So many CCNP CBTs to choose from!

I plan on getting a lab with (4) 3640 routers & (1) 3550/(2)2950 switches within (4) months, but would like to check out some CBTs first for the CCNP to go along with the Cisco Press Books. Yes I know I could just WAIT for my lab, but I would strongly prefer to go with CBTs (helps piece things together) prior to getting a lab. It would also help input all of the technologies prior to getting my lab which is why I'm considering them since I don't have access to routers & switches.

Question is: Which ones??

CBT Nuggets CCNP: Most popular & cheap $$
CareerAcademy CCNP: Expensive! (new) Nothing much on most forums about them.
Train Signal: Only BSCI, but highly rated
CBT Planet: Rarely mentioned

I'm sure they are others so feel free to chip in. Thanks guys.

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Comments

keenon

charlottebandito wrote:

Question is: Which ones??

CBT Nuggets CCNP: Most popular & cheap $$
CareerAcademy CCNP: Expensive! (new) Nothing much on most forums about them.
Train Signal: Only BSCI, but highly rated
CBT Planet: Rarely mentioned

I'm sure they are others so feel free to chip in. Thanks guys.

to answer you questions.. this is in my opinion

nuggets... mainly what i use, great for the quick and dirty

career acad.. pure garbage, the guy stuttered and spoke as if he was reading it from a teleprompter with misspellings

train sig.. very good but long as all get out

cbt planet

wtf is that

knowledgenet.. i like those too, very solid with labs and tests

charlottebandito

LOL @ CareerAcademy. Man, those are expensive as all get-out!

KnowledgeNet? Haven't looked into those. I'm sure that CBT Planet probably hasn't updated their CCNP curriculum in awhile.

There's also CCNP Video Mentor.

keenon

http://catalog.netg.com/technology/cisco/#routing

Paul Boz

My boss had some fluff money left in the end of quarter budget so he bought me the BSCI series of nuggets and I'm thoroughly enjoying them. It's a great refresher for the core topics and the way the instructor walks through configurations is very logical. As a supplement I can't say there's a better choice that I know of.

mwgood

Once Jeremy Cioara finishes the CBT Nuggets in July - their CCNP package should be well worth the money.

I would wait until he completes the switching section though.

Paul Boz

The BSCI Nuggets Jeremy did are already ready, and are the ones I'm using.

Slowhand

Yup, we've been looking at the new CCNP CBT Nuggets at work. They're very well put together, and I'm really learning a lot from the couple of videos I'm looking at from the BSCI, (I'm moonlighting, under the guise of 'learning more in-depth about EIGRP and OSPF for the CCNA exam'). Of course, it's a little odd to see him set all the "today's dates" on the routers to March 12, 2008.

charlottebandito

Thanks guys. This was helpful to know because I picked up a gig with Cisco starting this August as an SE. Just found out through inquiries that we'll have 24/7 VPN access to CCIE lab equipment for each specialization which also includes the mandatory completion of the CCNP & CCDP. I'm stoked!

Here I was already adding up the cost of 3640s, 3550/2950s, 2911, ASA 5510s w/ IPS, 2511, and other tidbits. Yeah I know....a bunch of money to shell out!

So it looks like it's CBT Nuggets & TrainSignal (BSCI) then. Cool.

Paul Boz

I've also got a gear hookup at work

wildfire

Is that your desk? keep you warm in the winter!

Anyway CBT Wise, as Keenon said the CBT Nuggets are very good and intresting, but (theres always a but) I think they are more of a revision / intro tool, I really dont think on their own they are up to the job or go deep enough. I didnt use the CBT Nuggs when I did my BSCI back in the day

but I did view them recently and they look good.

I would also say the Knet (which is now Thomson NetG) ones are the Authorised cisco ones. If you have Cisco partner learning they are on there (which as a Cisco employee I hope you would), if no I think you can purcahse them. They also follow the objectives well and have never let me down (yet!).

Another good source used to be learnkey, but it seems they have given up the ghost on Cisco.

Good luck with the study and the new job!

teezee

Please don't wait a second to get the CBT Nuggets. It's worth the money! The are good at the job really... it's a good ground to get you started and to some level deep but you gat to do some futher work on your own!!!! Jeremy rocks that's all i gat to say!

-prophet-

Well, in my opinion CCIE# 129 three three... (Chris Bryant) has done a great job with the updated BSCI vid, it's worth looking into.

Jeremy Cioara knows his stuff and how to introduce it to viewers.

CCNP Video Mentor? forget it... just a brush up vid with no in-depth content.

Cheers,
-prophet-

Paul Boz

My boss threw me a bone and bought the Bryant Train Signal videos for me, and while I like the level of information Bryant throws out, I find Jeremy's method of teaching more engaging and retention inducing. I'd say the level of technical detail is roughly the same.

teezee

Paul i'll stay with you... though i haven't seen nada from Chris Bryant but really i think Jeremy is some crazy guy... with his humor while teaching the stuff he knows. No brainer that Jeremy is good but it's more of a personal thing. If i should say, i would want Jeremy to be ma mentor.