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Early one morning, an engineer end user discovered that the Engineer servers were unreachable, and he didn’t know if he could reach the Internet. The administrator investigated the user’s PC with the IPCONFIG /ALL command and verified that the PC was a DHCP client, but it had received an address from the Accounting DHCP server, not the Engineering DHCP server.

While Apple has created many fine things, they were yet to be created themselves when Xerox PARC scientists created Media Access Control addresses. These MAC addresses are 48 bits or 6 bytes long, so they are also known as MAC-48 or EUI-48. EUI stands for Extended Unique Identifier. It is written in hexadecimal characters as shown below:

When you connect your server or storage, it will send a Fabric login (FLOGI) request. This FLOGI request serves two purposes: Fibre Channel ID is the WWPN connection to this port from the FLOGI server Exchange buffer credits with the switch To better understand the first function, it is exactly the same if I rewrite it as, “request an IP address for a MAC address from the DHCP server”.

Hackers are looking for your company’s network. Unless you are offline and have no internet connectivity, the company network is discoverable.

Finding the right job may not always be that easy. For IT and cybersecurity professionals who are searching for a new job, or would just like to hang onto their current one, there are steps you can take to improve your job position. Whether you’re looking to get better at your job or advance up the ranks of your organization, these tips are aimed at you!

With 2021 quickly approaching, you need to be ready for existing and new threats. If you want to secure your system from hackers, then you need to think like them. In 2020, we saw attacks on many companies such as Twitter, Experian South Africa, British Airlines, DigitalOcean, etc. These companies have trained security teams, but hackers continue to find ways exploit vulnerabilities.

There are several advantages to implementing a route-based VPN (a.k.a. tunnel interface VPN) instead of a site-to-site one. Learn more.

What’s the difference between incidents and problems? This article explains the differences between these ITIL® concepts, how they are related, and why it matters.

This Certification Prep Guide provides an overview of the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification and offers helpful tips that you can use when preparing for your certification exam. 

Keep your project on time and within budget by controlling the baselines, budget, and schedule. View our comprehensive guide to project management, from project scheduling to cost control, from the experts at Global Knowledge.

Prepping for a Microsoft certification exam? Global Knowledge's own Tracy Wallace has you covered with these six tips for passing any Microsoft exam.

Critical thinking allows us to take control of our thinking rather than letting it become hijacked by convenience, mindset, assumptions and bias. This white paper will walk you through understanding the implications of inputs (data) and influences (bias) to the reasoning process. You will learn how to develop a questioning outlook and quality standards that will lead you to make more effective decisions.

What quality did the most influential leaders throughout history, such as Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, and Margaret Thatcher, all have in common? They were some of the greatest orators the world has ever known. Their communication skills were the tools with which they built up nations with strong foundations. They taught us that the most fundamental factor of success is without a doubt communication, and that strong communication is the pathway to strong leadership. Here you will find a breakdown of what makes an effective communicator and how you too can develop your leadership skills through communication.

Project quality management is the process of determining the quality standards that are applicable to a project and devising a way to satisfy them. Learn more here.

Project Scope Management sets the foundation for the creation, development and successful delivery of a project. Learn about the project management process here.

There’s a lot of pressure on IT decision-makers to fill the cybersecurity holes in their organization. The cyber skills shortage is palpable and growing. Cybersecurity is the most challenging IT hiring area in the world. Those of you expecting to hire your way out of your cyber skills gaps, we have some bad news for you—it’s not viable.

Implementing business analysis (BA) in organizations needs to be done in a well-planned process. The three steps are contingent on the BA maturity of the organization, its vision for how BA will be used and the degree of executive sponsorship.

As IT departments struggle with skills gaps and businesses attempt to recovery economically from the COVID-19 pandemic, these 10 IT skills are essential to drive success. Job roles in these areas pay well, but decision-makers are struggling to find qualified candidates. If you’re looking to make an IT skills investment or start a new career path this year, these are the areas to consider.

