Boss wants I should know WAN

Hi, basically my boss would like me to learn Wide area networking, and routing in general. What are some good certs or study paths that could help me learn and grasp some concepts of practical networking skills including WAN and into some advanced routing.

I have passed the Network+ exam but would like some more in depth skills i guess.
and I wasn't sure if studying for CCNA would help or be pretty specific to cisco routers.

thanks

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Comments

dynamik

I think CCNA would be an excellent start. That's going to hit you with a lot of vendor-neutral/standards-based material. There is going to obviously be some Cisco-proprietary material as well, but given the prevalence of their equipment, that will probably be useful information as well

MachX85

Thanks, I figured someone would recommend CCNA. I studied for the CCENT test on my way to CCNA, but I *almost* passed twice. Truth is I have been reluctant to begin again, but I guess I need to bite the bullet and have another go.

mikej412

How big is your environment, and who's networking equipment do you use?

But I'd probably still recommend starting with the CCNA too

MachX85

Fairly small windows environment. About 70 computers in the Admin building. one outreach office an hour away, and one 2 hours away. plus just down the road; three buildings all wired together with a link to the Admin Building.

a few HP switches
couple of VOIP switches
Couple of Cisco 1800s
Cisco ASA 5510

we run an exchange 2003 server and an AD server for our staff domain.
I don't really have experience configuring our Cisco routers but my boss would like me to learn, and i would like to pick up that skill\experience.

sounds like CCNA is the way to go. Thanks

This has been asked countless times I'm sure, but in your opinion would CCNA or MCSA\E get me better wages \ skill set.

msteinhilber

I would also suggest CCNA. Since you already have the Network+, the CCNA is really the next logical path to follow. It does as others mentioned cover a lot of general information and theory as well as some Cisco specialization as well, but I don't think there really exists very much for a vendor neutral networking related certification beyond Network+.

If you are not already working with them as needed, you will find the HP switches CLI to be fairly similar to that of Cisco as well. I've studied for the CCNA a couple of times now, probably still going to sit it this year but I got sidetracked into working towards the MCITP: EA but honestly, I find working on routers/switches more fun and easier to study for - it's just more interesting to me. Give the CCNA another shot - it's fun

Daniel333

Could always go for RRAS on your Windows 2003 servers.... seriously you need to snag your CCNA >> CCNP if you wana get hardcore with neworking. If you really dont want to get certified you could just following along with the vids from CBT Nuggets: Training for Cisco CCNA SQL MCSE VB.NET A+ Linux PMP & Many More IT Certification Exams!

dynamik

Daniel333 wrote: »

Could always go for RRAS on your Windows 2003 servers....

And Daniel comes in with the lulz

Although, I am surprised you didn't pimp Online software tutorials, training CDs, Photoshop Tutorials, Dreamweaver Tutorials, Apple Tutorials from vtc.com

djhss68

You just forgot the '!' at the end of the link.

Paul Boz

I would also recommend the CCNA. Understanding routing in general is critical to understanding networking as a whole. There is also decent WAN coverage on the CCNA the last time I checked.

MachX85

Great advice. I told my Boss and he agreed. I told him about cbt nuggets and he agreed to buy me the cisco pack. right on. Would you guys agree that CBT nuggets is a good training tool?

dynamik

You might want to look at the streaming subscription instead of the packs. You'll get access to everything. That's what I use.

Daniel333

dynamik wrote: »

And Daniel comes in with the lulz

Although, I am surprised you didn't pimp Online software tutorials, training CDs, Photoshop Tutorials, Dreamweaver Tutorials, Apple Tutorials from vtc.com

vtc.com's Cisco stuff sucks

jediknight

CCNA is the way to go hands down. You will have a great foundation of LAN/WAN/Routing once you are done with CCNA.

I also have nothing but positive reivews about CBT Nuggets CCNA as I used it when studying for CCNA.

Paul Boz

MachX85 wrote: »

Great advice. I told my Boss and he agreed. I told him about cbt nuggets and he agreed to buy me the cisco pack. right on. Would you guys agree that CBT nuggets is a good training tool?

Absolutely. Jeremy C is an excellent instructor and those videos helped me bigtime in getting all of my Cisco certs.

msteinhilber

Paul Boz wrote: »

Absolutely. Jeremy C is an excellent instructor and those videos helped me bigtime in getting all of my Cisco certs.

Definitely, he's pretty good - and he doesn't have a voice that will put you to sleep (aka Chris Bryant).

Paul Boz

msteinhilber wrote: »

Definitely, he's pretty good - and he doesn't have a voice that will put you to sleep (aka Chris Bryant).

A good friend of mine has met him and actually bought gear from him and he's a class act in person as well. All-around great human being.

dynamik

Paul Boz wrote: »

A good friend of mine has met him and actually bought gear from him and he's a class act in person as well. All-around great human being.

Yea, CB kicks ass personally. I've exchanged a few emails with him, and he's always been great to interact with. I just play his CBTs at 2x, and it's good enough for me

JC is a great instructor too though. I'm so torn...

Paul Boz

dynamik wrote: »

Yea, CB kicks ass personally. I've exchanged a few emails with him, and he's always been great to interact with. I just play his CBTs at 2x, and it's good enough for me

JC is a great instructor too though. I'm so torn...

I'm talking about Jeremy. CB's voice puts me to sleep faster than CSPAN.

dynamik

Whoops! Well, what I said still stands though. Bryant's a great guy as well