CISCO Training......worth it?

snagrat · 15 Jun 2006 at 19:43

Just been browsing the web for jobs (not that I'm not happy but just like to see what others get paid

) and see that a lot of jobs ask for Cisco certification.

I'm sure some of you guys have some cisco qualifications so my question is whether it was worth it (i.e. got you any further in life) and how did you go about doing it.

Thanks

drdimmer · 15 Jun 2006 at 19:49

I've got a friend who's doing an evening class at college doing CISCO Networking i think it is, he's only 15 and he says he finds it heavy at times but hes ploughing through it. Passed a module or two I know that (but he's v bright) - I think his course is two years. I can find out more if you like.

Whitestar · 15 Jun 2006 at 19:49

Its an investment imo. If your going to get a better job after you do the course then its well worth it. Other wise your spending a lot of money just for a certificate that you have to renew every three years.

I did the ccna while i was in 6th form so i did it for free and then got a job mainly off of that.

It can be heavy sometimes, but if you stick to it its well worth it. Then you can either go and get a better job or do the ccnp or both.

Richdog · 15 Jun 2006 at 19:50

Whitestar said:
Its an investment imo. If your going to get a better job after you do the course then its well worth it. Other wise your spending a lot of money just for a certificate that you have to renew every three years.

You need to renew every 3 years?

VeNT · 15 Jun 2006 at 19:50

I've never seen a job that wanted CISCO but not somthing else aswell (and more than CISCO TBH) like a degree or somthing.

Whitestar · 15 Jun 2006 at 19:52

Richdog said:
You need to renew every 3 years?

Yeah. You have to take an exam every three years to keep your qualification.

Richdog · 15 Jun 2006 at 19:54

Whitestar said:
Yeah. You have to take an exam every three years to keep your qualification.

Ahh right I never knew that... interesting.

snagrat · 15 Jun 2006 at 19:54

VeNT said:
I've never seen a job that wanted CISCO but not somthing else aswell (and more than CISCO TBH) like a degree or somthing.

A few I looked at say 5 years experience plus a cisco qualification. Maybe they say that just so some muppets don't apply!

You need to renew every 3 years?

And how much is renewing gonna cost?

Whitestar · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:00

snagrat said:
And how much is renewing gonna cost?

I think it costs them same or less than it costs to take the final exam.

snagrat · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:02

Whitestar said:
I think it costs them same or less than it costs to take the final exam.

Thats not cheap then is it?

Nozzer · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:05

CCNA is ~£85. I think each of the CCNP exams are similar.

Whitestar · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:12

Yeah thats about right.

snagrat · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:15

Nozzer said:
CCNA is ~£85. I think each of the CCNP exams are similar.

So how many exams are they till you are qualified. I can't find much on the Cisco website at the mo. Google here I come

Nozzer · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:16

CCNA can be taken as one or two, I think CCNP is four.

snagrat · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:20

Nozzer said:
CCNA can be taken as one or two, I think CCNP is four.

SO why are some sites quoting like a grand to do the course. Is that for all the books etc and the training

Andr3w · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:21

im ment to be doing it on wednesday afternoons after college with a few others....i just...never...turn...up...

Nozzer · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:21

snagrat said:
SO why are some sites quoting like a grand to do the course. Is that for all the books etc and the training

They'll teach you, put you up, give you access to the kit etc.

You can do it for under £100 if you're motivated.

Whitestar · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:22

Nozzer said:
CCNA can be taken as one or two, I think CCNP is four.

CCNA is split into four semesters, so there are four semester exams (although you can take two together) and then one final exam. Each semester is split into about 10 modules each and there is an exam at the end of each module. You have to pass the module exams to take the semester exam and you have to pass the semester exams to take the final exam.

CCNP is the same, but has less modules per semester.

Nozzer · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:23

Whitestar said:
CCNA is split into four semesters, so there are four semester exams (although you can take two together) and then one final exam. Each semester is split into about 10 modules each and there is an exam at the end of each module. You have to pass the module exams to take the semester exam and you have to pass the semester exams to take the final exam.

CCNP is the same, but has less modules per semester.

Incorrect, you're assuming a classroom environment.

You can take the exams at any number of centres around the country with no formal preparation. Just book, turn up and take it.

VeNT · 15 Jun 2006 at 20:23

Whitestar said:
CCNA is split into four semesters, so there are four semester exams (although you can take two together) and then one final exam. Each semester is split into about 10 modules each and there is an exam at the end of each module. You have to pass the module exams to take the semester exam and you have to pass the semester exams to take the final exam.

CCNP is the same, but has less modules per semester.

and is harder I'd guess.
what does each one involve knolage of? is it all hardware layer/TCPIP stuff, or are we talking configing windows servers etc?