• Ask a Systems Engineer for a nation wide corporation anything!
    95 replies, posted
Welp no mod is locking this so I will remake the OP, Basically I am a Systems Engineer for a large company in the US, I am not going to saw who so stop asking. Things I deal with: Windows server 2008r2 Linux, primarily fedora Mysql, minor MSsql Networking, cisco to the CCNA level Databases. Lync, sharepoint Deployments of servers/workstations Perl Network security, IDS NST Basically, ask me any questions that you might want to know to help clarify things if you are interested in pursuing a job in the IT field! Basic questions I am probably going to get asked a lot of. [B]1. What UNI/College did you go to?[/B] I went to a local community college took mostly computer classes, got a job and stopped going. I always read ahead and did the exercises in the chapters, I taught myself for the most part. Got a Helldesk job to help pay for school and then I got cracking on the network. So to answer that I guess a local CC drop out, I might return one day for more learning but eh it is boring, classes move too slow. [B]2. Which is better windows or linux?[/B] The right tool for the job is the correct answer, If you are dealing with user software you should usually go with windows/MS products.Why, if you buy the product you get support for it from MS, you also get a relatively "stable/easy to use" program for your users. Sure things like OO/Libre, thunderbird, jabber can do a lot in an office environment, but tell the user that they can't use outlook and most will flip out, and most people are familiar with MSoffice and a one time fee of ~$30 license isn't bad. Linux is great too, but most things linux should stay out of the clients eyes, for the most part your users aren't going to know what linux is or even care, what they will care about is business services and files moving from point A to B efficiently and effectively. [B]3. What cert should I get?[/B] What do you want to do? This question isn't answered easily, so just remember. [B]The knowledge behind the cert is way more important than the actual cert[/B]. Currently I am working on my VCP 4, MCITP:EA, and S+. The worst aprt about most of these is the books won't teach you a decent amount of practical data, [B]do labs! [/B]find out how things work! that will get you a job without a cert! 4.[B]I hear IT is shit! Why would anyone want to go into it?[/B] IT is a over used term, technically HelpDesk/Customer service reps (you know those guys in India) are IT workers, to Network Engineers CCIE's who may work 2 days a MONTH auditing a wan network. If you go into something IT, try to shoot for a technician or something that doesn't have "Great phone skills!" or "Great customer service" in the requirements for the job, they are dead end job that will get you drinking faster than anything. The other reason is because you usually have to deal/interact with a user base who is less than say, smart. Depending on how much of a basement dweller you are this can be a complete turn off to IT or it can make you a lot of cool friends. Ask any other questions below!
Who do you work for? On a serious note what does your normal day consist of?
[QUOTE=sbradford26;30382464]Who do you work for?[/QUOTE] I can't release that, sorry
How much student loan debt did you acquire from school (if any)
What's the worst fuck up you've ever had
[QUOTE=sbradford26;30382464] On a serious note what does your normal day consist of?[/QUOTE] My average day consists of finding out what a company needs to manage "business continuality" as IT you only support the company you work for not lead it. for example, if a department is failing to do the SLA's or QA standards, I come up with a solution to fix it, implement it and test it. IE sharepoint or another service that offers solutions to the problem Seems simple but there are a lot of ways about going to this, usually managers/directors don't want to spend money so making a solution to this requires a bit of work.
tell my why you like fedora and of course some funny "user issues"
What did you major in/where and how was that also how did you find your job.
[QUOTE=areolop;30382514]How much student loan debt did you acquire from school (if any)[/QUOTE] I dropped out of College as I found it boring, ther is one teacher I like, I am taking classes at my CC for VCP cert [quote=Tangara]What's the worst fuck up you've ever had[/quote] I crashed the companies network for 30 minutes when I was testing some security measures, I was scared shitless. Though I only knew after the arp poison to the DC would redo the DNS cache and fix it I freaked for a good hour
[QUOTE=JohnEdwards;30382682] I crashed the companies network for 30 minutes when I was testing some security measures, I was scared shitless. Though I only knew after the arp poison to the DC would redo the DNS cache and fix it I freaked for a good hour[/QUOTE] But, isnt that showing them that their shit sucks?
[QUOTE=Gaza Pen Pal;30382662]tell my why you like fedora and of course some funny "user issues"[/QUOTE] 1. Fedora has all the nice community + Corporate support, it is free and just as good as red hat (if not better IMO) 2. I have to answer client calls/staff calls from time to time and it amazes me how little people know about computers in the generation [quote=acid]What did you major in/where and how was that also how did you find your job.[/quote] I majored in a CC, though I found self motivation more important/usefull. CC's actually teach way better than Uni's IMO, as most of the teachers have real world EXP! Two teachers really inspired me to do what I love now I make quite a bit for my age
[QUOTE=JohnEdwards;30382682]the arp poison to the DC would redo the DNS cache and fix it[/QUOTE] what?
