How to Learn WebSphere in 31 Days

This outline offers a framework to learn WebSphere Application Server. The actual time that it takes you to accomplish the learning tasks varies but with a lot of hard work, careful time management, focus, and the right prerequisite skill set, it surely is possible to gain a level of WebSphere Application Server knowledge and skills to be useful. Please let me know if you want to read more on each of the areas listed below.

1. Determine your background and technical experience. You are better equipped if you have the following technical skills and knowledge

1. UNIX operating system – you do not have to be a system administrator, but you need to be a skilful user of UNIX
2. Shell scripting skills and other technical programming skills such as coding in Java or JSP
3. General knowledge of JEE and Java
4. Knowledge and skills of computer network
1. Build Your Server – make the right choice of the computer to use and the operating system to install as well as the building of a computer server as a platform to use working through your learning process – Ubuntu and Windows may be realistic choices
2. JEE and WebSphere Overview – you need an overview of the key areas of JEE specification and a high level introduction of WebSphere architecture
3. UNIX: Architecture, File System, Security Model, and Key Commands – this is a review of UNIX architecture, its security model, and key commands that are important to WebSphere system engineer
4. Overview of WebSphere v8.0 /v8.5– it is an overview of the most recent release WebSphere Application Server. This overview focuses those areas critical to the WebSphere system engineer not all the features or new features
5. WebSphere architecture – you focus on the technical architecture of the most release of WebSphere Application Server, for example, WebSphere 8. This includes your developing a graphical view of the technical architecture as well as a good understanding of the architecture
6. Installation – get your hands wet on building new servers, migrating to a new version, applying iFixes and fix patches
7. Configuration – practice system configuration both administrative console and start reading and programming simple automation using Jython and wsadmin
8. Application packaging and deployment into the WebSphere Application Server container
9. System administration – practical regular system administration jobs through the administrative console and command line
10. Security – learn basic security concepts and skills – global, local, ID, group ID, how to run applications
11. Learn the basics of performance tuning for problem avoidance and performance enhancement
12. Focus on troubleshooting techniques, strategies, and the use of tools such as examining log files, using TPV, and if possible Introscope
13. UNIX shell scripting and and Jython programming – you need either review or learn the basics of the design, programming, and execution of UNIX shell scripts and Jython script
    
14. Explore WebSphere certification – learn what is IBM certification and how to achieve IBM certification
15. Explore my bogs and learn the typical interview questions and answers