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Passed CCNA ..... next step?

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skk391

Technical User
Mar 3, 2009
332
GB
Hello Guys, passed my ICDN 2 yesterday with a 890. If anyone is interested I used Chris Bryant's training videos from Trainsignal and Wendal Odom pdf's. I also used Cisco CCNA portable command guide to learn the commands. I have been studying for about 1 year now. I now that people pass after 3-4 months, but its just not my style. I like to take my time and practice and practice until I know it.
I started to study for my CCNA because we have a Cisco Backbone mainly of 2950 switches at work. The network is completely flat no vlans except default and no routers to help to segement the network. Even though we have a 2801 router sat in the corner not even plugged in because nobody has the confidence to actually use it. I started studying to build me know and then to implement on the network which I plan to do very soon.

I didnt really find the CCNA to taxing, I did however spend along time studying to pass it so I would have been really dissappointed if I hadnt!!

My question is for an CCNP's out there. How much more demanding is the CCNP to the CCNA. I not afraid of hard work, but just think if might me a little bit overkill for the company that I work at. Would i be better for me to study for something like CCNA security or are the topics in the security course covered in the CCNP and therefore would it my better to just concenrate on the CCNP.

I have caught the Cisco bug and just want to ask you guys about what is best for my next step.
 
Congrats on the pass.

I'd have to say the jump from CCNA to CCNP is pretty big. The CCNA gives you the basics and lays a good foundation, but the BSCI and BCMSN (can't speak for the other 2 tests now) really take things to the next level.

The decision on where to go next is really up to you. From how you described your network, CCNA is plenty. The NP isn't going to hurt, and will definitely give you a better feel if you want to start segmenting things out and growing. I'd probably ask myself the question of what are we going to do here next...wireless? voice? just plain growth of the network? The answer to that question would influence which direction I'd go next.

I know what you mean about catching the Cisco bug, once I passed the CCNA, I couldn't stop.

 
Thanks for the reply. I do think that the NP might b a little overkill, however I could use it for a stepping stone to somewhere else. Or even a bargining tool for a pay rise!! I do however run the risk of having a CCNP but without any solid experience. I mean I will be hopefully using some of my CCNA skills on site soon, but I not going to connecting our site to far end sites or anthing like that because we only have the one site. I will mostly using the switching skills that I have picked up.

I think I might study for the CCNA security and then see I can change jobs to an organisation that uses more Cisco Hardware for me to get my hands on. My ultimatly goal is to get into hardcore security anyway. The firewall be currently use is Microsoft so it cr*p. Does anyone have any views on Ciscos CCNA Security?

Is it worth studying for? Do employers look for CCNA Security? Suppose it could give me the edge over other CCNA canditidates.

Thanks

 
I think the guy that can give you some of the best first hand experience on the CCNA Security is currently unavailable for awhile.

BUT, no matter what, you can look at either the NP or NA Security (or other concentrations) to help get more from where you are currently, or from a new employer.

 
skk391,

Congrats on CCNA !!!!!

lerdalt is right - our man Billy is deployed at sea with the navy for a few months!!!! He has done the CCNA Security but, he does have a very good paper on what he did and used over at the Cisco Learning Network over at
Check out the Cisco Learning Network and Billy's posts and other stuff he has there.

As far as CCNP - I do not think it would be over-kill, in this day and time I think it is best to be OVER trained in case you ever need to do some job looking!!! You might be on a small network today ........

And the knowledge will not hurt you :)

Good luck !



E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
 
Of course, one other key point, if your employer will pay for the tests....take as many as you can on their dime.
 
Thanks Guys. I was planning to start with the CCNA Security and get my work to pay for the training material and do it my home study ( which I prefer to do, cause you can just keep on labing until you understand it ) but after reading the posts I think that I might ask if they will pay for the NP and maybe pay for the NA security out of my own pocket. At least they have then paid for the more expensive stuff and I can study for it after my NA security.
 
I am going to take the NA Security soon, then SNRS to renew my NP...

/

tim@tim-laptop ~ $ sudo apt-get install windows
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Couldn't find package windows...Thank Goodness!
 
I changed my mind after some research. Im going to study for my CCNA security because I have an interest in Security and I want to rip out the MS firewall and stick in the 2801 router at work. This will allow me to use the knowledge that I would have picked up during the NA security course and also allow me to get some 'hand-on'. If im successful with the NA security then I can see if I want to then go for the NP or the CCSP. But one step at a time- im going to start my NA security in a couple of weeks.

Burtsbees what study material will you be using for your Na security?

I used Trainsignals CCNA CBT which I found really good. It is a little pricy but covers all the topics. They have a new vidro out for the NA security so I was thinking about getting it. It works for me... I will probadly get a couple of cisoc books from Amazon.

 
Can I also put this lab pass you guys. Is this suitable for the NA security.

1* 2801 with SDM
3 * 2500
2 * 2950

?? I think that this should be ok, or do you think I need more kit?

Thanks
 
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