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CBT Nuggets?
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➔ CBT Nuggets website
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69 reviews of this app found across Reddit:
Thanks for recommending us!
I do work for CBT Nuggets and would be happy to answer any questions you have. Also, we just started a 7 day free trial that you could use to check out our teaching style and see if it's right for you.
Another thing, getting in practice is incredibly useful. For the CCENT you can usually get away with doing everything virtually (Packet Tracer/GNS3) but putting together a home lab can be invaluable as you dive in deeper.
Good luck!
I would recommend looking at some CBT Nuggets or INE videos on the topics you are confused on when you have free time. You're going to have to read documentation as well, maybe buy some books as well.
CBT Nuggets has a whole course on MPLS, I would just go through the course, just don't try to remember everything at once. I think it would give you an idea and you would have a lot less confusion.
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/course/mpls_fundamentals#
repl.it to type and run code in a browser for simple testing. Let's you select different programming languages js, Ruby, Python, and others.
Freshbooks For simple and cheap accounting and invoicing (I use it for contract work).
CBT Nuggets For training on just about any IT related topic. It isn't free but for the cost it's a great tool.
This is what you're looking for:
Also, if you can get access to this course, it's really good:
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/course/cisco-ccna-labs-2011
He is also making another course that has a lot of practicality to it:
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/course/cbtn_pro_course_network_design
I'm studying for my MCSA right now and I'm currently learning a lot from the videos created by CBT Nuggets and using the free resources provided by Microsoft at Technet:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/
CBT Nuggets: I haven't taken any Linux classes from them, but I have taken a bunch of their Cisco stuff and its been great! Take a look and decide for yourself, they usually have a demo lesson available for each class.
I highly recommend checking out CBTNuggets, Jeremy is awesome! Some of the information in the old books might be relevant but honestly I would invest in some new material
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training/cisco-ccna-icnd1-100-101
http://dynagen.org/tutorial.htm If you need a simulator but it sounds like you have enough hardware.
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/series/csco_pkg_ccna Video tutorials that I thought were pretty good. One of the videos is kinda what you were asking for where they just walk you through the initial config of routers.
I was fairly satisfied with CBT-Nuggets: http://www.cbtnuggets.com/ . Their 'whiteboard' format of teaching is a little bit different than Pluralsight (TrainSignal).
For MCSA Server 2012, check out the "90 days to MCSA" page from Microsoft here: http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/mcsa90/ . (The "Wiki" links are quite helpful.)
Shameless self-promotion here:
All three courses, 70-532, 533, and 534, are available at http://www.cbtnuggets.com recorded by yours truly. :)
Our video series are significantly cheaper than in-person or online instructor led. They're self-paced, easy to digest in a variety of formats, and small enough to train on in small chunks of time. I don't know if we qualify for "instructor led" but I figured I'd let you know.
I really value our training, you should consider it too!
Ok since you wrote Fundamentals I would Suggest Following thing .
1) http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training/mpls-fundamentals remeber to Practise it entier Topology is Possible in GNS3 or IOU i had exp with IOU and it works Great
2) http://streaming.ine.com/c/ccip-642-611-mpls-exam-course Not sure which topology they Used But its Possible to simulate via GNS3 , i forgot topology :)
LAB it Up you will get more Clearity
CBT Nuggets provide a large library of training videos for a range of different technologies. I love them and use them when I'm wanting to learn something new, before I start reading up on the finer details: http://www.cbtnuggets.com/
Lab everything.
Doing some real-world troubleshooting of the technologies you're studying will certainly help, especially if you finish SWITCH and go on to TSHOOT.
EDIT: Given that "Play on equipment" is already in your plan (which I assume means you're labbing your brains out), I also recommend using self-study video courses. Most recommend CBT Nuggets. I've found great success thus far with INE. I've found both to be greatly helpful if you're not doing any Cisco NetAcad courses for the tests, which I've been avoiding for cost reasons since my CCNA.
Source: I'm sitting for the CCNP SWITCH in February, just finished ROUTE last month. If you're looking for labs to practice on, these may be helpful from GNS3Vault.
