CCNA Question ..

[err]

Is this exam tough ?

Do I need to have a cisco router and be able to play with it in order to pass the exam ?

Is there any book that stands out among the rest you would recommend?

How long does it take you to learn this?

I don't have any routing experience other that the small router at my home. I am a net admin.

Thanks for any guidance.

eRr

 

[PC Freak]

If you only read the book and don't have any experience with 'real' networks the test can be quite hard. But if you study hard then you may be able to pass the test. I had a friend who knew nothing much about computers and he read the book like his life depended on it. he took the test a barly passed, but he passed.

 

[ktwebb]

I can only speak to the 407 test, but the gist of that one and 507, the current CCNA test, should be the same. YOu can pass without hands-on, and I am proof of that, but as mentioned, it is significantly harder. The Sybex book by Todd Lammle was by far, the best that I read, and I read all or parts of many. Most recommendations for the CCNA that I have read mentioned this book prominently. He also authored a piece of software called RouterSim which does what the name implies. Simulates router(s) through software. Command line, step by step, labs, the whole bit. Very nice, but not free. 300 or so. As for time. It will vary depending on the individual. I had a good understanding of TCP/IP and the OSI reference model already, but my back was against the wall as our company needed a CCNA for us to become a Cisco solution provider. I studied for about a month, never having put my hands on a router and still have less than 5 hours in front of one. Took the test and missed by about two questions, but that really helped me with what to study. Took it again a couple of weeks later and passed with no problems. So for me, it was under two months from start to finish. Many would take less, some would take considerably longer.

 

[mattingly]

If you are willing to spend the money for a simulator, ex. www.routersim.com, you really don't need any hands on training.

 

[snow patrol]

ktwebb - that was quite an insperational post for me, as I'm about to embark on a CCNA course myself with only a little bit of actual networking experience.

 

[err]

Thank you all for the CCNA comment.

I have already ordered todd lamle's Sybex CCNA guide. I've read a few of his MCSE guide and I like it.

It cost a few bucks for the routersim, eh ?

hmmm I need to find a way to "get it". If anyone has a clue, I can cut a deal with you.

Thanks again.
eRr

 

[ktwebb]

Cracking RouterSim has proved too dificult for me. Once you get the software, you run setup, and it generates a number based on hardware specifics I think, not sure. You then send that number into an email address, assumably Routersim folks, and then they send you a confirmation number based on the number you gave them. The number you generate will be specific and will only work with the number they generate. Those are generalities, there are other hoops involved as well. They really want to stop the piracy, and frankly I cant say I blame them. This coming from someone with plenty of warez on his rigs. I am sure someone has the solution but I have not found it and I have looked. ALOT. Anyway, there is a slimmed down version I have heard but I havent actually seen that one either, so I dont know if I can help.

Glad to help Snow. Keep at it. It seems daunting, but it is not that bad.

 

[jmcoreymv]

If you already took the Net Essentials test (back for the MCSE NT4 track) then its alot easier. If you study for about 4 days ~8 hours a day, youll pass with a high score.

 

[ktwebb]

I have to respectfully disagree with that one, and frankly think it is a bit irresponsible. Net essentials is the ABC's compared to the CCNA test. The Net Essentials test is a joke as are most of the MCSE tests. The tests share similar principals but the similarities stop pretty quickly. If those reading this think the Net essential test and a week of studying will let you cruise through the exam, you are either much smarter than I and many, many others, or in for a rude awakening. Opinions vary and peoples experiences will vary but giving people false confidence based on the Net Essentials exam and a little studying, well I will shut up and just say I could not disagree more.

 

[err]

Gosh, I wish it is true that knowing Net Ess exam in MCSE will help me breeze through CCNA but I know it's not going to happen.

I took the Net ess test about a year ago and cracked through a perfect score. It's too easy, really.

kttweb Thanks for your heads up in the Wares industry ...

I will try look for it myself too, although I know that it must not have been easy. Software developers are getting smarter nowadays

Cheers
eRr

 

[Dark]

I just passed my CCNA today. I used Wendell Book Cisco Press and the sybex router emu. I heard that Lammel book was very good too. The exam is hard in the way questions are worded: very confusing.

 

[jmcoreymv]

No, Im being honest. I studied for 3 days ~8 hours a day, and reviewed the fourth day. I passed with a 966 on the CCNA 2.0 exam. I used The Sybex Study Guide, and a router sim software (which wasnt extrememly helpful). When I say study 8 hours a day, I mean like actual studying, not light reading or playing around.

 

[pcmark]

The Cisco ICND book is also good. "Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices" I would reccomend reading it as well as the Cybex books. The MCSE Net Essentials book barely touches most of the material for the CCNA test.

 

[certifyexpress]

Get the Sybex CCNA2 package which comes with the award winning Sybex CCNA book by Todd and RouterSim software.

 

[mattingly]

I'm pretty sure the sybex package doesn't come with the full version of routersim, also it there was a crack for routersim I but version II is too tough to crack spend the $200 it is worth it. Especially for the switching, the future is moving toward switching, I actually recommend the cisco bcmsn certification more. Do some research at www.cramsession.com

 

[tim0thy]

I have a friend that passed CCNA1.0 (and recently achieved CCNP). He did not need any training and studied.

As far as Net Essentials go, it helps if you have that knowledge, but CCNA covers things in more details.

Make sure you know the OSI Layer and DOD model, backwards, forwards, sideways, like your life depends on it.

I didn't take the CCNA test, but I will shortly after I get my MCSE+I (3 more tests to go). I took a look at the CCNA book and it's quite a bit of information, but if you're willing to spend the time, you can pass it.

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MCP, MCSE