0 to CCNP realistic time frame?

Silverymoon

hurricane1091 wrote: »

I started this job in April, and it's a good place to learn but I was finishing my WGU degree and was not able to study for CCNP until end of November. Honestly, some of the stuff would be hard to grasp without having a job in the field and having someone like my boss to answer questions. I remember I read a few chapters of the CCNP route book the week I started here lol, and I would read stuff like route redistribution and think no one actually does that. Then I realized we do it, realized why we do it, how it is done, etc. Seeing is believing honestly. And honestly, I hate being unsure of stuff - I like to know what I am talking about. So it only makes sense to give 100% effort to studying and labbing.

I am using CBT nuggets + OCG for the CCNP Route. I never do anything with switching, so I feel like that might be harder actually but I hope not lol. They had me start with IOS upgrades here while I just learned the environment and technology, then I started doing the primary MPLS circuit migrations from T1 to Ethernet, as well as the backup internet links, which evolved into troubleshooting down circuits, traffic analysis, diagrams, working with vendors, etc. Now I am working on correcting out DMVPN environment and I just relocated an office and have the next brand new office opening. It's just a process and it really involves starting from the bottom, getting good with that stuff, and moving up.

I think labbing is important for a career but even just for studying. I rarely do anything right the first time and often have to use debug commands now - which I never did before. But from doing it wrong on the lab, I remember it a lot more. It's cool to debug EIGRP and OSPF and ISAKMP and all those things and see the logs to actually see what is happening.

IPEC configuration is covered as a Packet tracer lab at CCNA level and is a basic example. Don't know if I can post the lab here for you. MPLS is CCIE as far as I understand and so is DMVPN. There is just the show command in the Route book. As far as I know CSR1000v routers can be used to setup a MPLS network for labing on the cheap. Its 2GB of memory per Router and you need a good Processor as well. Never done a debug on a live network, they banned that.

Iristheangel

TechnicalJay wrote: »

When I do get my CCNA, will it be hard for me to find a networking job with no networking experience? I currently have a desktop support position right now and I will have been here for 2 years in March.

That's a hard one to tell you. It really depends on the need in your area. CCNA is considered an entry level exam so it's not frowned upon to show up with zero networking experience to interview for a job with it. Here in the US and I'm fairly sure in Canada as well, it really depends on geography. If you're in a technology hub with a lot of IT, you have a much higher chance. It really depends on where you live and are you willing to relocate?

DPG

Here was my path to the CCNP. I started the process around January 2010.

Iristheangel

Silverymoon wrote: »

I passed by just memorizing the steps from the book and the materiel. Labs really did not add to the experience but if the lab covers more than the books its of value to me. The stuff is so simple and there are videoes that you can watch on youtube. It's not important to do labs, this is from a guy who went far beyond the CCNP labs and built a VM server (CSR 1000v routers) and 4 physical switches (3560's). I have a tacacs+ACS server and a Radius server. 802.1x with Windows 2012 as a server and the port with a Windows Vista VM. I have 6 x 2900 series routers for the serial links for the frame relay. You really don't need it and its a waste of money. It took months to work out and setup. It's not needed and the time is better spend studying the material and watching instructors showing you how its done.

Example:- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Tc4k6dl9kLGyJvPuLrIMXjv3AqYXbkv

Let me take this from another angle. The OP doesn't have any experience and they've blankly stated that in post 1 so what you're saying is that the OP, never touching ANY of this technology before, should go ahead and not lab as they progress from a entry level networking exam to a professional level networking exam?

Another thing to consider is this: Yes, it does take time to set up and work on a lab. Sometimes it costs money. Are you taking the exam for letters after your name or are you looking to be a better engineer? If being a better engineer who is competitive and highly compensated is the goal, getting a lab and getting your hands dirty is important in the process. If you're looking to just get letters after your name, it won't matter to you whether you lab or not or **** or not or whatever.

To the OP: A legitimate CCNA and CCNP are highly desired in certain parts of the US. I'm sure the same is true for Canada. I would highly encourage you to dive deep in and get your hands dirty. Don't cut corners and work your butt off. It'll show in a technical interview and you'll have the opportunities you desire. I also think if you put your mind to it and work your butt off, you'll get the CCNA and CCNP in under a year or so. Just focus on what will make you the best engineer in the process.

