What's the best and easiest way to study for CCNA?

[JMaster]

I want to get my CCNA (first one right?) before I graduate college, so I get some kind of head start. Coming from you guys that got certified, which is the best way to prepare for it? Thanks

 

[Aves]

Foremost is hands on experience with Cisco equipment. If you have the time/money you could go to a Cisco Network Academy for that.

To supplement you can use the Sybex CCNA Study Guide by Todd Lammle, Routersims and the Boson Practice Exams.

 

[m2kewl]

you don't need to drop a grand on the course - just get the Odom CCNA book from CiscoPress, a 2500 series router from fleabay. memorize the more popular commands on the IOS.

EDIT: this is if you've got some networking experience while in school and have a good understanding of Cisco's equipment.

 

[wyvrn]

He won't get nearly the depth of experience doing it that way as he would through going to the Cisco Networking Acadamy. I went through it and I could run circles around most CCNA's I know that tried to self-study their way through the exam. The Net Acad will have all the equipment you need, plus a qualified instructor (I had two EE's that had extensive experience on routers plus passed their CCNA), the official Cisco curriculum <<for life>>, and a 40-50% discount on the exam for completing the Cisco Net Acadamy. Those are things you should think of because quite honestly, employers do. I met several people who self-study for CCNA, apply for a job and get fired or demoted because they can't deal with the routers like someone with experience can. Some of them were in my classes at their employer's reqest The Net Acadamy will give you plenty of router and switch time and you are going to need it for any practical application of the CCNA material.

For a list of Cisco Net Acadamies near you, click here.

Originally posted by: m2kewl
you don't need to drop a grand on the course - just get the Odom CCNA book from CiscoPress, a 2500 series router from fleabay. memorize the more popular commands on the IOS.

 

[jaynonymous]

I agree with the people here saying that you won't pass with some hands on experience, at least with a simulation product like RouterSim; however, nothing beats connecting to the console port of a Cisco router and going to town. In addition to hands-on triaining, read a book or two to get a grasp on networking fundamentals. I suggest Lammle's book by Sybex, but the Cisco Press book is pretty good, too. The basics of networking make up at least half of the exam, in my opinion. The specific commands make up the other half. Therefore, you need to be proficient in both. If you have never taken a IT certification exam, then I believe that it would be helpful to get an exam simulation product, such as those offered by Transcender.