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Where can one learn about practical datacenter hardware and networking?
simpleguy8288
Member
in General
Hi guys,
I am an experienced programmer. I can handle Linux and cloud servers quite well. I am more interested in learning about how Colo and Datacenter work. I need information on how to select hardware equipment, for example, Rack-based servers (chassis, boards), routers etc. Also, I am looking for information on how to configure those, etc.
The aim is to gain knowledge. I understand the software side well and now want to understand the hardware side too.
Can you guys point to some books, videos and/or online tutorials on these topics?
Thanks.
Comments
Could start a homelab.
Reddit has a pretty good subreddit for it.
Most hardware comes down to what your end goal is.
IE: You can get cheap rack chassis/boards if its simple, or it can be full fledged gaming or processing servers that require a GPU. So miles may vary.
For routers miles vary between gigabit, 10gbit, 100gbit.
So brands vary on those as well.
Are you aiming specifically Cisco?
Or just generalized knowledge?
You can find a lot of youtube videos or others. But I would also recommend to experience it yourself by working for some or otherwise setup your own lab at home with used hardware
(Prepare to bare noises and heat from the setup)
Definitely start checking out /r/homelab - great resource.
Warning
Once you purchase your first server it becomes very addicting.
Or just generalized knowledge?
Just generalized knowledge.
One common way of learning and picking up that knowledge is to do get a certification - you could check out the books for Comptia's Server+ and Network+
https://certification.comptia.org/certifications/server
https://certification.comptia.org/certifications/network
There's a bunch of books on Amazon related to those 2 certifications. I've heard that the Sybex books are decent.
If you're feeling "adventurous", and are willing to move to germany, this lets you live, work and learn in an actual DC full of nerds, anarchists, scriptkiddies, and at least one ganja grower. Free dormroom with highspeed internet and free bulletproof colocation for your seedbox included:
http://www.cyberbunker.com/web/volunteers.php
Disclaimer: It's cyberbunker! So I'm not sure how serious they are about this project! Maybe it'll never go live or mybe it's something fishy. Maybe @William has insider information or an opinion on this (probably a negative one).
So don't take this too serious, but it sounds like a lot of unique fun. Or a big mistake. But those things are often the same, aren't they?
I would suggest doing the server+ network+ (doing the exams is optional) with your level of knowledge you will probably get through them at the same time in 6 weeks.
Then start doing a CCNA night class (they are everywhere) get a home lab and call the closest DC no matter how small and ask about volunteering for work experience, you will probably have it licked enough to get a Junior position in a DC within a year.
CCNA has a datacenter path that can be useful, but the server side mainly focuses on their own hardware (UCS, which is really good but pricey). It's a good certificate if you want to get involved in the enterprise side of things though.
ServeTheHome.
Hi,
Well, you can try with Youtube with regards to this. The best way you can just find out the nearby data center and ask for an internship over there which will help you to get the practical knowledge too.
Thanks
Calvin
Thanks a lots guys for the comments. Will checkout the courseware for the certifications mentioned!
Start, with building your own computer?
Setup a local server lab, if the power is cheap enough.
Otherwise, you may look for some internships in your area?
I did some internships, while fixing and building my own computers, additional I got myself a IT specialist for application development graduation title.