One other thing to consider: build your test machines as VMs in VirtualBox. Besides being convenient, you'll also gain proficiency in VBox (add to resume). Consider installing vboxtool, allowing easier command line control and automated startup/save of VMs. Comment out the ones you don't want to start every time, and start them manually when you want.<div>
<br></div><div>I like the convenience because you can create/enable/disable multiple machines of arbitrary configurations quickly. You can duplicate a machine by exporting it and importing it. You can set up different network configurations, change them, adjust them quickly. You can build an internal network (two ways) or bridge them to your existing network.</div>
<div><br></div><div>Just be sure you have enough RAM to run as many machines as you want to try. Still, it's much cheaper than having multiple hard machines, </div><div><br></div><div>--Don Ellis<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">
On Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 11:52 AM, <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:j.bengtson@mchsi.com">j.bengtson@mchsi.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
<div>Another possibility is to set up a PC as a Linux server (pick your distro...or better yet, pick several distros and try them in turn) in your own home network. Set up a web server and learn everything you can about it. Set up a file server...print (CUPS) server...email server...DHCP server...firewall...learn them all. Visit your local library to see if they have any books on the subjects you want to learn. Visit several libraries until you find one with a decent tech section. Don't forget about the ISU library, especially if you're an alum. Try the Half-Price Book Store. Amazon.com...oreilly.com...Visit IBM's Developerworks website ( <a href="http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/views/linux/libraryview.jsp?type_by=Tutorials" target="_blank">http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/views/linux/libraryview.jsp?type_by=Tutorials</a> ). Look for cheap equipment wherever you can...your employer...local businesses...or government surplus: <a href="http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.AdvSearch&timing1=&timing2=1&suid=IA" target="_blank">http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.AdvSearch&timing1=&timing2=1&suid=IA</a><div class="im">
<br><br><br>----- Original Message -----<br>From: Jeff Davis <br>To: Central Iowa Linux Users Group <br></div><div class="im">Sent: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:43:28 -0500 (CDT)<br>Subject: Re: [Cialug] a question<br><br></div><div class="im">
One possible path is to work somewhere in the IT area of a company<br>that uses unix/linux.<br>This offers potential for working yourself into that position down the road.<br>If you have a strong work ethic and an IT aptitude, plenty (but not<br>
all) of "old" SAs will<br>consider you if a junior admin position opens up.<br><br>The technology constantly changes and keeping up with it is an ongoing cycle.<br>IMHO IT aptitude, work ethic, good communication skills, knowledge of<br>
business processes, and<br>"plays well with others" are far more valuable than does this<br>candidate know X technology.<br><br>-Jeff<br><br><br></div><div class="im">On Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 6:38 AM, chris wrote:<br>
> Thanks for the advise guys.<br>></div></div></blockquote></div></div>