The Pluralsight courses mentioned already are good. Jeff Hicks, Jim Christopher, et al. are excellent.
I'm also a huge fan of the training Don Jones does. The Month of Lunches book is a great (check out the companion stuff on YouTube as well). I think the most comprehensive video course is his CBT Nuggets master course:
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/course/cbtn_pwrshl_master
For the live classes you linked, I'd start at the lowest level course whose outline has the biggest gap in your skill set. For example, if you are only lacking on two or three of the beginner topics but half of the advanced topics, I'd fill the beginner gaps via self-study, and do the advanced class live. After that, and depending on need, goals, etc, I'd look at the toolmaking class.
Not sure if this helps but CBT nuggets has videos here: http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/citrix
They're not live, but you can get a free 7-day trial. I haven't tried them out yet, I'm checking them out next week for their XenDesktop videos.
I'd recommend the in-person class if you'd consider yourself new. Virtual is ok if you have some experience. I've done the Advanced course on-line virtual and had a great experience. Yeah, it's sucks sitting there for so long but you're doing the same thing on-site.
They should really update the Server+ exam. I mean it hasn't changed since, what, 2009?
Any of the CompTIA books will most likely work. You are likley just looking for review materials. Maybe even pick up the CBT Nugget video
If VMware is the route you want to go then I'd watch the VCP-DCV video series on CBTnuggets.com. Keith does a great job walking you through setting up a nested ESXi lab and prepares you for the VCP550 exam.
I'd also pick up a copy of Mastering VMware vSphere 5.5
Please keep in mind that if you are wanting to get certified in VMware you'll have to take one of their mandatory [classes].(https://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/plan.cfm?plan=45082&ui=www_cert)
A great place to start for Networks is to study towards a CCNA certification. CBTnuggets provide great, easy to understand videos on the subjects covered in CCNA -
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/course/cisco-ccna-icnd1-100-101
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/course/cisco_ccna_icnd2_200_101
Prior to that maybe get a handle on the OSI model. It really is the underpinning design of all things Network. If you can understand the difference between the layers, what occurs where, how the layers interact then you'll have a great foundation knowledge of computer communications.
Also, head over to /r/ccna and later on /r/networking.
Edit: formatting.
To piggyback off of /u/z0nk's accurate reply, jump right in with CCENT training and you'll learn a good deal of your networking fundamentals. That link is for CBT Nuggets, a popular and in my experience very effective training supplement if you find textbooks daunting or unhelpful for your learning style.
I'm assuming you are getting an A+ cert, not a C+.
The first job you'll likely get is a help desk job. It's duties will be specific to the company but you'll likely help with installs, configuring specific software, updating laptops/pcs, running cable, and other miscellaneous IT jobs.
Resources that are commonly suggested are CBT Nuggets (Training Videos), Google, and books by the test vendor (if available).
CBT Nuggets is a subscription based site ($99/month) and to get an A+ cert you'll need to pay $188 per test. The Network+ test is $269.
For $1000 you would have both certs payed for, plus books for each test (~$50/book) plus CBT Nuggets for a couple months.
TIA sounds like its offering a good deal, but what is the duration of the training? This training in California offers the same pricing but they want you to learn everything in a week!! There is a lot of technical details in these tests and I do not believe that anyone with a basic knowledge of computers would have an easy time passing all three tests. It's a lot to ask of a person.
You are on the right track to an IT career because these tests give you insight into the work you will do. Programming is not at the center of IT so I wouldn't worry too much about it. As for the training course, I really recommend you take the courses at a slower pace. Pick up the book for the first test, take the test, and see how the timing feels to you.
Tl;Dr Take it slow. Don't spend a thousand dollars, stress yourself out, and fail all in one week
http://www.pluralsight.com/training
These two sites are for video training and both have Exchange Courses. Video training is my favorite way to learn. You can also download these types of video's for free from one of those bad sailor websites. :)
But for the migration itself, https://www.migrationwiz.com/ is the best tool there is. It will perform the migration for you with ease and relatively little cost.
