Wednesday, May 23, 2012

I passed the CompTIA Network+ exam!

Whoo-hoo! I passed the exam! I'm now Network+ certified. It feels good.

My study method was the following: 

* I read through Mike Meyers' book on the network+ exam three times. I underlined and wrote down key points to put into memory. 
* I studied the key points a few times through the day before and the day of the test.
* I took the practice tests and exams available on the cd that came with Meyers' book
* Took the practice exam from CompTIA located on their website. 
* prayed :) 

I have to say that the practice exam on CompTIA's website was much more difficult than the actual exam. I think it's because the official exam asked more scenario based questions whereas the practice exam from compTIA focused more on defining terms. 

Anyway, I'm an excited fellow right now. I now have two certifications to add to my associate degree in IT. I guess next I will focus on a Microsoft certification?

Monday, May 21, 2012

Network+ test coming up soon!

My comptia network+ exam is this coming Wednesday! Am I nervous? Yeah, I am just a little bit nervous. I've read Mike Meyers' Network+ book two times through, now working on the third reading prepping for Wednesday. I didn't think a third reading would be beneficial, but it actually has been beneficial for me. Subnetting makes more sense now and so does distance-vector and link-state routing. So, this third reading had rocked so far.

I'm also working on my official third year as an IT professional. By 'official' I mean employed. Before employment I was a tech enthusiast, but not professional. I think working in the IT field helps tremendously with these exams, but I guess I can't know that for sure until I pass the Net+ exam this coming Wednesday.

Buy Mike's Network+ book here. Note: I'm studying the 2009/4th edition book because that is the exam I registered to take. The 2012 exams, I believe, are out and ready for registration and so are the books. I know for sure that Mike's 4th edition book is solid and well worth using for prepping, but I can't say for sure if his newest book is a good tool because I haven't personally used it. However, based on my experience with his books, I'm sure it's a good read and tool. 

Monday, May 14, 2012

Installing and configuring Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

Over the last couple of months I have been testing Exchange Server 2010. In preparation for the install and configuration of Exchange Server 2010, I was greatly helped by the list of links below, so I'm sharing. I hope these links help you as much as they helped me.

Enjoy!

Installing Exchange 2010 step-by-step http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/datacenter/Installing-Exchange-2010-Step-by-Step-3877601.htm

Understanding receive connectors in Exchange 2010 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996395.aspx


Create an SMTP receive connector http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb125159.aspx

Understanding Edge subscriptions http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa997438.aspx

How to allow relaying in Exchange 2010...securely http://exchangepedia.com/2007/01/exchange-server-2007-how-to-allow-relaying.html

Anonymous Relay with Exchange 2010 http://blogs.catapultsystems.com/tharrington/archive/2010/07/20/anonymous-relay-with-exchange-20072010.aspx

Troubleshooting the client access server http://blogs.catapultsystems.com/tharrington/archive/2010/09/17/troubleshooting-the-client-access-server.aspx

SSL for outlook web app 2010 http://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/Server_Software/Email_Servers/Exchange/Q_26160513.html

Security warning when you start outlook 2007 then connect it to Exchange 2010 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940726

Troubleshoot Outlook Web Access problems http://www.techrepublic.com/article/get-it-done-troubleshoot-outlook-web-access-problems/5031583