Bootcamp recommendations 4

[rdurant]

Can anyone recommend good bootcamps, those that offer both CCNA and/or CCNP!!

It's not that I want to take the fast or quick route to the certs, but the possibility lies that I may be able to get funding for study at an institution like a bootcamp.

So if i can get any recommendations or advice with regards to bootcamps and/or their equivalent, i would be grateful.

Thanks...
Ryan

 

[dogbert2]

The question becomes, how much information can you retain from going to a one or two week bootcamp, esp. for CCNA (never mind CCNP). In my opinion, bootcamps are designed for persons who already possess some skillset in industry and are looking to become certified in it.

While it is possible to bootcamp CCNA/CCNP, I really don't recommend it. IMO, you'd be far better off getting 3 2501's and a 1924/2924 switch and setting up your own lab to really learn the concepts behind routing well, add in some good cisco press titles, and you can have your lab set up for about $1000-1500 bucks (much cheaper than a bootcamp), and your lab can be expanded as your needs increase.

Not knocking bootcamps here, but IMO, if you aren't well prepared for passing cisco exams, you'll be in for a BIG shock when you don't see 'congrats' on the screen (means you've failed the exam).

Just my 2 cents worth

 

[rdurant]

Thanks dogbert2...

Points taken....

However, I am in the process of setting up my own lab (i guess i should have mentioned that). I have 2 2501's, a 4700M and a 1912 switch, so I do plan to get some practice first, plus I have 'some' experience with the equipment. I took an ICND course about 2 years ago and I have configured some switches and routers.

In light of your opinion and what I have just stated, how much practice do you think I should get before one would suggest looking at going to a bootcamp.

Ryan

 

[wybnormal]

While dogbert makes a few good points, if and I mean *IF* you already have a strong back ground in networking, then a CCNA bootcamp is a good way to jumpstart the process of learning the Cisco way of thinking. I did the boot camp thing several years ago for the CCNA and it was worth every penny.. then again, I had over 15 years of experience and 1 year of Cisco to draw on at the time. I did my CCNP at home with a home built lab and that is really the best way to go unless you are a hots**t Cisco geek and just need some brushup for the tests.

A class does have the advantage of the give and take between the students and the instructor but if there is not the time to discuss, then you lose that. A truthful bootcamp will tell you that they will teach you JUST enough to pass the test.. no more, no less. And thats not good enough in todays world of tight jobs.

Just an opinion.

MikeS


Find me at

http://www.packetattack.com

"Take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots."
Sun Tzu

 

[Microbyte]

i don't completely agree with dogbert2.
what i do agree is one can gain much of practical applications and in-depth command line interface configurations if you do buy 3 routers and a switch for a home lab.

here's a downside, it would not help you much as you like to pass the test if you are a novice (in Cisco IOS) trying to be CCNA certified.
3 routers are not enough to practice and get a firm grip on routing protocols. at most, you can only connect in serial, which barely could get a glimpse of routing protocol usage (RIP, OSPF, IGRP, etc...). Forget about summarization too, far too less interfaces to summarize anything.
i say more the merrier, but at least 4 routers.

IMO, bootcamp is great for motivational purpose and nothing more. I tried to study on my own before........it doesn't work for me. I personally, have taken, laid-back class. the program duration was 10 week period, 1-4 hour lecture and few additional lab hours per week were good to me. that system gave me enough time to review and practice.

 

[rdurant]

Microbyte....

Reading all the different "IMO's" can make decision making quite difficult.

So you are saying 4 or more routers are good for home practice? What lab setup IYO is practical enough to prepare one for CCNA? Imagine I am a novice...

My thoughts are....
Practice in the home lab and then take the bootcamp. One main reason is, where I live the exams are over $400 bucks each, regardless of the exam code. So if I can get enough practice at home, I think I should be able to tackle a bootcamp.

Ryan...

 

[wacobd]

I agree that a bootcamp before you are ready will only hurt you. I know because I did that. I thought I was ready for my CCNA (I had taken the ICND clase and a few higher lever Cisco courses like Troubleshooting, maint and repair). I decided that a bootcamp will help reinforce what I need and I will go in and pass.... WRONG!

The teacher thought that I was ready, and I thought I was ready, but I was missing some basics that were really hit hard on the test at the time (the 601 exam). I went back and studyed some more and attended another "fast track" class and guess what, failed again. Then I just decided to get an exam sim, read, and then guess what, I passed.

