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Net+ or ccna right now

J

jae

Golden Member
Hello all,

I took the first half of the CCNA course about 6-7 years ago in high school (the second half got cancelled because of budgets and very low student interest). I was however exceptional in the class, it was a breeze and interesting. I recently took a network+ class at the local community college because haven't done networking in quite sometime, don't use it then you'll lose it. The professor was quite impressed with both my networking, PC knowledge in general. We often talked about technologies and Unix / Linux after class. The adjunct professor got a new full-time gig that semester, and wanted me to apply for his old position as net admin at a small not for profit school, because he believed I could easily handle it and i reminded him a lot of himself. That quickly soured because they began interviewing for the position before he knew, so I didn't feel I would be able to compete with guys with 4-year degrees, certs, and experience as I've already experienced that in the job market.

Now im about to take the network+ exam and I am wondering should I skip it and study for a few more months to take the CCNA?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
 
CCNA is pretty good to cover the basics of networking. Go for that. It will provide a nice solid base understanding.
 
Udgnim said:
save money and time and get a CCNA
Click to expand...

Thats exactly what I was thinking! Never realized the Net+ vouchers was about the same in price to the 640-802. Always thought it was drastically less.

Thanks everyone. I guess my Cisco Press Net Academy 1st Year companion book copyrighted in 2001 won't be of much use in my studies? lol I'll look for a more updated book in library system. Oh, I still have the packet tracer program for simulation of networks and routers.
 
The CCENT is the first part of the CCNA, so it's likely that you've gone over the majority of the material. Here's a list of the exam topics (on Cisco's site). This link has a list of review question modules. I'd go through them all to get an idea of what your weak areas are (And copy the questions and answers to notepad for review later). Here's a link to the ICND2 exam topics.

Keep in mind the ICND1 is the exam that gives you a ccent. The ICND2 turns a ccent into a ccna. You can take a single test that covers both topics in one go if you feel very confident. Just keep in mind that you'll be pressed for time on the test. In the fine print they tell you that if you fail they can refuse to let you test for another 6 months. I don't know if they enforce it at this level, but it's something you should know.

There are some free study resources that can help quite a bit.
http://www.freeccnaworkbook.com/ labs and config cmds
http://ciscoiseasy.blogspot.com/ in depth theory and configuration
http://www.subnettingquestions.com/ random subnetting problems

I do recommend a video series like train signal to tie it all together.
 
you know i think a ccna would be a great thing for me to get to finally change my career up a bit. ive done construction for over a decade, so i have work ethic and people skills. a ccna would give me a better work environment and less strain on my body (and mind!)
 
alkemyst said:
personally I'd go right from CCNA to CCNP. Both of these are doable in a year.
Click to expand...

CCNP is kind of overkill imo

pretty sure most places looking for a CCNP are also looking for at least 3-5 years of experience doing network admin type stuff
 
Udgnim said:
CCNP is kind of overkill imo

pretty sure most places looking for a CCNP are also looking for at least 3-5 years of experience doing network admin type stuff
Click to expand...

Not really, if in wireless or UC it's really in demand.

Of course you can't just take a brain dump...if you can speak to it, you will find really good jobs.
 
Ghiedo27 said:
The CCENT is the first part of the CCNA, so it's likely that you've gone over the majority of the material. Here's a list of the exam topics (on Cisco's site). This link has a list of review question modules. I'd go through them all to get an idea of what your weak areas are (And copy the questions and answers to notepad for review later). Here's a link to the ICND2 exam topics.

Keep in mind the ICND1 is the exam that gives you a ccent. The ICND2 turns a ccent into a ccna. You can take a single test that covers both topics in one go if you feel very confident. Just keep in mind that you'll be pressed for time on the test. In the fine print they tell you that if you fail they can refuse to let you test for another 6 months. I don't know if they enforce it at this level, but it's something you should know.

There are some free study resources that can help quite a bit.
http://www.freeccnaworkbook.com/ labs and config cmds
http://ciscoiseasy.blogspot.com/ in depth theory and configuration
http://www.subnettingquestions.com/ random subnetting problems

I do recommend a video series like train signal to tie it all together.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah I've definitely done CCENT stuff, im pretty sure I could pass it tomorrow if I had to take it. Only thing I would have to work on is CLI on Cisco router because I haven't done it years. I remember most of the commands but not exactly what they do.

alkemyst said:
Not really, if in wireless or UC it's really in demand.

Of course you can't just take a brain dump...if you can speak to it, you will find really good jobs.
Click to expand...

Is the wiresless and security knowledge of the CCNP comparable to the knowledge you gain from the CCNA wireless and security certifications?


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Last edited:
jae said:
I never looked at the CCENT, but what I took covered basic networking and configuring the routers.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Well CCENT is really, really basic stuff, like what is a LAN, what is a WAN, what is the Internet, what is TCP/IP, etc. If I were head of an IT Dept. in a firm, I wouldn't really hire somebody with a CCENT of the bat, even for an operational/support position. Most operational/support positions in IT Depts require router configuration, network drop installation, switch configuration, installing general IP nodes (like cameras for instance), laying Ethernet or WAN Layer 1 links, etc. and this requires CCNA knowledge.
 
CCENT is setting up small business solutions.

CCNA is Medium+

Most that think these tests are easy, probably haven't passed them without brain dumping.

CCNA was a challenge I did CCENT and CCNA. I prepped for both then took CCENT and 4 weeks later CCNA.
 
mammador said:
Well CCENT is really, really basic stuff, like what is a LAN, what is a WAN, what is the Internet, what is TCP/IP, etc. If I were head of an IT Dept. in a firm, I wouldn't really hire somebody with a CCENT of the bat, even for an operational/support position. Most operational/support positions in IT Depts require router configuration, network drop installation, switch configuration, installing general IP nodes (like cameras for instance), laying Ethernet or WAN Layer 1 links, etc. and this requires CCNA knowledge.
Click to expand...

you could do most of that at a solid CCENT base especially for a small business which is most of hiring yet light on pay.

After CCNA your real value comes outside of configuring by being able to troubleshoot quickly.
 
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