Technical Foundations
Operating Systems Administration
- What you Need to Know
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Windows System Administration
- Essential Windows commands for system information, network configuration, and process management
- Windows troubleshooting tools (Event Viewer, Resource Monitor, Performance Monitor)
- Common Windows issues diagnosis (application startup, performance problems)
- Resources:
- CompTIA A+ Operating Systems - Professor Messer - Windows, macOS, and Linux administration fundamentals
- Windows Command Line Reference - Microsoft - Official Windows commands documentation
- Windows Sysinternals - Microsoft - Advanced Windows troubleshooting tools
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macOS System Administration
- Essential macOS commands for system profiling, network configuration, and process management
- macOS troubleshooting tools (Activity Monitor, Console, Disk Utility, Network Utility)
- Service management with launchd and system log analysis
- Resources:
- macOS Terminal Guide - Apple - Official macOS terminal documentation
- macOS Support Essentials - Apple - Professional macOS support training
- macOS Command Line Tools - Apple Developer - Advanced command line usage
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Linux System Administration
- Essential Linux commands for system information, process management, and service control
- Linux log analysis techniques and systemd service management
- File permissions, network configuration, and troubleshooting methods
- Resources:
- Linux Command Line Basics - Ubuntu - Comprehensive Linux tutorial for beginners
- Linux Journey - Interactive Linux learning platform with hands-on exercises
- Linux System Administration - Red Hat - Professional Linux administration course (free materials available)
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Networking Fundamentals and Troubleshooting
- What you Need to Know
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Network Protocols and Models
- OSI Model layers and TCP/IP stack understanding
- HTTP/HTTPS, DNS, TCP/UDP protocol fundamentals
- Network addressing, routing, and connectivity concepts
- Resources:
- CompTIA Network+ Course - Professor Messer - Comprehensive networking fundamentals
- Networking Fundamentals - Cisco Networking Academy - Free comprehensive networking course
- Computer Networking Course - Khan Academy - Interactive networking basics
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Network Troubleshooting Tools and Techniques
- Connectivity testing with ping, traceroute, and DNS resolution tools
- Network analysis using netstat, ss, and packet capture tools
- Common network issues diagnosis (DNS problems, connectivity failures, performance issues)
- Resources:
- Network Troubleshooting Guide - Cisco - Professional network diagnosis techniques
- Wireshark Network Analysis - Wireshark University - Packet capture and analysis training
- TCP/IP Troubleshooting - Microsoft - Network connectivity troubleshooting
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Database Fundamentals and Performance
- What you Need to Know
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Database Types and Management
- Relational databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server) and NoSQL databases (MongoDB, Redis)
- SQL query fundamentals and database connection troubleshooting
- Database performance monitoring and optimization techniques
- Resources:
- SQL Tutorial - W3Schools - Interactive SQL learning with practical examples
- MySQL Tutorial - MySQL Documentation - Official MySQL learning resources
- PostgreSQL Tutorial - PostgreSQL Documentation - Comprehensive PostgreSQL guide
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Database Performance Troubleshooting
- Query performance analysis and optimization strategies
- Database connection issues diagnosis and resolution
- Monitoring database metrics and identifying bottlenecks
- Resources:
- Database Performance Tuning - Oracle - Professional database optimization techniques
- MongoDB Performance Best Practices - MongoDB University - NoSQL database optimization (free courses)
- Database Monitoring Guide - SolarWinds - Database performance monitoring strategies
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Web Technologies and API Debugging
- What you Need to Know
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HTTP Protocol and Web Application Fundamentals
- HTTP methods, status codes, headers, and request/response cycle
- Web application architecture and common web technologies
- Browser developer tools for debugging web applications
- Resources:
- Web Development Basics - freeCodeCamp - HTML, CSS, JavaScript fundamentals
- HTTP Protocol Guide - MDN - Comprehensive HTTP documentation
- Browser Developer Tools Guide - MDN - Technical debugging with browser tools
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API Testing and Troubleshooting
- REST API concepts, authentication methods, and testing techniques
- API debugging using tools like Postman and curl
- Common API issues diagnosis (authentication, rate limiting, data format problems)
- Resources:
- API Fundamentals - Postman Academy - Free comprehensive API course
- REST API Tutorial - REST API Tutorial - Complete REST API learning guide
- cURL Tutorial - Everything cURL - Command-line API testing techniques
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Command Line Mastery and Automation
- What you Need to Know
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Advanced Command Line Skills
- File system navigation, text processing, and system monitoring
- Log analysis techniques using grep, awk, sed, and other text processing tools
- Process management, service control, and system resource monitoring
- Resources:
- Command Line Crash Course - Learn Code The Hard Way - Comprehensive CLI tutorial
- Linux Command Line - freeCodeCamp - Beginner-friendly command line guide
- Advanced Bash Scripting Guide - TLDP - Comprehensive bash scripting reference
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Scripting and Automation for Support Tasks
- Basic scripting in Bash, PowerShell, and Python for automation
- Creating scripts for common support tasks and system monitoring
- Automation best practices and error handling in scripts
- Resources:
- Automate the Boring Stuff with Python - Free online book for automation with Python
- PowerShell Scripting Guide - Microsoft - Official PowerShell documentation
- Bash Scripting Tutorial - Linux Config - Practical bash scripting examples
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Ready to Advance? Continue to Module 3: Advanced Troubleshooting to master sophisticated problem-solving and system analysis techniques.