HP SIM classes way too expensive, what are my options?

[Alberto de_la_Torre]

Need to get a handle and learn how to setup, configure, manage, HP SIM.  Have looked at the HP education classes, but at $1600 for each 2 day class, there's no way I can afford them.

Looking for suggestions to free training resources, good books, courseware (that's affordable), etc.

Thanks for any help.

[jim goodman]

You can do it the same way as most of us did - read the manual. Today's installation manual is better than it has ever been for someone getting started - the hard part is filtering and consolidating the information to your specific context. In addition to the manuals there are whitepapers available in the SIM Information Library.

You can also interact here in the forums or peruse any number of blogs out there like http://worldofinsight.wordpress.com/ for information from installation matters to specific platform management.

Classes will give you the ground work for success, best alternative is having onsite consulting (which I do) with can help you define best practices for your environment and completely contextual knowledge transfer. Your Services Account Rep should be able to get you pointed in a good direction, perhaps there are some seminars, brown bag sessions or workshops in your own neck of the woods.

[Parky]

Have you got access to some tin to build yourself a development box on ? 

I found that running a production box with a development one to try things out works well. Start with the basics and research on here for the bits that you want to achieve.

Even with our enterprise level I wouldn't like to have to pay the bill, great toolset for free !

[Bart_Heungens]

Hi,

Like Jim states, start with the manuals and take a look at forums and blogs (mine is www.bitcon.be) where you can find a lot of info.

Besides that do not under estimate training... I use and teach HP SIM (and other Proliant and storage stuff) already for more than 15 years, and the best part of the trainings (which I get from feedbacj afterwards) is not the fairly simple installation and configuration but all the best practices and pitfalls that you need to know...

I also do on-site consulting which gives me also a lot of information to share with other small and large companies... That is the strength of a good trainer: practical experience...

Good luck and have fun with SIM!

Bart