Not sure which track to choose (Security, Design, R&S, etc..)

Wolflex95

Hey all! I'm a second year student studying Computer Science and I've all but decided I want to choose networking as a career path, but I'm not at all sure where to start. There are so many tracks it's all just confusing. I'm thinking of taking the CCENT over the summer, and possibly taking the CCNA next year (also in the summer) between years 3 and 4 (of university). Is that a good idea? Do I need experience to take the CCNA or not? I'm going to major in Digital Systems Security here at university but I'm still not sure if, ultimately, Security is the path I want to take. It just seems like the more knowledge I acquire now the better it would be for me later on. Is there anything I can do that can help me decide which path is the best for me? Or should I opt for a track with the highest demand for now and decide later on whether I should shift or not?

bharvey92

My opinion. Take the CCNA first. No matter what track you take you will need to understand the fundamentals of networking (OSI Model, TCP/IP) , once you get the CCNA R+S then either specialise or get the CCNP R+S. My understading of the CCNA Voice/Security/Design is that they assume you have an understanding of the basics that are covered in the CCNA R+S as these are not covered in the non Routing and Switching tracks.

The Reluctant Loser

I agree with the above post. I am currently working on my CCNA, so I can't say that I have taken any of the higher level exams, but I have read over the exam objectives for them all. CCNA Security for example, teaches you how to secure a cisco device. The only way to know how to secure a cisco device is to know how data is sent and received by that device (which you first have to learn in ICND1 and ICND2).

ccnpninja

Start with CCNA R&S first. Later on, the IT world will throw at you different challenges of different topics. One day you will do design, the next day some OS security, and near the weekend your colleague may call you to attend a VoIP seminar