Any Cisco IOS emulators available? General advise on CCNA?

[Xtremist]

Hello,

I'm preparing to take the CCNA exams this month hopefully. I would like to at least try and pass before spending much more money and time at a school. I have taken about 12 credit hours of networking courses in the last year and have, what I consider, an adequate knowledge of "general" principles. I do not however have the Cisco-specific knowledge that I know will be required. I will be borrowing a router from a friend of mine to practice with, but I'd like to get my hands on a IOS emu if possible as well for future reference.

I am also reading the CCNA for Dummies book. I have got to say, the title should be "CCNA for Dummies BY Dummies". Frequent typo's, mis-statements, etc... In fact, I think it's done more harm than good. Are there any other resources I should check out in preperation for this exam?

I have the Cisco CCNA Prep Library that I'll be digging into later today and figure it's probably the most technical resource. I would like more CCNA specific advise, such as example tests, and literature that covers things that will specifically (or likely) be on the exam.

Thanks for the consideration, cheers!

 

[Garion]

There are some Cisco training simulators out there - this one looks interesting, although it might be more than you need, as it covers everything needed for the CCNP, the next step in the certification path.

Also, everyone says that the Transcender tests are incredibly useful, on the order of "Don't even try to take the test without them."

- G

 

[Pyrro]

free cisco simulator's

 

[Xtremist]

Wow, thank you both for those links. That helps a TON

 

[xchangx]

has anyone who's taken the CCNA fill me in if there is anything about the OSI model?

Chang

 

[Xtremist]

I would say... yes The OSI model is pretty much the foundation on which everything else is built upon or based off of. If you don't have a strong understanding of the OSI model you can't 'really' understand the big picture as far as the various networking protocols... Cheers!