Recommended reading for CCNA:SP, CCNA:SP Ops

Roguetadhg

So I've wanted these two certifications for a while I]For a shot a ISP work[/I, and looking over the course descriptions for CCNA:SP: SPNGN1/SPNGN2 respectively -

 Module 1, IP Fundamentals, contains 6 lessons, a lab, and case study:
  

[LIST]
[*] Lesson 1: Defining Functions of Networking 
[*] Lesson 2: Introducing TCP / IP Layers and the OSI Reference Model 
[*] Lesson 3: Describing TCP / IP Network Layer 
[*] Lesson 4: Describing TCP / IP Transport Layer 
[*] Lesson 5: Explaining Network Security 
[*] Lesson 6: IP Addressing and Subnets 
[*] Lab 1-1: Verify Host IP Configuration 
[*] Case Study 1-2: Configure Subnetting 
[/LIST]
   Module 2, Basic LAN Switching, contains 7 lessons and a lab:
 

[LIST]
[*] Lesson 1: Understanding Ethernet 
[*] Lesson 2: Connecting to an Ethernet LAN 
[*] Lesson 3: Switched LAN Technology 
[*] Lesson 4: Operating a Cisco Switch 
[*] Lesson 5: Switch Security 
[*] Lesson 6: Performing Switched Network Optimizations 
[*] Lesson 7: Troubleshooting Switch Issues 
[*] Lab 2-1: Configuring Cisco Switches 
[/LIST]
  Module 3, Basic IP Routing, contains 5 lessons and a lab:
 

[LIST]
[*] Lesson 1: Exploring the Functions of Routing 
[*] Lesson 2: Introduction to the Cisco IOS XR 
[*] Lesson 3: Configuring Basic Routing 
[*] Lesson 4: Configuring EIGRP 
[*] Lab 3-1: Configure Basic Router Configuration 
[*] Lesson 5: Understanding Cisco Router Security 
[/LIST]
  Module 4, Connectivity Technologies, contains 5 lessons and 2 labs:
  

[LIST]
[*] Lesson 1: Access Technologies 
[*] Lesson 2: Introducing Service Provider Access, Edge, and Transport Technologies 
[*] Lesson 3: Enabling the WAN Internet Connection 
[*] Lab 4-1: Implement Internet Connectivity 
[*] Lesson 4: Introducing Encapsulation 
[*] Lab 4-2: Configure Data Link Layer Encapsulation 
[*] Lesson 5: Introducing VPN 
[/LIST]
 Module 5: Network Management and Security

SPNGN2

          Module 1, Service Provider Network Construction, contains 4 lessons:
  

[LIST]
[*] Lesson 1: Introducing General Service Provider Network Architecture 
[*] Lesson 2: Placing Cisco Hardware Platforms 
[*] Lesson 3: Interconnecting Service Providers 
[*] Lesson 4: Exploring Cisco IP NGN Architecture, Services, and Component Functions 
[/LIST]
   Module 2, Advanced LAN Switching, contains 4 lessons:

 

[LIST]
[*] Lesson 1: Implementing VLANs and Trunks 
[*] Lesson 2: Implementing Spanning Tree 
[*] Lesson 3: Configuring Routing Between VLANs 
[*] Lesson 4: Introducing First Hop Redundancy Protocols 
[/LIST]
  Module 3, Internal Service Provider Traffic Forwarding, contains 5 lessons:
 

[LIST]
[*] Lesson 1: Introducing Link State Routing Protocols 
[*] Lesson 2: Implementing OSPF 
[*] Lesson 3: Implementing IS-IS M 
[*] Lesson 4: Introducing Route Redistribution M 
[*] Lesson 5: Introducing MPLS Basics 
[/LIST]
  Module 4, External Service Provider Routing, contains 5 lessons:
  

[LIST]
[*] Lesson 1: Introducing BGP 
[*] Lesson 2: Understanding BGP Path Attributes 
[*] Lesson 3: Establishing BGP Sessions 
[*] Lesson 4: Processing BGP Routes 
[*] Lesson 5: Configuring Basic BGP 
[/LIST]
   Module 5, ACL and IP Address Translation, contains 3 lessons and a lab:
  

[LIST]
[*] Lesson 1: Applying Access Control Lists 
[*] Lab 5-1: Implement ACLs 
[*] Lesson 2: Implementing Advanced Address Translation 
[*] Lesson 3: Transitioning to IPv6 
[/LIST]
    Module 6, Cisco IOS XE and Cisco IOS XR Software, contains:
  

[LIST]
[*] Lesson 1: Describing Cisco IOS XR Software Architecture and Features 
[*] Lesson 2: Explaining Software Maintenance Operations on Cisco IOS XR and Cisco IOS XE software 
[*] Lesson 3: Explaining Configuration Management with Cisco IOS XR software 
[*] Lesson 4: Installing Cisco IOS XR software from Scratch 
[/LIST]
       

Although, Im at a loss at what to pickup to read. Even more so... How to get IOS XR as it's not supported by GNS3. To that end, I've been looking at cost-effective lab equipment I]Okay, Cheap to be honest[/I. However... the cost-effective is ~2500$ for a 12008 with a PRP-2 separately. I'm hoping there's an alternative, and I'm hoping someone here knows what

A lot of hoping.

lantech

I'd like to hear about this to. I put my resume in for a NOC position at a couple of service providers. So I might be looking into this cert once I get my CCNA.

lantech

BTW, might be a good idea for a new section created for the SP specialization now that there is one.

networker050184

There are maybe two threads on the SP certs right now. If interest rises and there is some content we can consider a new section. For now things can go in the CCNA section.

As far as material, there isn't anything dedicated to the exams that I know of. Besides the XR stuff you could probably start with the books recommended for the CCIP for BGP and MPLS. I'm sure it will be a little over kill as far as depth for the exam, but learning a little extra never killed anyone!