can i pass CCNA with these

I started my study in CCNA and plan to take the exam next month. I have the INTRO, ICND and Sybex 5th book and thinking to use only simulator like Boson Netsim 6 instead of a real Cisco router. I've been in Cisco Networking Academy upto its 3rd semester but did'nt finish CCNA4.

Im spending 12-15 hrs/day of study, my goal is to get certified within a month .

Using:

INTRO, ICND, Sybex 5th & Boson Netsim 6

Are these enough to make me CCNA?

Best of luck to all.

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Comments

lordy

Well, I used the Sybex book and Boson Simulator myself and it worked pretty good. That's no passing guarantee though

QUIX0TIC

You are reading or read all of the major (popular) books for this test. I am reading the same books you are... but Im using real routers instead of the routersim.

mctoffer

the router here is quite expensive... take a training and have some hands-on on routers...

jd_mattos

The Sybex 5th edition is very good, I just got done reading it myself.
I also have the Cicso press books that I am going to scan thru here in the next couple days. I am also using the Boson router sim, and it is ok, but I have a lot of experience with setting up routers at work so I am hoping that I will be ok.
I will sit the test in the next 2 weeks and I will let ya know.
Wish me luck!

johnnynodough

I have been finding many shortfalls in the Boson NetSIm, especially with routing protocols. I am guessing that the amount of content in the sim is enough to pass the CCNA, but I am always going further with the labs, lets just say I am debug crazy, I like to see the behind the scenes stuff, and the boson netsim is very skimpy on debug commands. I have a lab at home, but alas, I am on the road with limited access to my home lab via VPN, so I have been mostly using the Netsim, and when I want to go further I will connect to my lab at home.

GodHand

The routers here are also expensive.

Anyone here use the Network Visualizer?

I've seen the demo version of this tool, the interface is great and I think it's good for anyone who cannot afford to buy a router. What do you say?

Like you guys I will also depend on my books so lets read it very carefully.

Hope it will work.

johnnynodough

you can get a router (Cisco 2501) with full memory and latest IOS for 80 bucks on ebay easily. SIms cost you any where from 149-300 bucks.

johnnynodough

well, shipping tp the phillipnes will cost a bit more, but you get the idea.

QUIX0TIC

I think overall... it is going to come down to semantics on getting a router or not getting a router. If you are at home and studying... then best advice is to go to ebay and buy a couple of routers. If you plan on taking the Cisco route further than just CCNA... you can do alot with a few routers and a switch.

I wouldnt recommend the Bryant Advantage deal bc it is way too expensive. It might work for some people but you can get the same exact equipment for much less if you do it yourself. And, if you do, do it yourself, then you will learn how to replace NVRAM, DIMM, FLASH, and get to see the inside of the router.

Now, if you are on the road... you can choose two options: Option 1 being to buy a router and then connect to it via VPN or finding a way to connect to your home computer remotely. Or Option 2 is purchasing a NetSim like Boson or going through the steps with the Sybex NetSim. Either of them are good... it just depends on how much you want.

Personally, i would pick the hardware router option so you can learn the physical routers plus learning how to get your VPN to work too.

2lazybutsmart

Guys...and girls... let's get serious here: you NEED a home lab. period.

..and a 150-200 bucks spent wisely can set you up with a home lab that will mean much much more than any router sim around.

jd_mattos

I would not say that you NEED a home lab. I don't have one and I will be fine. On the other hand it have a lot of routers and a 4500 at work that I deal with all the time.
But I know of many people that have passed without a home lab, jut from books and sims.
So I would not go as far as you NEED one, it depends on the person and their experience.
It will help without a doubt, but it is not required to pass the exam.

johnnynodough

xavier20 wrote:

Go to "products to **** my way through exams because I'm too darn lazy to actually study for it" , and buy the CCNA Practice test from them for 39.00. YOU WILL PASS....

And then you will be a useless waste of space and oxygen.

2lazybutsmart

jd_mattos wrote:

So I would not go as far as you NEED one, it depends on the person and their experience.
It will help without a doubt, but it is not required to pass the exam.

I never said anything about a lab being a requirement for passing the exam. And by NEED (in capitals), I was emphasizing the NEED (again in capitals) for a person not just to pass the exam, but for him/her to get a very good grasp of all topics covered by the exam.

I'm sure there're people out there who've passed the exam without labs --even without simulations. I know some people who've passed the exam by just reading the book. But that's not the issue here at all.

I've seen a couple of sims (good sims) and they're worth the price of two 2501's. And then people buy them instead of buying a lab --go figure.

Alright...if you have a sim that's just as good as a router with all the commands and debuging and stuff...and that costs less than a lab

...fine.

But then if that were true...we wouldn't need a lab, right?

