what is before CCNA?

[dinduboy14]

i all, i am interested in learning about data/ip as i am from the telecommunication background(wireless/RF).
Anyway as the world heads to IP based..i think i need to learn up on this. i want to sit for CCNA but i think the exams is more about the routers/commands themselves rather than technology like gigabit ethernet/atm etc.

kindly please advice on what should i do as i dont have access to routers so studying for CCNA would be rather hard.

Thanks.

 

[Nzarth]

You could purchase the kit from ebay if you have the resources to do so as working with the kit is much better than just book reading.

Also there are some router sims out there that could help you out and might be a cheaper option.

However, I am just starting out on my CCNA so I am no expert.

Good Luck.

 

[Whoheard]

Try reading a CCNA book (Cisco Press Book) first to get a good understanding of the basic router. Commands are only a small part of the exam. You will need to understand some basic networking concepts first.

I would not invest any more money until I had a good undertanding first.

Telco people do pretty good once they get going. It is just hard to start sometimes.


bob

I know what I know and that's all I know. What I don't know I'll find out.

 

[Microbyte]

3 Legit Methods I can think from top of my head,

1. Take a CCNA class. Most of them would provide router per student (at least) for you to work on for the lab. They will provide the book. You will sit throught the class, asking questions and do what instructor tells you to do. Some are bootcamp style (1 week course with 10 hours per day), some are laid out style (once a week, 10 week course with 4 hours per week). I personally will take 10 week course over the bootcamp.
Cost $2500 - $5000

2. Build a small home lab. Buy Cisco routers from E-bay. three 2500s routers and one catalyst 1900 series. couple rollover cables for terminal connection (console), 3 serial cables, couple of crossover and straight through cat 5 cables. This way, you may have full knowledge in Cisco IOS commands and its functions. You may have to buy a book to practice with. No need to buy new routers. In terms of functions, they all work the same way. 2500 series are discontinued but still it is great for learning.
Cost $450 ~ $1000 (no max limit if you want full fledged network)

3. Practice virtually. Buy CCNA book (preferably Sybex over Cisco press) for reading. Buy a router simulator (

http://www.boson.com)

for lab practice. Router simulator will teach you think or two for you to pass CCNA exam. Just by reading the book itself won't sink in but you may give it a try if you are quite knowledgable with network structure such as OSI layers.
Cost $200 - $250

Mix-n-match is even better.
How much one is willing to shell out $$$ is the question.

 

[fil977]

I am also from a telecomms background, and am currently working towards my CCNA. I was in exactly the same position, I knew it would great to get my CCNA but didn't know where to start because I knew I needed to learn basic networking first.

I did a bit of digging around and started by reading through CompTia network + (sybex), although this is geared towards the network + exam it gave me a great start in getting some of the key concepts in my head, eg, OSI model, network fundamentals etc, without any of the worry of trying to understand cisco IOS.

I am now using the cisco press CCNA self study books for 640-811 and 640-821 exams which I fnd a bit more detailed than the todd lamelle sybex book(which I have also read through and found it geared towards refreshing rather teaching from scratch).

I am slightly scared of exams which is why I have read so many books

Hope this helps

 

[jdel]

Microbyte has hit it on the head. THe first option is quite pricey, and unfortunately it happens quite often that people go through the 1-week bootcamp and then forget everything after they pass the test. The longer course is preferable as he said. Niether is preferable if you have nothing to continue to practice on afgter the course os over.

The second option, imho, is the best route to go. Moderately priced and leaves you with the equipment needed to practice practice practice. For the CCNA and beyond you will need to know router commands inside and out, as well as subnetting from every imagineable angle. The Cicso Press books are very good at hammering home not only whats on the exam but the conceptual parts and beyond in my opinion. The Sybex books are good, but I think they tend to focus on just whats on the exam instead of really learning EVERYTHING that goes with the exam. Having your own lab also leaves you with the ability to expand upon it later on.

The last option is the least desireable, and the hardest way to learn it all. Of course it is also the cheapest, and I certainly know we do not all have $1000 or more to spend on this.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.