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in CCNA & CCENT
Hi All,
I’m not new to the forum but I’m new to the Cisco side…. posting anyway, I have a good & basic understanding of Cisco foundations and most of there concepts, just looking for some advice on what should be my starting point? And what is the hardest topic I really need to understand order to achieve my CCNA by August 2008?
I’m not new to the forum but I’m new to the Cisco side…. posting anyway, I have a good & basic understanding of Cisco foundations and most of there concepts, just looking for some advice on what should be my starting point? And what is the hardest topic I really need to understand order to achieve my CCNA by August 2008?

Practice, Practice, and more Practice make Perfection.....
Comments
The hardest topic depends on how familiar you are with the topics.
also get to know www.subnettingquestions.com
When I started I was a sys admin with 0 networking knowledge outside of basic Windows troubleshooting. I took the official Cisco ICND1 5-day course, read the Lammle and Odom books, and reviewed with the CBT Nugget tapes. It was overkill and I crushed the ICND1 exam. For ICND2 I think I'm literally going into the test this Sat with about 50% less study time. There are a ton of resources available for CCNA, you just need to gauge how much of it you will need.
The link to Cisco CCNA Certification web page is in there -- and that gives you your exam options and lists the topics you you should know for the exam.
A lot depends on your current knowledge, skills, and experience -- and even how smart your are. But I will agree that subnetting is probably the first basic task you need to master if you are to have a future in networking and advance to the upper levels.
www.blacksintechnology.net
As for CCNA materials, Wendall Odom's book (and video series) are good starters. CBT nuggets gives you a more visual approach to learning. I think it's best used for emphasizing concepts you're already familiar with.
My best advise would be to read this forum and its consecutive pages of threads to not only get insight into the exam but also learn from other's mistakes. Understanding what you're getting in to by gaging how others have experienced it is an invaluable resource.
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