ICND - Worth my while?

Mint_Sauce · 2 Apr 2006 at 13:52

I'm able to get ICND training but I'm not in an IT job at the moment. I intend to migrate to New zealand within 2 years so want to bulk up my CV to give me the best possible chance of getting in. I'm also interested in getting back in to Networking as I have basic self taught networking skills from being a geek and used to be a Junior System Administrator. If I were to get an ICND would this open many job oppertunities for me as a junior over here and if not do you think New Zealand would be impressed?

I may also able to get on the course for not a lot of money so that makes it more worth while.

Any advice gratefully received.

newbiejim · 2 Apr 2006 at 15:06

ICND is the 2nd exam of the 2 exam track for the CCNA, you would be better doing the INTRO first IMHO, however its still ok to do it that way i guess but be sure to be able to subnet.....:=)

oh and IMHO CCNA done properly is very worthwhile

Mint_Sauce · 2 Apr 2006 at 15:26

Thanks, yeah I will be taking INTRO on the first week to brush up on my skills then the ICND on the second week. I think I will go ahead with it, can't hurt can it.

Cheers.

derfderfley · 2 Apr 2006 at 16:00

newbiejim said:
ICND is the 2nd exam of the 2 exam track for the CCNA, you would be better doing the INTRO first IMHO, however its still ok to do it that way i guess but be sure to be able to subnet.....:=)

oh and IMHO CCNA done properly is very worthwhile

The ICND is a training course and a exam. It is seen as the course most people take before they take the CCNA exam.

Mint_Sauce, if you have a understanding of how networking works, and IP addressing don't bother with the intro, just do the ICND. Either way, it will be worth you while getting hold of a book or two in preparation for both the course and the exam, the Cisco press stuff is very good (as you would expect), but I prefer the Sybex books.

/edited because I was completely wrong the ICND exam is cisco exam number 640-811 ICND which along with 640-821 INTRO provides a CCNA, the single exam version is 640-801 CCNA. Apologies to newbiejim who is correct/

Mint_Sauce · 2 Apr 2006 at 19:42

Thanks for the advice, I have a networking book which I will be reading through. I guess I could skip the INTRO but how much would I realistically need to know? I am able to set up a network with routers/switches etc without any problems. I understand IP addresses etc but I don't really know too much in depth stuff being self taught.

newbiejim · 2 Apr 2006 at 20:59

Can you subnet confidently? , if not dont even think you will get anywhere near passing either the INTRO or ICND.
When you say you can set networks up with switches and routers do you understand how switches & routers work?, do you know the OSI & TCP/IP model inside out?, can you explain routing protocols?, TCP handshake?, ARP?,encapsulation process?

Sorry to sound negative but IMHO CCNA is not easy, key issue is that you need to put in significant study, pass grade is circa 85%.

Mint_Sauce · 3 Apr 2006 at 12:31

Righto, I will be doing the INTRO. I'm currently reading through Ciscos basic networking book. A lot of it I already know but It's interesting and well written and as i've been out of the game for a while helps me brush up on the topology etc.

After I've gained the certification (if I manage it

) would a lot of oppertunities open up for me over here? I know it sounds like I'm going in to this blind but my main aim is to get in to NZ and use it there but I'm interested as I may persue a job here using it as well. Cheers for your help, it's invaluable to hear from people who have done it themselves.

newbiejim · 3 Apr 2006 at 16:58

I`d reccommend the Cisco semester companion books, these are comprehensive and very very good. Todd Lammle's Sybex book is also good as is Wendell Odom's certification guides.An excellent study resource website is here , its only circa £10 but well worth it.

CCNA helped me get a foot in the door with council job......and helped me justify my salary scale, I also learned far more about networks doing CCNA than a networking degree

Mint_Sauce · 21 Apr 2006 at 11:30

newbiejim said:
Can you subnet confidently? , if not dont even think you will get anywhere near passing either the INTRO or ICND.
When you say you can set networks up with switches and routers do you understand how switches & routers work?, do you know the OSI & TCP/IP model inside out?, can you explain routing protocols?, TCP handshake?, ARP?,encapsulation process?

Sorry to sound negative but IMHO CCNA is not easy, key issue is that you need to put in significant study, pass grade is circa 85%.

Well, I'm almost through the book now and where I didn't know much about the things you said at the time I can now say I do!

I think after going on the training course to back up and confirm what i've learnt I should be fine with sitting the test and passing. I'm finding it pretty interesting, where before I would do a tracert and looking at the screen kind of knowing what was going on I now actually do!

Looking forward to doing the course and hopefully getting a good career again.

Cheers all.

rayer · 21 Apr 2006 at 12:35

I've got my CCNA and currently working toward CCNP. Are these qualifications regarded highly in NZ then ?