UNERASER and Active@ Disk Image.

http://www.download.com/BartPE-Bootable-Live-Windows-CD-DVD/3000-2094_4-10611130.html


who are the people working in data base management system?
Q. I wanted to know the people working in data base management system (DBMS)
and the roles played by them.

A. An entry level position to gain experience with how data base management systems work, to a minimal extent, is a data entry operator. These roles often require a relatively high typing speed in keystrokes per hour (ksph), rather than words per minute (wpm)

Moving upwards from here requires call centre or level 1 helpdesk experience. In Australia, a certificate III in IT is considered the minimum certification suitable for helpdesk experience, while a certificate IV will provide much greater credibility.

Level 1.5 support roles can deal with user management that requires contact with a DBMS team. An MCSA (Microsoft Certified System Administrator) or CCNA (Cisco Certified Networking Association) qualification is recommended here, with the MCSE (Engineer) and CCNP (Professional) qualifications giving greater credibility and pathways to level 2 support.

Level 2 support usually involves a server-based team, which may relate to application servers, and related server roles, which are highly database driven. Experience with scripting and SQL (Structured Query Language) will be advantageous over candidates with a more general basis in databases through software such as Microsoft Access. For Microsoft Databases such as MSSQL, a qualification such as MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) will be of great assistance.

Database Administrators may:

- maintain servers such as application servers that rely heavily on databases. A CompTIA Server+ certification is beneficial for advantage in working with servers.
- maintain database, including checking and improving performance, performing backups and restores as relevant, and ensuring structural database integrity.
- design databases with possible aims of efficiency, speed or reliability
- work with scripts, including PHP and ASP to ensure appropriate access to data.
- manage access for users, columns, tables and databases. A CompTIA Security+ certification is beneficial in this regard.

I hope this has helped you.


Are there any IT careers that require an associates degree or less?
Q. I would like to aim for a bachelors and maybe even a masters one day. But right now, I just need to get a decent job that's not working in fast food or something while I further my education.

A. There's probably lots, yes

Helpdesk, Technical Support, maybe software testing.

But really, if you want a strong career in IT, its best to invest in a full degree. It takes 3-4 years to get a degree, but your career is 50 years plus, so its silly not to aim as high as you can





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