CCNA vs. CCDA

possible going for CCDA, i'm not asking for exam help. What would you say is the difference between the CCNA and the CCDA? I guess what i'm asking here is..

WHICH ONE IS HARDER?????

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markzab

The difference is that the CCDA is geared more towards designing the network. You could go and take a look at the exam objectives to see in detail the different subjects covered between the 2. When i originally passed the CCDA, it was only after I passed my CCNA. I would think you should take the NA before the DA. I've never heard of anyone doing the DA first.

markzab

PS. It's not about harder or easier. They are both hard in their own respect. Every Cisco test is "hard". It's such a relative term.

tech-airman

Aquabat wrote:

possible going for CCDA, i'm not asking for exam help. What would you say is the difference between the CCNA and the CCDA?

Since I was previously certified under the CCNA and CCDA programs, in a nutshell:

CCDA: Preventing trouble by designing OSI Layer 7 down to Layer 1.
CCNA: Implementing the design that the CCDA came up with and Troubleshooting from OSI Layer 1 up to Layer 7.

Aquabat wrote:

I guess what i'm asking here is..
WHICH ONE IS HARDER?????

Difficulty is based on your own background, experience, education and other factors.

I hope this helps.

tech-airman

markzab wrote:

The difference is that the CCDA is geared more towards designing the network. You could go and take a look at the exam objectives to see in detail the different subjects covered between the 2. When i originally passed the CCDA, it was only after I passed my CCNA. I would think you should take the NA before the DA. I've never heard of anyone doing the DA first.

markzab,

I was certified under the CCDA program before I was certified under the CCNA program so now you've heard of someone doing the DA first.

markzab

tech-airman wrote:

markzab wrote:

The difference is that the CCDA is geared more towards designing the network. You could go and take a look at the exam objectives to see in detail the different subjects covered between the 2. When i originally passed the CCDA, it was only after I passed my CCNA. I would think you should take the NA before the DA. I've never heard of anyone doing the DA first.

markzab,

I was certified under the CCDA program before I was certified under the CCNA program so now you've heard of someone doing the DA first.

Ever since I got piss drunk in Miami and sleep-walked into a corner of the hotel room to piss on the floor I've always believed there is a first time for everything.

You've just pushed that fact a bit further.

I can't remember the test nor the material for the life of me but I thought the CCDA kind of built off the CCNA. Wasn't that harder for you?

tech-airman

markzab wrote:

tech-airman wrote:

markzab wrote:

The difference is that the CCDA is geared more towards designing the network. You could go and take a look at the exam objectives to see in detail the different subjects covered between the 2. When i originally passed the CCDA, it was only after I passed my CCNA. I would think you should take the NA before the DA. I've never heard of anyone doing the DA first.

markzab,

I was certified under the CCDA program before I was certified under the CCNA program so now you've heard of someone doing the DA first.

Ever since I got piss drunk in Miami and sleep-walked into a corner of the hotel room to piss on the floor I've always believed there is a first time for everything.

You've just pushed that fact a bit further.

I can't remember the test nor the material for the life of me but I thought the CCDA kind of built off the CCNA. Wasn't that harder for you?

markzab,

I passed both the 640-441 and 640-607 first try so from a relative "hardness" standpoint, can't really recall. As mentioned before, they were basically the same material, just from different perspectives of the OSI model.

Kaminsky

markzab wrote:

Ever since I got piss drunk in Miami and sleep-walked into a corner of the hotel room to piss on the floor I've always believed there is a first time for everything.

waaaay too much information there...

With the CCDA, what is the intoduction like if you have never come across networks before? I know from my studies that the CCNA is geared this way but if the CCDA is not and it presumes some prerequisite info (otherwise why would you be designing networks) then surely the ccna would be the basic preliminary. I would have thought that at least CCNP would be the prerequsite so you would be able to get your head around the design concepts in the CCDA.

markzab

Kaminsky wrote:

markzab wrote:

Ever since I got piss drunk in Miami and sleep-walked into a corner of the hotel room to piss on the floor I've always believed there is a first time for everything.

waaaay too much information there...

With the CCDA, what is the intoduction like if you have never come across networks before? I know from my studies that the CCNA is geared this way but if the CCDA is not and it presumes some prerequisite info (otherwise why would you be designing networks) then surely the ccna would be the basic preliminary. I would have thought that at least CCNP would be the prerequsite so you would be able to get your head around the design concepts in the CCDA.

I remember after I passed my CCNA I wasn't sure wether I should go for the CCNP next or stay a little lower and grow my foundation a bit with the CCDA. I think it made my life a little easier when studying for the CCNP.

Aquabat [banned]

excellent answers, from looking at the practice questions and objectives; it seems like ccda takes your ccna knowledge and uses it to design. I think it does however lok easier, excellent, thanks guys!

markzab

Aquabat wrote:

excellent answers, from looking at the practice questions and objectives; it seems like ccda takes your ccna knowledge and uses it to design. I think it does however lok easier, excellent, thanks guys!

I just realised that you're already an NA. I don't think you'll have trouble passing the DA. Just study well and you should be fine.

malcybood

- CCDA is more aimed at network designers or sales reps.
- CCNA is aimed at Network Engineers that would be implementing/troubleshooting the network design.

Kaminsky wrote:

With the CCDA, what is the intoduction like if you have never come across networks before? I know from my studies that the CCNA is geared this way but if the CCDA is not and it presumes some prerequisite info (otherwise why would you be designing networks) then surely the ccna would be the basic preliminary. I would have thought that at least CCNP would be the prerequsite so you would be able to get your head around the design concepts in the CCDA.

I am currently studying for the CCDA and am finished the first 3 chapters of the Diane Teare book. It is definatly geared towards the candidate having CCNA knowledge, although it does give brief explanations of some of the stuff i.e. network devices bridges, switches, routers without going into any great detail of how they operate.

It also assumes you can perform basic router/switch tasks as it gives you commands you should use when considering factors in gathering info to design a new network such as sh ip nbar protocol-discovery.

There is an appendix at the back with a detailed description of the OSI model's layers, but the chapters assume that when the layers are referred to you know what they are and do, but mention the appendix contains more info on the OSI if you need to reference it.

In my opinion, do the CCNA first, it will make the CCDA much more understandable if you decide to do it. Having a CCNP will most certainly help, however I think if you have a CCNA and really understand what it's about then this is enough of a pre-req

Also remember anyone considering doing the CCDA that the objectives change on 13/07/07 and a new exam is being released. Check the Cisco website for more info on objectives of the new exam.

mgeorge

This is yet one of those other annoying certification courses I teach. So i'll give you some advise on this... Buy the Anthony Bruno book and memorize it basically...

If you go to take your CCDA and try to apply real world experince to it chances are your going to fail it. You have to really know design theory to pass this exam. That is one flaw that Cisco sucks with. You have to know the composite network model, ipv6, subnetting in design, route summarization. etc... But like I said in order to pass the exam you have to know what the book says, not what you think is the right answer because you've done it in the field. I've seen several CCNP's fail this exam because they apply real world experince to this exam. Some questions are fine, but about 75% of the exam is planning and designing.

Any ways hope this helps ^_^