Fairly new to networking, but job is enthusiastic about getting me a CCNA?

kbowen0188

A little bit of background! I am Brent, 23, and I have worked in the computer field since I was 21. I have worked with computers on my own time before that, just doing a little small business of my own. Then I got hired in a mom and pop computer shop, and then about a year and a half ago was hired as a Help Desk Associate at a corporate bank. Within a few months I was pushed up to a Computer Technician, and now here I am.

I have very little experience with networks. I don't actually work with networks at my job, besides very simple troubleshooting sorts of things. We do use Cisco equipment at my workplace, but that is about all I know. I am currently in college to get a 4 year degree in Business, with a focus in IT.

One of the other techs recently achieved his CCNA. He eventually wants to land a job that has a focus on networking. I, on the other hand, dislike networking. I find it dry and boring, but I do know that a certain level of knowledge will help me no matter what position I am in when it comes to IT.

My supervisor gave me high markings on our yearly employee review, and mentioned in the notes that he would like to support me in getting my CCNA, and hopes to help me get it around July of this year. Five months seems a bit quick for someone who is a complete beginner when it comes to this sort of thing, or at least I think I am. But, I am thankful for the opportunity and would like to rise to the challenge. Before I go through the stickied topics, I was going to ask if anyone had any advice they would give. Any specific books, study tools, or just general tips.

Thank you.

dpsmooth15

Hello Brent, Start the CCENT track personally the two major books are the Cisco CCENT Official Cert Guide and CCENT Study guide by Todd Lammie. You can find both on Amazon. Personally I bought both just cause… 50% will suggest the OCG and 50% will suggest the Todd Lammie. You can buy either and pass. The Lammie book is about 30 bucks the OCG is about 70 bucks and comes with a simulator, the simulator is ok I guess will take you 9 days to read the book and 90 days to go through all the sims If you have 100 buy both, if you do not have the passion/dedication for this just pay 30 for the Lammie. I prefer the Lammie for CCENT, but the OCG for the higher level ones. Subnetting is a big part of the CCENT, Honestly….there is more than one way to subnet. I suggest getting on youtube and browsing different videos. PacketTracer is great and GNS3 for simulations, but in all honesty, in my own opinion , I used packet tracer,…. but I feel the CCENT can be easily obtainable with just reading the book and being above average at subnetting and a few commands, everything is in either book!

p.s. keep the supervisor happy, you can pass those two exams in 5 months, that is MORE than enough time. Unless you have a wife 5 kids 3 dogs 2 cats and a lion. You can do it in half the time, but you have to read read read, not read to read but read to understand and comprehend, If not some new guy will come take your place that already has CCNA

GhengisT

Welcome to the world of networking Brad. From experience I can say that I was in your shoes at a point. It wasn't until I started working with networking that I began to enjoy it. Plus as I get older (26 lol) the more I dislike the help desk scene and seek to be in a more respected position. Grunt work gets old. Go get your CCENT, but don't stop there. Study your butt off for ICND2 and once you have it shoot for your CCNP. If you can become sufficient in networking, you have value in every field of IT.

The other thing to consider is that Cisco certs are eagerly sought after by employers. Its a win win.

I bought the CCNA Official Cert Library on Amazon for $30. Be sure its UNOPENED and is the updated 3rd edition. The practice exams on the CD in each book have been invaluable. Also for ICND1, you have to master subnetting. I recommend subnetting. Net for practice. When you feel up to it, download GNS3 and start building labs.

Admiral Akmir

When a company wants to support you in getting certified, what does that mean? Do they pay the money for you to take the test? Provide access to their equipment for labs?

kbowen0188

Sorry for the quick reply, I am on my cell. They will pay for the test and will allow me to use any old equipment to study with. They will pay for a book or two as well.

stryder144

Brent, what kind of learner are you? If you can do it with just books, great. If not, there are also some great videos you can access for either free or a small price. For instance, register at INE and the CCNA videos are free. Go to Udemy.com and purchase the Chris Bryant videos...usually around $44. If you look around, you might find a discount for them. He sells books that go along with the videos, ICND1 and ICND2, each for $10 (Kindle). He also has a subnetting book for around $5. So, out the door with just those resources you will end up paying $69. Not a bad deal, over all.

xnx

Networking is one of those things that if you don't enjoy will get really boring, the stuff on the CCNA isn't tough but there's a lot to remember.

I'd have finished my CCNA by now but i've got enough final year degree work to do as it is hence why I only have a CCENT even though I love networking..

