Certification Options

[ElijahBaley]

Hi

I just posted this in the MCSE forum, but thought that it may ellicit a few comments from here as well - so here goes,

Circa August 1999 I set myself the task of studying for the then NT core MCSE exams before the (then) expiry date of 31st December 1999, I had had about 1 years general IT and network experience and had hoped to acheive this goal.

It proved a little more difficult than I had anticipated and I only passed the Network Essentials exam which did not even constitute a MCP status.

Fortunately, since then I have remained in employment and have gained knowlege and experience and am quite pleased with my progress - however, I feel that I should now look towards gaining some professional qualifications to suppliment my experience, the problem is that I seriously doubt the MCSE path and have misgivings about investing so much time and energy into one product family - how long before 2000 is dropped in favour of XP ?

I am thinking of alternatives and only A+ and Cisco CCNA seem to be options, the problem I have with these is that (with all due respect to A+ certified) A+ seems to be relatively easy and not widely respected (in the UK) and CCNA would be very difficult without access to Cisco routers, which I do not have.

I would have to home study and obviously invest a lot of time doing it so I am keen to set out on the right course. my interest is in the wider area of communications and networking so the Cisco route appeals, but it is expensive and difficult, can it even be done from home study with limited hardware?

I would appreciate any comments and or advice on this,

Best Regards

Graham
"r tape loading error"

 

[DonHCVG]

I know you can do it at home. You will need to invest in a simulator though. The simulator I bought is the one that is used by people studing their CCNP. If you get that for CCNA you can use it after for CCNP yourself which is a logical next step. It is expensive but not as much as a router. I paid 300 Canadian dallars. I also am using the Sybex CCNA text. I have found practising with the simulator has built my confidence. I am almost ready to write the exam and will do so in January. I will be doing Server+ next then CCNP. You can only do Server+ if you have A+. God Bless and Good Studing. Donald H. Heritage
Help Desk Agent
A+, MCSE Windows NT4

Email : dheritag@taima.on.ca

 

[ElijahBaley]

Thanks Donald

I did not consider simulators, I will have to research this a bit more before commiting to it, but I think I will go for it.

Good luck with the exam

Graham
"r tape loading error"

 

[zephyran]

Gettingthere,

What's the name of the CCNP simulator you're using?