CCENT - Hard Copy Reading Preferred - Newbie

in CCNA & CCENT
Hello,
I got a Bachelor's majoring in Management Information Systems in 12/2018 and want to complete at least the CCENT before time runs out and things change in 2020. I was considering doing both the CCENT/CCNA in one shot but I'm not sure I'll have time for all of it. I don't even know the average prep time for the CCENT but I would like to buy a hard copy book and look for a place to do structured simulations and labs online; either good free ones or better paid ones.
I will take all the advice and recommendations anyone can give me and I apologize if I've posted this in the wrong subforum.
Is everything standardized as of now for the exams? The Cisco site talks about training changes over the next few months but I didn't know if that would include new material for the exam. I think I just want to take a shot at the CCENT as I am comfortable with what I believe it to cover. Will my CCENT still be good should I pass it before the changes in 2/2020 even if I don't also get the CCNA?
I'm willing to pay for resources, but I like to read and study mostly hard copy text and of course I would love some recommendations on where to do good simulations and labs and that type of thing. Cisco offers some e-learning course for $600, I don't want to have to do that.
I see copies of books on Amazon to prepare for the CCENT test, I just fear buying anything outdated.
I know I've asked a lot of questions in a fairly random fashion but I'm glad to have discovered this resource and any help would be appreciated.
Thank you all in advance!
I got a Bachelor's majoring in Management Information Systems in 12/2018 and want to complete at least the CCENT before time runs out and things change in 2020. I was considering doing both the CCENT/CCNA in one shot but I'm not sure I'll have time for all of it. I don't even know the average prep time for the CCENT but I would like to buy a hard copy book and look for a place to do structured simulations and labs online; either good free ones or better paid ones.
I will take all the advice and recommendations anyone can give me and I apologize if I've posted this in the wrong subforum.
Is everything standardized as of now for the exams? The Cisco site talks about training changes over the next few months but I didn't know if that would include new material for the exam. I think I just want to take a shot at the CCENT as I am comfortable with what I believe it to cover. Will my CCENT still be good should I pass it before the changes in 2/2020 even if I don't also get the CCNA?
I'm willing to pay for resources, but I like to read and study mostly hard copy text and of course I would love some recommendations on where to do good simulations and labs and that type of thing. Cisco offers some e-learning course for $600, I don't want to have to do that.
I see copies of books on Amazon to prepare for the CCENT test, I just fear buying anything outdated.
I know I've asked a lot of questions in a fairly random fashion but I'm glad to have discovered this resource and any help would be appreciated.
Thank you all in advance!
Comments
To get the right study materials you'll want to do the following:
For labbing, you can probably get away with Packet Tracer. You just have to sign up for an account, but you don't need anything. I used the Pearson Simulator for CCNA. Towards the end it got extremely repetitive. I ended up buying Boson's NetSIM for CCNP, which includes the labs for CCENT and CCNA. CCENT NetSim = $99, CCNA NetSIM(which includes CCENT labs) = $179, CCNP NetSim(which includes CCENT/CCNA labs) = $349. If I did it again, I would probably just buy the CCNP NetSIM. Also, it looks like they are offering free upgrades for the new NetSim when it's released for the people who buy/bought it after 6/1/19.
Other labbing options include GNS3, VIRL, EVE-NG, and physical hardware. With GNS3, VIRL and EVE-NG you typically have to set it up and get it working. Not only do you have to learn the material, but you also have to learn how to configure these programs before you set them up and get started with your studying/labbing. This is part of the reason why I prefer simulators such as the Boson, Packet Tracer and the Pearson ones. I ran into a few bugs with them, but for the most part they just start up and you can jump in and start doing the labs without worrying about wasting a bunch of time to get it to run properly.
Physical hardware is good if you don't haven any experience with actual routers and switches. This is primarily only so you get the experience with plugging into the physical console port and realize that there are physical cables that go between devices.It's not related to the test, but I think it's beneficial to realize these are physical devices and that point can easily be lost if you've never worked with one. With that being said, I still think simulators are one of the better options because you can jump right in and don't have to wait for the hardware to boot, etc.
Current Certs: A+ | N+ | S+ | Cloud Essentials+ | Project+ | MTA: OSF | CIW: SDA | ITIL: F | CCENT | CCNA R&S | CCNA | LPI Linux Essentials
Currently Working On:
2022 Goals:CCNP Enterprise [ ]
Future Certs: CWNA [ ]
Current Certs: CCENT | MCTS | Network+
Currently Working On: Security+
The more I look at the outline of the CCENT on Cisco, nothing jumps out at me that I'm not familiar with but CCNA is another story.
Current Certs: CCENT | MCTS | Network+
Currently Working On: Security+
Security+, eJPT, CySA+, PenTest+,
Cisco CyberOps, GCIH, VHL,
In progress: OSCP
Again, I can use all the advice I can get. I appreciate the advice of using packet tracer, Boson, CBT, and the book as well. I might well be able to do it before it expires but perhaps I should start with something else first especially if the CCENT just retires after 2/2020 with no value and the CCNA is the only thing that would count after that point.
I've had quite a bit of self-taught experience but no certifications, so I'm just looking for the best path forward possibly instead of immediately racing the clock, though I may be able to do that.
Any advice is appreciated. I like the Network+ idea but admittedly don't know much about it.
Whatever certifications you think would stand out on a resume, what I mean to say is, I think I like the idea of starting with something like Network+ but I've not discounted the CCNA idea.
After it changes in 2020, it is predicted to be much harder or just different?
Another option I'd suggest is just prepping for the new CCNA now, so that you can take it Feb 1, but not be under pressure to do so. Cisco really stirred up the hornet's nest with the CCNA/P revamping and many people are unhappy -- particularly CCENT holders (who are scrambling to take the second half of the exam to be CCNA before Feb. Also unhappy are CCNA security cert holders, because that exam is retiring and I've heard it's quite difficult to pass. Getting the CCENT now would place you right into the unhappy/scrambling CCENT category. Might as well wait (or Network+). Have you tried a job search for the keywords CCENT and then for Network+?
Speaking of the Odom book, here's Wendell's take on the situation (it's 2 pages):
http://www.pearsonitcertification.com/articles/article.aspx?p=2982442
Security+, eJPT, CySA+, PenTest+,
Cisco CyberOps, GCIH, VHL,
In progress: OSCP
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