Time to finally start CCNA

Beerbaron · 9 Dec 2012 at 18:58

I recently passed my VCP5 exam so need to move on to my next cert. The CCNA has always been in the back of my mind for a few years but its something that I haven't been too motivated to start. I don't have a big interest in it but I appreciate the cert and knowledge I get from it will progress my career and will be an important skill set. I need to draw up a plan of attack:

1. A good text book. Recommendations?
2. Videos. I generally prefer to watch these than read. Recommendations?
3. Build a small lab. I learn more from doing rather than reading/watching.
4. I normally self study but was pleased with the training I received from 360gsp with the VCP5 course. I'm quite tempted to sign up for their CCNA course as its currently on offer. https://www.360gsp.com/training/deals-this-month

Thanks.

23JMZ07 · 9 Dec 2012 at 19:11

Aquire the CBT Nuggets videos. Jeremy Cioara is an excellent teacher.

Passed my CCENT & CCNA in about a month using his videos & PacketTracer.

Sparx · 9 Dec 2012 at 19:53

Have a read through my thread I made less than 2 months ago on this exact subject. I'm sure it will be useful.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18452065

Beerbaron · 9 Dec 2012 at 19:58

Thanks for the info. Only decided to start this in the last few days so trying to get as much information as possible.

oli356 · 9 Dec 2012 at 19:59

1) I bought the official Cisco ones (CCNA 640-802 Official Cert Library) though I found them so boring, very detailed. These are normally recommended otherwise the Todd Lammle books. -- - I hate reading though so for me to say a book is boring, isn't saying much!
2) The brilliant Jeremy Cioara from CBT Nuggets - I hear people who are CCNA certified all the way up to CCIE certified recommended him.
3) I still don't see how it's possible to pass without any "doing". I also don't recommend a lab unless you have 3 switches and 3 routers. This will cost you £150 ish at a rough guess.
You can use Packet Tracer though for R&S or GNS3 for routing - these are free.
Labbing is so much fun compare to reading <3

In case you don't know there are 2 ways to get the CCNA. The ICND1 and ICND2 route or the composite exam. So it's 2 exams or 1. I took the 2 exam route, it meant that I could learn half the content and then be CCENT certified, then started studying for ICND2.
While all the engineers I work with say to take the composite exam, I took the 2 exams as I've had no networking experience before and I hear of people struggling for time on the composite.

Beerbaron · 9 Dec 2012 at 20:55

I have downloaded the CBT nuggets so will get watching them. I will probably do the 1 exam route as i have a fairly good networking knowledge already.

Hulkster · 10 Dec 2012 at 13:01

If you're not too motivated/interested in CCNA but want a networking cert, have you considered Network+?

ChrisD. · 10 Dec 2012 at 13:12

Hulkster said:
If you're not too motivated/interested in CCNA but want a networking cert, have you considered Network+?

Aren't the + exams the very basic ones?

Ev0 · 10 Dec 2012 at 13:48

I think he's already done Network+.

awinchurch · 10 Dec 2012 at 14:46

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Certified-N...85/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1355150697&sr=8-11

Has labs etc for practising on cd also

Beerbaron · 10 Dec 2012 at 22:34

Hulkster said:
If you're not too motivated/interested in CCNA but want a networking cert, have you considered Network+?

I passed the network + exam in 2009

Having spoken to a colleague who is currently taking his CCNP exams he has suggested doing it via the 2 exams route due to my lack of hands on exposure with Cisco equipment.

I'm probably going to get this text book; CCENT/CCNA ICND1 640-822 Official Cert Guide] and download packet tracer.

oli356 · 10 Dec 2012 at 22:42

Might as well do the 2 exam route. The first one just goes around subnetting anyway

GhostlyPea · 10 Dec 2012 at 23:28

IME just buy the official guides, use PacketTracer/GNS3/Real kit and if you can, watch the CBT Videos. TBH have a quick search on the forums in GD and Enterprise - this comes up all the time with the same replies. There's loads of useful opinions and replies

- GP

Beerbaron · 12 Dec 2012 at 08:32

Ive got the 2 CCENT/CCNA ICND books coming for Xmas.

GhostlyPea · 12 Dec 2012 at 09:17

Good start

- GP

Beerbaron · 12 Dec 2012 at 09:39

time to watch the cbt nuggets as work is dead

bertles86 · 13 Dec 2012 at 06:54

There's quite a good forum for Cisco certification out there too, I'm not sure if mods will allow me to put the name down but if you Google it, it should pop up.

oli356 · 13 Dec 2012 at 08:24

bertles86 said:
There's quite a good forum for Cisco certification out there too, I'm not sure if mods will allow me to put the name down but if you Google it, it should pop up.

Unless it's a competitor then I don't see why they would care. Tech exams or somethinglike that is a good one.

GhostlyPea · 13 Dec 2012 at 08:55

http://www.networking-forum.com/ ? It's OK but they can be a bit up themselves (probably not their fault, just SO many people going on there and essentially trying to get them to do their homework for them).

Check out this site by a guys called Stretch - http://packetlife.net/

Some of the topics are out of scope for the CCNA, however some of them are ace for new learners, plus if you register you can book out and use the lab (For free

)

- GP

bertles86 · 13 Dec 2012 at 09:39

oli356 said:
Unless it's a competitor then I don't see why they would care. Tech exams or somethinglike that is a good one.

Fair point. It's Cert Forums - I've had a lot of help there over the years.