N+ advice needed

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Hi guys, I'm currently studying for my A+, and when I've finished it I'm debating about doing the N+ or the MCDST.

I have been repairing/upgrading/building PC's for nearly 12 years now, mostly family and friends though, hece the reason I'm doing the A+ now. I also have limited experience/knowledge in setting up and using networks (home ones, but hey, it's still a network ).

When I do the N+, I'm thinking about setting up a proper PC network, with a server etc to get some experience as I go along. Also, if an employer sees this, then it will help show that I'm determined. I'm planning on using my loft for the network build, however, if it is too big then I can use the double sized garage for it. What I want to know is, with setting up a network with a server, etc to get some practise with, how many PC's am I going to have to get?

The plan is to get some cheapish crappy PC's off of eBay to use the test network with.

 

Thanks for the advice on it. I'm also hoping to got for the MCSA, MCSE and maybe a Cisco course, hence the reason I want the network to practise with. I've heard about running a virtual PC, which I think I may instill on my laptop, but I need to do some research on that option first.

 

How would an employer see your lab setup, complete with server? Going to invite them over to the house?

Creating a home lab is great... and will give you great practice for the Network+ exam... but everybody and their brother creates home networks. It really won't make much of a difference to an employer if you've got two PCs, twenty PCs, or a server on your home network. What employers want to see is real-world experience in a real-world corporate environment, with real-world users connected to a real-world network with real-world data flowing across it. Trust me, it's entirely different when you're out of the lab.

If you don't have experience, at least you will have the certification to set yourself apart from your competition. But experience will trump certification almost every time.

Best of luck to you!