I've taken a few classes from Global Knowledge. The BGP class was amazing, and the QoS class was also REALLY good (especially since you really need a good lab environment to try things out while you learn.) But a few other classes (can't recall now) had too much 'fluff' - the first 4 hours are so basic it makes your mind go numb, and the last day always ends at noon. So they stretch what could be a 3 or 4 day class (at most) to 5 days.
That said, if you're looking at Nexus / NX-OS then I think the DCNX5K is good, and I'd also suggest the Nexus 1000V class for virtualization. The main thing for me is if you're going to be able to go right back to work and start using those skills, or are you months away? If the latter then I think that's a lot of $$ for not a lot of benefit.
If you don't need an active lab environment and/or you don't need a live instructor, then consider something like CBTNuggets.com Unlimited, video-based training for a TON of topics, plus the corresponding Transcender exams (if available for that topic.) $1500/year for up to 5 people (only person at a time, though.) Obviously not as good as getting out of the office for a week and having a live instructor, but for that price its pretty hard to beat. I'd love to hear what other people think and/or what they use for training.
I would also suggest a subscription to [safari.oreilly.com](http://safari.oreilly.com]. $500/year for unlimited access to hundreds of technical books (and professional development as well.)
As for certs, I think they're only really valuable if you are looking for a job and/or you work for a VAR. They definitely help solidify the knowledge in your head but as others have pointed out it really depends on the person.
Full disclosure: I have not purchased cbtnuggets yet but will in another week or so. I do not work for them, or any other vendor for that matter.
You didn't post what your current certification level is. Certification does not equal knowledge, but it certainly does help for personal marketability (if your current company is not working with Cisco Wireless as much as you are looking for.) That said CCIE Wireless might be the path you are looking for.
Also http://www.cbtnuggets.com/ has some great video based lectures.
I may be Cpt. Obvious here but without specifics on your background that's my 2 cents.
CBTNuggets is really good for learning on your own (assuming your intent is to go for certification). This is what I did after being dropped into a network admin position.
You can watch training videos on http://www.cbtnuggets.com (with a subscription) and prep for tons of certifications. If you want to go from 0 to middle class over night. I would suggest this path:
Comptia Network+ (Skip this if you kinda already know your way around computers and networking) CCENT (1 test) CCNA Networking & Switching (1 test) CCNP Networking & Switching
With a CCNP and some professional demeanor and NO EXPERIENCE, you could probably start out at 55 to 60K per year. just 3 years of experience and keeping that CCNP up to date, move that number to $75K per year.
Offensive Security and the Ethical Hacker both offer courses on the matter.
There's all the info out there for free, but understandably it's not something there are too many people pushing publicly. Much the same as lockpicking it's something that's not illegal per se almost anywhere, but often borders illegal and can push you past the boundary of 'illegal' depending on how you go about it even if you're not trying to be malicious.
I never did any of the EH stuff myself, but I'm working on the basic course from OffSec now. It's not really programming oriented because for the most part security isn't programming. It requires a knowledge of it, but it's scripting at most for the most part.
It also gets really low level because that's where a lot of the fun is. Buffer overflow exploits and whatnot. You will be using debuggers and looking at dissassemblies of binaries.
Having done web-dev is really useful because a lot of exploits today are present in websites themselves rather than in the software hosting them; most of the stuff that's facing the public internet today is software that's reasonably hardened for the most part because there's so much development of things like, say, Nginx. The custom code for each website is often a weak-point because most companies aren't trying so hard with security on their website. If you know web-dev it's easier to understand the attack surface and how you can potentially get an exploitable bug located.
There is no magic formula that will motivate you to learn. You are either curious by nature and want to learn or not. Learning is a long process of lather, rinse, and repeat.
That's like saying I want to lose weight without hard work, exercise, or diet... please point me to a magic pill.
If you're not smart enough to grasp certain concepts or academia is not your thing then accept it. Perhaps you're better working with your hands, and a hands on approach is more of your thing. Instead of trying to bury your head in books, try online tutorials and videos. Hire a tutor.
