***New to CCNA***

jbaello

Hello all I am new to CCNA, I am preparing to start my study effective today nonstop, I've been doing Trainsignals within the past 2 weeks, but I am going fulltime now to catch up with the November 6 deadline, I am also doing a lab with a buddy of mine who is a CCNP, for the hard part he will be helping me in making this possible.

Well I would just like to greet everyone in this board expect to see more often hehe :P

networker050184

Welcome to the cisco forums!

I'd have to say though you are cutting rather close if you are just starting to study. I think you would get a lot more out of the whole proccess if you take your time and learn all the technologies thoroughly. There are a lot of good technologies added to the 802 which you will probably see in your career and have to learn about anyway. One of the guys at work crammed and made the dead line, but he doesn't hardley remeber anything and has never even touched a router. He basically got little to nothing out of his studying and is a clasic "paper" CCNA. Just my opinion though. Good luck on the exam!

mikej412

Good Luck!

Have you already booked your exam? The test centers could be booked up so you might want to check availability before you begin your last 2 week study frenzy for the 640-801 material.

jbaello

networker050184 wrote:

Welcome to the cisco forums!

I'd have to say though you are cutting rather close if you are just starting to study. I think you would get a lot more out of the whole proccess if you take your time and learn all the technologies thoroughly. There are a lot of good technologies added to the 802 which you will probably see in your career and have to learn about anyway. One of the guys at work crammed and made the dead line, but he doesn't hardley remeber anything and has never even touched a router. He basically got little to nothing out of his studying and is a clasic "paper" CCNA. Just my opinion though. Good luck on the exam!

Study Materials

Trainsignal
CBT_Nuggets and Testout
2 routers 1 2600 and 2610 (Planning to add two more asap)
1 switch 2948 G
Book (I am still trying to find out what is a good book for my case)

I've taken some basic cisco classes, when I was in college that I barely remember, I wouldn't even think of doing this, without a study partner who is a CCNP, and two colleague from work who are CCIE, we will be doing labs via DSL connection at his place and mine, and also cover the stuff that I might have a hard time on the weekends, I am also planning on CCNP after my MCSE so hopefuly I will need to retain and go back and remember whatever I learn from CCNA when I start this.

I 100% agree that I would be getting a lot more if I take my time and learn it bit by bit, I'm not sure if I will pass but my main goal will be to get my feet wet, even if I'm CCNA certified learning and actually mastering CCNA will not stop here, but just the beginning.

beach5563

Sounds good. Just take your time to make sure you cover everything. I have the trainsignal course also. I have taken quite a few cisco classes too. I may wait and do the 802 myself. I have two 1720 routers. I just need a switch or two. There is also rack rental options also.

mikej412

jbaello wrote:

Book (I am still trying to find out what is a good book for my case)

I usually suggest starting with the Odom books (the library, for INTRO and ICND) and then use the Sybex book for review (and for the subnetting).... but since you're not a noob, the INTRO is mostly the Network+ stuff with some killer subnetting tossed in (check out www.subnettingquestions.com for some practice). If you have the time (and can read fast) then go for the Odom ICND and/or Todd's Sybex book (5th edition, rather than the new 6th edition for the 640-802 exam).

Check out the exam blueprint and make sure you cover all the hands-on stuff.

jbaello

mikej412 wrote:

jbaello wrote:

Book (I am still trying to find out what is a good book for my case)

I usually suggest starting with the Odom books (the library, for INTRO and ICND) and then use the Sybex book for review (and for the subnetting).... but since you're not a noob, the INTRO is mostly the Network+ stuff with some killer subnetting tossed in (check out www.subnettingquestions.com for some practice). If you have the time (and can read fast) then go for the Odom ICND and/or Todd's Sybex book (5th edition, rather than the new 6th edition for the 640-802 exam).

Check out the exam blueprint and make sure you cover all the hands-on stuff.

You got link for this Odom books? I did pretty well on subnetting, since I have taken this numerous time on numerous occasion in school and recently on 70-291 not sure what's the carryover, Assembly Language covers all types of numbering system and 70-291 has subnetting as well which I fairly did well.

if it was not a requirement for a new position in my company that they want me to fill up, I would have changed my mind now hahaha....

networker050184

The Odom books are very good, the best over all for the exam in my opinion. Check out here http://www.ciscopress.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=1587201690.

jbaello

Booked on the 4th of November, I guess it is time to book your exams now, the procter was offering a discount if I take it earlier due to the high volume of people examining this day.

shednik

I would also recommend Chris Bryant's ebook i bought his set mainly for the rack time at the recommendation of a friend... may be something to look into he had some special that if you dont pass the current exams he's hook you up with his new version for free.

jbaello

Awesome, Chris Bryant is the CCIE instructor in Trainsignal, I like his teaching techniques. I will check this, b/w I've ordered my odom books.

jbaello

I've decided not to pursue CCNA at the moment, I will wait for 802 and finish my MCSE 2003, I figured I was running out of time for the Nov. 6 deadline, and this is not the way to learn, anyway those time I've spent is worth every minute, cisco technology is just awesome and fun to learn, router on a stick is just an awesome feature as well VTP and whole lot more.

Hope to see you guys in here soon, I will be starting 70-293/70-294 and hoping to finish this two exams before 2007 ends.

Thanks!

ITdude

Honestly, from what I have read here, it looks to me like you are the kind of person that wants/likes to learn.

I think you would have done yourself a disjustice had you rushed an exam like CCNA which is so broad in it's coverage just to make a deadline. Take your time, finish the MCSE and then come back and give the CCNA the time it deserves.

I think in the long run you will be glad that you did! Good luck