CCNA prep questions

[kmcferrin]

Hey everyone, I am going to have a couple of weeks of downtime coming up and was thinking of adding a CCNA to my resume. This is where I stand:

1. I have a couple of years of experience configuring Cisco routers, switches, PIX, and ASA devices as part of my job. Unfortunately the last time that I did any of that work was 2-3 years ago.

2. I do have the CompTIA Network+ certification, as well as a slew of Microsoft certifications. I'm pretty good at certification exams when I know the material.

3. I started prepping for the CCNA several years ago and got as far as taking the INTRO course in a live classroom environment. I unfortunately was not able to get the ICND class because I switched jobs right after taking the INTRO.

4. I have the Cisco Press self-study CCNA books from that time (INTRO and ICND) and have done some reading in them. I also have the TestOut CCNA exam prep material from that period.

5. I know that shortly after I stopped prepping for the CCNA Cisco changed the exam makeup to include the ICND1 and ICND2 instead of INTRO and ICND.

My question is, how much has the overall track changed since then? If I were to take the comprehensive CCNA exam instead of two separate exams, would studying all of the material that I currently have (along with getting a hands-on refresher) be sufficient?

Also, does anyone know roughly how the old material maps to the new exams? If I wanted to take the ICND1 and ICND2 exams separately, what would be a good way to prepare for them with what I have?

What it comes down to is that I'm cheap , and I would like to not spend a bucket of money getting all new training material if what I already have purchased is sufficient.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCTS:Hyper-V
MCTS:System Center Virtual Machine Manager
MCTS:Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

 

[iolair]

First off, great that you've got some experience, that will go a long way towards helping you pass. In the years I've been involved, I would say, and this is MY opinion, of course, that the exams are more evolutionary than revolutionary. I know that saying is trite, but the fact is that some of the material will be familar to you, but there will be some things dropped that were in your class, and new things will have been added. I'm working on the BSCI right now, and I'm using Todd Lammle's old Routing book, as well as the new ROUTE book. The three share some similarities to be sure, but the newer book covers things that aren't in the old ones. And, in Lammle's old book, there is a good bit of coverage of IGRP, which isn't tested anymore, but no mention of IPv6, which is tested on now. Go to Cisco's Certification site and download the newest exam requirements for the test, to see what's covered and what's not covered. And don't forget there's a lot of material on Cisco's website that will help. Good luck.

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer

 

[CiscoGuy33]

kmcferrin,

I have taught CCNA students in a Cisco Network Academy since 1999, here is what I tell them:

1) Get the latest Sybex CCNA Study Guide by Todd Lammle as 1 of your study materials. he has done this book since the CCNA came out and he is one of the best!!!

2) Get a 2nd source - Cisco Press is a good choice, checking your older material against the CCNA exam requirements, that might work for you for this second source but if not looking at the discounts on Amazon you really are not looking at a lot - less than $100 both books!

3) It is GREAT that you have experience on Cisco equipment - get a simple lab of 3 routers (2600 or 2600XM or better) and 2 switches (2950 or better) and practice, practice and more practice - this will help you on the sims as well as many of the questions !!!

4) Use the Internet - Tek-Tips, Cisco.com and many, many other forums and study areas on the Internet for information, answers and help as you work towards your cert!!

I personally like the one exam vs the 2 part exam, it is not like you can study to a point and stop or forget what you had to know for the first part

Good luck, hope this helps!!


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

 

[kmcferrin]

How do you feel about the 3500 series switches in lieu of the 2950? I have a client who is pulled out old ones from a site and might be persuaded to part with them on the cheap (or at least let me borrow them). I know that the 3500 series are layer 3 instead of two, but I'm assuming that they should still be usable. Right?

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

 

[CiscoGuy33]

kmcferrin,

As with everything - check the CCNA exam requirements and make sure that the IOS on the 3500's will let you do what is expected in "switching" on the CCNA exam.

But, last time I looked 2950's were not that bad on Ebay.

Good luck!!!

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

 

[lerdalt]

Make certain it's a 3500 and not a 3500xl. The XL's are older and can't do things like rapid-spanning-tree. If it's a 3550 series, then it can do some L3 switching so might be good moving forward for CCNP, also might be a PoE switch so some additional benefits there if you are considering the VoIP tracks and get an IP phone.

 

[kmcferrin]

Yeah, they are 3550 but I didn't look to see if they were PoE.

Thanks for the help, guys.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

 

[NetworkTek]

I second the Sybex Lab with the Todd Lammle book. That is what I am currently using. The book is very good and the virtual lab is to.

Network+
Inet+
MCP
MCSA 2003
MCTS