All in all, it was not the boot camp's fault or the fast track class fault, it was my fault for thinking that these classes would get me over the hump for the test. Yes they did help but the final result to me was that hands on and studying will get you there. I will admit that the teacher/class was great because it helped me through some problems with labs and stuff I did not understand.

If you are lookng for a class to take, I would say take a ICND (Introduction to Cisco Network Devices) and then do some studying on your own and either purchase some Ciso routers or a Router Simulator to pratice with. That will be better and cheaper than a bootcamp.

 

[Microbyte]

For CCNA, there are two ways.

1. Studying with home lab of what dogbert2 recommends will get you CCNA ticket but may not fully understand dynamic routing. However, you may gain more than enough IOS commands knowledge.

2. If you want to totally understand how routers route with dynamic protocols with like summarization functions and access-lists. You may want to take a in-class course where 16+ routers are connected in classroom creating small scaled network which allows users to understand routing.

(I myself, bought $150 boson simulator and taking $2200 10-week CCNA in-class session)

Either way, you'll succeed. 1st path costs lot less than the latter. however, you'll learn other valuable knowledge.
And there is prerequist for both. Devotion.

 

[wacobd]

They say for the CCNA 2 routers and one switch. You can probably get the same thing from a router simulator cheaper, the only drawback is that you won't have access to the physical device to play with the interfaces to troubleshoot.

 

[rdurant]

Thanks for all the tips guys, since I have some equipment already, I will do some reading and practice at home then hunt around here for some classes to take (if I can find any) and then tackle the exam.

Cisco classes and training etc... are hard to find here, hence my questions on bootcamps. Taking a 10-week class is totally out of the question, since I currently work, a bootcamp or a 1-weeker is more up my alley.

Thanks
Ryan

 

[dogbert2]

See if they have a cisco network academy near you (we are a regional network academy here in Vegas), our CCNA/NP classes cost about $300 per course (4 semesters for each), and you get access to lots of lab gear, and plenty of time in class for labs, and in most cases, open lab time where you can practice on your own. Excellent bargain if you have one close to you.

 

[rdurant]

Trust me, there's nothing like that here. I'm in the Caribbean, Barbados to be exact and I doubt we even offer courses here. At least, I haven't seen or heard of any academies or classes here.

I know we can do the exams here, because we have testing centers, but I'm not too sure about actual institutions.

btw, what are the durations of the classes there?

 

[Microbyte]

actually, the 10 week class is spread out one day per week and it's held at night 6:30pm-10:30pm.
many institutions carry night classes. of course, in carribean, you know better.
anyhow i do like to visit where you are.

 

[rdurant]

Well, for a visit here is great (biased opinion), but for certs and training and so on, most if not all have to be achieved outside of the caribbean. Or, trainers and instructors have to be flown in.

Maybe the populations down here are too small for such, but i'm sure a Cisco training center in the caribbean would be great!!

 

[Microbyte]

i will bet if the center is built, instructors will love to fly in. (with expense paid of course). until then, good luck with you and your quest to CCNA and beyond.
i guess, dogbert2's method seems to be most realistic for you right now.

 

[bythespy]

rdurant

I completed my CCNA by selfstudy, and took the test twice to pass.

I work for a bank and spent about a year in the real world configuring and troublshooting a 26 node WAN, with IPT.

Then I went a CCNP bootcamp, the camp gave me enough information to pass the sections of the test that I do not use on a daily basis like BGP,OSPF, etc.....

Two years later I could not tell you anything about BGP, except what it stands for. Now, that may not sit well with some of the folks here but I am comfortable with it.

You must decide why you want the cert and what you plan to do with it.

The CCPREP group has excellent boot camps and a lot of them are in Florida.

http://www.ccprep.com

goodluck


Mspivey
CCNP

 

[jtb]

If you just want to spend money, let me give you my paypal address...

Look, wake up and build a business plan for your career. Make your certifications come up with an ROI. Don't just rely on what the folks who offer the cert say. Don't just rely on what those who offer the training say.

Tests are a minimum of $125. Books, test PC, and training can be hundreds--or more likely thousands--more. Make that an investment in your future. Don't just do it because it's cool.

Bill Gates and Michael Dell are billionaires. Between them they haven't got one technical cert or one earned university or college degree. But they pay the salaries of thousands who do...

Become who you want to be. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step--but draw a map first or you may find you've walked two thousand miles...


JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)