Silverymoon

To answer the OP question both the CCNA and CCNP plus CCNA security are one year part time courses on the Open University. CCNA Routing and Switching Full Time runs for 24 weeks. source: Cisco Professional and Short Courses - London Metropolitan University

The CCNP course runs full time for 28 weeks for 252 hours. source http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/media/london-metropolitan-university/london-met-documents/faculties/faculty-of-life-sciences-and-computing/courses/cisco/CCNP-Full-time-R&S-February-2016-Start_v1.pdf

hurricane1091

Silverymoon wrote: »

IPEC configuration is covered as a Packet tracer lab at CCNA level and is a basic example. Don't know if I can post the lab here for you. MPLS is CCIE as far as I understand and so is DMVPN. There is just the show command in the Route book. As far as I know CSR1000v routers can be used to setup a MPLS network for labing on the cheap. Its 2GB of memory per Router and you need a good Processor as well. Never done a debug on a live network, they banned that.

Hello,

Yes, DMVPN is beyond the scope of the CCNP - but I've got an extensive lab set up and did a lot of reading on it. As for the MPLS, I have not set it up but my boss has offered to sit down with my and do it after I get done with the CCNP.

IPSec is also covered in CCNA - my point was that you really need to understand things from the beginning. Doing debug stuff (in a lab) really helps you see what is going on. DMVPN is a CCIE level topic, you need ISAKMP and IPSec. Which, by the time you've gotten to doing DMVPN, should have labbed or gotten paid to do.

To each their own, but if I asked someone what DMVPN was and all they said was "it dynamically creates tunnels" I would want them to be able to expand upon that. Labbing stuff just makes you comfortable.

As for getting a job with the CCNA, I got my job with 2 CCNAs + other certs + I started going back to school again. I was fortunate though being able to skip NOC type roles though and only having to do a year on the help desk.

Silverymoon

IPSec is not covered completely on CCNA R&S (guess you have done security) they tell you about it on netacad and have an example lab but that's it. Its not an exam topic for the CCNA R&S. Used to be on the old CCNP Route book at the back, latest few chapters but is gone now and no longer an exam topic. DMVPN on CCNP Route is 4.2 Describe DMVPN (single hub).

MPLS lab try ospf first,

mpls ldp autoconfig area x

You can setup four CSR1000v Routers in VMware workstation and do your DMVPN lab. 8Gb of RAM needed.

TechnicalJay

Iristheangel wrote: »

That's a hard one to tell you. It really depends on the need in your area. CCNA is considered an entry level exam so it's not frowned upon to show up with zero networking experience to interview for a job with it. Here in the US and I'm fairly sure in Canada as well, it really depends on geography. If you're in a technology hub with a lot of IT, you have a much higher chance. It really depends on where you live and are you willing to relocate?

I'm in a pretty small city, far East coast. I'm lucky that I landed a desktop support job with the provincial government. I was thinking since government jobs go with internal employees first, I can keep my eye on the look out, but nobody really moves around much and I don't want to wait years to move to a new position.

With that being said, what are the layoffs like in the networking field? I'm very safe with this job and will only get terminated if I mess up pretty bad. I would be willing to relocate though if the experience and pay is right.

hurricane1091

Silverymoon wrote: »

IPSec is not covered completely on CCNA R&S (guess you have done security) they tell you about it on netacad and have an example lab but that's it. Its not an exam topic for the CCNA R&S. Used to be on the old CCNP Route book at the back, latest few chapters but is gone now and no longer an exam topic. DMVPN on CCNP Route is 4.2 Describe DMVPN (single hub).

MPLS lab try ospf first,

mpls ldp autoconfig area x

You can setup four CSR1000v Routers in VMware workstation and do your DMVPN lab. 8Gb of RAM needed.

I have just 2811s for the DMVPN lab and a 3650 switch acting as "the cloud".

Iristheangel

The layoffs depend on the company. I tend to read the financials on a company and try to investigate the environment (glassdoor, yelp if they have a customer-facing front, check if I have mutual contacts on Linkedin at the company, etc).

