for burtsbees, lerdalt, Cluebird, and OzzieGeorge 5

[iolair]

I hope Tek-Tips will let me give my acceptance speech here. Forgive me for posting this, but I feel I must.

Thanks to all you guys for your advice and support. The third time is the charm, I passed this morning. 954 was the score, and just like the first time I passed back in 2007, the testing center had major technical problems. Hmmmmm............... <g>

Thanks for all the helpful advice. burtsbees, you're the greatest, I followed your advice and just quit worrying, took the test like it was a survey, didn't worry about passing at all. I also need to say thanks to CiscoGuy, he's always helpful, too.

And now, if you gentlemen would indulge me once again, I need some advice. I plan to earn the CCNP and the CCNA Security. Which should I attempt first? Oh, not to brag, <g> but on all three CCNA tests I made 100% on Security, so, I'm leaning that way.

Finally, thanks to Tek-Tips for allowing me to vent.

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer

 

[Quadratic]

There's really no right answer to your question of where to go next. When I was where you are I went straight for CCNP, but that was mostly because it's a higher tiered certification and helps to push your status up in the industry more so than another CCNA. If you want to get into the security track, there are definitely careers there so go for it if that's what interests you.

I wouldn't do it just on the basis of the CCNA exam's percentage marks, though. I find some topics have fewer questions than others to the point where those stats don't mean very much. The two times I had to rewrite an exam, I compared the percentages from pass and fail, and they were pretty different both times.

CCNP, CCDP, CCIP
Core Network Planner, ISP

 

[lerdalt]

First off, congrats. That's fantastic that you passed. It's always discouraging to fail a test repeatedly, but so redeeming to finally get it put behind you.

I'd probably start off with the next step of celebrating a little bit. It's good to take just a little time off from the studies to revive yourself, take care of a few things that may have been put off while hitting the books, etc. Then, give the test syllabus a glance. I might take the stance of, which one do I feel I could knock out easily next. Or the other way to look at it is, the CCNP test would automatically renew your CCNA(s), so why not go for the CCNA Security first, then go for the CCNP since those tests will help renew your certs.

 

[Dinkytoy]

Congratz .

I'd pick up CCNA Security book and the ROUTE book and see what you feel more comfortable with. You might want more of EIGRP and OSPF etc or you might be slightly sick of them .

 

[OzzieGeorge]

YeeeeeeHa

I always knew you had it in you! It took me a few goes (I should point out that I am a voice tech who is trying to learn the Cisco systems at the ripe old age of 55)! Good on you for never giving up! My last attempt was a major for me too as I was beginning to disbelieve in myself. However you have proved what I was begining to suspect, it is only your belief in your own ability that counts!

This is the best news I have had all day and hopefully you can't read this till later because you are too innbreated (Pi$$3d) to be bothered!

If you are ever in Perth West Australia let me know and I will shout you a beer!

Regards

R4

 

[OzzieGeorge]

Ok so now the serious side!

What is your strong side? Mine is the voice aspects, so I am now tooling up to do the CCNA Vioce exam!

What you have to think about now is, how do I extend my certification! You have 3 years to achieve that but probably only about 18 Months to think about it! Consider how best to extend your certificaion without re doing the same! If you are best at voice like I am then the CCNA voice exam will renew your CCNA but if that is your limit, then accept that and look upon that as your easiest recertification path! Choose your path and then use it to maintain the position you have gained!

Regards once again

R$

 

[iolair]

Thanks for all the congrats.

OzzieGeorge, I thought *I* was the oldest CCNA on the planet, you got me beat by one year. <g>. I do hope to get to Australia some day.

Thanks for all the advice, too. You're right, percentages don't always tell the tale. I have the IINS book and the ROUTE book, so I'll take a look AFTER following the advice to take a break.

Thanks again, guys! As the James Brown song goes, "I feel good!"

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer

 

[Cluebird]

Woo hoo!!! Well done!!! Awesome!!! Knew you could do it!!!! You get a star from me!!!!

 

[burtsbees]

I'll bet I'm the youngest b@$t@rd in here...lol

Well, I sure hope you know my stance on the subject. Not only can I tell you the benefits IMHO of security, but I shall also tell you of my experience...or lack thereof, actually!

