CCNA:Security?

hey, guys...

I'm looking at getting my CCSP, so I'm trying to get a plan/logical order of studying/testing. I noticed that Cisco has changed some requirements... they're going over to the CCNA:S as a pre-req, however... the SND test will still be around 'til November. Anyone know how long the CCNA + SND will be valid? If it's only 6 months or so, I won't even bother... I'll just start studying for the CCNA:S. Regardless, maybe it's worth just shooting for the CCNA:S. From what I've looked at, it seems to cover mostly the same things as SND, and there's no concern of a deadline

thanks!

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LOkrasa

I wanted to do the CCSP way down the line but the CCNA:Security cert just seemed like a great way to get some base security knowledge that would be beneficial to have. I dont think that you will need to get the CCNA:Sec unless you dont complete the CCSP by a certain date... I am assuming that once that date passes and you dont have the CCNA:Sec you will need to take it in order to actually acqure the CCSP cert. I just suggest going the CCNA:Sec route because from what I can tell the CCSP material is a little dated and I have a feeling they will be redoing it very soon...

shednik

I'd say just for the CCNA:S there's not much of a benefit to go for the SND unless you really want the CNSS 4011 recognition. Thats just my take on it!

mikej412

You'd have 3 years from "start to finish" to complete the CCSP.

Your first deadline if you wanted to use the CCNA+SND exam as the CCSP Prerequsite would be compleating the SND before it's retired on November 17, 2008.

Then you'd have 3 years to complete the 4 required CCSP exams, since exams are "good" for 3 years to apply towards a Certification (and 2 years for a Specialist Certification).

ITdude

Also keep in mind the last day to take the SNPA exam is 01-06-2009. So if you are going the Pix route versus just ASA, you need to keep the dates in mind.

jworley

Thanks for all the responses, guys. I decided on going for the CCNA:Security first. My boss ordered the Cisco Press book for me yesterday afternoon.

http://www.ciscopress.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=1587057921

I don't want to rely on a November-ish deadline. Never know what might happen between now and then...

I'll probably take the ASA exam second (642-524 SNAF).

thanks again!

ITdude

Good studying and good luck!

Feel free to ask questions once you start on your trek.

Netstudent

ITdude wrote:

Also keep in mind the last day to take the SNPA exam is 01-06-2009. So if you are going the Pix route versus ASA, you need to keep the dates in mind.

So what is the ASA route?

I'm planning on getting the firewall specialist cert and I thought it was geared toward PIX and ASA.

Is there an updated firewall specialist cert that is ASA centric that I don't know about?

LOkrasa

Netstudent wrote:

ITdude wrote:

Also keep in mind the last day to take the SNPA exam is 01-06-2009. So if you are going the Pix route versus ASA, you need to keep the dates in mind.

So what is the ASA route?

I'm planning on getting the firewall specialist cert and I thought it was geared toward PIX and ASA.

Is there an updated firewall specialist cert that is ASA centric that I don't know about?

I think ASA will be a new exam... PIX is going away.

ITdude

Yes, basically all the exams that are Pix centric are being retired in favor of ASA, since the Pix is EOL.

Check this out:
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le37/le54/learning_certification_type_home.html

ITdude

Netstudent wrote:

I'm planning on getting the firewall specialist cert and I thought it was geared toward PIX and ASA.

Is there an updated firewall specialist cert that is ASA centric that I don't know about?

Your okay as long as you take the exam before 01-16-09 I would think.

jworley

ITdude wrote:

Good studying and good luck! Feel free to ask questions once you start on your trek.

thanks!

I appreciate it. I'm sure I'll some questions eventually. Me and my buddy will be trying to tackle this one together. Hopefully... that'll make studying a bit easier since I tend to be ADD.

Also, I've only been working on ASAs and PIXs for the last couple weeks at my job. I guess this is me being a new guy, but I love the ASAs. The PIX IOS (6.0) drives me nuts sometimes. My solutions to any PIX problem is to replace it with an ASA 5505

j/k.

hypnotoad

Also, I've only been working on ASAs and PIXs for the last couple weeks at my job. I guess this is me being a new guy, but I love the ASAs. The PIX IOS (6.0) drives me nuts sometimes. My solutions to any PIX problem is to replace it with an ASA 5505 j/k.

PIX's can be upgraded to run Finesse 8.0 and ASDM instead of PDM, which makes them nearly identical to an ASA. 506 and 501's excluded. 515's require a memory upgrade.[/quote]

jworley

nl wrote:

PIX's can be upgraded to run Finesse 8.0 and ASDM instead of PDM, which makes them nearly identical to an ASA. 506 and 501's excluded. 515's require a memory upgrade.

From what I can tell, the only PIXs in place still are at smaller, remote locations. They're all 506s

APA

Netstudent wrote:

ITdude wrote:

Also keep in mind the last day to take the SNPA exam is 01-06-2009. So if you are going the Pix route versus ASA, you need to keep the dates in mind.

So what is the ASA route?

I'm planning on getting the firewall specialist cert and I thought it was geared toward PIX and ASA.

Is there an updated firewall specialist cert that is ASA centric that I don't know about?

I'm on the SNPA course at the moment.... and let me tell you.... It's all ASA based..... you do learn minor details about the PIX family.... but all our labs have been on ASA's