Important! Bring your own system configured according to these instructions!
We ask that you do 5 things to prepare prior to class start. This early preparation will allow you to get the most out of your training. One of those five steps is ensuring that you bring a properly configured system to class. This document details the required system hardware and software configuration for your class. You can also watch a series of short videos on these topics at the following web link https://sansurl.com/sans-setup-videos.
A properly configured system is required to fully participate in this course. If you do not carefully read and follow these instructions, you will likely leave the class unsatisfied because you will not be able to participate in hands-on exercises that are essential to this course. Therefore, we strongly urge you to arrive with a system meeting all the requirements specified for the course.
NOTE: It is critical that students have administrator access to the operating system and all security software installed. Changes may need to be made to personal firewalls and other host-based software in order for the labs to work.
- 64-bit system
Latest version of Windows 10 that can install and run VMware virtualization products described below.
*if you wish to use a macOS 10.15.x or later, or Linux based OS you will need to have access to a Windows 10 based VM to perform the Windows based labs contained in the courseware
- Laptop with at least two USB ports
- Ability to update BIOS configuration settings to enable virtualization (VT) support
- VMware Workstation Pro 15.5.X+, VMware Player 15.5.X+ or Fusion 11.5+
- Ability to disable all security software on your laptop, including antivirus and/or firewalls
- At least 100 GB of hard-drive space
- At least 8 GB of RAM
- Local Administrator Access within the host operating system and BIOS settings
- Wireless Ethernet 802.11 B/G/N/AC
Your course media will now be delivered via download. The media files for class can be large, some in the 40 - 50 GB range. You need to allow plenty of time for the download to complete. Internet connections and speed vary greatly and are dependent on many different factors. Therefore, it is not possible to give an estimate of the length of time it will take to download your materials. Please start your course media downloads as you get the link. You will need your course media immediately on the first day of class. Waiting until the night before the class starts to begin your download has a high probability of failure.
SANS has begun providing printed materials in PDF form. Additionally, certain classes are using an electronic workbook in addition to the PDFs. The number of classes using eWorkbooks will grow quickly. In this new environment, we have found that a second monitor and/or a tablet device can be useful by keeping the class materials visible while the instructor is presenting or while you are working on lab exercises.