Well, decided to start the journey...

pamccabe

Bought the CCNP Switch Simplified ebook, and going to start digging into it at work during slow times. I work a NOC position and it can get slow. Figured, this would be a good way to spend my time, besides with kids at home it is the only quiet place I have most days. I just started the reading and boy there is a lot of material.... I can't imagine what ROUTE must be like. Oh well, one thing at a time. I don't have any goals as far as when I want to take this exam. I'm going to just be patient and make sure I know the material. No rush with this. Anyway, back to reading....

Ivanjam

@pamccabe - good luck on SWITCH!

Cat5

You realize that the Switch test is supposed to be the hardest of the three tests, right? If I were going the NP path, I think I'd take Route first (and hopefully pass it). Then I'd at least have one under my belt - if you know what I'm saying.

QHalo

Exam difficulty is relative.

Cat5

QHalo wrote: »

Exam difficulty is relative.

I've had more than one CCNP tell me that they thought SWITCH was the hardest.

networker050184

QHalo wrote: »

Exam difficulty is relative.

Exactly. SWITCH would be difficult to me as I'm more on the routing and MPLS side of things, but there are plenty of people that have their expertise on the switching side that would find ROUTE much more difficult.

it_consultant

I haven't taken route yet but I can tell you that the SWITCH exam was by no means easy. If you are fuzzy on one of the major topics (I was) you will have a tough time.

pamccabe

lol wow... I really didn't consider what was most 'difficult'... I just have some switches at home and this ebook was $4.99 so thought I'd start on it. Now you guys have me thinking I might be biting off more than I can chew at this point in my career.

okplaya

Don't be afraid to learn! I think ROUTE is an easier progression from CCNA simply because it expands on the routing protocols. SWITCH introduces completely new topics that can take longer to grasp. You still need to pass both (+ TSHOOT) so I wouldn't get too stressed over the order. Even though I took ROUTE first, the exam did not help me understand VACLs, 802.1x, etc any faster than had I taken SWITCH first. Just my .02.

aaron0011

networker050184 wrote: »

Exactly. SWITCH would be difficult to me as I'm more on the routing and MPLS side of things, but there are plenty of people that have their expertise on the switching side that would find ROUTE much more difficult.

This. It's all where your experience is. SWITCH for me was quick and painless. ROUTE is much more challenging for me because the material is mostly new.

RouteMyPacket

networker050184 wrote: »

Exactly. SWITCH would be difficult to me as I'm more on the routing and MPLS side of things, but there are plenty of people that have their expertise on the switching side that would find ROUTE much more difficult.

Come on, Switching is so much easier than Routing. haha

I am the opposite of you, spent more time Switching but since I moved to a new company I am getting a lot of good Routing work in, mostly MPLS

Danielh22185

QHalo wrote: »

Exam difficulty is relative.

^^ This says it all.

The majority of what I have heard is that Switch tends to be a bit on the "easier" side due to the lesser volume of new topics you have to master.

I too have also heard Switch is the more difficult one. In the end it is all relevant. Difficulty will be determined by your personal familiarity with the subjects.