New to ICND (CCNA) Where do I begin

goofydragon1

My job has recently told me that they'd order a few switches that I need to configure. Cisco 35xx catalyst. I am a noob, but I know how to work around in the CLI.

I am interested working towards my CCNA because of this project. But I do not know where to begin.

What books are out their that I should study prepare with?

Should I work on ICND1/2 or go straight for the CCNA, granted I heard its easier taking ICND1 that 2.

Any online tips?


Thanks

“If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first four of them sharpening my axe”.

-Abraham Lincoln

goofydragon1

I also wanted to know what is the average time it take for one to be certified?

JSK

There is a CCNA FAQ sticky in this forum. I would start there. It contains a lot of helpful information.

Personally, I used the ICND1 and ICND2 books by Wendell Odom as well as the CCNA book by Todd Lammle.

fly351

Depends on your networking background. If you don't know much about networking, then I would do ICND 1 & 2. I studied and passed my CCNA in about 6 weeks. Seems that a lot of people spend about the same time, but it all depends on how much you are willing to put in it.

goofydragon1

Network knowledge, though I never took the CompTIA Network+, I rate myself slightly lower than an intermediate. I have configured ACL's, and switches, worked with logs, created VLAN's but most of it has been on the job.

bermovick

I took about 8-10 weeks total between ICND1 and then ICND2 (split about evenly). I went in having the type of knowledge you pick up just working around computers and my home network - I knew what a crossover cable was, etc. Like what was said above, whether you take the 1 or 2 exam pretty much depends on how much you know how to find you way around the IOS, your knowledge of routing protocols, subnetting, troubleshooting, etc.

[edit]: I pretty much used CBTNuggets and Odom's books for my studying. I picked up Lammle's book for ICND1 but took the exam without finishing it.