Best Book For CCENT then CCNA

I have 4 1/2 years of experience in Help Desk/ IT Support Specialist. I currently work with alot of cisco equipment. Yet I do not really do anything with it.
I have been notified that I need to achieve my CCNA with in the next 6 months, and will receive quite a raise once I do.

I completed the Cisco Academy back in 2007 and never took the test since I was not ready at the time and I was hired before I even finished school. Certifications typically don't seem to mean much in my area. Yet I am looking to move to Denver, CO in the next year or 2.

What would be the best books to achieve my goal? I believe I still know most of it just hoping to remember as I go over everything again.

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Comments

danny069

Wendell Odom's books are great, I find them easy to read. I am currently studying for my CCNA exam as well, and I especially like the "do you know this already" questions in the beginning of each chapter.

gc8dc95

+1 for Wendell Odom. Has everything you need.

no!all!

Yep, Wendell Odom is very easy to read. I'm reading his CCENT book now. I've also paried it up with Udemy since I like videos, too.

Jon_Cisco

If you like videos you can't beat the cost of Chris Bryant udemy videos. You can download them and watch offline so I have the full series on my ipad.

If you like books then Todd Lammle and Wendell Odem are the most often recommended.

As to the value of certifications in your area. Every hiring manager will have his/her own opinion.
They are mostly used during interview so it's easy to forget they have value when you are not job hunting. I find it interesting that you are being required to obtain a CCNA which will provide you with quite a raise while pointing out that your area does not seem to value certifications.

Good Luck. With several years experience and the old cisco academy behind you I don' think you will have any problem with the 6 month time frame.

psyotik

I decided to order Wendell Odom's book and will purchase the UDEMY videos.

Typically Certifications don't mean anything, As most of the managers/ senior techs do not have any. As well as majority of job postings do not mention them. And very few people in the field that I have met in the area over the last 4 1/2 years bother with them.

The reason the CCNA came up at work is because we hired a new manager from another state. He values them greatly. As well I have been wanting to move to Denver, CO. Which is where my younger brother lives, and all the jobs posted require a list of certifications.

matai

I like Odoms book for both. I took the CCENT two weeks ago and am taking the CCNA today. Between that, CBT Nuggets and Cisco Labs I feel good about it.

PCHoldmann

Don't name it, but do you work for a Cisco partner? Certs are more valuable in the partner space due to Cisco's requirements.

Also, especially if your company is pushing for it, see if they have some older gear that you could borrow/have to set up a lab.

The_Expert

I used to work in a place that did not value / encourage employees to get certifications. Now, that I have switched companies - I see so much value in them. They expose one to subjects that one might not normally be exposed to in everyday work. It challenges one to learn / get better at the technology.

+1 for Wendell Odom as well. Great books... even though the size of them can discourage one from getting started. They are easy to read.

psyotik

For the first 3 1/2 years I did not work for a cisco partner (small business support). In fact I didn't touch a cisco device other than cisco/linksys wireless routers.

Then I moved to a new job for the last year which is in house. We are a Cisco Partner however our Internet provider Manages the ASA 5510.

I only configure and manage the layer 2 switches. And work with the VMWARE Vsphere and Cisco UCS and the Cisco Voip Phone system. But other than that I don't really touch the hardware and basically manage the 55 virtual servers and end user support.

I am pretty solid in Windows Server 03,08,12, AD, Exchange 10-12, Windows xp, 7 and 8, Ubuntu desktop, Application Management, Hardware troubleshooting.

I need to work on Power Shell scripting/Cisco / SQL(I am bad) and find a specialization.

kbowen0188

I enjoyed Odom's book as well. If you haven't bought the Bryant videos from Udemy yet, there is a discount code that puts them to $31. Just use "FRIDAY". Those are the videos I bought, and they have been great.

jaychou_uk

I already own the Wendell books, just bought Todd Lammles book as well just in case there is something I don't understand and can use the other book as reference.

Wendells book are really good....lets hope Todd's book are also good too.

late_collision

jaychou_uk wrote: »

I already own the Wendell books, just bought Todd Lammles book as well just in case there is something I don't understand and can use the other book as reference.

Wendells book are really good....lets hope Todd's book are also good too.

I've read both. Started with Odom's then Lammle's filled in the rest of the missing pieces.

jaychou_uk

late_collision wrote: »

I've read both. Started with Odom's then Lammle's filled in the rest of the missing pieces.

Which one would you say is the preferred book? or would you say they are both good in its own way?

late_collision

jaychou_uk wrote: »

Which one would you say is the preferred book? or would you say they are both good in its own way?

Both in it's own way. I believe the consensus is never to study for a cisco exam using a single source of information.

I preferred the Lammle book because I like his writing style better. I also believe he covers a few additional topics you may see on the exam that Odom does not.