Linux Server Skills for Windows Administrators - David Clinton from Pluralsight

Linux Server Skills for Windows Administrators
David Clinton
Pluralsight

I will be honest and say that I have started studying Linux a number of times over the last 10+ years. I have managed a few systems running Linux but for the most part have been a Windows or ESXI administrator for most of my corporate career. I have intended to go deeper with Linux often but it always falls to the back burner and the next thing I know a lot of time has passed. I do not see that happening now, for a number of reasons. First in my new role on a DevOps team it is time to buckle down and really get more proficient with Linux. Second David's teaching is so engaging that I am really excited to work through his material; this course was awesome, his new course LPI: Linux Essentials and his book Teach Yourself Linux Administration and Prepare for the LPIC-1 Certification Exams: Complete. Quick. And other stuff he has under development.

This course comes in at 70 minutes. It was so engaging I worked through it twice in a very short time. I made a few notes in my training notebook in Evernote and started a new notebook quick reference Linux commands with brief notes. It must be Davis's years in the front of the class but his course is one of the best I have ever done, that includes 20 years in University, 3 year college program, and numerous courses either live, live virtual classroom or self-paced like those offered through Pluralsight. I can say that for the first time I am excited about learning Linux and believe that I will be able to do it.

This brief course is more than worth the time, it worked as a quick refresher, and I learned a few new tricks. And I highly recommend it!

Books by David Clinton:
Teach Yourself Linux Administration and Prepare for the LPIC-1 Certification Exams: Complete. Quick.
Learn Amazon Web Services in a Month of Lunches
Practical LPIC-1 Linux Certification Study Guide 1st ed. Edition

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide: Clf-C01 Exam

AWS Certified Solutions Architect Study Guide: Associate Saa-C01 Exam

Ubuntu Linux Bible

Linux Security Fundamentals

Solving for Technology: How To Quickly Learn Valuable New Skills In A Madly Changing Technology World

Manage AWS Resources Using Ansible

Keeping Up: Backgrounders to All the Big Technology Trends You Can't Afford to Ignore

...

Pluralsight Courses by David Clinton:
Linux Server Skills for Windows Administrators
LPI: Linux Essentials (010-150)
Linux Encryption Security (LPIC-3 303)
Linux Network Security (LPIC-3 303)
Linux Server Virtualization (LPIC-3 304 Part 1/2)
Linux High Availability Cluster Management (LPIC-3 304 Part 2/2)
Network Vulnerability Scanning with OpenVAS
Using Docker on AWS
Protocol Deep Dive: SSH and Telnet

...

Related Articles:
Review of Pluralsight Service

Jason Alba - Pluralsight Jibber Jobber, Author and more

Jason Alba - Pluralsight Jibber Jobber, Author and more

Last year I wrote a review of Pluralsight and as much as I love learning new technology this past year and especially the past few months my focus has been on non-technical skills. One of the authors I was most impressed with was Jason Alba. Jason seems to create about one new course a month for Pluralsight, he is the creator and founder of JibberJobber.com and the author of a number of books.

I am very impressed with Jason's presenting style. He is engaging, entertaining and honest. His courses are great. I have listened to all of his current offering at least once and a number of them more than once. Currently he has 26 courses available on Pluralsight:

Presenting to the Boss(es)  
Prioritizing Tasks and Managing Time for Greater Productivity  
Working and Communicating with Different Personalities  
How to Be a Great Mentor: Get More out of Mentoring  
How to Be a Great Mentee: Get More Out of Mentoring  
How to Get Your Next Promotion  
Creating and Leading Effective Teams for Managers  
Working on a Team  
Marketing and Selling Your Own Products and Services  
Customer Service for Software Developers: Delighting Customers  
Resumes and Self-marketing for Software Developers  
Becoming a Better Listener
LinkedIn: Proactive Strategies
LinkedIn Strategy: Optimize Your Profile  
Management 101  
Leadership: Getting Started  
Effective Phone Skills  
Onboard Yourself: What to Do After You Land Your Dream Job  
Designing a Killer Job Search Strategy
Developing a Killer Personal Brand
Relationship Management and Tracking for Your Career
Writing and Marketing a Book  
Career Management 2.0  
Effective Email Communication  
Informational Interviews  
LinkedIn Fundamentals

Jason's courses range from 1 hour 8 minutes to 2 hours 47 minute currently. He teaches on a wide range of skills and competencies that will help you grow, but not just in your abilities at work these skills can transfer to all areas of your life.

