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by ogie_2001

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I?m currently in the second year of a two-year networking program at my local college. The program has been a total disgrace the whole way through and the end is no different. Because of the many screwups on the part of the college they offered to supply our books for the final two classes, which consist of Network Administration and Software Installation. Now less than a week before these classes begin I find that they have not ordered any books using the excuse that there is no one book that adequately covers all the required information. I don?t care whether the information is in one book or two, I intend to hold them to their promise of supplying the books and as a result I need some suggestions from the experts on this forum. We have had no hands on experience to this point on NT and as a result I?m looking for reference material that is as complete as possible in regards to client and server installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and even network cabling and design if possible, without being to technical to understand with my less than impressive education. Someone please suggest some current, relevant titles with a brief content outline, author, publisher and ballpark price. The point total attached to this question should indicate how important this is to me.

Dan

8 replies

by ntoz

As a start, I would look to two books, one on Windows NT or Windows 2000 Profesional and one book on Windows NT or Windows 2000 Server. These topics are broken down into two books most of the time. I would suggest a book geared to study material forthe MCSE certification. Sybex publishes good books on both topics. Mark Minasi also has a good book worth the read.

Mastering Windows 2000 Server
by Mark Minasi
ISBN 0782128726
Sybex, Hardcover, 3rd CD edition, Published March 2001, 1830 pages
List Price: $59.99

Mastering Windows 2000 Professional
by Mark Minasi
ISBN 078212853X
Sybex, Paperback, 2nd edition, Published October 2000, 997 pages
List Price: $39.99

MCSE: Windows 2000 Server Study Guide
by Lisa Donald, James Chellis
ISBN 0782127525
Sybex, Published August 2000, 852 pages
List Price: $49.99

Pete

by ntoz

Oh by the way, dont let the Community Collge stuff get you down. Im sure that with some self study and a few good techincal books you should be well onto the right tract. I would look to get a few exams passed and that in combination with a well worked explaination of what a great two year cource you took with the college, you should be able to land your first techincal job with out a problem. Some other options are Computer based training and classed specific to the techincal areas you want tocertify in, but Ive always had the best luck with books. People are different though. Most of your real learning will happen on your first job anyway. Make sure your first job is somewhere you feel comfortable and working with people you can learn from, even if it means getting all the crap work to start. Your mentor will be your best friend!

Pete

by avachon

Hi, whether you are looking at nt4 or windows 2000, a good place to start is with microsoft's self-training books (look at ms press on microsoft's website). With those books you will learn equipment requirements, installation, troubleshooting. As for networking info. ms press also publishes network essentials (network essentials + includes info. for the network+ test as well). Anyway, this book will lay out the fundamentals and build from there (network topologies, cabling, equipemnt such as hubs, switches, bridges, etc.).Iwould use these books before Minasis' and then use Minasis' as a supplement. You should find outlines of the training kits on ms' website and once you have isbn numbers for what you want, look at http://www.provantage.com for better pricing.
Hope this helps.

by jtokach

Dan,

I am not a litigous person, but I do have school loans and they suck. I will be paying $250/month for the next 8 years. I got my money's worth from my classes though. You my friend have the grounds for a class action law suit. Talk to your peers, see if they feel the same way and then consult a lawyer.

I worked at an instition who was sued (class action) by a bunch of students who did not get what they paid for. The school was blatantly negligent and settled out of court.

Otherwise Minasi is the way to go for learning not certification...

Certification requires a ton reading from several sources including the Internet.

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