Atlanta, GA - January 13, 2006 - Get Into the Mix with the Mixed Networks
Bootcamp, April 24-28, 2006

In its continuing mission to provide innovative, niche-oriented classes
designed to fill targeted needs of the development and systems
administration industries, the Big Nerd Ranch announces the Mixed Networks
Bootcamp, April 24-28, 2006. The Bootcamp, featuring instructor Nate
Osborne, provides practical, hands-on instruction on the ins and outs of
managing a multi-platform network. Many systems administrators can boast
expertise in a certain platform, whether it be Unix-based, Microsoft, or
Novell, but few have experience to traverse a range of platforms to
effectively administer a secure and tightly functioning networked
environment. As more companies begin to centralize competing systems or
begin the migration from one operating system to another, finding an
administrator with the skills to handle such tasks can be a daunting
undertaking. The Mixed Networks Bootcamp is ideal for organizations and
administrators seeking to make that transition cost-effective and with
minimal disruption to workflow dynamics.

"Often what you'll see is a situation where a company decides to transition
the network from one system to another and the administrator is left
floundering trying to cram in as much information as possible to adequately
handle the change-over," commented Mixed Network instructor, Nathan
Osborne. "What this often translates into is unnecessary downtime, a mixed
bag of glitches and errors along the way and end-user, or management
dissatisfaction. The Mixed Networks Bootcamp is perfectly suited to
administrators confronting this challenge. It will shorten the learning
curve and help create a transition or integration free of bumps."

While the Bootcamp offers instruction to assist systems administrators in
their ability to manage cross-platform networked environments, students
attending the class should have prior experience with the basic Unix
command line, basic administration of Mac, Unix or Windows, and basic
networking concepts. The class focuses on Unix, Mac OS and Windows and the
elements listed below are involved in the process of shifting from one of
these operating systems to the other.

Students should be prepared to work hard in the five-day, intensive course
where the key elements of the Bootcamp include:

- File and printer sharing
- Text-based and GUI-based remote logins
- SSH tunneling
- VPN Clients and Servers
- Centralized authentication and Unix servers in a Windows domain
- Utilizing ODBC for database administration
- Exchange servers and non-Windows clients
- Utilizing open source tools to eliminate Spam on Exchange
- System Monitoring and cross-platform backups

Nate Osborne is a systems administrator and consultant with over eight
years in the technology industry. He has supported and managed a range of
systems from financial analytics to truck-fleet routing to the cutting edge
world of e-commerce. In his personal life, Nate has translated his passion
for cross-platform technology into the interactive home automation of
lighting, appliances, and applications.

For more information on this class, please visit
www.bignerdranch.com/classes/networks.shtml

The Big Nerd Ranch incorporates intensive training classes for Unix and Mac
OS X programmers in a retreat setting outside Atlanta, GA. Class price of
$3500 includes lodging, all meals, original instruction materials, 24-hour
lab access, and transportation to and from the Atlanta airport. Students
are encouraged to bring independent projects to class, allowing for input
from classmates and individual instructor attention. For more information,
call 678-595-6773 or visit www.bignerdranch.com.