CCNA/CCNP

Frozennova

Frozennova

Frozennova

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I'm looking to go down the route of getting the above two Cisco qualifications to hopefully make myself a career in IT.

Anyone have experience with these and the best ways to get certified.
 
Hey,

I went to college did my CCNA over a year not I'm doing my CCNP at the same place, I like the lessons and have access to equipment.

Stelly
 
Personally, I think recruiters will be very reluctant to hire someone to maintain their Cisco equipment who has the certs but 0 actual experience.

Definitely don't get a CCNP without having a network job first.
 
It depends on your experience and skills but generally there are 2 ways to go, the cheaper self study route or pay a training company to attend their course.

The CCNA inst a foundation cert so you would ideally need previous experience using Cisco Kit or other networking certs like the N+. As mentioned above no company is going to let you touch their network with no experience and just a CCNA.
 
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Get a job doing low level IT, at a college or school perhaps. Self train for Cisco CCNA and CCNP exams with CBT nuggets, books and GNS3. If you can manage it, get Windows Server 2008 on VMWare and train yourself on that too. Try to learn as much about networking and servers at the IT job as you can. Once you get the certs after a year or so, apply for higher level jobs.
 
Nate--IRL-- said:
For CCNA I used CBT Nuggets and Todd Lammle's book. Look up GNS3 also.

Nate
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Oh Jeremy <3

First decide if you want to do the 2 test route or the 1 test.

2 test: You do the ICND1 exam and achieve the CCENT. You then do the ICND2 exam and achieve the CCNA. This route seems to be recommended, especially if you don't have any experience.

1 test:Simply, one exam which will get you the CCNA. As far as I remember, it costs the same amount to do this exam as it costs to do ICND1+ICND2 (combined). So if you fail, your be umm... £200? Out of pocket. Time is apparently a huge concern in this test.

I achieved my CCENT by using CBT Nuggets and the material on the Cisco Networking Academy website (I was enrolled through college). For my ICND2 I am using CBT Nuggets again and the Wendell Odom, CCNA 640-802 Official Cert Library book.

You will need to play with some labs - You can either:
** 'get your hands on' Cisco's packet tracer (this is what I did for my CCENT)
** get GNS3 and a IOS image and practice routing.
**Go and buy lab equipment (if you want to spend money)
 
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The catch 22 as mentioned is where I'm stuck at the moment.

I only have have GCSEs no further education.

I have been applying for a large amounts of IT based jobs with only one application that resulted in an interview, in the end I didn't get the position due to me having to commute 50 miles each way to the office.

My thoughts we're the CCNA and CCNP would give me that little bit of qualification that would help me secure a lower level position then actively apply for higher paid networking positions actively while building experience.

I believe I have a copy of server 2008 already so could people maybe suggest what would be best to teach myself to get started.
 
It might improve your chances, at least show that you're keen. The stuff people have recommended can be found for free so if you are serious about it and don't mind spending money on the exams it's well worth a go.
 
ManLoveRulesOK said:
The catch 22 as mentioned is where I'm stuck at the moment.

I only have have GCSEs no further education.

I have been applying for a large amounts of IT based jobs with only one application that resulted in an interview, in the end I didn't get the position due to me having to commute 50 miles each way to the office.

My thoughts we're the CCNA and CCNP would give me that little bit of qualification that would help me secure a lower level position then actively apply for higher paid networking positions actively while building experience.

I believe I have a copy of server 2008 already so could people maybe suggest what would be best to teach myself to get started.
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Thought about doing an apprenticeship or college? Got my Cisco apprenticeship interview on Friday =)

Apprenticeships give you some experience and certifications such as A+, N+, possibly Microsoft ones etc..and you get paid (though it's bad for most of them. The big companies such as Sky, BT, Cisco, IBM will be paying around 15k a year.
 
ManLoveRulesOK said:
The catch 22 as mentioned is where I'm stuck at the moment.

I only have have GCSEs no further education.

I have been applying for a large amounts of IT based jobs with only one application that resulted in an interview, in the end I didn't get the position due to me having to commute 50 miles each way to the office.

My thoughts we're the CCNA and CCNP would give me that little bit of qualification that would help me secure a lower level position then actively apply for higher paid networking positions actively while building experience.

I believe I have a copy of server 2008 already so could people maybe suggest what would be best to teach myself to get started.
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Work on getting your CCNA. Maybe do the Comptia A+ before hand also, it'll help you snag a 1st line support job. Once you've got the job work on your CCNP in your spare time, that way you're getting experience whilst working.
 
If Cisco apprenticeships pay like a normal appretiship its not doable as I couldn't take such an income hit, the same with going to college.

I'm more than happy to drop a few hundred quid on exams if it will get me somewhere in life. Where can they be booked and taken?
 
ManLoveRulesOK said:
If Cisco apprenticeships pay like a normal appretiship its not doable as I couldn't take such an income hit, the same with going to college.

I'm more than happy to drop a few hundred quid on exams if it will get me somewhere in life. Where can they be booked and taken?
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Aha didn't see your age, assumed you had just finished school or something.

All exams are booked through Pearson Vue, try this link: http://www9.pearsonvue.com/Dispatcher?application=VTCLocator&action=actStartApp&v=W2L&cid=139
 
entry level certs will be easier for you to pass to start with. these will be more specific to the jobs you will be applying for. A+, N+ and MCPs are where you should start. these can all be obtained through self study costing only your time, the text book and the exam fee.
 
In that case what resources etc do I need for A+ and N+?

Just the reference material then book the exams with Pearson Vue myself?
 
Pretty much.. I heard A+ is really easy. I imagine if you are into computers and have a general knowledge of hardware you could probably read up on the few topics you don't know and be ready for the test.

N+, the same really. Your just need reference material (probably a book on it) and then book the exam yourself. With Pearson Vue or whoever else does them.
 
Personally wouldn't bother with A+ but I guess it might be helpful if going for very entry level positions.

N+ would be worthwhile as a starter for networking to get you used to the basics, Sec+ is also worthwhile in my opinion too.
 
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