Promotion

[necine]

Right now I'm 20 years old working as technical support for a small ISP. Here, Tech Support is eqivalent to anything that needs to be done, including phone support. For instance, if a customer brings in there computer for repair usually I will fix it. Or if a blurb needs to be written for the website, I will be the one that writes it.

One of our road technicians (drive out to companies and fix their computers/networks/etc) became sick, and my boss was kind of forced to send me. Well after he heard praise from the people at the jobs I worked on, he decided I should be "promoted" to this position. He told me that I would need to read some books and learn some stuff... Very vague. I was curious if anyone had any suggestions for networking books or anything that might be useful. We usually work with smaller networks (less then 50 computers). The promotion includes a 20% to 100% pay increase in addition to being less stressful, so I kind of want to get this right.

Cliffs:
1) Work as tech support, but really do everything under the sun.
2) Road technician got sick, I had to fill in on a few jobs.
3) Received praise from jobs, and boss wants to promote me now.
4) He vaguely said I need to read some books.
5) ... What books? Suggestions?

 

[AdamSnow]

Go get your A+ to show that you understand the workings of the computer... hardware and software at a basic level.

Then go get your MCP and Network+ to show you can specialize in something... even Server+ if you are going to be working on those...

-- In my view - this would trump any book you can tell him you read.

 

[BigJ]

If you want to get a core and more thorough understanding of networks, I'd suggest reading some of the Net+ and CCNA exam books. Eventually go out for the certs.

A+ exam/cert if you want to assure him you know more about workstations in general.

These books may be redundant and have information in them you know already, but I'm sure you'll get a greater understanding after reading them.

 

[Cleaner]

Anything you read on computers would be good. You can never stop learning in this field. Educate or Stagnate.

 

Ask him to pay for some cert classes if he really wants you to be at the top of your game.

 

[necine]

Originally posted by: AdamSnow
Go get your A+ to show that you understand the workings of the computer... hardware and software at a basic level.

Then go get your MCP and Network+ to show you can specialize in something... even Server+ if you are going to be working on those...

-- In my view - this would trump any book you can tell him you read.

Well, A+ is not necessary because I regularly build/fix computers in the office... Hardware I'm fine in. He also said certifications were not necessary... I'm just looking for some book recommendations on books so I could set up/test with my home network. Thanks!

 

[necine]

Originally posted by: jumpr
Ask him to pay for some cert classes if he really wants you to be at the top of your game.

He's cheap... He wont pay for cert classes.

 

[PawNtheSandman]

Michael Meyers Network + All In One Guide

Even if your not taking a cert test, it is one of the best books for basic networking that will actually explain how, and why, not just prepare you to answer test questions.