1st Post towards CCNP :)
Hi guys,
first post in the NP forum...big step eh
Just hoping you guys could answer a few questions for me after checking the faq:
1. am i right in thinking i should be OKish with a lab consisting of 1x2610xm, 2x2612,1x3725,2 x 2950 and 1 x 2970? Obviously for the L3 stuff i dont think im going to be able to afford a 3550 so hopefully i can use a spare at work or if not then buy some rack time? Or could i use a 2948G for L3 stuff? or is it obselete?
2. From reading the FAQ im going for either bcmsn or bcsi first (then the other second) but after searching amazon for books im unsure what to get as neither the exam guide of the self study guide get good reviews, is there much difference between the two?. I was originally thinking of buying the exam cert guide for the whole of the NP for £75 from amazon and using the lab portfolio's, routing tcp/ip book and the cisco doc cd to compliment it as the self study is nearly £40 for the bsci exam alone?
What do you guys think?
Thanks (wish me luck
)
first post in the NP forum...big step eh

Just hoping you guys could answer a few questions for me after checking the faq:
1. am i right in thinking i should be OKish with a lab consisting of 1x2610xm, 2x2612,1x3725,2 x 2950 and 1 x 2970? Obviously for the L3 stuff i dont think im going to be able to afford a 3550 so hopefully i can use a spare at work or if not then buy some rack time? Or could i use a 2948G for L3 stuff? or is it obselete?
2. From reading the FAQ im going for either bcmsn or bcsi first (then the other second) but after searching amazon for books im unsure what to get as neither the exam guide of the self study guide get good reviews, is there much difference between the two?. I was originally thinking of buying the exam cert guide for the whole of the NP for £75 from amazon and using the lab portfolio's, routing tcp/ip book and the cisco doc cd to compliment it as the self study is nearly £40 for the bsci exam alone?
What do you guys think?
Thanks (wish me luck

Xbox Live: Bring It On
Bsc (hons) Network Computing - 1st Class
WIP: Msc advanced networking
Bsc (hons) Network Computing - 1st Class
WIP: Msc advanced networking
Comments
That should be fine for the most part depending on IOS versions and features. Some of the biggest things on the BCMSN are HSRP, VRRP and GLBP which you co do with a router.
You can, but it will not be what is covered. It would be for concept only since the 2948G-L3 uses CatOS and not the IOS.
I would go for the BSCI first. Mainly because it is all down hill from there. Also I liked the Self Study guide and used it myself. It is different from the exam guide, but I do not know how as I have never used the Exam Guides.
Good Luck BTW!
Damn right i am!
Does anyone know the difference between the exam certification guide books and the study? is the study more in depth? im thinking that im obviously new to this level and the study guide being the better option for the learning progression? but if there's not much difference then i dont wanna waste and extra £15 when that could go towards a lab book!
Bsc (hons) Network Computing - 1st Class
WIP: Msc advanced networking
Go with the study guide, it is more in depth. The exam certification guide should be used as a refresher for the material before taking the test. You should also look at using multiple sources of informaton for all exams
Quest for 11K pages read in 2011
Page Count total to date - 1283
I agree that you should start out with the study guide to learn and then use the cert guide for prep. I also use a lot of the Docs for study as they are free and full of all the information you need.
well i always intended to go for multiple learning sources but i didnt know if there was a big difference between the 2 books. i'll get the study guide. and i'll see you's in this forums alot more
Bsc (hons) Network Computing - 1st Class
WIP: Msc advanced networking
Also, consider a Safari subscription, even the cheap 22 dollar one will give you a good chance to preview a book and decide if it's going to be a tool you can learn from. I'm also one of those strange people that can't stand to read a book on a computer, I prefer having paper in my hand. So the ability to pick out a few chapters and see if it's something I can learn from is quite valuable to me.
CCNP Progress
ONT, ISCW, BCMSN - DONE
BSCI - In Progress
http://www.redwarriornet.com/ <--My Cisco Blog
Thanks for the encouragement guys! ive ordered the study guide for the BSCI and plan on getting the lab portfolio. Then im going to have to buy the others once i get paid. Although im slightly tempted to dive into the bcmsn first because we are about to replace all of our switches to preprare for voip and we have no one to do that for our division (just a few guys for the whole company) so it may be an opportunity to get my hands dirty
P.s. Dont worry, im sure i'll be asking tons of questions along my way! besides i know i'll get a good response no matter how difficult the subject is.
Bsc (hons) Network Computing - 1st Class
WIP: Msc advanced networking
Thats what i was thinking. Like i said there's no guarantee and the last i knew we would be having minimal config contact as the main guy for the company would be doing it but if i can show i am working towards this then they may let me have a little more input/involvement! but again that is mainly down to having no one in the department who is qualified for that role.
Bsc (hons) Network Computing - 1st Class
WIP: Msc advanced networking