From 39a1541270ef6b8f36600c0b21abcfcc0db24a65 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: kenpat Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2026 01:12:16 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] docs: remove personal A+ cert info from homelab docs Strip all CompTIA A+ references, exam dates, and deadlines from the project-facing documentation. Certifications roadmap now starts at CCNA, learning path phases renumbered, interview prep updated accordingly. Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 --- homelab-mastery/README.md | 13 ++++---- homelab-mastery/certifications/roadmap.md | 33 +++---------------- .../interview-prep/explain-the-project.md | 2 +- homelab-mastery/learning-path/README.md | 28 +++------------- 4 files changed, 16 insertions(+), 60 deletions(-) diff --git a/homelab-mastery/README.md b/homelab-mastery/README.md index 168fd55..c56edd9 100644 --- a/homelab-mastery/README.md +++ b/homelab-mastery/README.md @@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ adding more redundancy when it is running. | [concepts/networking.md](concepts/networking.md) | DNS, ports, TLS, Tailscale, Cloudflare Tunnel, firewalls | | [concepts/oauth2-oidc.md](concepts/oauth2-oidc.md) | How SSO works — OAuth2, OIDC, JWTs explained simply | | [concepts/linux.md](concepts/linux.md) | Linux commands, file ownership, sudo, SSH tunnels | -| [certifications/roadmap.md](certifications/roadmap.md) | Cert path from A+ to CKA — what to study and in what order | +| [certifications/roadmap.md](certifications/roadmap.md) | Cert path to Cloud Engineer — what to study and in what order | | [interview-prep/explain-the-project.md](interview-prep/explain-the-project.md) | What to say to hiring managers — model answers | | [learning-path/README.md](learning-path/README.md) | Structured study plan, free resources, daily habits | @@ -98,12 +98,11 @@ adding more redundancy when it is running. --- -## Certification Progress +## Certification Path | Cert | Status | |------|--------| -| CompTIA A+ Core 1 | ✅ Passed — highest score in class (22 people) | -| CompTIA A+ Core 2 | 🔄 In progress — exam goal July 7, 2026 | -| CCNA | 📅 Next after A+ Core 2 | -| AWS Solutions Architect Associate | 📅 After CCNA | -| CKA (Kubernetes) | 📅 After AWS certs | +| CCNA | Networking foundation | +| AWS Solutions Architect Associate | Core cloud cert | +| AWS SysOps Administrator Associate | Operations focus | +| CKA (Kubernetes) | Container orchestration | diff --git a/homelab-mastery/certifications/roadmap.md b/homelab-mastery/certifications/roadmap.md index 01ee6d5..b467da7 100644 --- a/homelab-mastery/certifications/roadmap.md +++ b/homelab-mastery/certifications/roadmap.md @@ -8,12 +8,6 @@ Your project already demonstrates cloud engineering skills. Certs give you the v ## Your Path (In Order) ``` -CompTIA A+ Core 1 ✅ DONE (highest score) - ↓ -CompTIA A+ Core 2 ← YOU ARE HERE - ↓ -CompTIA Network+ ← OPTIONAL (CCNA covers this and more) - ↓ CCNA ← Strong networking foundation ↓ AWS Solutions Architect Associate ← Core cloud cert @@ -31,19 +25,6 @@ AI / Prompt Engineering certs ← After cloud foundation is solid ## Each Cert Explained -### CompTIA A+ Core 2 (In Progress) - -**What it covers:** Windows OS, macOS, Linux basics, security fundamentals, troubleshooting, remote support -**Why it matters:** Completes your A+ certification — required baseline for most IT roles -**How it connects to your homelab:** Linux troubleshooting, OS concepts, security basics - -**Study tips:** -- Professor Messer (free on YouTube) — best A+ resource, period -- Jason Dion practice exams (Udemy, ~$15) — take these until you consistently hit 85%+ -- Focus on Core 2's security domain — it maps directly to your Authentik/SSO work - ---- - ### CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) **What it covers:** TCP/IP networking, routing, switching, VLANs, subnetting, wireless, security basics, automation basics @@ -128,16 +109,13 @@ Since you're already running Open WebUI + LiteLLM, you have a head start. ## Certification Timeline -Given where you are today: - | Timeframe | Milestone | |-----------|-----------| -| **July 7, 2026** | **CompTIA A+ Core 2** — exam goal (hard deadline July 12) | -| Months 1–6 after A+ | CCNA | -| Months 7–9 after A+ | AWS SAA-C03 | -| Months 10–12 after A+ | AWS SysOps Associate | -| Months 13–16 after A+ | CKA (or CompTIA Cloud+) | -| Months 16+ after A+ | AI/ML certs | +| Months 1–6 | CCNA | +| Months 7–9 | AWS SAA-C03 | +| Months 10–12 | AWS SysOps Associate | +| Months 13–16 | CKA (or CompTIA Cloud+) | +| Months 16+ | AI/ML certs | --- @@ -155,7 +133,6 @@ Given where you are today: | You Have | They Hear | |----------|-----------| -| A+ | You know how hardware and OS work | | CCNA | You understand networking deeply, not just surface level | | AWS SAA | You can architect solutions in the cloud | | AWS SysOps | You can keep cloud infrastructure running in production | diff --git a/homelab-mastery/interview-prep/explain-the-project.md b/homelab-mastery/interview-prep/explain-the-project.md index 10f1283..6189264 100644 --- a/homelab-mastery/interview-prep/explain-the-project.md +++ b/homelab-mastery/interview-prep/explain-the-project.md @@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ > > *The hardest part was a production SSO bug where OAuth2 authorization codes were being invalidated by the active-active routing — I traced the OAuth2 flow, identified it as a split-database problem, and solved it by migrating both hosts to a shared Postgres instance accessible only over a private Tailscale network.* > -> *I'm currently studying for CompTIA A+ Core 2 (exam goal July 2026), then CCNA to formalize the networking knowledge this project required."* +> *I'm currently studying for the CCNA to formalize the networking knowledge this project required."* --- diff --git a/homelab-mastery/learning-path/README.md b/homelab-mastery/learning-path/README.md index 186bdad..3d62b19 100644 --- a/homelab-mastery/learning-path/README.md +++ b/homelab-mastery/learning-path/README.md @@ -8,26 +8,7 @@ The goal now: attach the vocabulary, depth, and theory to things you've already --- -## Phase 1 — Complete A+ Core 2 (Exam goal: July 7, 2026) - -**Focus areas that directly map to your homelab:** - -| A+ Core 2 Topic | Your Homelab Connection | -|----------------|------------------------| -| Linux command line | You've been using it — now learn the theory | -| Security fundamentals | Cloudflare Tunnel, ufw, Tailscale private networking | -| Scripting basics | The bash commands you've run | -| Troubleshooting methodology | The `invalid_grant` debug process | -| Remote access | SSH, SSH tunnels (you used `-L` forwarding) | - -**Study approach:** -- Professor Messer's Core 2 videos (free YouTube) -- Jason Dion practice exams on Udemy — aim for 85%+ before scheduling -- For each topic, ask: "Where did I see this in my homelab?" - ---- - -## Phase 2 — CCNA (3–6 Months) +## Phase 1 — CCNA (3–6 Months) The CCNA will make everything in your homelab make deeper sense. After CCNA, re-read the networking.md file in this repo and you'll see how much more you understand. @@ -47,7 +28,7 @@ The CCNA will make everything in your homelab make deeper sense. After CCNA, re- --- -## Phase 3 — AWS SAA-C03 (After CCNA) +## Phase 2 — AWS SAA-C03 (After CCNA) **Study approach:** 1. **Stephane Maarek's course** (Udemy) — the industry standard @@ -81,7 +62,7 @@ The CCNA will make everything in your homelab make deeper sense. After CCNA, re- --- -## Phase 4 — Hands-On Learning Between Certs +## Phase 3 — Hands-On Learning Between Certs Don't just study. Build. @@ -117,7 +98,6 @@ Each of these is a cert objective AND a portfolio item. | Topic | Resource | Cost | |-------|----------|------| -| A+ Core 2 | Professor Messer (YouTube) | Free | | CCNA | Jeremy's IT Lab (YouTube) | Free | | CCNA labs | Cisco Packet Tracer | Free | | AWS SAA | AWS Skill Builder free tier | Free | @@ -130,7 +110,7 @@ Each of these is a cert objective AND a portfolio item. **Worth paying for:** - Stephane Maarek's AWS SAA on Udemy ($15 on sale — never pay full price) - Tutorial Dojo AWS practice exams ($15) -- Jason Dion A+/CCNA practice exams on Udemy ($15) +- Jason Dion CCNA practice exams on Udemy ($15) ---