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CCNA
- Thread starter dleggett
- Start date
CiscoGuy33
Instructor
dleggett,
Welcome to the Cisco Certification forum
The best way I would say is to read through the different posts here for a few pages - you will find most of your question covered in GREAT detail!
As for books - the CCNA just changed as of 8-1-2007 so make sure that any study material you get is for the exam you will be sitting for !
I always think that you are best with at least 2 books - one Cisco Press with anything by Wendell Odom being top notch AGAIN - make sure it is the latest edition! Cisco Press books tend to go into much greater detail then what you need for the CCNA exam - which can be a good thing!
For a 2nd book - Sybex CCNA Study Guide by Todd Lammle (6th edition) is what I would say one of the best CCNA books ever! It tends to cover about 85%-95% of just what you need to know for the exam.
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
Hope this helps!
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
Welcome to the Cisco Certification forum
The best way I would say is to read through the different posts here for a few pages - you will find most of your question covered in GREAT detail!
As for books - the CCNA just changed as of 8-1-2007 so make sure that any study material you get is for the exam you will be sitting for !
I always think that you are best with at least 2 books - one Cisco Press with anything by Wendell Odom being top notch
AGAIN - make sure it is the latest edition! Cisco Press books tend to go into much greater detail then what you need for the CCNA exam - which can be a good thing!For a 2nd book - Sybex CCNA Study Guide by Todd Lammle (6th edition) is what I would say one of the best CCNA books ever! It tends to cover about 85%-95% of just what you need to know for the exam.
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
Hope this helps!
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
I was brand new to the field a few years back (didn't even know what a subnet mask was, didn't know what telnet was---I had just bought my very first computer in fact two years prior to this)---this was three years ago! So I went to my local community college and enrolled in the Cisco Academy CCNA 1 through 4, and completed in Dec 2005. I became a CCNA in January of '06, Network+ and A+ in February, and started studying here and there, getting routers off of Ebay, using router sims, and Cisco Press books, and started studying for CCNP. I hit it really hard in September of last year, and took all four tests in November and December, and became CCNP December of last year.
Cisco Academy is an excellent place to start.
Burt
Cisco Academy is an excellent place to start.
Burt
I should add that I think that maybe getting the CCNP was a bit premature, as I should have gotten some experience under my belt. I understand concepts, but have no experience (to this day!), and I get offers for contracting jobs (the most recent for $45-$60/hour, paid benefits, for a year).
So don't be in a rush to get CCNP right after, like I was, necessarily...
Burt
So don't be in a rush to get CCNP right after, like I was, necessarily...
Burt
CiscoGuy33
Instructor
Burt,
You are sooooo right - the Cisco Network Academy Program is a GREAT place to start, here is a link -
These Cisco classes are taught everywhere - Jr. College, Community College, 4 year College, Adult Education Centers and even high schools - ALL OVER THE WORLD!!!!
Glad Burt brought it up - it is a great place to learn - I have been teaching in a Cisco Academy for 8 years now
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
You are sooooo right - the Cisco Network Academy Program is a GREAT place to start, here is a link -
These Cisco classes are taught everywhere - Jr. College, Community College, 4 year College, Adult Education Centers and even high schools - ALL OVER THE WORLD!!!!
Glad Burt brought it up - it is a great place to learn - I have been teaching in a Cisco Academy for 8 years now
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
- Thread starter
- #6
CiscoGuy33
Instructor
dleggett,
What is your background in computers and networking?
What are you trying to do?
What bachelors degree has CCNA as a prereq?
It would help if we had a little better understanding but from what you have listed I will stand with Burt on the Cisco Network Academy Program - even for Network + and if you take the classes at a state community college or jr college the credits should transfer to your bachlors degree - if they do not I would love to know what school you are getting your BS from.
If not get 2 good Network + books or 1 book and the CBT Nuggets for Network + and you will be fine!
Just some thoughts!
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
What is your background in computers and networking?
What are you trying to do?
What bachelors degree has CCNA as a prereq?
It would help if we had a little better understanding but from what you have listed I will stand with Burt on the Cisco Network Academy Program - even for Network + and if you take the classes at a state community college or jr college the credits should transfer to your bachlors degree - if they do not I would love to know what school you are getting your BS from.
If not get 2 good Network + books or 1 book and the CBT Nuggets for Network + and you will be fine!
Just some thoughts!
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
burtsbees ,
I am back and forth about whether or not to begin the CCNP. I just got my CCNA, using simulators to apply the concepts. I am purchasing the equipment now to setup a home lab, but do not have work experience using Cisco equipment. So my question, you said you have no experience, but you get offers for contracting jobs....do you turn down the jobs, or do they not hire you after interviewing? You said you might have been premature, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to proceed so I can get my foot in the door.
Thanks!
Paul
I am back and forth about whether or not to begin the CCNP. I just got my CCNA, using simulators to apply the concepts. I am purchasing the equipment now to setup a home lab, but do not have work experience using Cisco equipment. So my question, you said you have no experience, but you get offers for contracting jobs....do you turn down the jobs, or do they not hire you after interviewing? You said you might have been premature, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to proceed so I can get my foot in the door.
Thanks!
Paul
I would say that the best avenue is to go ahead and get equipment and get some experience, start working toward the CCNP, but get a job as a CCNA ot get your foot in the door. If nobody wants a CCNA, just CCNP, then go for it. That's my situation---I have not interviewed for these positions because I feel I am not good enough yet...being a CCNA is one thing, but then getting the CCNP and getting offers for CCNP is a bit overwhelming. I just don't think I am as proficient with all the stuff that a CCNP should be. I studied and passed the tests the right way, but with no experience, it can be tough. It's really a personal call, of course, but that's my take on it. I would love to have been able to get a job as a CCNA, build at least a year of experience, then gone for my CCNP, but people all want CCNP's here where I live. The ideal situation would be to get a job for at least a year working with Cisco equipment, then go for CCNP.
Burt
Burt
Hello,
Hello Tek Tips members,
I'm currently pursuing the CCENT and the CCNA. Right now I'm completing the online Cisco Curriculum for Cisco Discovery 1 and Cisco Discovery 2. When Cisco Discovery 3 and Cisco Discovery 4 come out in November/December, I'll be taking these courses also. Cisco Discovery 1, 2, 3, and 4 all prepare you for the CCENT.
I will be posting lessons on my blog at as I complete and pass each online test on Cisco's website.
These lessons are essential for the CCENT, and I will try my best to explain everything you need to know properly.
I'm also planning on starting a CCNA blog once I'm done with the CCENT. You can view my blog for CCENT at DiscoverCCENT.Blog spot[dot]com. Please post any comments in the blog or over here so that I can provide visitors with a better experience. Any specific topics you need help with?
Hello Tek Tips members,
I'm currently pursuing the CCENT and the CCNA. Right now I'm completing the online Cisco Curriculum for Cisco Discovery 1 and Cisco Discovery 2. When Cisco Discovery 3 and Cisco Discovery 4 come out in November/December, I'll be taking these courses also. Cisco Discovery 1, 2, 3, and 4 all prepare you for the CCENT.
I will be posting lessons on my blog at as I complete and pass each online test on Cisco's website.
These lessons are essential for the CCENT, and I will try my best to explain everything you need to know properly.
I'm also planning on starting a CCNA blog once I'm done with the CCENT. You can view my blog for CCENT at DiscoverCCENT.Blog spot[dot]com. Please post any comments in the blog or over here so that I can provide visitors with a better experience. Any specific topics you need help with?
- Thread starter
- #12
CiscoGuy33
Instructor
dleggett,
You REALLY should be talking to an advisor at East Carolina OR better yet one of the Networking instructors, here is just part of what they have online and I can see why CCNA is a prereq !
You would be wasting your time in CCNP classes if you did not have the CCNA (so you could take the CCNP exams) and the CCNA experience/understanding that is needed to do CCNP study! Just looking at the area of study it seems to assume a VERY strong background in networking!!!
Not knowing your background ---- I would say 1 Intro to Networking class - will not cut it :-(
From the looks of this program - unless you have a VERY strong background in networking and can pass the CCNA with no trouble - I would GET the background in a Cisco Network Academy, get your CCNA, then move onto this BS program!
Information & Computer Technology*
Courses in Introduction to Network Security, Network Environment II & III, Web Services Management, Communication Security, Regulations and Policies, Intrusion Detection Technologies, CCNP, & more.
I am not sure who told you Network + would do - I would say that they do not know what CCNP is or DO NOT understand the program at that college!!!
This program must have a very extensive networking program at the lower level (first 2 years) that included CCNA as well as other networking classes.
Just my thoughts
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
You REALLY should be talking to an advisor at East Carolina OR better yet one of the Networking instructors, here is just part of what they have online and I can see why CCNA is a prereq !
You would be wasting your time in CCNP classes if you did not have the CCNA (so you could take the CCNP exams) and the CCNA experience/understanding that is needed to do CCNP study! Just looking at the area of study it seems to assume a VERY strong background in networking!!!
Not knowing your background ---- I would say 1 Intro to Networking class - will not cut it :-(
From the looks of this program - unless you have a VERY strong background in networking and can pass the CCNA with no trouble - I would GET the background in a Cisco Network Academy, get your CCNA, then move onto this BS program!
Information & Computer Technology*
Courses in Introduction to Network Security, Network Environment II & III, Web Services Management, Communication Security, Regulations and Policies, Intrusion Detection Technologies, CCNP, & more.
I am not sure who told you Network + would do - I would say that they do not know what CCNP is or DO NOT understand the program at that college!!!
This program must have a very extensive networking program at the lower level (first 2 years) that included CCNA as well as other networking classes.
Just my thoughts
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
CiscoGuy33
Instructor
dleggett,
Good news - your college is a Cisco Network Academy - TAKE the time and TAKE these Cisco CCNA classes at that college BEFORE you start the upper level classes.
You will be better off with a good foundation before you start some of those upper-level classes - it will pay off in the long run!!!!!
Academy/Institution Name: East Carolina University
Hope this helps!
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
Good news - your college is a Cisco Network Academy - TAKE the time and TAKE these Cisco CCNA classes at that college BEFORE you start the upper level classes.
You will be better off with a good foundation before you start some of those upper-level classes - it will pay off in the long run!!!!!
Academy/Institution Name: East Carolina University
Hope this helps!
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
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