What do you think about when you think about learning new networking technologies or even learning to become a Network Engineer? Most people will no doubt say they think Cisco is the answer.

But learning about networking and network engineering doesn’t have to involve Cisco at all. There are a lot of resources available to learn networking and Juniper Networks provides some of the best.

Juniper Networks has done an incredible job of training network engineers too. And best of all training with Juniper is free! In today’s post we’re going to show you where you can find some of this great free training and how your can use this to boost your career while learning about Juniper routers and switches.

Getting Trained as a Network Engineer

Cisco has done an amazing job of creating networking products for today’s modern networks and training engineers to install, troubleshoot and maintain that network equipment. As the old saying goes “No one ever got fired for buying Cisco.” (It used to be IBM but oh how the times have changed!).

The problem today is being able to afford this great training from Cisco. A huge industry has sprung up around training Cisco engineers and it’s not cheap. Books, classes and videos all come at a premium with the lure of an incredible return on that educational investment.

Network Engineers aren’t REAL Engineers

The biggest farce to all of this engineering training is that none if it will make you a REAL engineer. Most all Cisco courses are all geared toward a vendor certification and do not grant you a college degree. Only colleges can do that. Though it’s arguable from an income point of view which one is better you.

Free Network Engineer Training Resources from Juniper Networks

Many people don’t realize how many free tools, training and other resources are available for network engineers freely from Juniper on their hardware as well as the JunOS operation system.

Listed below are some great free online network engineer training courses you can take to help you learn and even get certified with Juniper networks.

JUNIPER NETWORKS TRAINING COURSES (choose “eLearning” under “Delivery Modality”)

https://learningportal.juniper.net/juniper/user_courses.aspx

JUNIPER NETWORKS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

http://www.juniper.net/certification

The Juniper Networks Certification Program is a multi-­‐tiered program of written and hands-­‐on lab exams that serves to validate the technical skills of network professionals on Juniper Networks technologies.

JUNIPER FAST TRACK TRAINING

http://www.juniper.net/training/fasttrack/

Juniper Network’s free Junos Enterprise Routing, Switching and Security training and certification tracks.

JUNOS AS A SECOND LANGUAGE SERIES

For those who are familiar with Cisco’s IOS, learning Juniper Networks Junos operating system is now made easy with Junos as a Second Language.

http://www.juniper.net/us/en/training/elearning/jsl.html

Junos as a Security Language: An Introduction to Junos OS for ScreenOS Users

http://www.juniper.net/us/en/training/elearning/junos_security.html

Junos as a Switching Language

http://www.juniper.net/us/en/training/elearning/junos_switching.html

Junos as a Scripting Language

http://www.juniper.net/us/en/training/elearning/junos_scripting.html

JUNOS CENTRAL

https://www.juniper.net/us/en/products-services/nos/junos/

The one-­‐stop shop for Junos technical resources. Books, automation scripts, latest release information, tech topics, certification news, and much more.

J-­‐NET DISCUSSION FORUMS

http://forums.juniper.net/

Ask questions, get answers and share knowledge with technical peers and experts.

JUNOS TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION

http://www.juniper.net/techpubs/software/junos/index.html

Software Documentation, Solutions Documentation, Support Resources and more.

JUNIPER LEARNING BYTES

https://learningportal.juniper.net/juniper/user_activity_info.aspx?id=5853

Juniper Learning Bytes are short and concise tips and instructions that provide quick answers, clarity, and insight into specific features and functions of Juniper technologies.

JUNOS PORTABLE LIBRARIES

http://www.juniper.net/techpubs/resources/index.html

Portable Libraries are designed to provide offline user access to Juniper Networks Technical Documentation, collected in one ZIP file. Each Portable Library includes the documentation for one software release.

DAY ONE BOOKLETS

http://www.juniper.net/us/en/training/jnbooks/day-one/

It’s day one, and you have a job to do. Get started now with these short, practical Juniper booklets available for download in PDF from J-­‐Net



Juniper Training On the Go

These booklets are available in a free PDF edition, ePub and mobi format. Simply search either the iTunes store or the Kindle market. Start your search for the titles below and you will find them free to download!

For iPads and iPhones, use your device’s iBook app. Search for “Juniper Networks” in the iBook store. Download directly to your iPhone or iPad.

For Kindles, Androids, Blackberry, iPhones/iPads, Macs. and PCs, download the free Kindle app for your device. Go to the Kindle Store using your device’s Kindle app and search for “Day One Juniper.” Download directly to your device.

JUNOS FUNDAMENTALS SERIES

• Hardening Junos Devices

• Configuring Junos Policies and Firewall Filters

• Deploying Basic QoS

• Junos Tips, Techniques, and Templates 2011

• Securing the Routing Engine on M, MX, and T Series

• Exploring the Junos CLI

• Configuring Junos Basics

• Monitoring and Troubleshooting JUNOS NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES SERIES

• Advanced OSPF in the Enterprise

• Dynamic Subscriber Management

• Deploying MPLS

• Deploying MBGP Multicast VPNs

• Advanced IPv6 Configuration

• Exploring IPv6

• Migrating EIGRP to OSPF JUNOS AUTOMATION SERIES

• Junos Automation Reference for SLAX 1.0

• Mastering Junos Automation

• Applying Junos Automation

• Navigating The Junos XML Hierarchy JUNOS DYNAMIC SERVICES SERIES

• Deploying SRX Series Services Gateways

• Configuring SRX Series with J-­‐Web JUNOS FABRIC AND SWITCHING ECHNOLOGIES SERIES • Configuring EX Series Ethernet Switches

JUNOS WEBCAST -­‐ ARCHIVES

http://www.juniper.net/us/en/community/junos/live/#archive-­‐webcast

Real Junos experts take you through topics that matter with these exclusive, live, how-­‐to sessions – designed to help you get the most from Junos.

JNTCP M-­‐SERIES STUDY GUIDES

https://www.juniper.net/us/en/training/jnbooks/

JNCIA: Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate Study Guide

JNCIS-­‐M: Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist Study Guide

JNCIP-­‐M: Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional Study Guide

JNCIE-­‐M: Juniper Networks Certified Internet Expert Study Guide

More FREE Network Engineer Training FROM JUNIPER!!

The following links are to some great online video training classes offered by Juniper. Some you may have to register for. Don’t worry if you are asked about certification credits or certification numbers. Simply leave this blank.

Self paced (WBT’s) & Certification info– These are all free and short ( most are under 2hours each! ). Enjoy!

As you can see, there is lots of free training and resource available out on the wonderful thing we call the Internet, all you have to do is search for it.

Do you have any other great free resources that you can share with us? Leave a comment below and let us know where it is!