Any free online networking courses?

xNytramx · 24 Jun 2011 at 10:03

Hello all,

I'm by no means a veteran PC technician but I hope to take place as one being an on-call engineer soon. My skills are all-round and I can troubleshoot most problems hardware/software based with sufficient time.
However my networking skills/troubleshooting and knowledge are a little lacking.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to learn more about networking and the general issues/fixes that occur.

I regularly scan the forums here to see what issues people are having to try and constantly update my knowledge of possible issues.

I did my degree in geology and it just doesnt suit me, a bit sickening but I cant afford to do another one! I have been tampering with computers since I was a little kid

Thanks for any advice

xNytramx · 24 Jun 2011 at 11:14

Great suggestions both

Thank you
I will continue to browse people problems! Also im going to take a look at what you mentioned JMZ, some low cost informative text books would be ideal.

Thanks & more suggestions welcomed

xNytramx · 24 Jun 2011 at 11:37

I need to be able to troubleshoot *all* computer problems that home PC users or small buisnesses may encounter. Although some errors cannot be fixed and hardware inevitably needs replacing, networking issues can almost always been fixed/corrected without changes in hardware I believe. As far as I know you may have a faulty router or bad network connection/cable but after that its all about properly setting up the connection and confirming there is nothing wrong "your end" befor contacting your ISP.

So for this I definatly need to advance my knowledge in the network side of things. After that gaining experience in the field should bostler my knowledge of other issues.

The CompTIA A+ looks like a nice certification to have as it boasts being able to give an all-round knowledge of computing and networking that allows you entry into IT support. Any suggestions on the best reading material for CompTIA A+? for dummies, maybe?

Thanks

Edit: I am currently looking over the OSI model ^^

Small Update: I am probably going to grab the CompTIA A+ cert guide 2011 after checking the reviews and follow Professer Messer's online videos freeaplus.com . Thought i'd post that incase anyone else is in my position

xNytramx · 27 Jun 2011 at 15:10

Hey Gary,

Uni notes ... That'd be awesome! Not sure how you'd like to send them on though

Just been pouring through a CompTIA A+ manual from quite a while back 2003 lol!
Its got all the basics on the older tech which is nice and ive compiled a file of all the Acronums etc that I never really found what they stood for even though I knew what they were used for.
Got some up-to-date manuals when I go home that i'll plod through. Been giving it a good 8hrs a day.
Anyone able to point me to any other exam-based certifications I could pick up without a Uni degree, just self-taught?

Im gonna have to start learning programming after this too - it seems I might have been outdone on the job I was hoping for

Software development jobs are all over the place though. Luckily I really enjoy all this stuff so im getting through it at a good pace.

Thanks for the advise so far guys/girls

xNytramx · 28 Jun 2011 at 05:26

Yeah im struggling to decide that myself. Its got some seriously out of date stuff. The auther's of the test say the reason is that it is a worldwide certification and that not all countries are up to date with tech... A bit useless if you plan to work in any developed country

So if anyone has any other ideas as what courses/certifications to get that might increase employability in the IT field, I and it looks like Dist would be very greatful

I think I may start a new thread for this.

xNytramx · 28 Jun 2011 at 10:57

Cheers Liam,
I came across professermesser and i'll be working through all his videos when Im off this damned rig x) Cant stream here or fiddle with my PC so its all preliminary learning atm. Once I get home I'll be digging out all my old components and laptop. Do you think CompTIA A+,Network+ and Security+ are still viable and useful to have for the CV then?