Passed CCNA! Looking for suggestions on what next.

Chrisjag92

Well I finally passed the CCNA with a 933. Success!

As I continue to look for a job, hopefully within the networking field, I'd also like to continue to study to not only keep up to date with what I currently know, but also further my skills.

I assume going straight from CCNA to CCNP without on the job experience would be much too difficult.

Does anyone have some suggestions as to something I could move on to with self-study and not have TOO much trouble grasping the material? Looking to head in the direction of another cert.

mikej412

Congratulations!!

You can read Network Warrior. Then you can start reading Doyle's Routing TCP/IP volumes (don't let the CCIE scare you) to help keep your new skills fresh -- and maybe upgrade them some more -- as you look for a job.

If you need some more resume candy -- the CCNA Security is a good next Certification.

tomaifauchai

Chrisjag92 wrote: »

I assume going straight from CCNA to CCNP without on the job experience would be much too difficult.

If it can encourage you, I did it in 4 months self-study and the beauty of the CCNP is that for each exam you're focusing on 1 specific aspect instead of the many blended topics of the CCNA

mattau

tomaifauchai wrote: »

If it can encourage you, I did it in 4 months self-study and the beauty of the CCNP is that for each exam you're focusing on 1 specific aspect instead of the many blended topics of the CCNA

That would be a benefit seems its condensed into pin point topics vs everything with the ccna. I would be tempted to persue ccnp but like many say it might be to much for someone that has just completed ccna and has limited on the job experience ?

I notice you also have a ccna voice cert. I am really interested in voice but I have read a few overviews of the voice topics and obviously it is a total different area with all new terminolgy and not to mention I would need to buy a whole new lab with correct routers and modules to make some phones ring.

Does anyone think ccna voice would be a preferred option vs going straight to ccnp ?

huwwatkins

Depends on your routers - you might just need to buy the cards.

WillTech105

mattau wrote: »

That would be a benefit seems its condensed into pin point topics vs everything with the ccna. I would be tempted to persue ccnp but like many say it might be to much for someone that has just completed ccna and has limited on the job experience ?

I notice you also have a ccna voice cert. I am really interested in voice but I have read a few overviews of the voice topics and obviously it is a total different area with all new terminolgy and not to mention I would need to buy a whole new lab with correct routers and modules to make some phones ring.

Does anyone think ccna voice would be a preferred option vs going straight to ccnp ?

If you would like to do it -- I'd say why not? I am in the process of going for my CCNP with about 6 months of Cisco-only work experience.

Only you can hold yourself back. Granted, it may be tougher for someone who doesnt have the experience but I am letting my passion make up for it!

lochmoigh

Congrats, I am chickening out on the ICND2, need to bite the bullet and do it.

tomaifauchai

mattau wrote: »

That would be a benefit seems its condensed into pin point topics vs everything with the ccna. I would be tempted to persue ccnp but like many say it might be to much for someone that has just completed ccna and has limited on the job experience ?

I notice you also have a ccna voice cert. I am really interested in voice but I have read a few overviews of the voice topics and obviously it is a total different area with all new terminolgy and not to mention I would need to buy a whole new lab with correct routers and modules to make some phones ring.

Does anyone think ccna voice would be a preferred option vs going straight to ccnp ?

Voice is another world, you're right!
It is a slow expanding technology, so you have to learn 100 years of history, how it began, you have to understand how work the actual telephony system and the VoIP one plus all the conversions so they both tie togheter with the 99,999% rule!

Voice is probably the hardest path of Cisco certifications but you don't need that much knowledge about advanced switching for CCNA Voice.
I have not reviewed the new 461 blueprint, but in the 460 i only faced some PoE commands and Voice VLANS commands.

This is mostly the only "advanced switching stuff" you'll face in the *NA Voice. The old blueprint was much focused on T1's, Pots theories, UC500, Unity express and UCME CLI.

So, it's up to you. If you have no knowledge about voice, maybe you should consider going for your NP right now! But it is not mandatory, if you want to go for NA voice