And one of the greatest things is that if you are not a Pluralsight subscriber you can get free trial subscription currently up to 10 days or 200 minutes of learning. And all of Jason's courses come in under that 200 minute mark. But I will warn you once you start learning with Jason or Pluralsight you won't want to stop you might become hooked and want a subscription so you can continue your learning. You have nothing to lose just go to Pluralsight click on Sign Up and choose the free trial option. Give it a try you will not be disappointed.

Books by Jason Alba:
51 Alternatives to a Real Job
I'm on Linkedin -- Now What: A Guide to Getting the Most Out of Linkedin
I'm on Facebook--Now What: How to Get Personal, Business, and Professional Value from Facebook
Storytelling About Your Brand Online & Offline: A Compelling Guide to Discovering Your Story
Vault Career Guide to Accounting: Get the Inside Scoop on Careers in Accounting
I've Landed My Dream Job--Now What: How to Achieve Success in the First 30 Days in a New Job
Launchpad: Your Career Search Strategy Guide

Pluralsight - Service Review

Pluralsight
The World's largest teach and creative training library! 

This has been one of the greatest tools for my career development. I happen to be very lucky in that for a number of years now I have had full access to this site provided for by work. First through TrainSignal before it merged with Pluralsight. But over the last few months I have discovered that there is much more than just technical skills to be gained from this site, there is a wide range or personal and professional development courses.  These non-technical courses go way beyond just technical chops.

My first introduction to this learning method was the old CBT Nuggets. But having used Pluralsight now for 4 years I believe it is by far the best player in this market. At work I had 4 title changes in under 4 years and I attribute a lot of that advancement to being able to train at my own pace and stay on top of new technologies by using courses on this site.

Over the last few years I have done courses on Server 2012, SQL 2012, vmWare, ITIL, Storage, System Center and more. Now occasionally you will find authors or instructors who just do not do it for you. But of the 58 courses I have completed since the TrainSignal-Puralsight merger there have been very few that I did not enjoy. But it was much the same at university, you will find some course instructors you love and work through most or all of their courses because the teaching style is so engaging.

An example of how good some of these courses are, a few years back one of my first tasks after moving to the Senior team was to build our VDI Virtual Desktop Infrastructure using vmware view. I watch the course through from beginning to end. Watched it a second time and made notes for the step by step install and configuration process. Within a few days I had our environment up and running, and it is now time to upgrade to Horizon View.

As mentioned earlier, lately I have been focused on more non-technical courses. Jason Alba has some amazing career development courses. There are a number of excellent management or leadership courses available and new courses coming online often. And currently there are almost 60 career development and management courses available.

And one of the greatest new features is native apps for iOS, Android and Windows phone, and with the native apps the option for offline content to work while travelling or to save data usage on your devices.

I attribute much of my success over the last 5 years to using this tool and for the price point you just cannot beat the breadth and depth of courses available to help you grow personally and professionally. This would be an excellent resource for any developer, programmer or IT Infrastructure professional to have access to. You can also start with a 10 day free trail so why not give it a try and check out a course or two?

Reviews of Pluralsight Courses and older Trainsignal Courses now on Pluralsight.

Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Microsoft Exam 70-640 - Ed Liberman - Train Signal

Windows Server 2008 Active Directory
Microsoft Exam 70-640
Ed Liberman
Train Signal

Active Directory is such a core component of many Windows Environments, and yet to really master it takes a lot of time and effort. Even for administrators who work with one or more of the AD tools each and every day, you often only really know or use a specific set of tasks and do them over and over again. This course goes over it all - what you use day in and day out, and what you set up and seldom touch.

For the most part it was a really good course. But at times seemed a little ridiculous; some of the stuff was way too basic.  If you do not know how to use Shift or CRTL select you should not be doing an AD course. And I sure do not want you playing in any production environment I have a stake in!