These technology job roles are proven to be essential during a crisis as enterprises scramble to change strategies and meet goals. The skills demonstrated by IT professionals in these 10 positions can make the difference between business success and failure, especially during a recession.

Discover what's possible with unlimited Microsoft training. The GK Polaris Discovery subscription includes access to over 100 Microsoft courses, allowing you to prep for the Microsoft certification of your choice. Learn about the value of certification, the benefits of virtual classroom training, and how GK Polaris can help boost your career.

While cybersecurity remains the most popular certification category in our IT Skills and Salary Report, foundational-level certifications highlight our list of the most popular IT certifications of 2020. 

This cybersecurity white paper explores the origins and motivations of cyberwarfare, and provides actions you can take in response.

If you’ve been wondering what are some good IT pranks for April Fools’ Day—or any other time of the year—this is the post for you. Whether you’re an IT pro with decades of experience or a noob who is about to learn that holding CTRL+SHIFT+ESC is a faster way to access the task manager (you’re welcome), we have an IT prank for you.

Those who have never trained in a virtual classroom, or haven’t trained in one for years, may have some pre-conceived notions about online training – many of which are either wrong or out-of-date. To dispel any misconceptions, let’s explore eight common myths of virtual training and the truth behind each.

The benefit of Private Group Training (PGT), particularly when it comes to high-priority or high-risk skills, is it gathers a group of like colleagues together in front of a subject matter expert. PGT, which can also be referred to as onsite training, coordinates the group, eliminating the disparity between co-worker skill sets.

For women in IT, advancing your career can be a challenge in itself. In the Global Knowledge 2019 IT Skills and Salary Report, only eight percent of senior- and executive-level IT professionals are women. We have pulled data from our research that sheds light on the job roles, skills, challenges, certifications and experience of women in tech who have progressed to the highest levels of an organization.

According to the Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report, women make up 16% of the tech workforce, and an even smaller percentage (8%) are at the senior or executive level. Here’s an overview of the most popular and most pursued certifications by women in tech.

Examine the evolution from physical servers to VMs to containers and the driving factors behind this change. Also review the available container management solutions on AWS, Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure. 

Based on survey responses from the Global Knowledge 2019 IT Skills and Salary Report, the highest-paying certifications reveal a strong emphasis on particular topics, such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, networking and project management. In fact, cloud and project management dominate the top five spots.

This Certification Prep Guide provides an overview of the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification and offers helpful tips that you can use when preparing for your certification exam.

If you’re looking to fortify your cloud expertise, there are a number of certifications to consider. We have compiled 10 cloud certifications that are sure to positively affect your career. 

IT organizations could benefit from degree deflation. By deemphasizing college degrees during the hiring process, an open pipeline to more candidates could emerge, leading to diminished skills gaps and potentially lower payroll.

ITIL 4 education has been undergoing its slow reveal for almost 12 months.  As the process is passing the halfway point, I’m committing my own and Global Knowledge’s thoughts to print. I’d also like to share with you some tips for continuing your ITIL education journey.

A Project Manager Professional (PMP) is an individual who has earned an industry-recognized project manager certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI). 

The demand for professionals who can successfully manage a project to completion is rising. Heavy demand means you will be able to command a higher salary and have the flexibility to choose projects you are passionate about.  

Scrum serves as a framework for the development of software and other products. It helps teams collaborate and provides a way to address challenges and changes in order to deliver a high value product. The Scrum Master promotes and supports the framework (Scrum). A Certified Scrum Master (CSM) helps everyone understand Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values.

Global Knowledge subject matter experts predict the top trends for 2020 in IT training, Microsoft, Cisco, AWS, cybersecurity and more.

We asked Global Knowledge’s tech enthusiasts for their ideal wish list items this year. Check out our list of the top 12 tech gifts of 2019.

Ask any executive today about digital transformation and they’ll likely tell you about their organization’s plans to integrate cutting-edge technologies. 

Managers are in dire need of cybersecurity professionals with specific skills. If you’re looking to advance your career, or transfer into the cyber field, now is the time to get certified.

