«

"jpersona" <> prattled ceaslessly in
news:00f301c53e01$e2acc4f0$:

> what company makes virtualab?

What is being referred to is software that allows you to setup virtual
machines and create a network on a single computer. You can use vmware,
ms virtual pc, or ms virtual server to accomplish this. Each has its own
requirements for hardware and host OS, so do some research before
choosing which one to go with. All of them have evaluation versions that
can be used for a limited time at no cost.

--
Catwalker
aka Pu$$y Feet
BS, MCP, MCSA
MCNGP #43
www.mcngp.com
faq.mcngp.com
"If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man, but it would
deteriorate the cat." Mark Twain

Interesting to read how people got their break in IT. Sometimes it is a case
of who u know more than what u know. I retrained in IT and although my first
IT job was better money than my old job, it wasnt really that much, and the
job was boring.
The first job was basically imaging PC's and to be honest doesnt require a
qualification, just someone with 10 mins to spare to show u what to do.
I then moved to work in education looking looking after a 2000 server and
win98 network. I then Then when the school decided to invest in new 2003
servers and xp workstations, finally things got interesting, although i
realised i didnt know a lot.
You might have to start on lower pay, but give every job a chance, even
unpaid work experience if u arent working. Although home networks are ok,
experience is better. I learnt loads in past 2.5 years.
i was lucky, money isnt great but experience is worth more. hoping to pass
MCSA and move on. first exam in months time.

"jpersona" wrote:

>
> 1. when running virtual machine and OS/software like
> Windows Server (see blastingfonda's replies), i'll need to
> build a small network, correct? is there any benefit to
> running VM and only learning from one computer (no
> network)?
>
> 2. what's the minimum # comps i'll need in my network?
> three? two?
>
> 3. concerning books/guides and the software that come with
> them (their usually simulation lab software), are there
> any that come separately by themselves? suggestions of
> good ones?
>
> 4. what if i want to learn networking for non-Microsoft
> equipment? e.g. Cisco's CCNA is for their routers and
> switches. is the only way to go using simulation progs
> mentioned in #3 that come in books/guides (such as Boson's
> NetSim prog for Cisco switches/routers)? Or can learning
> by done through VM?
>
> sorry if a post containing Cisco may bother anyone. i
> thinking about doing both Microsoft and Cisco certs.
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Some brief information before my actual question. I've
> >been working in different industry for some time now.
> And
> >I'm thinking about making a change in career--thinking
> >about going into the IT industry.
> >
> >Everywhere and everything I read about getting certified
> >says the similar thing about prepping for exams. Their
> >step for certification go like this:
> >
> >1. read exam info (certification tracks, skills
> >objectives, etc.)
> >
> >2. study and/or train (books/guides, self-paced, online,
> >instructor-led)
> >
> >3. apply skills to real work/get hands-on training
> >
> >4. take practice tests
> >
> >and they all say, #4 and #2 should not be substitutes for
> >#3.
> >
> >Isn't #3 sort of a catch-22, at least for people
> >relatively new to IT (I have some knowledge of networking
> >but not enough)? How is someone to get experience
> without
> >an IT job? Some people might have the equipment
> >themselves. I have a few pcs lying around, but either
> >they're not good enough, too old, just not the amount of
> >pcs to build a network, or don't have the needed software.
> >
> >So my ultimate question is, how did some of you get your
> >first IT jobs (and what did you do in those jobs) to have
> >exposure to networks and equipment such that you received
> >hands-on experience?
> >.
> >
>