Prerequisites & Setup
Get ready for the training in just 10-15 minutes
What You Need to Know Before Class
✅ Skills We Assume You Have
- • Basic command line skills (cd, ls, running commands)
- • Understanding of APIs/REST (nice to have)
- • Familiarity with your engineering domain
- • Basic troubleshooting mindset
❌ Skills We DON'T Assume
- • Python programming
- • Math/statistics background
- • Machine learning knowledge
- • Previous AI experience
Think of it like: You don't need to be a car engineer to drive a car. Similarly, you don't need a PhD to USE AI tools effectively.
The Three Types of AI (Quick Overview)
🔮
Predictive AI
Fortune telling with data
Predicts server failures, capacity needs, security threats based on patterns
✨
Generative AI
Creates new content
Generates documentation, scripts, troubleshooting guides, and code
🤖
Agentic AI
Takes action
Automates incident response, system maintenance, and deployments
Choose Your Setup Option
Option A: Server Access
RecommendedAccess pre-configured AI environment on our servers. Quickest setup, works with any laptop.
✅ Choose this if:
- • You're unsure which to pick
- • You have a corporate/managed laptop
- • You want quickest setup (10 minutes)
- • You don't have admin privileges
- • Your laptop has < 16GB RAM
Requirements:
- • SSH client
- • Web browser
- • Internet connection
Option B: Local Install
Install AI tools on your own laptop. More control, works offline, keep environment after training.
✅ Choose this if:
- • You're a power user who loves tinkering
- • You want to keep environment after training
- • You need offline access
- • You have 16GB+ RAM and admin access
- • You have 1-2 hours for setup before class
Requirements:
- • 16GB+ RAM
- • 50GB free disk space
- • Windows/Mac/Linux
- • Admin privileges
- • Docker installed
Pre-Class Checklist
Need Help with Setup?
Having trouble? We're here to help! Office hours available or reach out via Slack.