How long does it take to study for the CCNA?

[Britboy]

I just got my MCSE in Win2K (took me 9 months of classes and another 3 months on top to finish the exams), now want to move on to the CCNA. I will have to self-study for it as I can't get funding to go to school. I should be able to put in around 10-15 hours a week study time. Have a decent knowledge of TCP/IP, basic knowledge of the OSI model. Not in a networking related job at present so don't have real world exposure or learning opportunities.

How long do you think it would take roughly?
How long did it take for anyone that has already passed it?
Do I need to buy a router (any suggestions on a cheap one) or can I get by with router simulation software (any suggestions on which)?
What are some good books/software for self study?
Any other tips to help me get off to a good start?

Thanks in advance for the help

 

[spidey07]

three weeks of good study should be plenty. (1-2 hours/night)

 

[igiveup]

You can believe him too. Spidey is too humble, he just shot for his CCIE. Came close too, from what I hear.

 

[daverules]

I'm taking a CCNA class right now through my local community college. I'd say it's a lot more work than I thought. I think that my course though, isn't one of those that teaches you the test. It teaches the subject matter. I highly recommend you get access to some routers, if you have any desire of applying your CCNA knowledge. Just reading the books is only half the work.

Here's a link for some Router simulation software:
Router eSim
Here's a cheap router. I don't know if it has complete Cisco IOS software though, anyone?
Cisco 806 Broadband Gateway
My school uses the Cisco Press texts. I don't know how well they work for self study though:
Cisco Press @ Amazon

 

[Britboy]

Thanks for the info guys I appreciate it. Wow spidey, 3 weeks! I was thinking nearer 3 months! I think you are overestimating me, hehe. If it truly is 3 weeks, even 6, I'll be one very happy camper, I thought it was going to be quite a long slog.

 

[spidey07]

Notice I said good study. I think many people are scared of the CCNA but it really isn't too bad.

Just know the OSI model and what each layer does like the back of your hand. Subnetting important too.

 

[Pharaoh21]

I takes about 3-4 weeks for about 1 hour a day. Just get That Sybex book with the router lab software. Its good learning material. Be careful with the book as there are a few errors. But for the general purpose it serves its purpose.

KNow the OSI model
KNow TCP/IP
KNow access-List
KNow where a command goes. Like on the interface or global conf.. Stuff like that. Be familiar with the CLI (command line interface).
KNow a little about subnetting. Not too many questions on that.

 

[shadow]

what errors are there in the book?

 

[certifyexpress]

I dind't know there are errors in Sybex CCNA book?

Which part?

 

[xyyz]

you really need some hands-on lab time.

see if they offer a cisco academy at a JC... it will do you alot of good. I haven't tried the router sims... so I don't know how accurate they are. there is one advantage over a router sim that a real lab will give you and that is access to real life problems. quite often the people using the lab before you will screw something up and it's up to you go in and undo what they did... of all the lab time i've done in my course, the troubleshooting has been the most benificial.

 

[Nutz]

Definitely get some hands one. But, for crying out loud, DO NOT be one of those people who study for the test to say they have the cert. That doesnt do anyone any good (Look at what happened with the MCSE for examples). I recommend getting some OJT for about 6 months get comfortable with the hardware, study a couple of the Internetworking technologies books, and maybe a course or two on protocols, OSI model, etc. Then study for your cert. Only then will you really have the background and depth that the Cisco exams require.

 

[Nutz]

This sorta illistrates my point and about sums up most certs nowadays anyway...

Certs in a nutzshell

 

[spidey07]

Nutz,

dude, you're killin' me. Don't make me get all "Mordac the preventor" on your ass.

 

[xyyz]

<< Notice I said good study. I think many people are scared of the CCNA but it really isn't too bad.

Just know the OSI model and what each layer does like the back of your hand. Subnetting important too. >>



I know two people who took is this break... they said... the same... know the OSI... there were like 7 questions on this... and then thre were like4-7 subnetting questions.

The thing that really suprised me was when these people told me how much focus there was on Switching on the exam.

They said it was predominantly conceptual... with not too many command questions.

 

[zeusfaber]

I took the class last year and it was heavy in router commands. So any router experience you can get would be advantagous. It would also help to know many of the protocols and their descriptions (IGRP, RIP, EIGRP, ect.)

GOODLUCK!!

 

[phatcow]

i studied for around 4 - 6 weeks for mines, on and off.. crammed for a week before the test.


spanked it and got a 940...

 

[Jeff7]

I'm taking the 4 semester Cisco networking academy at my community college right now. Which would you recommend? Spending the money for the class, or studying it all at home?
The hands-on router work is nice; that router simulator that Cisco made is like a bare-bones dealy. I mean come on, the "Setup" command is disabled in it!
I'm just hoping for the low-level certification first, then go from there.

 

[FFC]

Believe me, having the setup command disabled is a very good thing!

 

[Jeff7]

It can be; is it possible/recommended/good to study at home? This is especially relevant now because my college has decided to cancel semesters 3 and 4 because they want the teacher to teach classes with more people (read as: more money for college).
The Cisco folk are going to go into the dean and have a word with her.

 

[hUhWhAt]

You should be able to pass it after a month of study. Study 1-2 hours a day.

Here is what I use:

TroyTec CCNA v2.0 Study guide
Boson v3.0 CCNA practice Quiz
Router Simulator v3.0

Nothing come close to these materials.