The Lessons are:
1. Getting Started with Windows Server 2008 Active Directory
2. Lab Set Up
3. Scenario for Course
4. Introduction to Active Directory
5. The Role of DNS in Active Directory
6. Installing Windows Server 2008 R2 and Active Directory
7. Remote Management
8. Creating Active Directory Objects
9. Managing Active Directory Objects
10. Configuring Access to Network Resources
11. Configuring Group Policy Objects
12. Working with Group Policy Exceptions
13. Configuring Group Policy Preferences
14. Using Group Policy for Software Deployment
15. Configuring Password Policies
16. Delegating Administrative Control
17. Managing and Maintaining Active Directory
18. Active Directory Backup and Recovery
19. Creating Sites and Configuring Replication
20. Securing a Branch Office Domain Controller
21. Upgrading Your Active Directory Infrastructure
22. Working with Trust Relationships
23. Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services Overview
24. Active Directory Rights Management Services Overview
25. Active Directory Certificate Services Overview
26. Active Directory Federation Services Overview
27. Preparing for Your Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring (70-640) Certification Exam
28. Next Steps
29. Active Directory Recycle Bin
30. Active Directory Administrative Center
31. Active Directory Best Practices Analyzer
32. Active Directory Offline Domain Join

Overall, this was a really good course. Some courses that are designed for specific exams only teach what is needed for passing that exam. This course gives you the overview of all you need to know to become a good AD administrator. The material is engaging. Ed presents in a manner that will keep your attention. It is another great course from TrainSignal!

SQL Server 2012 Querying Exam 70-461 - Christopher Harrison - Train Signal

SQL Server 2012 Querying
Exam 70-461
Christopher Harrison
Train Signal
 
This course is designed to prepare you for Microsoft Certification Exam 70-461. It should teach you what you need to know about SQL Server 2012 databases, querying, using joins, aggregations and a bit about optimization. It also includes some instructions on management of SQL objects and the SQL server itself. The 23 lessons are:

1. Introduction to SQL Server 2012
2. Introduction to Relational Databases
3. Introduction to SELECT Statements
4. Filtering Results with WHERE Statements
5. Utilizing Joins
6. Executing Subqueries and UNION Statements
7. Aggregating Data
8. Advanced Data Aggregations
9. Built-In Functions
10. Query Optimization
11. Modifying Data
12. Advanced Data Modification
13. Managing Transactions
14. Implementing Error Handling
15. XML Basics
16. Retrieving XML
17. Importing XML
18. Creating and Altering Tables
19. Data Validation with Constraints
20. Creating and Modifying Triggers
21. Creating and Modifying Views
22. Creating and Modifying Stored Procedures
23. Creating and Modifying User Defined Functions

Now I must admit, this course was frustrating almost from the get-go. For the beginning, every time Christopher did a query or anything in the management studio, I tried to do it also. I soon found that I had the wrong version of the Adventure Works Database. At first I tried the Adventure Works 2012 Database that comes with the MS Press book, Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Training Kit, since that is the book for the same exam. But soon my queries were not getting the same results as Christopher. Next I tried the other 2012 Sample DBs, then the 2008 R2 and 2008, and finally found that Christopher was using the Adventure Works 2005 R2 database. Well, after spending hours installing and testing databases to find the correct one, I could finally follow along with Christopher and perform all the queries as he was, and verify my results. I find it hard to imagine an SQL course without some hands-on experience. You need to spend time in the management studio, playing, learning, querying and making mistakes in order to really learn it. The way this course was structured and prepared, it just made that vexing and disappointing.  In many ways, it really felt like Christopher just took his knowledge, used an old database and showed us how to do the stuff he knew and then showed us new stuff.

Yes he does teach a lot, and his style is engaging.  But between the database issue and other inconsistencies, I spent the rest of the course feeling short- changed. An example is: in lesson 11 it gives warnings, and one is to always start with the Where statement, but for the first 10 lessons, it was not done this way. So it was just thrown in out of the blue. Not a bad course but not great.  If I had to give it a rating of 5 stars it would only be a 2 or 2.5 at best. It is the only time I have done a course from TrainSignal that, if I had bought it as a standalone, I would have requested my money back and gone and tried a different provider.

