What to do first for CCNA......

[Presence]

Okay Ive decided I want to get my CCNA, first of all I dont know what this involves and what requirements are needed to get the CCNA cert. I have no knowlegde of networking what so ever so whats a good place to start? I saw a book on amazon.com for a beginners guide to achieving CCNA. So does this book pretty much explain beginning stuff to newbies? Or is it more along the lines of being knowlegable in some networking?
Anyways if anyone can point me in the right direction to get started it would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Ladi]

Official info.

Sybex's CCNA study guide by Todd Lammle is excellent -- covers pretty much everything and is fairly readable. ISBN: 0782126472.

~Ladi

 

[jmcoreymv]

Since you state you have no knowledge of networking. My best advice would be to pick up a book for the N+ test by CompTia and learn info from that. Gain a little hands on experience, then go for the CCNA.

 

[Garion]

Definitely go out and grab the book - Sybex is very good, as are the Cisco Press books. This is, however, only the first step.

Once you've given the book the once-over, start reading through the product webpages on Cisco - Focus on the lower-end routers (1000-series through 3600's) and switches (1900's - 4000's).

There's also a "virtual trainer" that simulates a couple of routers and a switch in software. Very good to have, worth it for about $99.

Lastly, get the Transcender practice tests - They simulate almost exactly the test itself and it's much easier to pass the real test if you've passed all of the practice ones.

- G

 

[Presence]

Thanks for the advise guys. I will try and locate these books and get myself started thanks for the help again

 

[Shadow07]

I would go take a class, if you can afford it. Nothing beats hands-on experience. Learning from abook will ONLY give you the theories and the BOOK knowledge as apposed to the Real Questions that will be asked on the test. For instance, do you know how to recover from a password that you have lost on a router? Most people do not, and THIS IS A QUESTION ON THE TEST. If you cannot afford a class, then try to build a lab from some auction site (e___Bay is not allowed to be posted here, but you get the idea).

Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

[L3Guy]

Presence;

Feel free to ask about what you don't understand.
This looks like a good group.

 

[Hard_Boiled]

Well he might not get that question Shadow, its not like they give everyone the same test. I didn't get that question, they just have a large pool of questions. When you go to take the test they download a fresh, mixed up set of questions. **scratches head** At least I think I didn't get that question, jeez and I only took the CCNA 2 months ago.

Presence, I will give you some words of encouragement. You get the Sybex CCNA study guide, and I also like the official Cisco books from Cisco Press, take the practice questions, possibly splurge for the transcender tests, and you'll have enough to learn the material for sure. If you know anyone who has a job working with Cisco routers, or a school where they have them, try and get some time on the routers. It will let you get a little familiar with the Cisco IOS, and that will help.

 

[Shadow07]

I am suprised that you did not get that question. Everyone I know that has taken the test, a few within Cisco and other IT Pros out in the field did get this question on their test. Anyway, it was supposed to be a point to the arguement that real experience rather than reading just a book will help you in many more ways.

 

[Hard_Boiled]

Yes, you are correct that the hands on experience either through a job or a class is extremely beneficial. And I would think it odd seeing someone with a CCNA sit down with a cisco router for the first time.

I wish they had asked me the question about the lost passwords, I had done the lab on that and was prepared to answer it. I also studied subnetting alot, expecting to get a lot of questions asking about the ip ranges of this subnet, and how many bits would be borrowed. Then I took the test and not one question like that popped up.

 

[Garion]

You really don't need to spend the cash on two routers and a switch - The virtual trainer I mentioned is just fine for $135 (Link here at Amazon. I've mentored a lot of guys through this test and the trainer seemed to do just fine.

- G

 

[gigantor]

Well, my advice would be to take the Cisco Academy courses. That's what I am doing and am learning a lot. Sure it might be cheaper and faster to learn from a book, but I wanted the hands on also. Plus I am too lazy to do it all myself.

 

[Presence]

Well Ive decided to take the courses but they dont start till fall. So in the meanwhile I have ordered some books and will read whatever I can to help me prepare for the class. Thanks guys for pointing me in the right direction.