When I obtained the CCNA, I had absolutely zero professional networking experience. Not quite a year later, I obtained the CCNP (when it was still BCMSN, BCRAN, BSCI and the last one...the troubleshooting one...), I STILL had zero professional experience. So there I was---compared myself to the rest of the Cisco certs---there were so many CCNAs and non-certs that knew so much more because of their real life experience...sure, I could break a packet down, and tell you to turn on IP routing in a layer 3 switch when you can't route between your VLANs, but when I put an IP address on a layer 2 switch, then changed it to a different VLAN, I couldn't figure out why the first one would shut down...lol (that one I should have thought more through...ha ha). I could also describe in detail how DUAL calculated everything, found successors and FSs, but I could not tell you why someone would NAT to a loopback address (aactually, I found that one on my own...proud of that ---think floating static routes and HSRP, and how this could make failover a lot smoother and faster...of course there are other ways, but...well, I'll let you play with that one ).

My point is---HR departments and really any of the ads out there hiring all use either CCNA or CCIE---more than CCNP, anyway. And the fact that Cisco split CCNA into all the categories, and now there are what...10 CCIE certs now? TWO for ISP specifically alone?

If you have a Cisco cert in routing and switching, as well as one in security, I think that actually looks better, not to mention in between the extra time you can spend getting some (or more, don't know your situation) experience---a MUST!

Ozzie---I have been to Perth, WA---it's forking AWESOMRE! I stripped this gal at a strip club with my teeth, and they gave me a T-shirt that said it! Good times! (Navy, 1990-94, USS Independence---got there in May 2003).

/ cause

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[Quadratic]

Burt, deep versus wide is a common debate when it comes to certification value, but I really have to disagree with the idea that two CCNAs are more valuable than a CCNP. True, most HR fluff includes CCNA and CCIE, but with a CCNP and some experience you can argue CCIE equivalency FAR more easily than you could with a few CCNAs.

And from the dates I've seen posted here I think I may actually be the youngest. I climbed my way up the ladder pretty quickly.

CCNP, CCDP, CCIP
Core Network Planner, ISP

 

[lerdalt]

I know I've got Burt by a few years, but maczen might be the youngest out here....

 

[burtsbees]

Quad---I agree with you on that point---with experience, as you stated! I am actually speaking with respect to what may fit an individual's needs best concerning getting one's foot in the door. I am comparing someone with 2 NA's vs. NP with my story-to be clear, IMHO insofar as what would look better to an organization as a whole with respect to what an individual could provide, and adding what would perhaps benefit an individual best to that extent, two NA's would look better...kind of like in hindsight, projecting and comparing both scenarios. Just clarifying is all, not arguing any point in any way

Maczen is about 35 or so nowx and I'm 40, so yeah-MAC is the younger one...AND he's a CISSP as well!

/beer

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[lerdalt]

ok..so maybe it's a battle between mac and I. I'm 34.

 

[burtsbees]

Mac and ME, not I...it's in the predicate part of the sentence (after the verb), so the objective form of the pronoun must be used. I'll wager that you also end sentences with prepositions, too...Todd, Todd, Todd...

/'n toot'n goooood time! -->is anyone getting these, or are they just adding to that which may offer clues to the level of my dorkhood?

10 ? "TIMMAY!!!"
20 goto 10
run
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[Cluebird]

I remember when dirt got invented. Right before we created the dinosaurs...Still befuddled by that thar' wheel contrapshun, though.

Tim, when is your lab scheduled for?

(If you don't like dangling prepositions, just put a'hole at the end.) We be good.

 

[ponoodle]

I'm studying for my CCNA now and I just turned 35 a few days ago. And Burt, is it an either/or situation, or can it be yes to both? =)

 

[Quadratic]

I still have to disagree Burt. All things being equal, a CCNP simply trumps a pair of CCNAs. Three, and you could argue diversity.

Also you guys are all way older than me.

CCNP, CCDP, CCIP
Core Network Planner, ISP

 

[OzzieGeorge]

Bummer

That seems to make me the oldest :-(

 

[iolair]

Just got back from Europe, and scanned both books when I got home. I also scanned the job postings in my area. There are a few isolated CCNP requests, but mostly it's CCNA and CCIE. And CCNA is requested ten times more than CCIE. And since I'm looking for a new job................

I have a small network (250 nodes) and so I wear lots of hats. But my favorite hat is security, it's the one I really love. So, I think I'm going to do that next, then go on to the CCNP after that. Good thing is, this will help keep me from getting in the jam I got in this time with the three year expiration.

Again, thanks guys for all the encouragement.

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer