Hardest CCNP topic?
I have so say, I really enjoyed learning more about EIGRP, it's so simple and straightforward ... OSPF in comparison is horrible.
What's the hardest topic when it comes to CCNP in your opinion, and why?
What's the hardest topic when it comes to CCNP in your opinion, and why?
Comments
i think for me the hardest bit has been branch office connectivity. I am not sure how much of the exam covers this topic but I just hate security stuff and have found the PPPoA PPPoE stuff very vague and as such ended up having to find other ways to study it which have led me into another whole area of study in it self to try and understand it.
CCNP ROUTE - passed 20/3/12
CCNP SWITCH - passed 25/10/12
CCNP TSHOOT - passed 11/12/12
I have a similar issue with some topics... the OCG doesn't go into detail into what MPLS and Metro Ethernet actually is, yet it starts going on about MPLS VPN and Metro Ethernet neighbourships... and I'm thinking huh o.O I have no knowledge beyond CCNA. FLG seems to explain a bit more about MPLS (not sure about Metro Ethernet, haven't looked), will probably have to go back and read through it. I guess MPLS and Metro Ethernet aren't CCNP topics.
How does SWITCH compare to ROUTE? If the size of OCG and FLG is anything to go by it's about half the size of ROUTE.
I forgot a lot of the IPv6 stuff that I learnt from CCNA... hard to retain information when you don't make use of it -- and it makes learning it that much more difficult.
You've just hit upon the biggest difference when going from the ccna to the ccnp. Studying for the ccnp forces you to to dig into the protocol to understand why it works. Labbing is the key to comprehension - don't get frustrated if you don't understand what's happening in the lab at first. Repetition will lead to comprehension. To be perfectly honest you will learn more by taking it a little slower - you'll also retain more.
CCNP ROUTE - passed 20/3/12
CCNP SWITCH - passed 25/10/12
CCNP TSHOOT - passed 11/12/12
I think my problem is that I was kind of aiming to complete ROUTE within a month ...guess I need to reassess my goals and study schedule!
I dont know how people think they can pass this beast in 1 month, I mean ive been studying route for 6 months and am giving myself 1 year to just finish up on route where I feel I am able to attempt to have a go at the exam and the full 3 years to finish CCNP. If you are lucky enough to have a job working with networks daily then it might not take as long but I always look at it in a way that the longer you spend on a subject the bigger winner you will be. Its one thing to pass an exam but to have the knowledge stay with you is another.
CCNP ROUTE - passed 20/3/12
CCNP SWITCH - passed 25/10/12
CCNP TSHOOT - passed 11/12/12
I think a month is quite reasonable for me, but I do have a lot of time on my hands. I can't see ROUTE taking me beyond 2 months unless university gets in the way or I just slack -- but yeah, that's just passing the exam. I slacked a lot when it came to CCNA, and I ended up having to go back and forth relearning things, I don't want the same thing to happen with CCNP because that'd just be crazy.
Sure? OSPF seems like a very hard topic in CCNP compared to its simplicity on CCNA level. As a CCNA since a year also repetition the CCNA topics two or three times , i wanna take a step further through CCNP but its rather complicated. I can't find where to hit the dagger. I aim to pass at least CCNP Route exam in order to recertificate as well as learning about networking in deep. Though, its choking me from now.
5 year-old laptop PC specs(Toshiba Satellite A210) : AMD Athlon 64 x2 1.9 GHz CPU, ATI Radeon X1200 128 MB Video Memory graphics card, 3072 MB 667 Mhz DDR2 RAM. (1 stick 2 gigabytes and 1 stick 1 gigabytes)
I recommend trying to use a different resource if you are having problems digesting a particular topic such as OSPF. Routing TCP/IP vol. 1 for instance is an excellent text that clearly and thoroughly explains all of the IGP's. It probably goes a little more in depth than you need for the CCNP, but it never hurts to learn a little extra.
Lastly, don't forget about RFC's. The reading can sometimes be dry but they are an excellent resource, and completely free.
CUCM SRND 9x/10, UCCX SRND 10x, QOS SRND, SIP Trunking Guide, anything contact center related
ipv6 is just my allergy
Unfortunately that "break" is for over 4 months
NEXT : CCNP ROUTE
Honestly? Putting in the time, day after day is the hardest part. It's just like anything else you want to get good at. If you want to get in shape, you exercise. If you want to shoot the basketball better, you practice shooting. If you want to run faster, you run. If you want to get better at math, you do math problems. If you want to play the piano better, you hit the keys. If you want to make interest on your savings, you invest.
If you're playing a part in a movie, you study your lines and have rehearsals. And if you want to get better at Cisco, you study theory and rehearse at the CLI.
It's not as simple as saying one topic is harder than another. Putting in the time consistently is what it really takes. Hopefully this is a different perspective.
Hope this helps.
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I decided to take CCNP a bit slower (well, I guess I was kind of forced to). I now read a chapter from FLG, read the relevant chapters from OCG, watch videos, and then do the labs ...I find that doing it this way -although takes longer- helps me get my around around things.
I have just came to the conclusion that I should buy both FLG and OCG. I like your approach.
I am still in the processes of gathering materials for my CCNP. I have the equipment but not the books or videos yet. I have been reading network warrior by recommendation from here. This book is great! I have not officially started my ccnp track yet because I want to finish my degree off first(spring 2012) I also have a 2 year and newborn at home.
Good luck with your studies.
Cheers mate.
Definitely add some video material into your study, it really helps when trying to get your head around new concepts. If you can get something like CBT Nuggets then what you could do is watch the videos and get a basic idea of what's going on, and then read the material to get all the details -- I find that doing it this way makes it easier to understand the text.
Thank you, I have looked at the CBT Nuggets but I have also checked into INE. It seems their course is a little bit cheaper and I have heard very good reviews from people that have used their courses for CCIE and CCNP.
INE is not as entertaining as CBT Nuggets, but does go into more detail.
I like details, I am a dork...
CCNP ROUTE - passed 20/3/12
CCNP SWITCH - passed 25/10/12
CCNP TSHOOT - passed 11/12/12
Agreed, CBT isn't good for detail, but that's what books are for. I would only use CBT to get a basic overview on what's going on... but at £615 or whatever for the CCNP series, thanks, but no thanks... But you do find some decent videos on YouTube which can help with studies.
MPLS is not on that exam. It is covered on the CCNP Provider exam.