Getting Ready for May Test Date?

Big E

Hello,
I'm a first-timer on your website. You sound like a pretty skilled expert in how to prepare for the CCNA. Any advice on what to look at first on your website, i.e. specific instructions? Can you lead me to the promised land?

Webmaster

Hello, and welcome. Thanks for your comments, but I can't take credit for that by myself. You'll see that it is our members that make this forum valuable.

Where you want to start depends a little on what your current level of networking knowledge is. If you are just starting out (actually also when you are not) I suggest downloading the free version of our CompTIA Network+ PDF guide. (www.techexams.net/technotes/networkplus/pdf.shtml) At least 50% of that material is about 20% of the CCNA exam (Networking Basics).

Also, you will need at least 1 good book (Cisco Press or Sybex are usually best for Cisco exams).

When you have decided if you want to take the single exam (640-801) or the two separate exams (640-811 and 641-821) download and print the exam objectives from this page: www.cisco.com/go/ccna memorize them and/or always keep'm close to you during your studies. It will give you a good overview of the topics you need to cover and may give you more confidance when you eventually take the exam(s).

Although it is not required or entirely necessary, I suggest speding some money on a home lab. You can get two 2500 routers and optionally a switch for a couple of hundred bucks. For more info: www.techexams.net/technotes/ccna/lab_hardware.shtml and there are also several posts in this forum regarding a home lab: www.techexams.net/forums/search.php
An alternative is using a router simulator (www.routersim.com or www.boson.com). We have our own online router simulator (TechSims) as well, but it is still in beta and currently has limited capabilities (still good practice though. ) www.techexams.net/cisco.shtml
The exam(s) contains simulators as well where you have to partly (re-)configure a router.

Read all the posts in our CCNA forums to learn from the experience of others. And of course ask as much as you like.

After you read a couple of chapters from your study guide, try some practice exams, from our site, and those on our Cisco link page:
www.techexams.net/cilinks.shtml Also, when you have read about a certain topic, check if we have TechNotes about the same topic and read those, it often helps to read things differently worded.

Read, read, read, repeat, repeat, repeate, practice, practice, practice and don't underestimate the exam. With a good and solid preparation the exam is very doable.

I always book an exam only when I'm very sure I'll pass it, but if it takes me too long I book it anyway to force myself to study harder.

Good luck, and more important, have fun!

2lazybutsmart

looks like i'm a very lucky fella cuz i was going to post the same question. however, thanks for your opinion. you might be wondering... but yes, I've decided to go CISCO and do my CCNA. I've already ordered a book by Wendel Odom called CCNA certification Library and it's on it's way. I'm going through the Net+ pdf and it certinaly is laying some important building blocks for someone like me.

Now, you mentioned having my own home lab... what I don't understand here is: do all cisco certifications focus on Cisco networking products (routers, switches etc...) or some kinds of networking software, or both? What I'm trying to say here is: does obtaining a CCNA mean working efficiently with CISCO routers, or becoming an expert in many networking areas (LAN,WAN,VLAN etc...) while using CISCO equipment?

And one more thing: the one-exam approach and the 2-exam approach both cover the same thing. Does it make it easier to take the 2-exam approach? Does it cost more? And what method do you recommend?


2lbs.

Sartan

Using the 2 exam path, both exams have the same number of questions, and the second exam of course contains information on the first.
The first test would be easier no doubt, but the second test would be just as difficult as the single exam.
You have to pay for each as well. The two test format is used for people who don't have alot of time to grind out CCNA because they work fulltime and take night courses.

Webmaster

Wether you take the ICND+INTRO route or the single exam depends on your general networking knowledge. The INTRO exam is a bit like CompTIA's Network+ exam (although more detailed) plus basic router config (what you most probably already know because of your experience.) I would only suggest the ICND+INTRO route for those that hardly have any networking experience/knowledge, and are not in a rush. What I'm trying to say here is: does obtaining a CCNA mean working efficiently with CISCO routers, or becoming an expert in many networking areas (LAN,WAN,VLAN etc...) while using CISCO equipment?

'Both' tests coast $100 each, the 801 is $125 once.