SQL Server 2012 Administration Essentials - Sean McCown - Train Signal

SQL Server 2012 Administration Essentials

Train Signal

Sean McCown

This course is designed to teach you the basics of becoming an SQL administrator. Sean does not presume any previous knowledge or experience, but he also does not spoon feed everything. He expects you to work and he gives you the tools to learn SQL and the tools to know where and how to start looking when you run into issues. With just over 14 hours of material, there is a lot to learn here. Sean does not, for the most part, use a prebuilt Database so you cannot follow along exactly but you can use and database and do most of what he is doing. Sean is very passionate about SQL and his passion makes the materiel even more inviting and interesting to learn. The lessons are:

1. Introduction

2. Planning

3. Installing SQL Server 2012

4. Advance Installation

5. Basic Database Objects

6. Using SQL Server Management Studio

7. Database File Management

8. Database Configuration Options

9. Special Database Space Considerations

10. Server-Level Configurations

11. Database Console Commands (DBCC)

12. Server-Level Security

13. Database-Level Security

14. Transaction Logs and Recovery Models

15. Instance Configuration and Management

16. Working with Concurrency Problems

17. Collecting Troubleshooting Data

18. Auditing SQL Server

19. Backup Basics

20. Restore Basics

21. Indexes

22. Basic Ex3ecution Plans

23. Query Tuning

24. SQL Server Agent

25. Database Mail

26. Importing and Exporting Data

27. High Availability Basics

28. PowerShell

The one quirky thing was that the last lesson ends with "see you in the next lesson". When I reached out to Sean he said that the final order for the lessons was not 100% and likely just got missed during editing. Also every other SQL course I have ever looked at, or book I have read, people use ALL CAPS for writing their queries, Sean skips that; he also skips an intro about himself, he just jumps in and starts teaching. And that teaching is great.

Now let me give you some background.  A year ago, all I had ever really done with SQL was install it and hand it over to developers or administrators. Last year I changed roles and was soon primary for supporting 12 SQL servers across three different tiers and numerous lines of business and financial applications. I do not want to know enough to just get by. I want to know SQL inside and out. This course by Sean has gone a long way to meeting that goal! In the last year I have done 5 courses through TrainSignal online, and another 10 courses through other vendors or virtual classrooms and this was one of the best. So I can highly recommend this course.  My subscription to TrainSignal was worth it last year for this course alone!

Sean McCown is a Microsoft SQL Master and VMP. His wife Jen is also, and SQL MVP and together they have a number of online involvements in the SQL Community:

MidnightDBA

MidnightDBA Star

DBARant

NetworkWorld

and more. Check them out. There is always something more to learn. And if I get the chance to do more courses created or taught by Sean, I will jump at the chance and so should you.

Intro to Exchange Server 2010 - Train Signal - J. Peter Bruzzese

Intro to Exchange Server 2010
Train Signal
J. Peter Bruzzese

This was an amazing little course. Mr. Bruzzese uses a process of scenario based learning. We are given a case study and together look at the requirements and options and then do an installation on configuration of an exchange environment. The course works through the following topics:

Lessons:
Intro to Exchange Server 2010 Course Introduction
The Evolution of Exchange Over 15 Years
Installing Exchange 2010
Exchange Management Tools
Mailbox Overview and Configuration
An Overview and Configuration
An Overview of Server Role
Unified Messaging
Working with Public Folders
High Availability and Database Availability Groups
Transition from Exchange 2003/2007 to 2010

The course packs a lot of material into about 6 hours of instruction. I loved the course as a refresher. The two best lessons were: The Evolution of Exchange Over 15 Years, and Transition from Exchange 2003/2007 to 2010. The evolution one was awesome and the history cover in it was amazing to learn. The greatest strength of the course is the instructor and his passion for the subject; he is also a great communicator which always makes self-paced study better. The only real weakness or omission for the course is that there are no downloads associated with the course. No course outline or instructor notes like almost all the other TrainSignal courses. It would have been nice to have this, especially with some of the links he provides to blogs, and sites to help support your continued training and knowledge in Exchange.  This course is intended as an introduction and it does an amazing job of a quick and easy overview. Looking forward to more courses from TrainSignal and hopefully J. Peter Bruzzese. 