TechnicalJay

Iristheangel wrote: »

The layoffs depend on the company. I tend to read the financials on a company and try to investigate the environment (glassdoor, yelp if they have a customer-facing front, check if I have mutual contacts on Linkedin at the company, etc).

Thanks for the advice

Simrid

Interesting thread indeed.

I agree with a lot of the comments here, however getting a CCNA in 3 days after your CCENT.....Interesting.

My personal experience is this:

I worked doing server and desktop support at a few local schools gaining the helpdesk experience, whilst here I hated it so I decided to grab a CCNA which took about 9 months or so. A day before my ICND2 exam I had an interview for a Network Engineer role which I was keen to get. I secured my CCNA and then got the job all in the same week (it was an amazing week ). I then studied for my CCNP:Switch for 2 and a half months, bagged that whilst learning loads at work. I am now onto NP:Route and going fairly slow to try and learn as much as I can.

Still loads to learn! The grind continues...

Iristheangel

Wow. Amazing story, Simrid. Glad it worked out and props to you

Simrid

Iristheangel wrote: »

Wow. Amazing story, Simrid. Glad it worked out and props to you

Thanks Iris, been reading your CCIE DC thread - Very interesting.

After I have my CCNP:R&S I will probably look at either CCDP or CCNP:Security. The orginal goal was to be a CCNP by the age of 22, looking like i'll be getting my CCNP:R&S this year - 2 years before the orginal target. Maybe CCNP:Security by the age of 22 now? Figured security would be great as I work with ASA's everyday.

Not sure i'll ever be ready to do an IE certification though - A completely different beast.

Silverymoon

Simrid wrote: »

Interesting thread indeed.

I agree with a lot of the comments here, however getting a CCNA in 3 days after your CCENT.....Interesting.

My personal experience is this:

I worked doing server and desktop support at a few local schools gaining the helpdesk experience, whilst here I hated it so I decided to grab a CCNA which took about 9 months or so. A day before my ICND2 exam I had an interview for a Network Engineer role which I was keen to get. I secured my CCNA and then got the job all in the same week (it was an amazing week ). I then studied for my CCNP:Switch for 2 and a half months, bagged that whilst learning loads at work. I am now onto NP:Route and going fairly slow to try and learn as much as I can.

Still loads to learn! The grind continues...

These videos have got people passes in record times. Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching 200-120 Complete Video Course

• By Kevin Wallace
• Published Feb 11, 2014 by Pearson IT Certification. Part of the LiveLessons series.

xnx

Simrid wrote: »

Thanks Iris, been reading your CCIE DC thread - Very interesting.

After I have my CCNP:R&S I will probably look at either CCDP or CCNP:Security. The orginal goal was to be a CCNP by the age of 22, looking like i'll be getting my CCNP:R&S this year - 2 years before the orginal target. Maybe CCNP:Security by the age of 22 now? Figured security would be great as I work with ASA's everyday.

Not sure i'll ever be ready to do an IE certification though - A completely different beast.

I've added you on Linkedin.. 2nd degree contact

xnx

CCNP is worthless without experience, I'm currently getting certs for other vendors my company requires and then doing T-Shoot, by which time i'll have near a year in a actual NE role.

keenon

realistically, from 0.
CCNA will take about 4-6 months, that's with you studying 2hr per day at least 5 days a week ( book and lab time included)
CCNP, each exam would take about 6 months each. ( lab time is a must for everything)

for me about 2 yrs from back when there were 4 tests. I had a few years of working experience to go with it also.

xnx

keenon wrote: »

realistically, from 0.
CCNA will take about 4-6 months, that's with you studying 2hr per day at least 5 days a week ( book and lab time included)
CCNP, each exam would take about 6 months each. ( lab time is a must for everything)

for me about 2 yrs from back when there were 4 tests. I had a few years of working experience to go with it also.

These time lines are good and is roughly what it took me.. although I was at university whilst doing my CCNA.

TechnicalJay

xnx wrote: »

CCNP is worthless without experience, I'm currently getting certs for other vendors my company requires and then doing T-Shoot, by which time i'll have near a year in a actual NE role.

