Question regarding certificates to obtain before Cisco

RedGaiter

If you have your A+ and Network+ certification, should you go for the CCENT, or straight into CCNA?

Also, should you obtain the Security+ certification if you're going the Cisco route?

NetworkVeteran

RedGaiter wrote: »

If you have your A+ and Network+ certification, should you go for the CCENT, or straight into CCNA?

Also, should you obtain the Security+ certification if you're going the Cisco route?

Facts:

• CCENT means you've mastered the ICND1 material, CCNA that you've mastered the ICND1 & ICND2 material.
• Once you have a CCNA, nobody will care that you have a CCENT.
• Taking the ICND1/ICND2 separately breaks up the big goal into two simpler milestones.
• Taking the ICND1/ICND2 combined (to earn CCNA-only) test may cost more, if you fail one of the two sections.
• Taking the ICND1/ICN2 combined test (to earn CCNA-only) saves 2-4hrs of time if you pass.

It thus follows--

If you're new to the field, it's better to take the ICND1 and ICND2 separately.
If you're experienced, and thus passing is easy and a given, it's better to take them as a combined test.