2lbs.

johnnynodough

main reason I bought a sim was so I could keep up on the 2950 switches. Cant afford to many of those. I have routing covered with my home lab, but I only have 1900 series switches. I think Sims are worth it just for the switches, while the commands are usually uber limited its better than nothing.

xavier20

xxxxxx

johnnynodough

GodHand, dont **** your way though your exam by listening to the above poster. Buy the books, buy some gear or a good sim, and know your stuff. Dont buy one of these **** your way through the exam deals, you will just **** and hurt yourself. Nothing better than not being able to answer a question a prospective employer asks you unless it was on your test.

Good luck on your paper CCNP xavier20, should go well with your paper CCNA. Post number 2 for you and you recomended cheating to other posters both times.

Webmaster

johnnynodough wrote:

Good luck on your paper CCNP xavier20, should go well with your paper CCNA. Post number 2 for you and you recomended cheating to other posters both times.

That's two times too many.

Fu Loser

If you have 12/15hrs a day to study, then you have the upmost advantage n getting certifications. If you can buy yourself some real equiptment then hands down you should have no problem obtaining your certification.

If i had that much time, I would pump out that CCNA and move right into CCNP/CCIP studies with no rest. After that, 12/15hrs a day for a good year may get you a CCIE to

alexgne

The author is asking if it's enough to pass CCNA using the material he/she has and Boson simulator. I'd say it is enough to pass CCNA.

Fu Loser

I know people who have passed 640-801 by jsut reading the sybex book. They all had experience in the field though. You get get a program like Transender and practice the exam simulations, I'd say Transender is a good resource for exam simulation. I haven't tried other products though. (I have used the free ones that come with books and free demos I find all over online, to me transender is the best.)

alexgne

I meant it's enough for a novice.

lAwBoY

where can i get boson netsim 6.0

lordy

http://www.boson.com/tests/640_exams_tests_801.htm

ifonlyunu

HI:

I just recently passed the CCNA test... I used the Sybex book,"CCNA Deluxe Edition" by Todd Lammle along with the Exam Cram 2 practice tests. I knew, before I took the exam, that I was only about 80% to 85% ready b/c of my practice test scores. I took the exam and got an 815. I got an 815 b/c the Sybex really did not cover NAT / PAT, but I knew this going into the exam. However, I came across the "CCNA," by Richard Deal, McGraw HIll / Osborne press. This book is great, it covers everything, in detail.

If you really want to pass the test on the first try, then go with the Richard Deal, CCNA book, you will not be disappointed.
BTW I have the 2003 version of the book and I passed the CCNA exam on July 14, 2005, this book was a great help b/c it covers everything, in a very comprehensive fashion.

I am currently studying for the MCP XP.

Best,

C

praveeen

All the best..!

do you have any cisco publication CCNA book better go thru it..

IF anyone have CCNA ebook form cisco , plz send the link..

darkuser

i used my brain

i chose the correct answers from among some other ones.

no sim help here
i took it before the sim thingy

GodHand

Oh, very sorry for late response.

Theres nothing to worry. Im an advocate of this site and Im not gonna **** myself. Im taking this cert not only to become a Network Associate but to become CISCO Certified. I am on my way with INTRO and ICND book, after that I'll continue Todd's Sybex 5th. I am also using KnowledgeNet ICND CBT.

I feel so envy to all of you guys, you have the luck. The most important thing here, I dont have. I'm sorry I dont have Internet Connection... I study from home offline. I live in the province which is far from the City, you know... no telephone lines, cable... just cellphones. So for now I think I'd go with simulators.

Another thing you're so lucky is that you can easily buy a router or switch in ebay and they are cheap. Help me God its difficult to find a second hand Cisco routers/switch in here, you can buy a brand new but they are too expensive.

Shipping also sucks, it costs too much. I think its around 70 to 100 dollars for 3-4 weeks. Well again it depends to the quantity and weight of the package. Routers man are heavy for sure.

You know I also want to experience replacing the NVRAM, DIMM, and get to see the inside of a router. I also want to try that VPN. But for now I can only read books and work with simulations. For you mates I will surely pass this exam. I will study hard for it and let you know.

If I got the job in Manila I will definitely buy a real one.

Thanks to all of you. Comments are always welcome.

Good luck and have a very pleasant day.

-richard

QUIX0TIC

GodHand... I understand your issues if you have the standard salary for PI. It would be very difficult to pay 50 dollars for a 2501 router but yet probably pay 100 for shipping to PI. Maybe you can make a friend who is planning to go to PI and can carry the routers for you.

vasquezwilmer

Hi to everybody...

I am preparing during one mounth before take the Exam. I really don't know why some people are thinking that we need a real router in order to pass the exams. I think that we need just right books stuff and sims, thats all.

If you have a lot money, then don't buy a Router, just buy at least two with a switch. because you need to design a WAN environment, using Frame-Relay, NAT, PAT, PPT... that the deal!!!

wv

Fu Loser

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