Just starting CCNP Route

AktionT4

Hey all,

Last week, I passed my CCNA with a 933. Now, it's time to move ahead with CCNP route.

I've got GNS3 loaded and configured - it's all ready to go. The question I have for most of you that have been through this is what reference material would you suggest?

I heard the Wendell Odom books are a little dry while Todd Lammle tends to make things a bit more interesting.

Also, has anyone used this and would they recommend it?
Amazon.com: CCNP ROUTE Lab Manual (Lab Companion) (9781587133039): Cisco Networking Academy: Books

I know GNS3 will suffice for the Route exam - but what about Switch? Am I going to have to pick up some hardware for this? If so, it's not a big deal - I'm in this to beat the hell out of the material and know it like the back of my hand.

Panzer919

Welcome to the site. Don't forget to use the search function as there are TONS of threads about this already

The consensus is pretty much the Foundation Learning Guides for ROUTE and SWITCH. As for labs I used the Network Academy lab guide that I had from when I was in the ACAD and it worked well. There are also various sites that create and share their own labs, gns3-labs & gns3vault come to mind, and they also work well. You could also get creative and just make your own.

prtech

I just started a couple of months ago and I've finished reading FLG and I'm halfway through OCG. I would recommend reading through both. The lab manual is OK. Didn't have a lot of labs and the challenges weren't challenging. Check out gns3vault.com for labs on gns3.

MrXpert

I must be one of the few people who has no real world experience but has opted to just use mainly vids, CHris Bryant's book and Rene's Routing guide. Bit of a gamble considering as the vast majority are using the published stuff. I found that when I passed my CCENT and CCNA I spent most of my time reading anything but Cisco official guides. It worked for me so i'm continuing with that same strategy. I found that what can be explained in 2 pages in a Cisco book takes 20 pages. That's why the book is so big I suppose.

waragi

Agree on that one, I normally fall asleep with ocg.

Nate--IRL--

Although the general opinion here is to use the FLG for route - I have to say I really hate it. IMO it is long winded, badly structured, badly laid out and rambling. I've written the whole thing out in my own words, so I know how bad it is fairly well.

Nate

vinbuck

ROUTE was the hardest test for me...I spent a year studying for it. If you use the FLG to understand the concepts and then use the OCG to refine your test prep, you will have a really good understanding of the material both conceptually and operationally. Don't rely solely on the FLG or OCG either....read the blueprint and see what is tested. I got suprised a couple of times on my exam by a topic that was on the blueprint and not really covered well in the OCG or FLG.

Danielh22185

I've also recently began my studies with CCNP. I like the FLG book. Others may say its huge and rambles but so far its pretty good. I am about 200 pages in while balancing taking care of my Sec+. I would suggest starting there too as I have heard many people say its a good area to start with. I like the book because it is what it says, a foundation learning guide. I puts everything together from theory to piratical operations to give you a solid understanding of the material.

I would only say this book may be a waste of time for seasoned network engineers that are already very familiar with the concepts.