CCNA sim S/W - Cisco Press vs Sybex

[sluthy]

I'm looking to do my CCNA this year, I'm fairly certain the boss will at least pay for the textbooks if not the gear if I get any. I'm going to get both Odom (Cisco Press) and Lammle (Sybex), consensus seems that they approach it from different directions and both are pretty good.

Thing is, each book also comes in a bundled version with lab/simulator software. I'm fairly certain the boss won't pay for both software packages, he'll probably pay for one. Problem is, which one? Does anyone have opinions on who makes the better simulator?

Cisco regular:
http://bookware.com.au/cgi-bin/bookware/1587201836
Cisco + software:
http://bookware.com.au/cgi-bin/bookware/9781587203541
Sybex regular:
http://bookware.com.au/cgi-bin/bookware/0470110082
Sybex + software:
http://bookware.com.au/cgi-bin/bookware/0470110090

 

[nublikescake]

Both of those are good books. As for the simulator forget both of those and go for Packet Tracer v5.2.

 

[sluthy]

Can you get it without being a Network Academy student (without using BT)?

 

[iGas]

Cert forums or CCNA forum would be the better place to ask these kind of question IMHO.

 

[JM Aggie08]

I too am looking at working towards my CCNA this summer. What is the best way to go about doing it and studying for it?

 

[iGas]

I too am looking at working towards my CCNA this summer. What is the best way to go about doing it and studying for it?

For me it was reading the books several times & practices till I get it, but that was 11 years ago.

 

[Poulsonator]

Packet Tracer is great, but if you can get your hands on an IOS file, use GNS3 as well. I got my CCNA back in January and am currently working towards my CCNP. Packet Tracer has a lot of limitations after the CCNA track, and now for us it's either hands-on or GNS3.

I've been taking Cisco classes from a local community college, so I've had the benefit of being in the Network Academy. However, I also bought this book:

http://www.amazon.com/CCNA-Certified...1025923&sr=8-1

A really great book, in my opinion.

 

[narzy]

have a very firm understanding of subnetting and be able to do it in your sleep. Then read the books twice and dive in. Packet Tracer is your best bet if you want to practice or find a cheap router on ebay if you want to learn the commands.

 

[sluthy]

Cert forums or CCNA forum would be the better place to ask these kind of question IMHO.

Where's the best CCNA/Cisco forum?

 

[iGas]

Where's the best CCNA/Cisco forum?

Try Google.

 

[Lithium381]

i passed the ccna using just lammles book for 8 months, and 4 used routers off of ebay, but i was completely new to networking, if youve got a background it'll be much easier

 

[sluthy]

I've got my Bachelor of IT and aced Datacoms and Networks, and I still remeber most of the nitty gritty, so the basics shouldn't bother me. It's just the Cisco-centric stiff that I need to study up on.

 

[nublikescake]

Packet Tracer is great, but if you can get your hands on an IOS file, use GNS3 as well. I got my CCNA back in January and am currently working towards my CCNP. Packet Tracer has a lot of limitations after the CCNA track, and now for us it's either hands-on or GNS3.

That's exactly what I didn't want to say to someone new to Cisco. There's no doubt that Packet Tracer has limitations but for a beginner and at the CCNA level, it's more than enough to pass the exam. It's easy to set up and get rolling. Setting up GNS3/Dynamips, getting IOS images to work with etc. is not something a beginner should trouble himself with simply because it's not worth it at this stage.

A couple of months of studying, a few weeks of practicing on Packet Tracer with a couple of weeks at the end with practice exams (Pass4sure/TestKing) are all that's required.

OP, PM me if you want more info.

 

[theflyingpig]

I actually played a large part in changing the curriculum for the CCIE. Now you see, if you ask Cisco, none of what I'm about to tell you...ever happened.

I took the test back in '98, right at the tail end of the dot com hysteria. I figured I'd use my limitless knowledge and skills to improve the performance of the internet, and bring about a time of great knowledge. I didn't really need the money, you see, I was already rich from my mercenary jobs in Africa.

Unfortunately, during my exam, the Cisco proctors decided to rig the testing environment so that I would fail. They were intimidated by my knowledge, and feared for their jobs. And...you know what? I really don't feel like typing the rest of this story. Sorry.

 

[Tempered81]

Try Google.

Jesus Christ man, I don't even know about the topic being discussed, but can tell the value of your posts easily.

 

[rasczak]

Packet Tracer is great, but if you can get your hands on an IOS file, use GNS3 as well. I got my CCNA back in January and am currently working towards my CCNP. Packet Tracer has a lot of limitations after the CCNA track, and now for us it's either hands-on or GNS3.

I've been taking Cisco classes from a local community college, so I've had the benefit of being in the Network Academy. However, I also bought this book:

http://www.amazon.com/CCNA-Certified...1025923&sr=8-1

A really great book, in my opinion.

How about an actual cisco 3600 as well? Just got one and now I'm going to study my ass off with it.

 

[JM Aggie08]

I actually played a large part in changing the curriculum for the CCIE. Now you see, if you ask Cisco, none of what I'm about to tell you...ever happened.

I took the test back in '98, right at the tail end of the dot com hysteria. I figured I'd use my limitless knowledge and skills to improve the performance of the internet, and bring about a time of great knowledge. I didn't really need the money, you see, I was already rich from my mercenary jobs in Africa.

Unfortunately, during my exam, the Cisco proctors decided to rig the testing environment so that I would fail. They were intimidated by my knowledge, and feared for their jobs. And...you know what? I really don't feel like typing the rest of this story. Sorry.

:hmm:

 

[Poulsonator]

How about an actual cisco 3600 as well? Just got one and now I'm going to study my ass off with it.

Of course, the best way to study would be to use actual equipment. However, if funds are tight, the next best thing is to use the free software mentioned above.

 

[James Bond]

Where's the best CCNA/Cisco forum?

I have used techexams.net for the past year or two, but the newer Cisco forums seem really good.

https://supportforums.cisco.com/index.jspa