CCNA Study Group

trX

--chris-- wrote: »

Welcome! Make sure you come back with questions...thats the real value of TE.

Do you have prior network experience? I would not hesitate to start labbing in GNS3 pronto! It can be intimidating, not knowing what image file to use or what gear to set up in GNS3 but the sooner you get down to business in the there the sooner you will be learning. Labbing is vital to CCNA!

I'm sure I will be asking plenty of questions when the time comes! I do have previous experience, I was in the Marines for 5 years as a Data Systems Specialist, basically everything IT, but I ended up specializing more on the network side of things. Went through CCNA training a couple times while I was in, but never had the opportunity to take the exam. Now that I'm out I am going to refresh on all the material since it has been awhile since I have read the books. I was also able to get a Network Support Internship over the summer between semesters, and have learned quite a lot of new information from that already.

I set up GNS3 the other day but I haven't actually labbed with it yet. Looking forward to diving into some labs as soon as I can.

Magic Johnson

Got 81% that time with properly reading the questions. Feel a bit more optimistic now, the silence and being able to concentrate definitely helped but there are still some weak areas right across the board for me. I think if I manage to pass, it will be the questions on the day and whether I've sunk that particular bit of knowledge. There's just so much detail and quirks, way more than in ICND1!

--chris--

trX wrote: »

I'm sure I will be asking plenty of questions when the time comes! I do have previous experience, I was in the Marines for 5 years as a Data Systems Specialist, basically everything IT, but I ended up specializing more on the network side of things. Went through CCNA training a couple times while I was in, but never had the opportunity to take the exam. Now that I'm out I am going to refresh on all the material since it has been awhile since I have read the books. I was also able to get a Network Support Internship over the summer between semesters, and have learned quite a lot of new information from that already.

I set up GNS3 the other day but I haven't actually labbed with it yet. Looking forward to diving into some labs as soon as I can.

Thanks for your service!

You should have a pretty good leg up having both hands on and some training already. I would suggest Todd Lammles book as a starting point. Odoms book is great, very detailed...but if you already have a grasp on the content lammles book is even better.

GhostintheShell

I achieved my CCENT back in April and am starting CCNA R/S then on to CCNA Security (can you tell where I go to school?)

I can't promise a ton of interaction but will do my best. I don't have a physical lab, just GNS3 and PT. I have CBT Nuggets and Udemy, Todd Lammle's book, Todd's review Guide, Wendell's book, and a slew of others, short of the entire Cisco Press library.

I run Linux so I'm in constant battle trying to fine tune my GNS3 and other labbing software (see Pearson Lab simulator)

Anyway, glad to be here and hope I can learn and contribute.

Jon_Cisco

GhostintheShell wrote: »

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Anyway, glad to be here and hope I can learn and contribute.

Welcome to the forums!

GhostintheShell

Jon_Cisco wrote: »

Welcome to the forums!

Appreciate it!

--chris--

Welcome Ghost!

I finsihed chapter one, started chapter two in Odom's ICND2 book last night. Etherchannel and STP/RSTP, oh my! Whats cool is I am noticed the material in the ICND1 book was kind of dry/boring to me but the ICND2 topics appear to cover much more interesting subjects (like etherchannel). It makes learning the material a lot easier for me!

I am ordering another switch and another router. As far as STP and etherchannel labbing goes, the 2950 & 2960 are about the same? Should I consider a L3 switch for the lab (for other things down the road in ICDN2)?

I am also looking for a cheaper option than the 1841 if anyone has a suggestion.

GhostintheShell

Confession: I didn't lab very much during my CCENT so how the hell I passed it is beyond me. Seriously...

Scenario: I am going back and actually labbing for ICND2 using GNS3. Not the best situation, I get it, but it's something at least. I am also using CLN for those labs, and Pearson Lab simulator as well. Let me not forget I also have Packet Tracer as well...you know, just in case I don't have enough overkill. Anyway, I'm doing the CCNA to CCIE part 1 CCNA labs on Udemy. (sidebar: Very helpful when you have the book knowledge, but lack the practical skills. See: Confession).

Here's the skinny: Dude is covering OSPF. No biggie. I get it. I'm following along in the lab and BAM! dude runs do sh ip prot and in the "print out" he shows he has a Gateway. In mine, I do not. Did I miss something?

(Mine is the one on the right)

GhostintheShell

Thanks chris!

