CCNA or MCSA??

Which should I go for after my network+?? And is it possible to pass the exam if I don't have any real experience using Cisco product. I do have a CCNA book at home that has a router similator..

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Comments

jsond

sdeyoung wrote:

Which should I go for after my network+?? And is it possible to pass the exam if I don't have any real experience using Cisco product. I do have a CCNA book at home that has a router similator..

I know from taking the CCNA INTRO exam that a cd-rom w/ a quality sim's and lotsa reading will be enough. Not sure on the ICND as it has been well documented how much tougher that one is.

Regardless, I am still hoping to get by on the 2 exam sim's that come w/ my 2 books (one of which was a godsend for the intro so I am hopeful it will be as good for the ICND) and a ton of reading/practice exams.

schwarztrader

Which should I go for after my network+??

Here is my 2 cents on that question since I have the aformentioned MCSA as well as the MCSE and i'm about to obtain my CCNA.

I believe that the CCNA certification has a little more value put on it than the MCSA/E just because Cisco's testing methods are a lot more stringent than Microsofts. I also feel that Cisco's certifications are recognized a little more industry wide as apposed to Microsofts.

The way I came up with this conclusion is from my personal experience looking for work as I am currently looking for employment. During the resume submittal/interview processes, I have found that I receive more hits for the "CCNA* - Anticipated completion date xx/xx/xx" on my resume than I do for my MCSA/E certs that I already have.

I even had one IT manager ask me, "Hey what is MCSE+Security, is that new?" I guess it all depends on the job your trying to obtain, the economical climate and the person thats looking over your resume.

My advice: Do what interests you the most.

sdeyoung

Great advice guys. Thx!

s0c0

Well you could really take many different routes. Since you have or will have or Net+ cert, it may be wise to get your MCSA now since your networking knowledge is covered for now. On the otherhand you could obtain your CCNA much quicker than your MCSA (1 test vs multiple). Another method would be to take one of MCSA the tests so you can get your MCP cert (and will have 2 tests down since the net+ counts as an elective) and then take your CCNA. This has it's advantages in that you would have 3 certifications on your resume much quicker than with the other two methods.

My plan looks like this: CCNA, A plus, MCP, LCP, MCSA, MCSE!

sdeyoung

So there is only one test to pass to become CCNA certified? Hmmm, it's something to think about.. What study material is out there that could help me pass the test?

s0c0

Well you have two options. You can take 1 test or you can split it into 2 tests. I found Todd Lammle's CCNA book (published by Sybex) to be very informative...is this enough? I don't know the'r are definently more knowledgeable people on her than I.

mikeyoung

Both if you work with Windows.

Mike

mikey_b

Honestly, I think people would get farther with both certifications than just one or the other. MCSA demonstrates knowledge in a server environment including client and server side administration and support. A lot of the concepts covered in the MCSA exams are networking related, including routing and subnetting and addressing, which are a critical part of the infrastructure exams.

The theory portion of these skills transfer to CCNA and help give a firm grounding in these core concepts. I believe that the CCNA is roughly equivalent to MCSA in terms of value, which is to say it isn't a walk in the park, with 2 CCNA exams (or 1 if you choose) being about as difficult as 3 MS exams (plus 2 CompTIA exams, again, depends on how you want to proceed).

Having both MCSA and CCNA gives you options to go into either server, desktop, or networking related roles with ease and confidence and once you find yourself in a role, you can determine if MCSE or CCNP is right for you. They open a lot more doors when combined than they do separately.

For example, I know a help desk analyst who obtained CCNA and had no server side experience, and he moved into a network support role supporting routing and switching, which is no problem, but he found himself as backup to the server guys when needed, and didn't even know how to create users or reset passwords until he was taught. He borrowed my W2K stuff and ripped through it in a few weeks, wrote the exams, learnt a lot from the labs and whatnot, and his company threw another 5K/year at him just like that for taking his duties seriously. Doing both gives you a definite advantage over "just" MCSA or CCNA.

DodgeCar101

I plan on getting both, going for the CCNA first, June 29th to be exact, then hopefully after I get a job (recent college grad), I will start getting ready for the MCSA. I have taken the classes for both, but, one exam vs 4, I think we are all smart enough to do the math there.

Good Luck

mctoffer

both

zawhtetaung

I think CCNA is more professional value than MCSE/A .
That is just my advice. Choose your wish !!!

Good Luck

rossonieri#1

zawhtetaung wrote:

I think CCNA is more professional value than MCSE/A .
That is just my advice. Choose your wish !!!

Good Luck

please define "...more professional value"

i dont get it clearly, sorry.

3dom

sdeyoung wrote:

So there is only one test to pass to become CCNA certified? Hmmm, it's something to think about.. What study material is out there that could help me pass the test?

you can choose between a 2 exam (intro + icnd) approach or the 1 exam approach.
you might like www.thebryantadvantage.com for some free ccna stuff, (the ebooks are worth buying too)