CCNA or ICND exam

[jonlake]

I was looking at cisco's website and found the following about recertifying.

CCNA certifications are valid for three years. To recertify, either pass the current CCNA exam, or pass the ICND exam, or pass any 642 professional level or Cisco Qualified Specialist exam (excluding Sales Specialist exams), or pass a CCIE written exam on or after October 1, 2004.

My main question is to people who have taken the ICND exam and the new CCNA exam. What appear to be the differences between the two? I have to recertify in Januaary, and am debating on which one to take.

Thanks,

Jon

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Jonlake,
I did my recert at Networkers in New Orleans (July 2004) was going to do the CCNP Switching Exam - was not ready so changed to the new CCNA exam.

I studied the Sybex CCNA Study Guide by Todd L. - GREAT - read it front to back 1 time - but I teach CCNA and "play" on routers almost everyday.

New CCNA test is hard but I feel if you read the Sybex book from front to back and understand it you will have no trouble. Anything you do not understand well cover it in the Cisco Press book.

You got to know subnetting !!!!!!!!!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[jonlake]

Yea, I read the Todd L book and the cisco press book for the old CCNA 640-607. Pretty good understanding at the time, just haven't used it since, and I don't wany my certifications to become expired. I guess I'll just need a little refresher. It looks like the ICND focuses mainly on LAN stuff with a little WAN here and there, where as the CCNA focuses on both LAN and WAN equally. Anyone have experience with the ICND test? Just looking at my best option to recertify.

 

[jsstandl]

To get the CCNA you have 2 options, 1) take the CCNA single exam 2) take the Intro & ICND exams.

My understanding is that the single CCNA exam covers all of the topics in to other 2, it's like 2 exams in one (it's the exam I took). The Intro exam covers very basic networking material and the ICND covers some more specific Cisco topics.

Since your taking it to renew your cert., I'd ask yourself how comfortable you are with the topics covered in the ICND. If you're very comfortable with them, than just take the ICND. If you think you still a bit weak in those areas, you might want to take the CCNA exam so that you would also be tested on general networking topics that you might have a better handle on.

My personal opinion is to take the BSCI or BCMSN exam to recertify. It will get you moving toward you CCNP and in the process of studying for the exams, you'll greatly increase you knowledge of either Cisco routing or switching technologies. In my opinion, the BCMSN exam is the easier of the 2.

 

[matttheknife]

I recently took the new CCNA exam.
The exam included WAN as well as LAN technologies and focussed mostly on the ICND topics. There were almost no general questions that are covered in the Intro material only.
So I think there may be not too much of a difference between the ICND exam and the CCNA exam.

Talking to some some guys who took the older CCNA exams I realized that the level of expertise and practical experience must have increased with the new exam. So if you found the old CCNA OK, be prepared that the questions get more difficult.

You need to know your switch configuraton (2950) and router configuration inside out (e.g. access lists, routing protocols, all topologies !!! incl. FR, PPP and ISDN).
Also be prepared to answer detailed questions about
- any possible SHOW or DEBUG command covered in the ICND course.
- given configs of 2 stations with PPP and CHAP enabled.

I used the Cisco Press CCNA Certification Library and found that quite useful. But still the exam was more difficult.

Hope this helps
Regards
Matt

 

[mnakata]

Jon, I'm in the same boat and I plan to recertify in January, considering a CCNP bootcamp. Does anyone have feedback on a trusted source? Or even those to avoid? I was thinking of the Intense School (

http://www.IntenseSchool.com)

but they don't offer anything in January, and I'll be expired by the Feb course. I just can't afford to let it expire as I potentially need a new contract by summer. I thought of another option beyond the BSCI or BCMSN which is the CCDP Arch 642-871 exam (which I believe will also renew the CCNA). Then I could self study and put off the CCNP a while longer. Any feedback or experience regarding the CCDP Arch would be appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

 

[CiscoGuy33]

mnakata,
I talked to a lady (CCNP CCDP)at Cisco Networkers in New Orleans this year that had just passed the CCIE written and she said that the CCDP test was the hardest Cisco exam she has ever taken including the CCIE written.

Have never taken it - just passing along what she said and I could tell she knew her stuff.

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +