To Boot Camp or not to Boot Camp?!

[CorruptedLogic]

That's the question keeping me awake at nights right now...I've been self studying for a month or so, but can't seem to motivate myself to actually "get stuck in". I've always done better at instructor lead training with no distractions (tv, beer, wife, sleep etc) than i have when self studying. Has anyone been to any of the boot camps available for CCNA and if so, were they any good?.did you pass?..did you feel like you actually learned, or did they just teach you to pass the exams?!..

Thanks in advance good people!

Work Smarter, Not Harder....

 

[qz01gs]

I did a weekend bootcamp for the CCNA after three months of self study it was good.

 

[CorruptedLogic]

Thanks gz01gs,did you feel you were ready for the real world after the camp or did they just teach you how to pass the tests?

Always adhere to the 7 P's..
&
Work Smarter, Not Harder....

 

[qz01gs]

Basically prior to the bootcamp you were given alot of reading to do. Then at the bootcamp it was basically about 90% doing different configs on routers. This helped to really remember all the commands etc. The main aim of the bootcamp was really to pass the CCNA but it there was alot of useful stuff which you could use in the live environment.


The tutor also set up labs with numerous errors in and you had to correct them which was useful for the exam.

WHereabouts are you from?

 

[CorruptedLogic]

Thanks, i figured it would something along those lines.

I'm originally from the UK, but now living in California.

Always adhere to the 7 P's..
&
Work Smarter, Not Harder....

 

[CiscoGuy33]

CorruptedLogic,

I had a student who went through a boot camp, passed the CCNA and then went to several job interviews and got blown out of the water and told to come back when he was no longer a "paper" CCNA.

I guess it all depends how much you already know about Cisco and networking.

You might want to look into Cisco's Network Academy to learn CCNA in a structuted environment.

Many community colleges offer the classes and they are normally much cheaper then most boot camps.

Hope this helps!


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

 

[CorruptedLogic]

Thanks, i've already been working with Cisco for around 4 years on and off and am pretty confident and reasonably proficient at basic configs and general maintenance and monitoring. I'm about to relocate and be in the market for a new job and figured that now would be an ideal time to make it "official".

Always adhere to the 7 P's..
&
Work Smarter, Not Harder....

 

[CiscoGuy33]

CorruptedLogic,

That is what I think boot camps are for - people who have the experience and background and just need to pull it all together to pass the exam!

Go for it and GOOD LUCK !!

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

 

[CorruptedLogic]

Thanks CiscoGuy33...i think the camp will be my Christmas present to myself )

Always adhere to the 7 P's..
&
Work Smarter, Not Harder....