5 Months & counting

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I'm starting CCNA at a local College in September & have managed to get the course cheaply.
But what should i learn between now & then that will help me when i start?
Anything that others have done proir to doing the course?
Anything that people often get stuck on??
Any thoughts or views most welcome.
Cheers in advance.

 

That's some sound advice.

The only thing I can add is that you get yourself a decent network simulator to practice your acls, routing protocols, switching, vlans etc. This one should do for a start.

http://www.routersim.com/default.aspx

 

What's your current level of computer knowledge like?

Alex

 

Rather then a simulator I would suggest buying a couple routers (3) and a switch. Granted it will be more money then a simulator but it will take you much further.

3 2610 or 2620 Cisco Routers
1 2950 Cisco Switch
4 Wic1T cards
2 back to back DB60 cables
Crimper
Cat V cable
RJ45 jacks
Cisco rollover cable

You should be good to go.

I would complete Network+ before starting your CCNA. The Network+ will help you with the foundation topics.

 

I mentioned the sim because I wasn't sure whether he could afford the hardware. But if he's got the money, then heck ! Go for it, mate. There's nothing like a good home lab to get the creative juices flowing.

Speaking of which, I need a couple of 2900 series switches myself right now. And I need `em cheap because I'm slightly strapped for cash at the moment.

Well, time to nose around in the bargain basement bins and see what I come up with.

 

I'm currently UB40 so looking at the cheapest option!
May just buy a decent CCNA book and read up before starting the course.
Any good 'free' network simulators out there?

 

Honestly the best possibly thing for you to do is buy the CCNA Academy Compainon Books and Lab manuals (At least Companion Guide 1) and also buy The Subnet Tutor program from Inovative Software Concepts.

If you can't afford the lab equipment.

If you go into the class already knowing how to subnet you will be way ahead of the game. Honestly that is the hardest concept to learn.

 

Check the site below.

Apparently, you can use their network for free. I've never used them myself as I have all the equpment I need. If you want, you can register and get some hands on. If you do decide to use them, please give us some feedback, so that other forum members can know whether they're worth it.

http://www.myrouterlab.com/cgi/myrouterlab.cgi

(EDIT)

 

Where's a good place to buy CCNA Academy Compainon Books and Lab manuals (At least Companion Guide 1)?
And what book to learn subnet?

Any links helpful.
Cheers

 

http://www.subnetting-secrets.com/

Use this guy and you'll be able to subnet by the time you've finished watching the video.

Guarranteed.

This is what I used. And now I can subnet in my head (almost).

I'm giving you some good info here, my man. Are you reading my posts at all ?

 

mbr2,

I would suggest learning as much as you can to the:

• CompTIA
  • A+ level
  • Network+ level
• Microsoft
  • Microsoft Certified Professional level
• Unix
  • Host to host communications

For the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification exam, you will have to know the OSI model. The OSI model consists of 7 layers. The first three layers from top down are: 1) Application 2) Presentation 3) Session. These are the layers associated with operating systems and the applications that run on them. Even though the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification exam will not be directly testing on the Application, Presentation, and Session layers, I think it is a good idea to understand WHY the router is receiving Data to be encapsulated into a Transport layer segment and WHY the segment is being decapsulated to User Data on the other end.

I hope this helps.

 

Cheers for the advice everyone.
Did look at the following books via amazon or cisco press Networking Basics CCNA 1 Companion Guide - Wendell Odom ; Thomas Knott - 9781587131646 @ £26.99

OR

CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (Exam #640-801), 2nd Edition - ISBN 1-58720-169-0 @ $41.97

Which book would be better to start with?
As the $ is strong against the £ dont mind who i buy from.

Hoping to take Network+ (distance learning) via LearnDirect in the UK in the next few months.

 

mbr2,

You mentioned "...starting CCNA at a local College..." Is the local college a Cisco Networking Academy?

 

Yes.
They have advised me just to learn subnet & also Binary & Hexadecimal
But working through a book that covers at least the 1st semester would help?

 

You might want to check this site out too, it helped me understand the concepts of subnetting

http://www.learntosubnet.com/