Magic Johnson

Oh my GOD the Boson practice exams for ICND2 are pointlessly hard. It asks questions with content I've never even heard of before.

distribute-list for example. What the hell is that? Not covered ANYWHERE.

The only thing it's making me do is go grey and panic about the test tomorrow. The highest I got is 81%. On the CISCO Press one I got 88%. If this is what the test is like I'm screwed, the Boson tests are finding gaps in my knowledge everywhere but I don't know, with my notes and commands (I have 13 pages of Nuggets notes and almost an entire A4 booklet of Press notes, plus a command mind map with every command on every big subject in the book), I can plug them.

--chris--

GhostintheShell wrote: »

Confession: I didn't lab very much during my CCENT so how the hell I passed it is beyond me. Seriously...

Scenario: I am going back and actually labbing for ICND2 using GNS3. Not the best situation, I get it, but it's something at least. I am also using CLN for those labs, and Pearson Lab simulator as well. Let me not forget I also have Packet Tracer as well...you know, just in case I don't have enough overkill. Anyway, I'm doing the CCNA to CCIE part 1 CCNA labs on Udemy. (sidebar: Very helpful when you have the book knowledge, but lack the practical skills. See: Confession).

Here's the skinny: Dude is covering OSPF. No biggie. I get it. I'm following along in the lab and BAM! dude runs do sh ip prot and in the "print out" he shows he has a Gateway. In mine, I do not. Did I miss something?

(Mine is the one on the right)

Its hard for me to see where your paths went seperat ways without seeing what steps you took to arrive here. Can you post the running conf?

--chris--

Magic Johnson wrote: »

Oh my GOD the Boson practice exams for ICND2 are pointlessly hard. It asks questions with content I've never even heard of before.

distribute-list for example. What the hell is that? Not covered ANYWHERE.

The only thing it's making me do is go grey and panic about the test tomorrow. The highest I got is 81%. On the CISCO Press one I got 88%. If this is what the test is like I'm screwed, the Boson tests are finding gaps in my knowledge everywhere but I don't know, with my notes and commands (I have 13 pages of Nuggets notes and almost an entire A4 booklet of Press notes, plus a command mind map with every command on every big subject in the book), I can plug them.

I have seen many people say the Boson exams are more difficult than the real thing. So take it with a grain, but I would still hammer the weak spots in there. My weak spots in the boson carried over to the real thing for me.

Magic Johnson

--chris-- wrote: »

I have seen many people say the Boson exams are more difficult than the real thing. So take it with a grain, but I would still hammer the weak spots in there. My weak spots in the boson carried over to the real thing for me.

I thought that first time round, definitely. I focused way too much on the detail and forgot the simple stuff which caused me to not get the high score that I wanted. However I did score 92% each time on the Boson tests.

This time I feel a lot more solid, my notes I thought were great as are my commands and notes on them, however I can't pass the bloody Boson tests? I don't get it.

--chris--

Magic Johnson wrote: »

I thought that first time round, definitely. I focused way too much on the detail and forgot the simple stuff which caused me to not get the high score that I wanted. However I did score 92% each time on the Boson tests.

This time I feel a lot more solid, my notes I thought were great as are my commands and notes on them, however I can't pass the bloody Boson tests? I don't get it.

Not to get side tracked at this stage, but when you make your notes on commands how do you structure them?

I think I will start doing this while reading, for both the learning aspect and as a reference for labbing.

Magic Johnson

--chris-- wrote: »

Not to get side tracked at this stage, but when you make your notes on commands how do you structure them?

I think I will start doing this while reading, for both the learning aspect and as a reference for labbing.

Topic in a middle bubble, two smaller bubbles either side called config then exec. Config can branch off to the different modes i.e interface, router, etc.

Then if required, I print out and add further pen notes, i.e sh interfaces on frame-relay mind map also shows LMI type etc.

GhostintheShell

--chris-- wrote: »

Its hard for me to see where your paths went seperat ways without seeing what steps you took to arrive here. Can you post the running conf?

I've moved on and the lab instructor just blasted it out to start ospf (which btw I'm having a small difficulty getting 1 area to talk to another via tunneling, but I'm going to redo that section so, I may revisit this in a later post)

Anyway, it's all good. I will revisit it to see if I missed something later.

GhostintheShell

magic johnson wrote: »

topic in a middle bubble, two smaller bubbles either side called config then exec. Config can branch off to the different modes i.e interface, router, etc.

Then if required, i print out and add further pen notes, i.e sh interfaces on frame-relay mind map also shows lmi type etc.

brilliant!

