So, I’ve brought about this topic before in this thread, but now I’m looking for a good place to start. Preferably a free software and semi easy way to learn (plentiful instructional videos online). In other words, I just wanna get my feet wet I wanna f***ing dive in head first!
So, anybody have a good place to start? I start classes in the Fall for networking and server virtualization, but I don’t feel like waiting around and sitting on my arse doing nothing for 4 months. How about VMware? Is that a viable starting point to start learning, or is there a more basic program that I should start on? Assume that I have no previous knowledge in any of these programs.
vmware workstation - $$$? kvm - good stuff. get basic knowladge in routing like subnets ipv4, and protocols static, rip, ospf... get some old ass cisco switches and routers to play around - you can get them on ebay for $20-40.
Agreed. If you pick up even like an 8 port switch that supports VLANs, chances are your VM hypervisor supports them too, so you'll be able to create multiple networks to test your VM stuff on. That's how I got into networking, although admittedly I was a little too gung-ho about it lol...
VMWare Workstation costs money to buy. You can do a 30 day trial though.
I bought it recently as I moved from Mac to PC, think it is £250ish incl. VAT. Sadly my VMWare Fusion license wouldn't port. I do like the fact that VMWare let you swap between Linux and Windows versions though.
Oracle VirtualBox is free if you want to try virtual machines out for free without a time limit though.
Another question to anyone else in the thread. Would it be easier to learn with a Linux distro, or should I just stick with Windows? I have more experience with Windows, but I have a basic understanding with Linux and wouldn't mind learning more with it. What do you guys think?