Cisco CCNA tools to study and get hands on recommendations

Treylmoore83

I am looking to get my CCNA well the Cisco CCENT first and as well my MCSE either Private Cloud specialization or communications on lync server. I am running linux mint 17 and on a laptop windows 7 and trying to find some good well free or very cheap tools to use for studying and virtual simulators of Cisco To run CLI commands and as well some practice environments for microsoft server task. Linux mint 17 is not working with my running a trial of VMware workstation 10 or oracle virtual box. Still getting used to linux, pretty new at it and much more complicated. Linux is a goal down the road but I am definitely into networking and windows products and servers. For anyone who has had success getting certified or completed a degree plan or self trained in cisco CCNA, ccnp or Microsoft MCSA or MCSE let me know books, online tools, simulators and free other software and tips that got you to achieve these certifications or into the IT field?