[QUOTE=areolop;30382735]But, isnt that showing them that their shit sucks?[/QUOTE] Yes it is, but in order to show them their shit sucks you need have documentation, power point and stuff to prove their shit sucks. You also need to know how to use some layman's terms to communicate with mangers on stuff, most managers will have a Bachelors on something but no technical EXP, other than a minor in a technical field, basically includes MSoffice courses. Data is only as good as how easy it is to digest for someone that isn't in your field. Also most places don't realize their shit sux till you show them [editline]11th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=acid;30382774]what?[/QUOTE] shit sorry I am drinking let me explain it more simply I once did a MIM(man in the middle attack) on a test client, I didn't realize that my BackTrack VM was on the physical LAN, it posioned the main VPN DNS for the full usable addresses and overloaded it, causing all clients to drop access. If I didn't realize it fast enough, and disconnect my VM all clients would have been disconnected from our network, which would have lost quiet a bit of money [editline]11th June 2011[/editline] Sorry I will stop postin till I am sober, ask anything you want I will answer when I can
so I heard from someone on SA that IT is a shitty career that sucks the life out of you, is that why you're drunk
[QUOTE=Gaza Pen Pal;30383488]so I heard from someone on SA that IT is a shitty career that sucks the life out of you, is that why you're drunk[/QUOTE] not totally, expect a full answer tomorrow around 6pm eastern time PS: SA is a great info for IT and such
I like computers and networks, and have an A+ cert. I am going to get N+ eventually. What other certs should I get?
Can you get me a job? I live in Washington state, thanks.
[QUOTE=Gaza Pen Pal;30383488]so I heard from someone on SA that IT is a shitty career that sucks the life out of you, is that why you're drunk[/QUOTE] It doesn't suck, most people get into IT for the wrong reason, that reason is usually money. If you have good people skills it isn't that hard. For any job, after a week of hard work drinking is always a nice way to relax [editline]11th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Metalcastr;30383598]I like computers and networks, and have an A+ cert. I am going to get N+ eventually. What other certs should I get?[/QUOTE] Certs are good, but knowing concepts and practical knowledge is better! Microsoft has a few good certs out there for people who are new to the IT field, mostly the 70-680 and 70-640, both will give you a good understanding of most work environments. [editline]11th June 2011[/editline] if a mod can close this I will remake a thread when not drunk, I sobered up and realized how unstructured this thread is, thanks. I will take a ban if need be, but just lock it so I can make a proper thread, thanks
CCNP worth getting? It is just too hard to pass
[QUOTE=Wnd;30385519]CCNP worth getting? It is just too hard to pass[/QUOTE] Depends the CCNP can land you a sweet gig as networking is pretty damn easy, but at the same time it is better than you focus on the knowledge a CCNP offers rather than the actual cert, a CCNA will get you pretty far. Depends what you want to do of course. [I]Generally[/I] CCNA 90% LAN 10% WAN, ideal for say entry network engineer or sys admin of a company with 1,000~1,500 nodes CCNP 50% WAN management + 50% LAN networks with multiple Vlans, subnets, VOIP, large scale network planning, QoS, etc Mostly the CCNA is like the base of the pyramid, the CCNP just hones in on the skills from the CCNA, e.g. learning more than Vlans, EIGRP/OSPF, NAT, IPv6, Switchport security
[QUOTE=Shadaez;30383831]Can you get me a job? I live in Washington state, thanks.[/QUOTE] what why funny???? seriously I'd love you forever if it was possible - and the titles ask you ANYTHING so come on!
how much do you earn, what did you do at uni
What's your root password?
You can't say who you work for? Psh, shit. Probably because you are embarrassed to tell people?
i have absolutely no idea what the OP is saying in almost all of his posts
[QUOTE=Shadaez;30387448]what why funny???? seriously I'd love you forever if it was possible - and the titles ask you ANYTHING so come on![/QUOTE] I looked we don't have a office branch in Washington state, yet...
[QUOTE=JohnEdwards;30393686]I looked we don't have a office branch in Washington state, yet...[/QUOTE] I need a job too. Hurry their arses up!
[QUOTE=Alcapwne;30387710]how much do you earn, what did you do at uni[/QUOTE] 40k ish maybe more if you weigh in benefits [editline]11th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Squad;30388518]You can't say who you work for? Psh, shit. Probably because you are embarrassed to tell people?[/QUOTE] Because it isn't important [editline]11th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=meppers;30393656]i have absolutely no idea what the OP is saying in almost all of his posts[/QUOTE] Yeah half a liter of vodka will make typing hard for anyone
But seriously. What's your root password? I kind of need it.
[QUOTE=nikomo;30394087]But seriously. What's your root password? I kind of need it.[/QUOTE] dix
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