Note:  Now available for free via YouTube.

System Center Operations Manager 2007 - Train Signal - Scott Lowe

System Center Operations Manager 2007
Train Signal
Scott Lowe

This course is intended to cover System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2. The training teaches you: Client Monitoring, Operations Manager Security, Monitoring VMware Servers, Monitoring Non-Windows Devices and so much more. It should also help prepare you for the 70-400 Exam. It is a very good course and Scott is very enthusiastic about the material he is teaching. His passion is very contagious.

Lessons:
System Center Operations Manager 2007 Course Introduction
Operations Manager Overview
Installing Operations Manager
Introduction to the Management Console
Post-Installation Tasks, Discovery, and Agent Deployment
Understanding and Using Management Packs
Groups, Rules, Tasks, and Monitors
Understanding Alerts, Notifications, and Distributed Application Monitoring
Monitoring Non-Windows Devices
Client Monitoring
Deploying Operations Manager Reporting and Data Warehouse
Operations Manager Security
Monitoring VMware Servers
Using the Service Level Dashboard

Lab Machines:
DC1 - Doamin Controller
SCOM1 - System Center Operations Manager Server
DB1 - SCOM Database Server
DB2 - Second SCOm Database Server
XP7 - Windows XP Client Workstation
SLES1 - SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

You can build out a lab and follow along and do all the set up and configuration with Scott. Scott provides about a dozen urls to resources you will need or for more information and jumping off points.  Literally you could spend years learning to master and tweak SCOM but this course gives you a great starting point for getting it up and running and shows you the basics of some of the customizations you can provide in your environment. It was a good course and I look forward to the 2012 SCOM course that is under development.

SQL 101 - Train Signal - Mel Haynes

SQL 101
An introduction to Structured Query Language
Train Signal
Mel Haynes

It is funny. I have done an intro to SQL course three times now over the last 7 years, and then never used it again and every few years do a refresher. It has always been on my long-term goals to really learn SQL but never been a priority because it was not something I was responsible for. Now after a change in roles and a few changes in responsibilities, I manage a number of systems that run SQL in the back end and manage 9 different SQL servers. So it was time to knuckle down and get to it.

I did this course as a quick and dirty intro to SQL to get me going again. It gave me the basics and even a better understanding of the history and importance of language in your queries. It was a great course. Mel provides files and with every lesson you lab and practice what he teaches either with him or on your own.  The course is under 2 hours in length but is a great jumping off point. I really appreciated the course and what it has taught me, and now on to the MS SQL 2012 exams. This course will get you up and running with SQL and Mel presents in a great way; his style is very engaging and humorous. It is a great course for beginners or as a refresher if it has been a few years like in my case. Well done!

VMware View 5 Essentials - Train Signal - Brian Knudtson and Lane Leverett

VMware View 5 Essentials
Train Signal
Brian Knudtson
Lane Leverett

This training course is available to purchase in a few different formats - order the CDs, online or through a package from Train Signal. It has been a while since I have taken a course self-paced like this one. It was a great course, well-paced and with all the information you need to get your View installation up and running. I worked through the videos twice and then went on and installed out VMWare View Instance at work in under two weeks. It had everything needed and gave all the skills to complete the work project with a short deadline.

There are almost 8 hours of training.  The lessons are:

1.    Getting Started with VMware View 5 Essentials Training
2.    Course Scenario
3.    Lab Setup
4.    View Components and Licensing
5.    Installing View 5
6.    Configuring Virtual Desktops
7.    Maintaining Desktop Pools
8.    User Profiles and Data
9.    Printing
10.    Creating ThinApp Packages
11.    ThinApp Deployment
12.    Monitoring View
13.    Troubleshooting View
14.    Upgrading to View 5
15.    Next StepsOver the years I have done a number of these self-paced courses. In this one, the material is presented in an easily understandable way. Both presenters are engaging and easy to follow. Each present material in a way that, to be frank, is not boring nor does it drone on. It is one of the better courses I have done in this mode.

Not only does this course include all the material you need to learn the skills and be able to do the work, they provide a number of links to resources, online documentation, blogs and more to kick-start your search to go deeper into the world of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. This course is definitely worth the cost! And it was fun, which is always a bonus.