Wednesday, December 15, 2010

New Study Info

For those of you who missed or need a refresher on Subnetting made easy. I think this video from youtube puts the concept really simply... you may want to pause the video and look at the chart he created. It isn't as simple as my suggestion but it could be really useful for practicing

Easy subnetting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4n2Ofqr6QY

If you think getting quized with subnetting question could help you see the idea here is a link to a great practice site

http://www.subnettingquestions.com/

use this to practice finding address in CIDR based networks

http://www.kehlet.cx/docs/2004/03/subnet.php

More to come and.... remember get that info from the study email to me asap!

STUDY Tips

First, and foremost this exam is tough for a lot of reasons. But the most common problem is….How to read the questions and figure out what your being asked. I know it sounds simple but tomorrow @8:30 am Eastern time I will start the class with some practice questions on the topics that we covered so far( exam Type not from the book). I want to see how you all read and interpret questions. That can help me help you figure out how to approach the exam. So if you can get there early tomorrow that would be great. I am hoping to do one question for each of you so far that’s eight. Trust me I can learn a lot about what you know from how you approach even one question. Besides that here are of couple of links I need you to look at(if you already have these links… tell what was helpful about them or not… whatever the case may be)




First link

Know what you could be asked!!!



http://www.comptia.org/Libraries/Exam_Objectives/Network2009_Objectives.sflb.ashx



the objectives clearly state the topics that could be covered. But you don’t have to memorize all of them. I will show you how to group them and memorize how they are different which is a smaller list than all of the details.. almost everything in networking is linked at some level. But I want you to see why you group them first



2nd link

How do they ask the questions?



http://www.comptia.org/certifications/testprep/practicetests.aspx



You need to study the question types as much as the materials. I know by how a question is written what they are looking for. The choice and order of the words matter and almost always point to an answer. If you have problem understanding the questions I want you to take a screenshot of a question and email it to me and you and I will go over the question. And I will “show” you what to look for?...the Good news comptia is predictable in how they set up questions( for that matter all test vendors are)





3rd link


Break the topics down to their base levels



Here are some examples



DNS

What is used for, Who configures it, What happens if it doesn’t work, how do host computers use it(remote or local)



DHCP

What is used for, Who configures it, What happens if it doesn’t work, how do host computers use it(remote or local)



Read the info @ these links and answer only those questions above for each topic (paste the answer you came up with in your reply to me)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DHCP

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_Name_System

counterpoint(keep Wikipedia honest)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/169289 gives you an idea about how do hosts use this

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730921.aspx ( I know it looks like a lot of reading but remember only answer the questions above from the content…Trust me J)





Things like hardware you must know the following (using CAT6 cable as an example)



What speed

What is it made of

What distance

What network type

Cost



Answer these questions first when trying to study !!! About all hardware related questions. Even if you forget all the details other than it’s copper and gigabit speeds…. you know for sure that no copper lan cable is longer than fiber Right? Remember go for summary information and use what you know to figure the question down to the two most likely answers.



When you have looked over this info get back to me as soon as possible with the following information



1) If you are using pretest software, your last score report and two questions you don’t understand from the test(use screenshots)

2) What topics you know for a fact give you trouble on the exam i.e. dns, dhcp, subnetting ( so I send you materials that are pertinent to your needs)

3) Do you have problem taking test in general if so what are issues ( i.e. anxiety. Feeling rushed)

4) When exactly your taking the test( date and time)

5) Copies of your study notes..if you have some



Remember………… This is test of best practices and general knowledge of networking. So the details you need to know are “common” from the MEDIC or EMT point of view as well as

the Doctors point of view( remember todays analogy Network helpdesk vs. network designer or admin)



That’s all for tonight I will get more materials together tomorrow night when I am in mentored learning @ night till 9:00pm EST



No man or woman left behind….we all pass that’s the goal





Smile it could be worse….you could be sitting through a class with a know it all instructor….wait a minute…



Will

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Network + OLL week of 11/04/2010

Hope you enjoyed your class as I mentioned below are the links that you may find helpful

First the PowerPoint slides that I used in class

http://axzopress.com/downloads/exe/1426006098p.exe

2nd the answers to all of the quizzes and labs in the book

http://axzopress.com/downloads/exe/1426006098s.exe

Link to network troubleshooting best practices articule for windows networks

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Troubleshooting-Connectivity-Problems-Windows-Networks-Part1.html

Comptia Practice Questions:

http://www.comptia.org/certifications/testprep/practicetests.aspx

more to follow those were the first ones to pop into my head

Monday, October 25, 2010

Custom Net+ Class

Guys, I hope you guys enjoyed class. I an sorry about the late start on getting this post up. I have decided based on the feedback from the class to post a couple of different sites and or resources mostly designed to help you review and to answer basic questions. If you need something in particular feel free to contact me

Subnet Calculator: use this for figuring out complicated subnet mask and or host issues
http://www.subnet-calculator.com/

OSI Model: in case you forget what happens at what level
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_model

Routers vs Switches vs Hubs

http://www.ehow.com/about_5427470_router-vs-hub-vs-switch.html

more to come...stay tuned

Monday, September 20, 2010

WIndows 7 Seminar...What's New?

I hope you enjoyed the Seminar. I realize that a hour and half is not enough time to cover all of the considerations for migrations to windows 7. Below ii have posted links to articles that you may find helpful in you discussion's.

First we need to address the potential cost issue of a migration that most assured will include hardware costs due to the slow(or non-existent) adoption rate of Windows Vista

ZDNET,

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/how-much-will-a-windows-7-migration-really-cost/2377

The next link talks about the costs associated with delaying your migrations from Windows XP

CIO Magizine

http://advice.cio.com/shane_oneill/12214/windows_7_migration_moment_of_truth_three_ways_to_get_ready?source=CIONLE_nlt_microsoft_2010-09-02

Next we need to address tools needed to automate the migrations as much as possible

Microsoft Tools

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/dd537566.aspx

3rd Party Tools Guide

http://searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com/generic/0,295582,sid192_gci1511449,00.html

Thursday, March 18, 2010

6292 Course Info

Find out how to use Windows to maintain your PC and safeguard privacy when you're online.


View article...

 


Monday, March 1, 2010

6292 Course 02/24-02/26

Folks,
I hoped you enjoyed your class. Below are some link that may make the exam a little easier as well as answer questions you have about the new tech in Windows 7....enjoy and when you’re ready to take the exam use Google voice and give me a call

Silverlight Snacks

These little videos from Microsoft on Windows 7 are very helpful for getting an overview of features and deployment ideas

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/training/format-learning-snacks.aspx

TechNet Edge.

These movies and podcasts not only talk in depth about many of the new features but provide detailed demonstrations by Microsoft MVP's

the first link is to the sight and the 2nd is a video cast that I thought was helpful with understanding the different tools for managing VHD files enjoy

http://edge.technet.com/

http://edge.technet.com/Media/How-to-use-the-new-VHD-features-of-Windows-7--Server-2008-R2/


If you have particular request fire off an email and I will try to find free stuff to help, or recommend the best bang for your buck(legally that is) in study books and practice test.

Will

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Fresh New Ideas.......

I have some fresh ideas on using this blog for students....stay tuned

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Security + 2008 01/04/2110

wireless router and client attacks on vacation

http://revision3.com/hak5/pineapples

MD5 Hash Examples

hash-it.net

Article about DNS Flaw that I mentioned

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10789_3-9985618-57.html?tag=mncol;txt