Magic Johnson

1_pdfsam_commands.pdf
5_pdfsam_commands.pdf
9_pdfsam_commands.pdf
13_pdfsam_commands.pdf

There you are. Some info might be out of date as my knowledge has drastically changed over the past two weeks but you get the idea.

--chris--

Magic Johnson wrote: »

1_pdfsam_commands.pdf
5_pdfsam_commands.pdf
9_pdfsam_commands.pdf
13_pdfsam_commands.pdf

There you are. Some info might be out of date as my knowledge has drastically changed over the past two weeks but you get the idea.

NICE! I am stealing your idea.

edit; I found a 3550 locally for $50. I called and the guy said hes leaving for a month tomorrow and cant meet to sell it

Magic Johnson

Haha. I did it for ICND1 too but didn't add notes, I definitely should have done in hindsight. It's only a reference, I don't aim to remember them all, I lab lab lab like mad so it is second nature.

Just re-reading all the key topics in Odom's book, trying to pick up extra bits of forgotten info possibly. Then I'm going to lab for a while, then I'm going to sit another Boson practice test.

Tomorrow, I will read my notes, glance at my command references, do a couple of labs, then set off. I have been feeling sick to the pit of my stomach for the past 3 days since the exam was booked. If I pass, I may well break down and cry.

GhostintheShell

Just bought Chris Bryant's CCNA course on Udemy. You get access to his CCNA Security course for free if you buy today. I've been scouring the forums here and everyone seems to point their fingers to this course as being very beneficial to their success. Of course, this is just another tool to add to the book and labs.

trX

--chris-- wrote: »

Thanks for your service!

You should have a pretty good leg up having both hands on and some training already. I would suggest Todd Lammles book as a starting point. Odoms book is great, very detailed...but if you already have a grasp on the content lammles book is even better.

After reading this I looked up Lammle's book and ended up ordering it since it wasn't that much, and received it last night. I read it for about 40 minutes today during my lunch break to see what the difference was, and from what I read today, do think I prefer Lammle's book. So, from here on out I will probably be using Lammle's book and use Odom's for getting another perspective/explanation when I need one.

Thanks for the tip!

--chris--

Magic Johnson wrote: »

Haha. I did it for ICND1 too but didn't add notes, I definitely should have done in hindsight. It's only a reference, I don't aim to remember them all, I lab lab lab like mad so it is second nature.

Just re-reading all the key topics in Odom's book, trying to pick up extra bits of forgotten info possibly. Then I'm going to lab for a while, then I'm going to sit another Boson practice test.

Tomorrow, I will read my notes, glance at my command references, do a couple of labs, then set off. I have been feeling sick to the pit of my stomach for the past 3 days since the exam was booked. If I pass, I may well break down and cry.

We demand results! What is it?

--chris--

GhostintheShell wrote: »

Just bought Chris Bryant's CCNA course on Udemy. You get access to his CCNA Security course for free if you buy today. I've been scouring the forums here and everyone seems to point their fingers to this course as being very beneficial to their success. Of course, this is just another tool to add to the book and labs.

I love CB's videos! They are a great combo of practical knowledge (you will hear him say "this isnt on the exam, but you better know it..." frequently) and exam nuggets.

--chris--

trX wrote: »

After reading this I looked up Lammle's book and ended up ordering it since it wasn't that much, and received it last night. I read it for about 40 minutes today during my lunch break to see what the difference was, and from what I read today, do think I prefer Lammle's book. So, from here on out I will probably be using Lammle's book and use Odom's for getting another perspective/explanation when I need one.

Thanks for the tip!

I will be reading Odoms book first for ICND2 (doing that now) then following it up with Lammles book once I am introduced to the subject matter. I would also suggest googling if you hit a stumbling block on anything command/operation related. Doing this will usually land you at the Cisco site, which will have a TON of detailed info that frequently goes beyond the scope of the CCENT/CCNA....but its better to really grasp something than just barely know it.

GhostintheShell

--chris-- wrote: »

I love CB's videos! They are a great combo of practical knowledge (you will hear him say "this isnt on the exam, but you better know it..." frequently) and exam nuggets.

Funny you said that because I've already heard his say it quite a few times already!

timesvan32

My guess is that he passed lol

Magic Johnson

LOL I...AM...STOKED.

I'll do a proper thread when I get the chance, what a day!

timesvan32

Did you pass?

Magic Johnson

How did you guess?!