Cybersecurity is a top technology investment area around the globe, with over half of our survey respondents saying it’s a priority. It’s no longer a niche skill—every IT professional needs some cybersecurity knowledge.

This e-book details the six steps along the learner’s journey. People are the heart of any organization and success can only be achieved when you develop the people who orchestrate technology and business processes. Learn how to identify and close skills gaps, select a training provider, evaluate success, and more.

As IT professionals gravitate away from classroom training and toward on-demand courses and e-learning, IT skills gaps have spiked. Instructor-led training is still the best option to fill critical skills needs and shouldn't be pushed aside entirely for more convenient and cost-effective options.

Explore how IT decision-makers’ training views have changed since we first released our annual IT Skills and Salary Report 12 years ago. Once viewed as an expense, IT leadership now sees professional development as an investment. Even with shrinking budgets and a recent rise in skills gaps, the value of training is currently at an all-time high.

The value of IT certifications has grown considerably over the last decade. Examine the evolution of certification trends, see the top-paying certifications and learn how decision-makers are struggling to hire certified employees.

Looking ahead at new and emerging certifications provides insight into the areas deemed valuable in the IT industry. If you are an early adopter or in a position where you need to show that you have the bleeding-edge expertise of a technology, this list of recent and upcoming certifications is for you. 

Google Cloud certifications had a breakout year according to the Global Knowledge 2019 IT Skills and Salary Report. GCP Cloud Architect is the top-paying IT certification in North America and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), while Google Cloud salaries are 34% higher than the average for North America. As more IT departments adopt multi-cloud strategies, Google Cloud skills are increasing in popularity.

If you’re worn out by daily road rage—how many middle fingers can you see in one day—or irked at the prospect of being taxed to death, maybe it’s time for a change. Future job opportunity, salary, cost of living and quality of life are a balancing act. We can’t tell you what to do, but we can let you know where IT professionals are making the highest average salaries in the U.S.

ISACA certifications are some of the most popular and highest-paying in the Global Knowledge 2019 IT Skills and Salary Report. Eleven percent of IT professionals in the United States and Canada are ISACA-certified, and their salaries are 12% above the North American average.

There’s undeniably good news for Citrix-certified IT professionals this year. Pursuing at least one Citrix certification has the potential to unlock a host of benefits ranging from above average salaries to greater prestige in the workplace thanks to improved knowledge and capabilities resulting from certifications. Simply put: Citrix certifications pay big dividends according to the Global Knowledge 2019 IT Skills and Salary Report.

There’s a reason why one out of four certified IT professionals in North America hold at least one CompTIA certification. IT professionals who hold at least one certification have higher salaries, are more productive and generally are more satisfied in their job than their non-certified peers.

This year, CISSP-certified IT professionals have the third highest global salary ($116,573) and the 10th highest in North America ($123,815). This is nothing new—CISSP has ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. each year since 2015, even coming in first in 2018. CISSP is a top-paying certification year after year. But how has it remained so relevant and valuable?

There are two types of networks: those that have been hacked and those that will be. To defend against hacks, cyber professionals can benefit greatly from ethical hacking programs.

In 2019, Microsoft has thoughtfully adapted their curriculum to boost Azure skills adoption. And to further speed up Azure consumption, Global Knowledge has stepped in to support Microsoft’s evolution and their new strategy. We’re fighting change with change. And here’s how we did it.

Online instructor-led training provides an accountability partner, providing you with the highest likelihood of acheiving your desired certification.

Five tips for staying above the office drama that could cost you your job.

There’s a lot to experience whether you are a Cisco Live vet or newbie. Here are a few things I’m looking forward to seeing at Cisco Live 2019.

For organizations with the willingness to get in shape and regain their corporate vitality, combining and aligning best practice frameworks is a sure way to achieve that goal. Admittedly, it takes work. Combining ITIL® 4 and project management should be high on your list.

Should an organization that is the victim of an intentional nefarious hacking activity resort to retaliation? It’s a question that has been gathering a lot of attention. Retaliating against bad actors might seem appealing, but what are the legal ramifications? In this article, find out if there is a legal precedent to "hacking back."

