Need help building a home study lab.

Discussion in 'Training & Development' started by Pelham, Oct 14, 2007.

  1. Pelham

    Pelham New Member

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    Please can someone tell me what i would need as far as equipment is concerned to build a home study lab. I will shortly be starting my comptia A+ (Ultimately i want to go for mcse). I have read that i will need a home study lab if i am to self study, I have tried googling "build a home study lab" but i get a lot of info about cisco stuff which is confusing to say the least. Any help would be appreciated.

    Approved - Boyce
     
  2. Boycie
    Honorary Member

    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

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    Hi,

    As far as the A+, is concerned, i would get a machine from the local paper (or e-bay) and have a play around with some of the topics you will be tested on;

    swopping hardware over (graphic cards, motherboards)
    partitioning
    installing software
    troubleshooting a computer that won't start.

    Simon
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, MCDST, A+, N+, CTT+, MCT
  3. tripwire45
    Honorary Member

    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

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    You probably want to build your lab in stages, unless you are incredibly weathly. For the A+, all you really need is a spare PC or two for the hardware part. As far as an OS, Windows 2000 Pro will do just find since the vast majority of software questions target that OS. Take a look at the objectives and see if you might need any additional equipment such as a printer or small hub and some Ethernet patch cables. That should do it and in all likelihood, will be a good start if you plan to also earn your Network+ cert (recommended).

    After that, take a look at the objectives for each exam you plan on studying for and determine what equipment/software you will need. Eventually, you'll either need several more computers to act as server and client computers including a few domain controllers and a wee router or two. Barring that, you could also purchase one really beefed up PC (fast CPU and lots and lots of RAM), purchase some virtualization software such as VMware or Virtual PC, and create a virtual domain or two within the single box.
     
    Certifications: A+ and Network+
  4. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    good idea, all you need for the A+ is Mike Myeres all in exam guide, a spare pc and Trips book is a good idea its called PC technician street smarts by James pyles, I would recommend it.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  5. asje1

    asje1 Byte Poster

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    What does the A+ exam actually involve?

    Im looking into getting a spare computer and maybe a really old computer (as i only have a laptop...) for my study lab.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+

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