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/ (IT training)
http://www.pluralsight.com/ (Tech training)
You're going have to wait, just bad timing on when to start. They are barely shipping out the new Cisco Press Books which tend to have a lot of errors at first. If you look at the errata of the old CCNP Route Book, it's huge. Also, there isn't really any third party content out yet for the new CCNP. CBTNuggets just finished the Route videos today for the new CCNP, it's still in the uncompleted section but it's only missing that first intro video. Also, the CCNP videos CBTNuggets had for the old test were lacking hugely in material needed. INE had way more information in their videos but are longer and more stale. On top of that, I don't think INE has released the videos for the new CCNP either. So really all there is available is the first edition Cisco Press books and the Route videos on CBTNuggets at this time. Non Cisco Books take a while to come out, so that's going to be awhile. I'd just recommend you wait.
CBTnuggets have a monthly subscription, but if you buy it for a year its cheaper.
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/subscriptions
They have a free week if you want to sign up and check it out, just make sure you turn off auto renewal.
Trainsignal is another one, I haven't used trainsignal in a while as im a CBTnuggets user so I cant say much about them
Of course it all depends on what you are wanting to learn.
Hi, sound like you have everything sorted to get going. Honestly I am unsure about the CBT nugget videos matching with the current exam. I passed my CCNA over 2 years ago well before the new exam came out. If you have the revised nugget videos which were put out late last year I would have thought they were done to match the current exam.
If you are unsure if you have the new or old videos I see the CBT Nugget website http://www.cbtnuggets.com/ has a 7 day free trial so you could always watch the first video on the videos you have to what they have on the site.
Understand domain environments and how to deploy them.
Understand Unix based operating systems with a focus on enterprise usage.
learning VBS, PowerShell, Bash & Perl.
Learning those languages will make you useful in both a windows and Linux environment.
I would recommend these resources http://www.cbtnuggets.com/
If you want to learn pro-level computer skills you can buy legally CBT Nuggets video formations.
Find the course you want on http://www.cbtnuggets.com
Go buy it on kickass or The Lovely Pirate Bay
If you like the course you can pay for a subscription
Not sure about books but there are plenty of videos out there
https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazonWebServices
http://aws.amazon.com/training/
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/course/aws-certification-architecture
https://www.edx.org/course/linuxfoundationx/linuxfoundationx-lfs101x-introduction-1621#.U39NsfldXvY
Should be starting up pretty soon
In the mean time, look at the Redhat Certification books. It should get you started or pay 99 bucks for a month access to cbtnuggets
I just finished watching this series by CBT Nuggets and Jeremy Cioara. Great stuff to kickstart your learning. Pair that with GNS3 and you'll be good in a few days...
I really enjoyed the CBT Nuggets videos. I happened upon them for free, but they offer $99 a month subscriptions which isn't so bad if you have your own lab to work with.
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/microsoft
Just search for SQL Server 2012
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 T-SQL Fundamentals is awesome too, and possible more helpful that the above info. http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Server-2012-T-SQL-Fundamentals/dp/0735658145
You might be able to find the above book in PDF form if you look hard enough...
Sounds to me you might be interested in starting out with help desk...then onto administrator type work. If you are wanting to go back to school see if they offer an information technology degree. If school is not an option than I would most certainly start with certifications. I would start off learning about Linux or Windows server. This is very doable for someone as young as you. Check out cbtnuggets It's great way to get your feet wet, but if you cannot afford that then google out free training for linux or windows server. Don't get discouraged, the door is wide open for you fella...pick something you find interesting and go with it.
First off, Take the opportunity and run with it!
I've done some reading and I'm thinking about taking the CCNA myself, when I can get funding.
I heard a awesome book is Network Warrior, 2nd Edition and CBT Nuggets and Trainsignal are good video resources, if you can afford them.
> I even recognize that it is occasionally a necessary evil, I might even admit that it's occasionally a useful tool if you get enough drinks into me.
Is this like tourette you have? ;)
.
btw, the best get-knowledge-quickly place I know
As I've mentioned in other threads, CBTNuggets works extremely well for self-paced learning. I was dropped into a network admin position and had no problem passing CCNA using their videos to learn.