What is exactly worthless about it?

xnx

You're not going to get a CCNP level job with no experience, but you can move up in a CCNA job after a while with a CCNP.

koz24

TechnicalJay wrote: »

What is exactly worthless about it?

Nothing. Go for the CCNP if you are doing it for the knowledge. Getting a CCNP and then applying for CCNP-level jobs which state 3-5 years experience is the mistake. Just know that sometimes, it may count against you as companies might see you as over-qualified for an entry-level position. Still, I think getting CCNP is worth it.

chrisone

Education is never a mistake no matter how you try to flip it trying to "believe" you understand how a hiring manager thinks, let alone how HR screens candidates.

CCNA>CCNP should be given at least 1.5-2yrs depending if you have zero experience or prior knowledge in networking. Some people including myself spent a year on CCNA because networking was so foreign and I failed it 2 times and passed on my third. The materials back then were different than today.

TechnicalJay

koz24 wrote: »

Nothing. Go for the CCNP if you are doing it for the knowledge. Getting a CCNP and then applying for CCNP-level jobs which state 3-5 years experience is the mistake. Just know that sometimes, it may count against you as companies might see you as over-qualified for an entry-level position. Still, I think getting CCNP is worth it.

Im definitely doing it for the knowledge. I'm only 26 and have a lot of time in front of me. I'm not in a huge rush to be near the top anytime soon. If people are applying for entry level Net+ or CCNA but have a CCNP, they would leave that off their resume?

TechnicalJay

chrisone wrote: »

Education is never a mistake no matter how you try to flip it trying to "believe" you understand how a hiring manager thinks, let alone how HR screens candidates.

CCNA>CCNP should be given at least 1.5-2yrs depending if you have zero experience or prior knowledge in networking. Some people including myself spent a year on CCNA because networking was so foreign and I failed it 2 times and passed on my third. The materials back then were different than today.

How much is the CCNA? And do they allow a retake if you fail or is the MS only?

koz24

TechnicalJay wrote: »

Im definitely doing it for the knowledge. I'm only 26 and have a lot of time in front of me. I'm not in a huge rush to be near the top anytime soon. If people are applying for entry level Net+ or CCNA but have a CCNP, they would leave that off their resume?

I don't think you can get a non-intern job as a N+ or CCENT these days. Most "entry-level" for professionals start at CCNA. If you are a CCNP with no experience you will have to explain why. The best explanation, imo, is you wanted the knowledge and went out of your way to lab to make up for the lack of hands on.

TechnicalJay

koz24 wrote: »

I don't think you can get a non-intern job as a N+ or CCENT these days. Most "entry-level" for professionals start at CCNA. If you are a CCNP with no experience you will have to explain why. The best explanation, imo, is you wanted the knowledge and went out of your way to lab to make up for the lack of hands on.

What job titles can a CCNA get you? Network admin, anything else?

keenon

xnx wrote: »

You're not going to get a CCNP level job with no experience, but you can move up in a CCNA job after a while with a CCNP.

your spot on with this.

There is no way I would want to hire a ccnp without any years of real world experience. There is something to having the book knowledge but actual environmental applications of such knowledge.

koz24

TechnicalJay wrote: »

What job titles can a CCNA get you? Network admin, anything else?

People on this forum have gotten "Network Administrator" with no CCNA. Titles don't mean a thing in my opinion. Some places a "Network Administrator" is someone with 1-2 years experience in Cisco, some with 3-5 experience, others with Microsoft and VMWare experience. I've even seen "Network System Administrator" where they want you to know Cisco, Microsoft, AND VMware! Titles don't mean a damn thing!

joelsfood

NetworkNewb wrote: »

GTFO! one week? that is insane.

It was a VERY long week (reading Odom's book on train, in bed, etc, then labbing all day at office), and got me job in Kuwait at a nice pay raise, so it was for a reason. I'm too old to do that again though

Oh, and to be clear, this wasn't CCNA in one week with no experience. This was CCNA in one week with 8 years in IT focused on systems, but in JOAT roles that exposed me to networking/firewalls/etc. I don't want to oversell what I did.