Starting CCNP. Good idea now?

I have not yet begun my adventures towards a CCNP. I was wondering, with some of you whom a little more familiar with the sutdy material, is there test that has material available now that would enabled me to begin my studies? I was looking at some of the revisions that were coming up at the begining of the year, two of the exams seem to be totally new and the other two revised.

I am very anxious to start, but would hate to gather material only for it to be way off in left field. I can handle a slight revision. Any ideas?

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Comments

keenon

i would say jump in fast

Humper

Begin with the new material -- start with the BSCI and read TCP/IP routing volume 1 and 2 , even though its CCIE professional development I feel everyone should read these books!

MrD

You still have time to pass at least 2 of them

Humper

I dont understand why some people dont want to learn the new material?

TheShadow

Most people say because new books are 6 months away and new equipment is costly. ONT changes quite a bit. Of course you could always take classes instead of self study. Documentation for classes is already available. I don't think old versus new would have been a problem if it had not destroyed many existing study plans. It seems that the academies get a whole 12 months to do the old tests. If Cisco can't change their own programs for a year then people not in them like to complain. The party line is that the academy is a separate entity from sales so they were caught as much by surprise. Lots of talk in the forums.

Humper

I guess in my case, I can take equipment home with me whenever we want, because there is such a large stash...I usually get to keep the older stuff...I will look into the blueprint more to see what kind of new equipment is needed.

Humper

Ok now I see the issue -- test takers will have to purchase VPN hardware clients and wireless AP's??? ouch!!! How do they expect most people to purchase such things.

Grigsby

Yeah, I am attempting to tackle this one as a self study. I did the academy (well first three semesters of it) for my CCNA, and it was really beneficial. But I think I need to figure out how to self study this stuff, I mean there is no academy geared towards the CCSP is there? I was thinking that was where I would want to head after a CCNP one day.

But the equipment is going to be a challenge. I put together a lab of three 2500s and a 2920 switch for my CCNA, and used some the FLASH applications that are in the Academy Slides that you get in the course for the hands on configs. I am not rich, though I am probably willing to spend more money on my test setup than the average joe. But some of the equipment that I think I might need for the CCNP is beyond my wallet. I think I might need some more equipment and a software simulator? I am not sure how I am going to do it.

I did go ahead and pick up a Cisco Press Book for the old/current BSCI 642-801. I think I can still glean a major portion of material from this book and possibly test before the end of the year.

As far getting the hands on without the job experience and/or the access to loaner equipment, how have testers been able to adequately prep for these exams?

TheShadow

ModemHumper wrote:

Ok now I see the issue -- test takers will have to purchase VPN hardware clients and wireless AP's??? ouch!!! How do they expect most people to purchase such things.

Looks like the cheapest deal might be an 1811 along with a 1851 which totals about 3 grand. I guess rental will be the way to go.

Humper

TheShadow wrote:

ModemHumper wrote:

Ok now I see the issue -- test takers will have to purchase VPN hardware clients and wireless AP's??? ouch!!! How do they expect most people to purchase such things.

Looks like the cheapest deal might be an 1811 along with a 1851 which totals about 3 grand. I guess rental will be the way to go.

Lucky for me we use Cisco 1811's at work and Cisco AP 1200's! Hopefully I can borrow it for my studies.