The Cisco exams can be somewhat tricky.. they often put in little things to distract you from the answer. I would recommend using prep-questions to get used to the style.
[Edit: as for the labs mentioned by the user below, Cisco offers remote lab rental for quite cheap. Packetlife also has a lab setup for free use, but you have to book in advance.
I think you may need to get a consultant out on site. If you have to have someone explain the difference between Windows and OS X, then you are probably a bit over your head. If you want to do this all your self, then you are going to need some training, such as CBT Nuggets or Linda (OS X Server Videos here)
I can foresee many problems, as OS X Server is a bit difficult to setup (DNS is a PAIN if you dont get it right), and even for me, I had to re-format many times before I got it right. If anything, just get a simple file server for the Mac's and then get an actual Domain Controller for the windows machines.
The sheer cost of replacing 40 windows machines with Macs would be ridiculous.
Happy to help! Let us know how you shake out, I think you can get a pretty solid off-site backup strategy that won't cost an arm-and-a-leg.
For the record, if this is all you're using Azure for... I think you're probably not taking advantage of all it has to offer. That may be why it seems expensive. The solutions listed in an article like this one are focused much more closely on what you're doing: http://www.tomsitpro.com/articles/online-backup-services-business,2-918.html
That said, the additional features that Azure offers can't be beat. If you're going to be migrating workloads in Azure then you're making a great start.
[EDIT] - Also, as a shameless self-promotion, checkout http://www.cbtnuggets.com where I've got three MS Azure courses available. All of this is covered in those videos. They are certification/exam focused but you can pick and choose your way through each video if you want.
I did 'Month of Lunches' for v2, v3, and toolmaking. They are all excellent. v3 is a good place to start because there wasn't a huge leap forward between v3 and v4 IMO.
I've been doing this one this week: http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training/microsoft-windows-powershell-2-3-4 It is fantastic. He shows you a ton of stuff, and how it works in v2, v3, and v4.
I found the CBT Nuggets videos on earned value to be really helpful for understanding the formulas. I have access through my work, so I don't know how much their videos cost to access, but there is a 7 day free trial.
The videos I used are under the PM Playlist, the PMP for the PMBOK Guide by Steve Caseley.
I just got hooked up with a CBT Nuggets accounts from my employer. I was able to find MTA/MCSA training courses to help study for the respective course exams within just a few minutes. I have a feeling that I'm going to find a lot more in the next few days.
I have mechanical disks and SSDs in JBOD. But my homelab is purely for experimentation and studying. I'm not sure what to suggest for you, because I don't completely know your situation, so I don't want you to ruin a bunch of good disks. If it was me however; I would run ESXi, not on the 60GB SATA, but from a USB 3.0. The applications you have mentioned could easily be run from 4 SATA HDD disks in RAID 1-0, so I would also put those in a mechanical disk. I would use the remaining disks for experimentation and learning. Here is a really good video to get you started and give you some direction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hdGgL6vkgY
To answer your questions:
- It isn't difficult to backup a VM using the built in tools, but I use Veam backup.
- I backup all my data, even when the VMs are running to my storage device.
Have a look at the vSphere course made by CBT Nuggets: http://www.cbtnuggets.com/search?q=vsphere They are really good and will get you up and running quite fast.
Can we please get a better/actual training videos?
for example - http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/course/checkpoint-ccsa
they do actual hands on, download trial, create virtual machines, how to setup, etc etc.
Fortinet NSE trainings are just huge marketing videos with zero useful how to guide for training Jr. Admins.
/r/networking/ might be a better resource.
Putting a video series like cbtnuggets's ccna series on 4x speed off to the side will quickly let you know what you need to brush up on.
Build a Lab. You got Hyper-V embedded in windows 8 or later, and all the windows products are free for 180 days which is plenty of time. Try getting your hands on the CBT Nuggets. and just follow that through.
If you do some searching on some of the SQL and Sysadmin subreddits you can find quite a few reccomendations. I haven't heard of Colaberry but that doesn't mean much.
