Edumacation

[spacebug]

I'd like to either read a good book or take a class on networking basics so's I can be more effective at work. Despite having no training in it, I'm the default sysadmin here. Whee! However, work is happy to pay for classes for me (within reason- we likely can't afford to do stuff like getting me certified in anything.)
There's a class on Windows Server 2003 via the Science Museum, and while I'm sure a lot of the basics are the same, we have a Mac server and a hybrid network.

Any suggestions, O Geek Friends of Mine?

Comments

[spikenheimer.livejournal.com]

i guess it depends on how big of a mix of systems you have. and what you'd like to learn. classes on windows server usually cover mainly windows server things. if your network is more mac server centric you should try and find a class that fits that.

[burnunit.livejournal.com]

an x serve? (Apple x serve classes are like 2 grand), because science museum doesn't offer x serve...

Windows 2003 classes for use with your OS X server would not be good fits. The windows concept of domains and forests and blah de blah is f'd up to me, and would very very likely not help you in this case.

O'Reilly's books are pretty good. os x server essentials would probably be very useful to have as a desk reference, imho

[spacebug.livejournal.com]

'cept that the server's running 9.1...

[burnunit.livejournal.com]

oh. sweet. well, then you're going to want to learn some hardware basics too, since anything still running os9 server is going to be aging pretty quick (if it hasn't already started showing signs of age).
figure out a good backup process, get a good old copy of Norton Utilities and Disk Warrior, maybe TechTools, buy an external hard drive

What kind of hardware? G3? G4?

I highly recommend the Missing Manual. I think there's an os 9 version. (rummaging thru amazon... here it is) When I was administering an os 9 server on a beige g3, most of our problems were not with the server admin stuff, it was hardware centered or with the backup process.
I did almost nothing extra on the admin side, but plenty of routine work to keep the operating system and filesystem in top shape.

I relied a lot on http://www.lowendmac.com for info and ideas.

[burnunit.livejournal.com]

and basic networking (switches, cabling, troubleshooting) can be taught live/learned on the job easier than in a class, generally. and I think a quick survey of where you are now with what machines you have, their status, their os and any quirks you've noticed on an ongoing basis. answer for yourself: what's your baseline? then plan to learn some basics, then also learn about the specific problems you're already having, then the rest is going to be learn on the job. besides, the system is working now, right? so unless they're getting all strategic on you, you probably don't need to spend a ton on classes.