I agree with Sartan that the second test would be just as difficult as the single exam, but it does allow you to focus on the hard parts and forget about the network basics (primary part of the INTRO exam) for a while. Even Basic Networking, especially, in Cisco exams, can be a detailed and tough subject.

what I don't understand here is: do all cisco certifications focus on Cisco networking products (routers, switches etc...) or some kinds of networking software, or both?

Both. 'Networking software' being mainly Cisco's IOS which runs on all their routers, and the newer switches (old switches run on CatOS, cat being short for Catalyst which is the name for Cisco's line of switches.) Their firewall (PIX) uses proprietary software as well. Although there are some graphical tools available to configure Cisco devices (i.e. CiscoWorks, or the freely available ConfigMaker) these are not a typical topic of the exams. The exams generally (very generally ) exist of two part, one being the network technologies (in case of the first CCNP exam, BSCI, which covers routing, the routing protocols RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, OSPF, BGP, IS-IS) which one could refer to as the theory. And the other part being the commands that are used to configure and troubleshoot the device (in case of BSCI, a router.) which is the practical part, which partly is tested by using simulators on the exam.

What I'm trying to say here is: does obtaining a CCNA mean working efficiently with CISCO routers, or becoming an expert in many networking areas (LAN,WAN,VLAN etc...) while using CISCO equipment?

Again a bit of both. But CCNA won't make you an expert in any area, it is an entry-level cert covering mostly basics. CCNA 'should' mean able to configure and implement basic small/medium sized LANs and WANs using some of the most common network technologies. Cisco equipment only indeed (most equipment out there is Cisco as well) in case of CCNA, the focus is primarily on routers and than switches.

CCNA alone is not a cert that would easily lead to a job in the networking field. It is great to combine with MCSE for example (so the sys admin can do some basic router administration without having to bother the more expensive LAN/WAN specialist) but also works well as a step stone for further specialization thru other cisco exams and certs. (ie. CCNP, CCSP, CCDP, or CCIE even.)

Kind of an unexpected change of coarse 2lbs, did you write off MCT, CTT and MCDA entirely?

2lazybutsmart

wow wow. thanks a lot for clearing up those points. I've got a few tips here and there and I do configure my own networks although I don't touch high-tech stuff. I do understand CCNA is an entry-level cert in the CISCO cert-rink; however, I do not intend to stop there. I want to continue on with the CCNP in the near future.

Webmaster wrote:

Kind of an unexpected change of coarse 2lbs, did you write off MCT, CTT and MCDA entirely?

I'm kinda tired of my last 4-5 years of complete overindulgence with IF's and END IF's Actually a very interesting thing happened a few days ago when I took my final decision. I was kind of heartbroken over the fact that I couldn't get my MCDBA last year because of the new Yukon version already in beta (although just within MS for now). Now completing the cert in the 2000 track would mean the same thing that happened to me in my MCSD vs6 track. Anyways, let me not bore you with history. I was browsing the CISCO cert site (and I really love CISCO *for many 'unknown' reasons I guess) and I figured out that certification meant a three year "you-get-to-keep-it" status. I also figured out that higher certifications will renew lower-level certs, so if you advance in the pyramid, you'll retain your certification while gaining more knowledge.

On the other hand, my peers who are certified Cisco professionals are paid almost twice my salary (for reasons I don't know till now ). I just figured out a few days ago that we had only three CCNP's and almost 19 programmers of all the different flavors in our company. I certainly won't stop working at my current job, but I'll make my long-term goal (perhaps 4-6 months) to get my CCNP and do something interesting and new for once. You're probably gettin tired with networking (although there's more fun in it); but I'm certainly getting jaded with code.

ooooops---post became longer than expected, but all those factors have contributed to my change of course. And yet one more thing: becoming a CCIE. Although that's more of a dream now than a goal, it certainly is a dream ---and all dreams come true.

2lbs.

Webmaster

Very understandable. And Cisco is loveable indeed It has so many advantages compared to other certs, you'll learn theory and skills, the exam questions are not ambigious or extremely tricky, and in most cases there is always a definit answer at Cisco.com. Which is totally not the case when it comes to MS not even to speak of CompTIA

You're probably gettin tired with networking.

Never.

But I'll make my long-term goal (perhaps 4-6 months) to get my CCNP.

That is not really 'long-term' for CCNP but certainly doable.

Good luck!