I've been looking around, since work's offering to pay for some additional training, and so far I've been most impressed with http://www.cbtnuggets.com/
As a Systems Engineer who cannot and will not ever be useful in the land of Networking, I've heard nothing but rave reviews from multiple very good Network Engs at multiple jobs about this:
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/course/cisco-ccna-icnd1-100-101
It may be totally worth the purchase or acquiring it by other means that I'd not directly endorse.
So I started studying for my CCNA almost 20 days ago.
I am doing everything self taught/video training.
I first went through the CBT Nuggets Course, then the ITDVDs Course, then the Pluralsight Course.
I have been working in the IT field for about 7 years now (I'm currently 26) but Networking was my weakest part.
The ITDVDs and Pluralsight subscriptions are pretty cheap. The CBT subscription is a little steep; about $100 USD. What I can tell you is, the CBT Trainer that does most of the Cisco Stuff, is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant stress enough how good he is. However, there inst much actual hands on configuring. The ITDVDs course is a lot more hands on, but isn't HD. The Pluralsight course is okay. I wasn't extremely impressed with the trainer, but was good. I skipped over all the subnetting except for the CBT Portion. They all explain it differently and didn't want to get confused.
I have 3x 3725 Routers and 2x 3500XL Switches. I was hellbent on using them, but in all honesty, GNS3 is just as good. I can config stuff much faster.
I'm actually taking a break as I post this, before I go back over the Subnetting part of the CBT Course. I put about 20 hours per week studying this month. My goal is to pass the 100-101 by the end of the year (Which gives you the CCENT), the 200-101 by March (Which gives you the CCNA R&S), and the CCNA Wireless before the end of 2015. I'm planning on speeding all this up. This is just what I wrote down. I'm going to take the 100-101 before the end of this month, so if I fail it, I'll have enough time to take it again and still be on my schedule.
I am sorry to hear about this setback, but definitely don't let it discourage you from achieving that goal! :)
I am actually in the middle of Security+ SY0-401 studying using Vacation time as well, so I can definitely understand your frustration.
For me, video training has typically been the way to go (pages of reading material and my short attention span don't mix very well). I ended up using CBT Nuggets study vids to get my A+ cert years ago and just recently put my faith in their Network+ N10-005 vids and ended up getting past that one as well.
I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but its definitely another option if you haven't checked them out. If nothing else, you can always use the 7-day trial they offer as an additional cram resource prior to your next exam date :D Good luck to you!
I'd pick up a copy of Mastering VMware vSphere 5.5, get a CBT Nuggets or Pluralsight subscription, and build a lab.
Sorry for the late response, but you might want to present training to your company in the form of CBTNuggets of similar to your users. Word 2013 for example. Pick though the specific videos that you think would be helpful, present it and be the hero. :)
sign up for a free 1 week trial of www.cbtnuggets.com
Then watch this video series (21 hours of active directory) http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/course/microsoft-windows-server-2008-active-directory and enable subtitles
Most have said that taking time off is a bad idea, I agree with that.
If he wants to better himself in IT he should take classes at the local community college first, knock out an associates, get some certs from it, and then transfer into a bachelors program. This is the most frugal option for colleges because tuition at most community colleges is dirt cheap, like $1,800/year for full-time students and he can take half of his bachelors classes at that reduced rate.
Another option is to just seek certifications by subscribing to CBT-Nuggets, which his company may pay for him to do, and work down their certification videos towards one of the biggies like CCNA/MCSA/RHCSA. I would advise against seeking any CompTIA certifications as he's already in IT and it will likely not progress his career at all to get them.
Finally once he has certifications and/or a degree he is likely going to need to switch jobs in order to get a higher salary. Very few companies will provide adequate compensation increases based on degrees or certifications. For example my last company offered me a 3% raise after getting my associates and CCNA. 2 weeks later I was hired on at another company making about 17% more than what I was making AFTER that pathetic raise.
You can find nearly anything on YouTube, but quality and it can take a while to filter through some of the garbage.
As far as paid stuff goes, I think CBTNuggets is one of the top contenders. Their CompTIA Linux+ class is great.
