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Joined 10 months ago
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Cake day: November 12th, 2023

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  • Youtube is a good start, or just browsing posts here on Reddit or elsewhere.

    It does depend on your requirements, network, equipment etc for instance I did and could use a consumer based router, for Routing and Wifi. But this means all devices on one network, (Eck!), but also means I couldnt present a “Guest” network on a switch port to say present my work laptop a hard wired network connection but seperate from all my servers etc. So VLAN’s was the way for me, as such I went DD-WRT for a start before going over to SMB/Enterprise kit for Networking and then Routing. That then means also the same for Wifi AP’s, all meaning that consumer grade kit is out the window, purchasing SMB/Enterprise kit and the requirement for the Cabinet to house the main core equipment.

    Start with the basics, how networks work, IP, DNS, DHCP etc, then once you understand that you can then start delving further. Originally (around 15x years ago) I had just a Laptop and Router, then a NAS (piece of poop WD one) which then quickly was replaced by a Windows Home Server, then the tinkering started which DHCP, DNS. Then a proper server with a domain, VPN Server, remote access. Then the more advanced Virtualisation, DHCP Failover, Dual Domain controllers, DFS replication, Veeam backup. Then the networking with VLAN’s, ACL’s.

    Security is again another topic and is a question of do you or don’t you need access or restrict access from A to B etc. Such example is with the Wifi, without a Guest or VLAN’s Wifi SSID all those guests that come and want a bit of my internet for free would also be able to “see” my network, servers and computers. With that segregated network and ACL’s in place no device on the Guest network can see my kit, or talk to each other but just see the internet.


  • Just wanted to say welcome to the world of labing, and to the work of IT seen as your newish (1 year) to it.

    Most of us IT Technicians, Admins etc have been there before and I just wanted to say keep at it, look for what suits you but also pushes your boundaries. Would also suggest not going to deep too soon, as you may learn how to set something up, but its also the support, administration and monitoring that is needed behind this that also takes time to learn. Get comfortable with your system/s before jumping onto the next thing.

    Most of the good Sys Admins I have known have had many years experience which I feel is what companies are looking for as they will want a safe pair of hands. Those that are not good, don’t have the experience or even the right character to admit and say they F’d up!

    One best word of advise is put your lab environment on your CV! This shows willingness to take your own time out to, “purchase” if you do so, learn and do stuff thats relatable to your profession. I’m sure in a few years time, you will have a server rather than a desktop, Level 2 switches all running a proper domain hosting various requirements and be amazed how far you have come.