Learn about all of your options before choosing the path that works for our organization. Here we look at three of the common metrics questions and how ITIL® offers a balanced view for solving them.    

Answer the questions posed in our ITIL Decision Tree to see if you should pursue ITIL 4. It’s easy-to-follow and no matter how you answer, it will provide a distinct next step for your ITIL journey.

IT professionals comment on all aspects of the tech industry in responses to Global Knowledge 2019 IT Skills and Salary Survey. Hot topics this year include training obstacles, skills gaps, leadership and digital transformation.

ITIL is one of the most sought-after certifications among IT professionals—nearly one in five is ITIL-certified. Find out how ITIL students apply what they learned to their job.

In the world of corporate technology training, blended or hybrid learning is a recent introduction. While a few learning providers have launched offerings, only Global Knowledge has implemented a solution—Blended Live—that utilizes the true potential of a blended learning delivery model.

As organizations struggle to balance budgets and prioritize training, skills gaps are growing—75% of North American decision-makers report existing skills shortages. And the impacts are potentially disastrous. With so much on the line, initial and ongoing training are instrumental to project and organizational success.

To help set you up for training success, here are 4 tips to select the right instructor-led course.

The ITIL 4 update is the first since 2011, and will address the new processes, vocabulary, and methods used in modern IT, including DevOps, Agile, and Lean IT development.

Ask yourself these four questions and you'll pick the best course for your needs.

ITIL® 4 Foundation Bridge is a new Global Knowledge course that addresses the specific needs of professionals who have already achieved the ITIL v3 Foundation certification and wish to upgrade to ITIL 4. 

In support of software-defined networking, Cisco has introduced several products to strengthen networks and meet the increased demand for flexible and cost-efficient solutions. The Cisco SDN solution in the data center is ACI. Outside the data center the primary Cisco solution is DNA.

The CCNAX - CCNA Routing and Switching Boot Camp is a great option to obtain Cisco Routing and Switching skills while pursuing the CCNA Routing and Switching certification. 

Software-defined networking (SDN) is a solution that will enable your organization to meet the demands of network programmability and automation. The result will be greater network agility to support new applications while complying with increasing security needs.

Global Knowledge subject matter experts know certification exams inside and out. They understand the study methods and test-taking techniques that pay off the most when it’s exam time. Here are 10 certification exam tips and tricks, directly from our experts and Certification Prep Guides, that will best position you for certification success.

Do you remember that teacher that made the most difficult concepts easy to understand? The one who amazed you with their complete understanding of the subject matter. We remember those teachers too and the concepts they imparted on us. We know that a good teacher can have a lifelong impact on their students. That’s why we employ only the best and brightest instructors at Global Knowledge.

Convenience remains an alluring course feature today, as students migrate from traditional classroom environments to digital learning.

The traditional network engineering model of configuring one device at a time simply doesn’t scale to the growing needs of today’s network. Cisco's intent-based networks and software-defined networking solutions will enable your organization to meet the demands of network programmability and automation. The result will be greater network agility to support new applications while complying with increasing security needs.

Cloud computing has risen from relative obscurity to the No. 1 tech area of interest in the world, according to the 2017 Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report.

How do you measure the experience and knowledge of an IT professional? One way is through certifications. Earning any certification is a notable achievement, though not all certifications carry the same perceived worth.

IT is a very fast changing industry – what is hot today may be a tiny niche market in only a few years and lesser known things may turn out to be huge trends. That having been said, there are many certifications that will be around for a long time. However, this does not imply that recertification and/or continuing education credits are not required to maintain certification. Predicting the future is always challenging, including in IT, but these certifications are good bets.

If you work in IT, chances are you have your very own IT horror story. Who are we kidding? Chances are you have several IT horror stories. In honor of Halloween, we asked for the worst of the worst - the one your IT buddies tell their IT buddies. We got some good ones too. It was tough, but we compared the stories and narrowed it down to our three favorites who we present here for your (scary) reading enjoyment.