And after INE, CBT Nuggets! So if you're a fan of his training you can check out his newest courses on cbtnuggets.com with a 7 day free trial.
This brain dump is about 90% accurate well it was for my test which I passed about 3 months ago.
Also the CBT nuggests are great and they are up to date with the 802/801
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training-videos/course/comptia-a-plus-2012
Watch the videos and that memorize the brain dump and you will pass
Tell them that if they are serious, you will need one of these:
CBNuggets Network archive server
Their focus is IT related courses, but they cover "Office basics to advanced" as well.
Of course, no one is going to pay for that, but you really should attempt to push the "watch this video first" style of training, with you clarifying pointa. Its even a good out for you if you want. Make the video for each class mandatory. If the student doesn't watch it, they cant attend. This puts some work back on the students, leaving more time for you to do the rest of your job, and lets you say "only 1 in 10 people are actually watching the videos that are the main part of the course. Why am I doing this again?" At that point, either management gets involved, which they wont want because its more work for them, or you get to stop. Either way, youll likely get to stop.
Youtube has many, many videos on any part of the office suite. Find a course you like and go from there.
There are some pretty decent courses on Pluralsight and some better ones through CBT Nuggets. Nothing is better than real world experience, and most books are probably going to give you a better understanding of concepts than those courses. I use pluralsight because it is cheaper and augment my learning with experience and books. Often I will watch courses for things that I am already very familiar with just for a refresher.
I see too many of my colleagues that get stuck in a rut and slowly become useless over time. You cannot let that happen if you want to be successful (not just employed) in the field.
If you do not already have them, get at least the CompTIA A+, Net+, and Security+ certifications. They are very basic and a good starting point for your career. After that, start branching into more specific certifications. Concentrate on one area at a time. You are not going to become an expert on anything overnight.
It might also behoove you to get started in some scripting languages. Scripting is fun! And it's dead useful all the time.
I'm probably not far removed from your current skill level, but I will at least mention some resources I've found to be helpful.
For getting a grasp on some of the important fundamentals of networking I would recommend checking out the CBT nuggets CCENT/CCNA videos. Access to their full video archive costs $1200 a year, but it may well be worth it for you, especially if you can get your company to foot the bill.
For a higher level overview of IT consider checking out this book.
Do this or any of the other respected vendors that are already established in this space.
http://www.trainsignal.com/Cisco-CCNA-Training.aspx
my personal favorite http://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-certifications/cisco-ccna
>Just to add some resources to get you going, look into the [1] Network Academy Its great training for not much money.
>If you are a self starter motivated person with the discipline to work on your own then you can go the [2] Cisco Press route
To expand on this further, I would definitely do the CCNA (ICND 1 and 2) through the Academy. For a greeny, the slower pace of the class will allow you to really understand the fundamentals. Plus, you get hundreds of hours of lab time to work with the equipment, which is a good substitute for field experience and will be helpful in getting your first entry level job.
After you have that and are ready for P level certs, you might end up being forced to take the self-study route, like the aforementioned Cisco Press, or perhaps CBT Nuggets videos (these things are great, by the way). The Academy is a semi-full time commitment and you might not have time for it, and hopefully you will have gotten your first job to start getting real experience by then.
The CEO (Catholic Education Office) Does trainee-ships inside Catholic schools, i good friend of mine does it, you generally sit in the library all day dicking around and fixing computers, my advice would be to go out and get your CISCO Nugget, and/or as many other nuggets as you can get. Here They cost a bit but are well worth the investment.
CBT Nuggets definitely helped me with a bunch of certs, including CCNA:Security. I'd give them a try, and employers will generally pay for materials when they require the tests.
CBT Nuggets. I got some stuff second hand on Ebay... Totally worth the full price. They give training videos and some practice tests. I aced mine no problem! Don't let the price freak you out. You can get the practice tests seperately or do what I did and just get the whole set off Ebay.
Or better yet if you can get hold of one of the older versions of the tests like this You will do great! They don't change the questions much from version to version. They may switch the ratios around or maybe add a few questions but thats about it.