CCNA questions

[mmans]

So I been trying to find all the info I can to start studying for the exam, tho I have a few questions.

Is the exam a written exam or pratical(actually work on routers/switches)?

I was reading about setting up a home lab. I read this post that said....
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As for a lab - read back a few posts and then start checking out eBay - best is 3 routers and 2 switches.
2600s or 2600xms will work and you can almost always work an old 2500 into the mix as a Frame Relay switch.

Switches should be 2950s or at the very least 2912/2924xl - again ck the post for lots more detail then ask questions
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Is that good enough for a home lab for the ccna?


Also what books should I be looking for?


I read many posts and found out lots of info on this, but with the change I want to make sure that the info is still correct....

 

[mmans]

Oh I should also point out that I have no idea what cables I will need for the home lab... I notice someone said to use 2x 2503 and one 2620... Does this sound good? And what cables should I be looking for?

 

[burtsbees]

First off, the equipment should be 3 switches, 2950 (if not, then 2924 or 2912). The cables you will need are at least 6 straight through ethernet cables, and two DCE/DTE v.35 db-60 crossover cables (ebay for about $10 each), three feet should be fine for each. The 2620 should also have a WIC-1T (NOT a WIC-T1---there is a big difference!).
The exam will have sims, drag and drop, multiple choice---no real routers, but the simulator questions will be just like being at the console of real routers.

Here is a link for the cables...

http://cgi.ebay.com/3FT-Back-to-Bac...ryZ28033QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and the serial card needed for the 2620...

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-SEALED-CISC...ryZ67290QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Burt

 

[burtsbees]

More links...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Used-Cisco-2503...ageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m118

buy this and no need for a WIC-1T, as this one comes with a WIC-2T...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cisco-2620-1FE-...ryZ67321QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cisco-Catalyst-...ryZ67334QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That ought to get you started...

Burt

 

[mmans]

Thanks very much Burt.....

Now that I have a good idea of equipment for making a home lab any preference on books?

Books I am looking at are
CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (CCNA Exam 640-802), 3rd Edition
By Wendell Odom
$53.99 (Save 10%)

 

[CiscoGuy33]

mmans,

As for books I ALWAYS say to read at least 2 with one being Cisco Press and the other being -

CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide, 6th Edition (Exam 640-802)
by Todd Lammle
Sybex, Paperback, 6th Bk&CD edition,
Published August 2007, 1008 pages,
ISBN 0470110082
List Price: $49.99
Our Price: $30.95

Availability: In-Stock

This was at

http://www.bookpool.com

I buy all my tech books at Book Pool or Amazon!!

The Cisco Press books tend to have a lot more then needed for the exam (which is a good thing!) and Todd has been doing it right on the CCNA exam for about 10 years now

Just some thoughts!



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

 

[iolair]

I would definitely vote for the Lammle book. It made everything clear to me. I read it AFTER I read Odom's book. Plus, with my Lammle book, I got the Router Sim and other good information on CD. Good luck.

Iolair MacWalter
Director of IT

 

[telnettech]

I will also say that the Lammle book is the way to go....I am currently studying for the CCNA and i have leaned more about networking from the 1st chapter than i knew from 6 years in the telcom industry.

The Lammle book is the way to go. It has a Exam Simulator and will record your test scores for you so that you can see where you may need to go back and study more than other sections of the test.!!!!

I also bought a home lab off of Ebay for about 600 bucks so that i can practice and have actually implemented it into my home so that all the computers in my house run thru it instead of a US robotics router. My kids hate it cause i can limit what websites they can and can not go to, but i have learned alot using the Lammle book and implementing the home lab into a real network in the house.

Brian

Brian

To error is human.....if the machine doesnt work, then KICK IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!