best ccna books? :)

[hellarda]

As in the title really... Following a weeks work experience with the networking team at a bank i have decided that i want to teach myself the ccna course i cant do it at college or anything because i am still at school and my 6th form doesnt offer it. so guys best books to teach myself ccna from?

taaaa

 

[$c8t@]

1. Todd Lammle Sybex 6th Edition
2. Cisco Press Official Exam Guides - ICND1 & 2 - Wendell Odom
3. Exam Cram CCNA Questions Only - Jeremy Cioara.

All you should need.

 

[hellarda]

thanks next question... hardware... what hardware will i need/want to do the course? I'd prefer to use actual hardware rather than a sim...

thanks agian

 

[moss]

thanks next question... hardware... what hardware will i need/want to do the course? I'd prefer to use actual hardware rather than a sim...

thanks agian

As great as real hardware is, I would honestly just use Packet Tracer for the CCNA, it does everything you need and making changes is so much quicker.
If you want more advanced routing features you could use GNS3, which can do some switching if you put a switch module in a router.

edit: Suppose a better answer regarding hardware would be, 2600 series Routers and Catalyst 2950 switches should be good enough to cover the CCNA and they are fairly cheap to buy now. Something like a 3640 router can be used for frame relay labs and an old 2500 series router can be used as an access server (for jumping between console sessions on different pieces of hardware).

 

[Deception]

As great as real hardware is, I would honestly just use Packet Tracer for the CCNA, it does everything you need and making changes is so much quicker.
If you want more advanced routing features you could use GNS3, which can do some switching if you put a switch module in a router.

edit: Suppose a better answer regarding hardware would be, 2600 series Routers and Catalyst 2950 switches should be good enough to cover the CCNA and they are fairly cheap to buy now. Something like a 3640 router can be used for frame relay labs and an old 2500 series router can be used as an access server (for jumping between console sessions on different pieces of hardware).

When I did mine, I had 3x2611XM routers and 2x2950 Catalyst Switches. Can find them pretty cheap on the bay. Although GNS3 and Packet Tracer are just as good (Can get a lab manual for PT, for scenario's)

 

[ots3go]

I'd say it's quite handy to have a play with the physical kit, but certainly not necessary.

The weird and wonderful problems that can arise with the actual kit is something you just won't see in PT.