CCNA

ztahie

hello everyone!
I have some Q's to ask you, hope you will help for me.
I want to upgrade my skills and to start study cisco "ccna" by myself.
I have MCSE 2K certification, and no experience in any cisco hardware.

1.which books\study stuff recommeded for me to start ?
2.why there are two tracks to get CCNA certification?
(1 exam.and 2 exams)
3. what the difference between them ?
4.what the advantage\disadvantage ?
5.what exam track is more easy to pass ?
6.any tips for me ?

thank's a lot

lordy

Hi,

ztahie wrote:

1.which books\study stuff recommeded for me to start ?

I would recommend the Sybex CCNA Guide and this website

2.why there are two tracks to get CCNA certification?
(1 exam.and 2 exams)

You can become a CCNA by either passing 640-801 (CCNA) or 640-811 (INTRO) AND 640-821 (ICND).

3. what the difference between them ?

First, the price. Taking the 2-exams-way is more expensive (~30%) then the 1-exam-way.

4.what the advantage\disadvantage ?

Well, the advantage for the 1-exam-way is that it is faster and cheaper. The 2-exam-way has the advantage that you can get into the whole Cisco thing first with INTRO before taking ICND.

5.what exam track is more easy to pass ?

None of them is easy to pass. INTRO should be no problem. From what I've read so far ICND and CCNA are not that different so I would personally suggest going for CCNA straight.

6.any tips for me ?

Use all resources you can find on this website. Buy a book or two from either Sybex or CiscoPress. Try to get your hands on some Cisco hardware to get a feeling for it. If that's not possible look at the router-sims (e.g. Boson).

Best of luck for your CCNA.

Regards,
Lordy

johnnynodough

Getting Cisco gear is recommended for having a deep understaning of Cisco. Sims are typically just to limited. Example Boson's NetSim - Doesnt support Debug for OSPF and EIGRP, doesnt support RIP Authentication, many many others.

But you can tote it anywhere on a laptop, and it gives some access to cisco 2950 commands that you cant practice unless your fork out 300-600 bucks on a 2950 switch.

ztahie

thank's for your help

QUIX0TIC

1.which books\study stuff recommeded for me to start ?
A. IMHO... everyone likes to start off with either Sybex CCNA (5h ed) which is an easy read and/or Cisco Press CCNA self study Intro/ ICND Prep Library. There is a Intro/ICND Certification Library but since you are asking really basic questions... the cert library may be a little bit too much information.
2.why there are two tracks to get CCNA certification? and what the
difference between them ?
A. Even though you should look up this information yourself on the Cisco website... The two tracks only have the difference of taking 1 or 2 tests. The 2 test track allows you to take the overall test in two different sessions. One of Intro and the other for ICND. The one test track just combines both tests into one session.
3.what the advantage\disadvantage ?
A. Advantage is that you take 1/2 the subject matter and concentrate it in one test. Then you can take the other 1/2 of the test in another session. Again, since you are asking this basic question, then you should take the two test track to help you functionaly learn what CCNA is about. The disadvantage is that you have to pay for 2 tests... which will be 250 dollars (2 x 125) versus just paying for 125 dollars. (Disclaimer: Is 125 the current price?)
4.what exam track is more easy to pass ?
Take the two track test.
5.any tips for me ?
Study and put effort into it. This type of test is just like high school or college... if you actually study for this... you will know how to answer the questions.

Do you use any othe forums other than this one and the other I replied onto?