Consider yourself lucky that you have a decent job with no degree and no proper qualifications, If I was you I'd put my heart into the CCNA since you've been given a really good opportunity.

Magic Johnson

kbowen0188 wrote: »

One of the other techs recently achieved his CCNA. He eventually wants to land a job that has a focus on networking. I, on the other hand, dislike networking. I find it dry and boring, but I do know that a certain level of knowledge will help me no matter what position I am in when it comes to IT.

Mmm.

I tried lots of things before I decided to further myself in networking, I was an IT Technician before and had my fingers in a lot of pies. I tried front/back end web design/MOSS/C#/Python/T-SQL/ITIL etc and I didn't have the motivation to follow through with any of them, because like you with networking, I found them dry and boring (SQL was actually not too bad).

Bear that in mind, if you find something uninteresting, how will you motivate yourself to crunch through it? I would do anything, literally anything (wash dishes, go for a walk in the rain, count how many lines there were in the wood on my desk) before I would pick up a book to do with C#. After the first few introductory chapters it is horrible forcing yourself to read and learn, nigh on impossible.

With networking, I enjoy it. It interests me, so learning it isn't a big deal. Lunchtime session? No problem. After putting kids down to bed? Easy. Opt for some labbing instead of watching the footie? Yeah why not? Stay behind at work for a few hours? You betcha. Would I dare put in those levels of commitment to something I didn't enjoy? No flaming way.

Jon_Cisco

I would study and attempt the CCENT simply because your employer is suggesting you further yourself. If you still hate it sit down and have a conversation with him. If you have taken any of your IT classes already and worked in help desk this should not be to big of a challenge.

Ask yourself as a business major. What would you do for an employee if he did not take up your training suggestions.

Good Luck

kbowen0188

I am a hands-on learner. It is hard for me to apply things that I see or read. If I see it a few times, I can usually copy it pretty well. I can memorize facts if I have to, it is just a bit of a struggle. I was homeschooled, and as a result of that I did not develop very good study habits. No time better than the present!

I was planning on using both a book and some videos to get the best of both worlds. If possible, I'd like to build a lab to work in. I see a lot of lab packages on Ebay. Are those scams?

Also, I see two books. Odom and Lammle, like a previous user mentioned. While there is a 50/50 split between which book is better, what about when it comes to someone who has no previous knowledge? When I say that, I hear a lot of people recommending Odom's book?

bbarrick

If you find networking dry and boring then you might want to pick up Lammle's book, skim through it, and call it a day unless your okay with a dry and boring job as a CCNA just because that's what your boss wants. Instead of wasting the time it takes to get a CCNA if that's not what you like to do then I'd focus on what you like to do and stick with the help desk position and focus on studying what you want until the opportunity arises to move on.

Jon_Cisco

kbowen0188 wrote: »

... I'd like to build a lab to work in. I see a lot of lab packages on Ebay. Are those scams?

I would not buy a lab if networking is not your long term goal. Do what you can to advance but don't put to many resources into something you don't enjoy. Go to google and research packet tracer. It is far better then a lab for someone who is just exploring opportunities.

Good Luck

kbowen0188

PacketTracer, got it. Thank you for the pointer.

My boss is not shoehorning me into a CCNA role, just to be clear. He is aware that I am not incredibly skilled when it comes to networks, and I think this is his way of pushing me to better myself. Note that I am not actually Help Desk any more, I managed to move up from that. I am a computer technician, but I don't deal with networks as much as I deal with hardware/software issues, mass imaging, printers, scanners, and other such general work. If I do not plan on choosing networking as a career field, is achieving this certification a bit much? Would it be best just to shoot for the CCENT, or is that not enough?

ednard

kbowen0188 wrote: »

Would it be best just to shoot for the CCENT, or is that not enough?

CCENT would give you a standard base understanding of networks without much expertise.

Jon_Cisco

All I can say without knowing everything about you and the job is that life often presents us opportunities. We must take advantage of them when they come.

I have known many people that think they never get good opportunities. However they usually don't go outside of their comfort zone. I would try to do something you enjoy but please keep in mind at 23 you really have no idea what you will want to do for the next 40 years.

Good Luck

DoubleNNs

dpsmooth15 wrote: »

Hello Brent, Start the CCENT track personally the two major books are the Cisco CCENT Official Cert Guide and CCENT Study guide by Todd Lammie. You can find both on Amazon.

If you get Todd Lammle's book, make sure you get the CCNA version, not the CCENT version.

(You can still take the CCENT exam w/ the CCNA version.)