 

[UNIX72]

For CCNA or CCDA go to Text they have very good study guides about 30 dollars each. If you decide later for the CCNP then I will advice to get a couple of routers at ebay. There is one thing getting certified and the other looking like a fool in front of the client. Currently I have a home lab that conists of 1604,2524,2621,3620 routers and 2924 & 5000 catalyst switches also 2000, Novell5, BSDUNIX and Notes email server. With this setup I can emulate very nice configurations. I always test the product on my network before implementing to the customer. I guess it all depends on your passion and resources, good luck!



Lennon
Network Engineer
CCNA,CCDA,CCNP,CCDP

 

[bigshooter]

Before you take the Cisco classes leanr a little bit about networking. If you were serious about having no clue about networking at all, then cisco might not be where you want to start. Although there will probably be other people who are just starting out, you will also have networking professionals in there. Some instructors also assume that the students have basic knowledge, i had a friend who took MCSE classes and got pissed because the instructor ahd to slow down the class for people who could barely even turn on a computer. The classes that you are taking might start out with an intro to networking class, but I don't know. Make sure you get the fundamentals down first, then move on.

 

[SDPCave]

I just finished a 5 month set of classes and am studying for the CCNA exam. You mentioned Transcender for practice exams. We got Measureup from our Academy. Any thoughts on which one is better for prep work and more closely sims the real exam? THX for the help.

 

[igiveup]

Check out your local community college. I am lucky enough to live in a town that has a community college dedicated to this stuff. They currently offer CCNA and starting next semester they offer CCNP.

 

[Buddhist]

password recovery is not on ccna 2.0.

its not even on routing 2.0 even.

I know i just took both tests within this past fiscal month. I also have seen over 600 questions for both exams. (Boson.com test preps)
they do ask however about how to boot into rom.

-M.T.O

PS Lammle book is awesome for ccna but anything above that definately stick to cisco press. Lammle over simplifys the stuff and results in confusing you. Also many errors...but thats true in cisco books as well.(just not as many.)

Another thing...use www.boson.com's test prep software. The best!

 

[Buddhist]

another thing...

those 2524's are so damn sexy! you can do anything with them if you've got the modules! :Q

hehe

-M.T.O

 

[Garion]

<< I just finished a 5 month set of classes and am studying for the CCNA exam. You mentioned Transcender for practice exams. We got Measureup from our Academy. Any thoughts on which one is better for prep work and more closely sims the real exam? THX for the help. >>



Never heard of MeasureUp, but I know that transcenders are very close to the real thing. Seen some people do nothing but take the transcenders and pass. (Of course, they were in the biz, so they had a pretty good understanding already).

- G

 

[xyyz]

I don't know why everyone adores the Lamell book... I found it to be a miserable text.

If you want to really prepare for your cert... enroll in a cisco academy, it shouldn't cost to much at a local JC. Where are you, if yer in this area I can tell you where you might find a few.

Having access to five routers will make all the difference. The virtual trainers are okay... but they don't address real world problems too well. You really learn your material when you have to fix the problem made by the person in the lab before you.

Back to the text... get the LATEST (May 2001) versions of the Cisco Academy First and Second Year texts... they are pricey... about $70 each, but I think I saw them for $50 at barnesandnoble.com The explanation in these revised editions knock Lamell on his ass. If the cost is too much, go for the Coriolis &quot;Exam Prep: Routing and Switching&quot; instead. The authors do a much better job in their explanation.

Also, Cisco released an 800 question flashcard set... that seems to be very useful. I think you can even download the flashcards to a palm pilot

 

[DaejangNim]

xyyz is right about signin up for a class, then u just go semester 1,2,3,4 and ur done ^_-(i just got done with 2) all in flash, and also if your getting the sybex book, make sure it comes with the sybex virtual lab CD.

 

[Buddhist]

though it is true that the sybex books can become miserable (CCDA, ANY CCNP books. Don't know about the CCIE but i can only presume it is as well) the CCNA is actually a pretty good text. It explains everything in easy simple to understand terms...I'd second that virtual lab if your training by yourself and don't have access to real equipment... (make no mistake the virtual lab is NO substitute for the real stuff however. Only gives you an idea)

Also for subnet masking, download the www.boson.com test prep software (downloading withdemo q's for free) and use the subnet masking PDF sheet they have. Easy to learn that way.

Good luck!
-M.T.O