CCNA with Firebrand.

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 12:29

Hey all,

In my quest to getting the job I want in the future I have decided to start by doing my CCNA whilst I'm in work. I was told "If it benefits the company then we'll pay for it"... So, we shall see.

Doing some research I came across a course that lasts 5 days, includes accommodation, meals, training and the exam at the end.

Does this sound legitimate? Has anyone done it this way before?

Thanks.

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:00

It is a lot to fork out, £ 3,075 (3,690 Inc. VAT)... I'm hoping my company will say yes to paying for me. However I'm not sure what the likeliness of that is.

It's good to hear others have use them so it's a trusted service though!

kalvindeane said:
It is indeed legitimate.

I wouldn't do it without any previous Cisco or general networking knowledge though.

Boot camps like these are all about learning as quickly as possible to complete the exams.

If you go in there without any knowledge, chances are you'll forget everything that
you've learnt after a month has passed and it won't have helped you learn much.

I was thinking of doing the October session, which gives me time to study up till that point, gaining prior knowledge. Would that be advised?

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:04

QuickLink said:
Barter with them. You never pay the final price if you ask for a discount. They will come down!

Really? I didn't think companies would operate like that! Market traders - sure!

But if that really does work, then that would be brilliant.

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 13:13

kalvindeane said:
I've heard that they can be bartered with by quite a significant number of people as well.

I'll give them a call and find out!

QuickLink said:
I think work paid like 5.5-6k for mine, when back then it was up at like ~9k!

Ouch! Well, if it is worth it then you've got a fair deal!

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 15:07

QuickLink said:
They have places all around, but I stayed up at Wyboston Lakes.

Wyboston Lakes is about 2 miles from where I live. Would costs be cheaper if I didn't include meals/accommodation? Or would it just be worthwhile staying anyway just because there would be no need to get up and drive every morning?

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 15:11

QuickLink said:
I'd stay there. We spent a lot of time working together outside the class too. They have a bar onsite and we would often go to the bar and work there (which was surprisingly effective!) grab a beer and site around quizzing each other.
Since we did spend 14hrs in a class room and then a few more hours going over stuff as well, I'd recommend being there.

Thanks for that, I think I'll ask my manager soon to see what she thinks. I'm really hoping I get the go ahead and that they'll pay towards it, if not the full cost. I imagine that way I wouldn't need to use a weeks holiday either, right?

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 15:13

Mr.Stu said:
You don't need to pay for a training course for CCNA. Source your own material (books/videos/forums) and combine this with GNS3.

Have you got a CCNA? Is that the way you did it?

I'm currently more swayed towards the course because having someone to ask questions to and learn from would be a great help. Also physical plugging of cables and being about to see the router and work with it would be beneficial, no?

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 15:48

jimjamuk said:
you are going to have to sit and read through those books in you own time anyway if you want to pass the CCNA - if the company pays for the course great but its not a magic pass through the exam.

In my opinion just buy the Cisco Press book and get reading - dont go to the course with no background if you do get the chance. I would plan to read the book (twice at least) do the course and take the exam. You also need to do some practial in there as well which can be done with GN3 if you have access to some IOS images - otherwise buy a couple of routers off ebay

Would the CCNA 640-802 Official Cert Library book on the largest river in the world be acceptable?

Also what routers would you recommend as I'm not sure which the course lab uses.

Thanks for all the info so far.

BoonMonkey · 3 Jul 2012 at 22:43

Mr.Stu said:
Sure did, in fact I used it for most of my CCIE too - its just so convenient compared to going in to the lab. It does fall short in some layer 2 areas though, so having a basic home lab does not harm.

I would never advocate paying £1000s for an instructor led course.

If you want some more detailed advice or help along the way I'd be happy to spend some time on Skype

That would be perfect. Really would! I've got my skype details added to my forum account so if you give me an add I'll accept if that's okay?

Thanks everyone for the advice so far. I've read into GNS3 and I think I'll download that and have a look before I get a kit.