CCNA or Network+ or?

[Macro2]

I would like to get a good working knowledge of networking. I've been told that Cisco is the best but would like to get the Network+ certification as well. I have extensive hardawre training but little to do with networking.
What would be the best course of action?
1. Get the Network+ course first then the CCNA courses.
2. Start right out with the CCNA courses and just take the Network+ test along the way.

I been told that the first two semesters of CCNA teach you everything the Network+ course would...anyway.

I'm open to suggestions from anyone who has been there...

Also. What about MSCA and MSCE vs the about two?

Mac

 

[nathank]

I would recommend the second one. Taking CCNA courses and just do a little studying for Net+ on the way. There's some things on Net+ not covered in CCNA, so you might want to pick up a book for it. Net+ is definitley one you can handle on your own, without paying for training.

 

[jaynonymous]

If you are planning on taking the Cisco courses anyway, then I would suggest going ahead with that. You should definitely learn everything covered by the Network+ exam along the way. However, obtaining the Network+ certification along the way will definitely give you a boost of confidence and help you obtain your goals. The MCSA would also be very good to strive for because as a Network Admin, you will most likely need to know some of the concepts covered by the MCSA exam. I would suggest obtaining the Network+ BEFORE attempting the MCSA because the Microsoft exams require a certain level of fundamental networking knowledge.

 

[Fatt]

Don't even bother with the network+

The CCNA has more "geek cred"

It's fairly tough too.


So let me give you some advice:

Buy the Sybex CCNA prep kit for the 640-507 test. This is the set that includes the book and the e-trainer virtual lab.

The new test is the 640-607 but the only difference is the performance based router simulation in the new test.

You should also buy the RouterSim network simulator. The sybex e-trainer is kind of weak on the more advanced configuration points. If you're going to make this a career then just get the CCNP version because it'll work fine for the CCNA . Finally, buy the flash cards from cisco.

Read the whole sybex book, one chapter at a time, taking the test after each chapter and making notes about each test and your weak points on it. Doing one chapter at a time, studying only Monday - Friday this will take two weeks.

When you're done, schedual the test one month in advance to put some pressure on yourself.

re-do the book over the next two weeks

for thelast two weeks just keep taking all the parctice tests over and over even if you have them practically memorized and use the flash cards. Also, do a lot of practice with the router simulator because even though there are only a few router questions they are very heavily weighted and you can't pass if you blow them.

In the last few days do some review on the basics, especially the OSI model and switching.

 

[bobcpg]

Ok, so i just passed the net + test. I took a summer class that meet one day a week for 8 weeks for like 3 hours. I still have the book. Its wasent too hard but i did do a lot of craming for the test the night before. So i think that if you wanted to get your net + you could just get this book and read it in a few weeks then take the test and pass. you just gotta make sure that you do most of the review questions and study a good amount a day or 2 before the test.

I guess what i'm saying i would just go for the CCNA and pick up the net + on the way because it seems like you could start to learn the CCNA and pick up some net+ stuff and just use the book to subsidize what you havent picked up on.

-bob

 

[Nutz]

I would like to get a good working knowledge of networking.

Well to be perfectly honest, no course will give you that. The point of the CCNA courses are merely to bring you up to speed with Cisco products and basic understanding of the theory it takes to utilize them. Like it or not, the CCNA is a verdor specific cert. For what you're trying to attain, I think your best bet would be to build a lab and learn on your own. Its cheaper, and if you choose to progress to something like the CCDP/NP you'll have a head start with the hardware you'd already have.

Of course, no matter what anyone tells you, studing for a cert for the mere purpose of getting the cert will get you nowhere. Don't get me wrong, if you have the background experience to back up the paper hanging on the wall behind you, then most employers see it as a good thing (ie. driven, willing to complete something, dedicated, etc.). Its much the same why degrees are so good--it shows you're willing to go through with something and follow it to completion.

Just my $.02

--Nutz

 

[Macro2]

Well, I signed up for Cisco semester 1 today. $250 a course at the local community college.
Think I'll learn how to hook a couple of computers together? <G>

 

[Nutz]

Originally posted by: Macro2
Well, I signed up for Cisco semester 1 today. $250 a course at the local community college.
Think I'll learn how to hook a couple of computers together? <G>

IIRC, you won't see hardware until you're furthur into the course, as in semester 3 or 4. Most of semester one is VERY basic theory, ie OSI model, encapsulation, etc. You might get to make CAT-5.

Of course I'm just trying to remember this from a friend who went through it last year. I never had the luxery of a cisco acadamy anywhere I've been, but I did get to go to a military school at Keesler AFB during the winter of 99/00 called System Network Support, which as it turns out was basically the entire Cisco Acadamy compressed into an 8 week block. That's Servers, Firewalls, infrasturcture, management, etc--ALL IN 8 WEEKS.

 

[Dooling37]

Originally posted by: bobcpg
Ok, so i just passed the net + test. I took a summer class that meet one day a week for 8 weeks for like 3 hours. I still have the book. Its wasent too hard but i did do a lot of craming for the test the night before. So i think that if you wanted to get your net + you could just get this book and read it in a few weeks then take the test and pass. -bob

Which book is this? I would be interested in picking it up -- planning to take the Net+ w/in a month.

Thanks.

 

[bobcpg]

Network+ Guide to networks
author: Dean
ISBN: 0619063017


hope it helps, i thought it was good.

-bob

p.s. you might wanna check the techincal colleges around your area for used ones, a new one is about 55$

i'd sell you mine but my friend is taking that class now so he is useing it.

p.s.2 i was looking on bn.com and some of the people on the customer reviews said that they didn't like the fact that the book doesn't contain the answers for the review questions. so i dont know, just thought i'd let ya know.

 

[Dooling37]

Okay, well I'll at least check it out at the store, and read some online reviews...the only book I have so far is from 1998

Thanks alot for the info!

 

[dexter333]

Originally posted by: Nutz

Originally posted by: Macro2
Well, I signed up for Cisco semester 1 today. $250 a course at the local community college.
Think I'll learn how to hook a couple of computers together? <G>

IIRC, you won't see hardware until you're furthur into the course, as in semester 3 or 4. Most of semester one is VERY basic theory, ie OSI model, encapsulation, etc. You might get to make CAT-5.

Of course I'm just trying to remember this from a friend who went through it last year. I never had the luxery of a cisco acadamy anywhere I've been, but I did get to go to a military school at Keesler AFB during the winter of 99/00 called System Network Support, which as it turns out was basically the entire Cisco Acadamy compressed into an 8 week block. That's Servers, Firewalls, infrasturcture, management, etc--ALL IN 8 WEEKS.

I think it was the 6th day of class and we made some cat-5 cables. But yeah, we're not going to even take a look at the routers for another few weeks, that's more into 2nd semester.