AlphaObeisance
Active Member
I'm currently preparing to purchase my Linux+ and Security+ packages to get the certifications. I've been studying exclusively Linux for the past 5 years, and have become well acquainted with the systems, eventually favoring Arch Linux for personal and typically Fedora/Debian based systems for more productive applications. Thanks to f33dm3bits here on Linux.org I'm trying to simultaneously study Anisble while trying to wrap my head around networking (good with systems, semi good with networks).
I have built up my own home lab as pictured in some of my previous posts, recently adding a Cisco Catalyst 3560 Series PoE 48 port Class 3 switch. This has forced me to attempt to learn how to set up VLANs and so on so forth. I seemingly comprehend the entire setup process and can create and name VLANs, assign their IP's and enable ip routing and such; but I'm clearly missing something here as once settings are applied I lose internet access entirely. Point being I've only been studying it for all of a couple days and I feel like I've just got this one last hurdle to comprehend before I can successfully configure the switch without issue.
So now that I've summarized the nature of the steps I've taken to learn all of this stuff without formal education, kind users here at Linux.org encouraged me to get Linux+ and Security+ to get started and build up from there. I've been told repeatedly by countless people that what I do with my home lab, and all my DIY Arch Linux builds, I'm already doing way more than is typically required in most any Systems Administration gig (barring SOPs involving networking and such). Point is I understand enough that if I actually had a job to do it wouldn't take me much time at all to figure out most any given problem. I may not know how to do something, but I'm pretty dang good at critical thinking in most cases, and I have a passion for researching (I don't like not knowing something).
With all this said. Lets say I finally get my Linux+ and Security+ certifications. Could any kind souls out there please inform me on what steps I should take after obtaining said certs? I fancy systems administration, I like setting up servers and configuring and all that. But honestly security intrigues me equally so, spite Networking being my least versed skill.
I run my own FOSS AI models through use of things like OpenWebUI/Ollama or AnythingLLM/Ollama and I've configured countless modelfiles that deliberately mold the AI to act and cunction in any given particular way. TBH if I had someone that could built a front end, I could be building AI left and right like all these sub based AI services for AI therapists, programmers, medical advisors, accounting and so forth (it's literally limitless), but I'm just not smart enough to organize that kind of project so I mostly just do it for fun and host local for family.
I feel like I'm nearing that "moment" when I purchase these outlandishly expensive certification testing packs and hope that I can pass. I trust the outlandish expense of these 3 year certifications is justified by enabling me to get a well paying gig SOMEWHERE in IT; as that would be the only way to justify a $1300 certification. This excites me but makes me nervous because I honestly have no idea what to do after I get certified.
I've got a dear friend who's been in IT over 30 years, no doubt some of you would probably even know him. He's been a lot of help, and he's been very supportive (He's helped me aquire much of the server hardware I've got on my rack. But I wanted to ask the forum because this is literally the only Forum i care to participate in as you are all (the regulars) always so freakin supportive and have seemingly acknowledged the drive and passion I have behind all of this and done a lot to help me out already.
I can assure you, taking the time to share whatever advice you can will not go unappreciated and will no doubt directly result in the betterment of my life. I have to make this work, as failure is not an option.
I appreciate your having taken the time to read this if you did, more so if you can understand my position as a little IT damsel in distress if you will; though I'm not as pretty as Repunzel as the dad bod and beardliness can be quite offputting lol.
Thanks again.
AO
I have built up my own home lab as pictured in some of my previous posts, recently adding a Cisco Catalyst 3560 Series PoE 48 port Class 3 switch. This has forced me to attempt to learn how to set up VLANs and so on so forth. I seemingly comprehend the entire setup process and can create and name VLANs, assign their IP's and enable ip routing and such; but I'm clearly missing something here as once settings are applied I lose internet access entirely. Point being I've only been studying it for all of a couple days and I feel like I've just got this one last hurdle to comprehend before I can successfully configure the switch without issue.
So now that I've summarized the nature of the steps I've taken to learn all of this stuff without formal education, kind users here at Linux.org encouraged me to get Linux+ and Security+ to get started and build up from there. I've been told repeatedly by countless people that what I do with my home lab, and all my DIY Arch Linux builds, I'm already doing way more than is typically required in most any Systems Administration gig (barring SOPs involving networking and such). Point is I understand enough that if I actually had a job to do it wouldn't take me much time at all to figure out most any given problem. I may not know how to do something, but I'm pretty dang good at critical thinking in most cases, and I have a passion for researching (I don't like not knowing something).
With all this said. Lets say I finally get my Linux+ and Security+ certifications. Could any kind souls out there please inform me on what steps I should take after obtaining said certs? I fancy systems administration, I like setting up servers and configuring and all that. But honestly security intrigues me equally so, spite Networking being my least versed skill.
I run my own FOSS AI models through use of things like OpenWebUI/Ollama or AnythingLLM/Ollama and I've configured countless modelfiles that deliberately mold the AI to act and cunction in any given particular way. TBH if I had someone that could built a front end, I could be building AI left and right like all these sub based AI services for AI therapists, programmers, medical advisors, accounting and so forth (it's literally limitless), but I'm just not smart enough to organize that kind of project so I mostly just do it for fun and host local for family.
I feel like I'm nearing that "moment" when I purchase these outlandishly expensive certification testing packs and hope that I can pass. I trust the outlandish expense of these 3 year certifications is justified by enabling me to get a well paying gig SOMEWHERE in IT; as that would be the only way to justify a $1300 certification. This excites me but makes me nervous because I honestly have no idea what to do after I get certified.
I've got a dear friend who's been in IT over 30 years, no doubt some of you would probably even know him. He's been a lot of help, and he's been very supportive (He's helped me aquire much of the server hardware I've got on my rack. But I wanted to ask the forum because this is literally the only Forum i care to participate in as you are all (the regulars) always so freakin supportive and have seemingly acknowledged the drive and passion I have behind all of this and done a lot to help me out already.
I can assure you, taking the time to share whatever advice you can will not go unappreciated and will no doubt directly result in the betterment of my life. I have to make this work, as failure is not an option.
I appreciate your having taken the time to read this if you did, more so if you can understand my position as a little IT damsel in distress if you will; though I'm not as pretty as Repunzel as the dad bod and beardliness can be quite offputting lol.
Thanks again.
AO
