Starting out young here! newbie

lildeezul

Hey everyone. This topics if basically my introduction.

I am a freshman in high school living in NC, and i am setting my goal to be in the networking field. I just started reading the CCNA (sybex 4th edition) that my dad had. He is in telecom. I cannot take any cisco class at my high school until im a junior, but i want to get a head start. i realize that there is a 5th edition of todd's CCNA book. Should i invest in this kit. I current have the fourth edition, just the book. i would like to study hard, and get certified before i hit my junior yr, or senior yr. When i was reading the intro in the CCNA book, todd suggested that hands on experience would be great and to pick up a 2500 series router if possible. i was just on cisco site, and seems to me they dont produce them anymore. but ive been looking around online for one. Seen expensive one for about 1500 +, which is out of my budget, due to me not being in work. But ive seen a refurbished one for 50 bucks. I might invest in buying one, so i have configure it and such.

Just wanted to stop by and introduce my self. hopefully i will be successful in reaching my CCNA, CCNP, CCIP, and CCIE, ect. goal.

any tips would be great for a youngster. But any advice in buying the 5th edition kit., and a cheap cisco router that i can experiment on while reading Todd's book.

Also BTW, are there any colleges or university that specifically dedicate themselves for networking, around the East coast ( preferable near NC)

Thanks

lildeezul

also what series routes should i be looking for, to test on.

i was going toa buy a 2501 for 45 bucks, what you think? ill post specs on it l8tr

Darthn3ss

a 2501 router will get you started, but to do pretty much do anything you're going to need atleast 2 routers at some point; All though, most of the early CCNA topics (INTRO stuff) don't really need any lab equipment. my ultimate suggestion (and i understand your a freshman in highschool so money probably isn't always the greatest) would be 3 routers and 2 switches. For starters though, you can get by with just 2 routers and appropriate cables.

Darthn3ss

oh yeah, forgot about the 1600 and 1700 routers.

every lab i've seen in CCNA so far will support those routers.

mikej412

Check out the CCNA Forum FAQ for info on the books and equipment.

They Sybex 4th had a couple new downloadable chapters, the 5th put them on the CD I think. It's good for learning subnetting -- which it a basic skill you need to learn.

The Sybex book is good for people with a networking background and/or experience working with Cisco equipment.... but might not be detailed enough for a beginner. But other than subnetting, its an "easy read," good for review before the CCNA exam, and an excellent "2nd source" for study.

Beginners who are seeing the stuff for the first time should probably suffer through the dryer, but more complete, Cisco Press books.

Good Luck on your quest!