Passed CCNA today! 2

[laruecl]

Ok, so I did it!! I passed the 640-801 today which means I am officially a CCNA.
I studied Cisco self study books, but as most know, they can be confusing at times.
I am not sure if I am allowed to endorse a product here, but I found something that I think helped quite a bit.

http://www.thebryantadvantage.com

has a great study package that really makes sense of the "Cisco logic" plus includes 3 days lab time on a remote rack. This is not a braindump site. But is you are pursuing a CCNA I would recommend checking them out.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

grg2,

Congrats on the CCNA and welcome to the club !!

I have never used the pruducts from the Bryant Advantage, but the samples I have seen look to be top notch!

Take a few days off and pick up the books for CCNP



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

 

[PapaPark]

Yes - Congrats and welcome to the club.

 

[laruecl]

Thank you.

I am leaning towards going down the security path and persuing the CCSP. Does anyone have any advice on the CCSP cert or thoughts on CCNP vs. CCSP?

 

[CiscoGuy33]

grg2,

Just what a few Security CCIEs told me at Cisco Networkers - to secure a network you must understand how it works backwards and forward - they all suggested CCNP first and then CCSP.

They said only exception would be a CCNA who had been working - hands-on in the industry or military for the past 5 years. They just did not feel most CCNAs have enough hands-on network experience to do a good job.

Hope this helps!


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

 

[KiscoKid]

Just echoing the other posts here but if you do decide to progress to CCIE status via the security slant, Cisco will still expect you to be able to setup and configure all layer 2 (switching) and Layer 3 (routing) components - in addition to all the firewall and VPN concentrator work you have to do as well.

So yeh solid switching and routing experience is a must have from a Cisco perspective regardless of your specialism.

 

[DanInRaleigh]

grg2,
...what is your plan now?
.....cisco,MS,Linux,database????

CCNP,CCSP,MCSE,Sec+,Net+,A+...

 

[laruecl]

Well, I thought about the posts here and decided to go after the NP first. In fact, I just received the Cisco press series for the CCNP. Now I am building my home lab. I currently have 2 2500 series routers and an old 4000. Can anyone recommend where to find inexpensive 2900 series switches? Also, any comments on the sequence to take the NP tests?

 

[DanInRaleigh]

....I would say if you could get one on ebay for 75-85 dollars you would be getting a good deal...
....thats what i paid for in the past...

CCNP,CCSP,MCSE,Sec+,Net+,A+...