MCSE / CCNA - What route?

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Hi,
I do have some experience of networks. infact, did everything but the exam of CCNA part 1 as part of my BSc Networking & Computer support course.

I am now looking to do the ful CCNA and also MCSE.

I enquired to do these through www.nitlc.co.uk and their route towards teh CCNA and MCSE is as follows:


Introduction to PC's
Introduction to Windows
Introduction to the Internet
Communication Skills for Help Desk Personnel
NITLC Certificate #16-42

Microcomputer Hardware
NITLC Certificate #16-34

Understanding Network Fundamentals
NITLC Certificate #16-25

CompTIA A+ Core Hardware
CompTIA #220-301

CompTIA A+ Operating System Technologies
CompTIA #220-302

CompTIA Network+
CompTIA #N10-003

Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
MCP Exam #70-270

Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
MCP #70-290

Implementing, Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
MCP #70-291

After completion of the above modules you will be MCSA qualified.

Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
MCP #70-293

Planning, Implementing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
MCP #70-294

Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
MCP #70-297

Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
MCP #70-284
or

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Systems Administration
MCP #70-228

After completion of the above modules your will be MCSE qualified.


Cisco Certified Network Associate
Cisco #640-801

---------

Now, the approx cost of this is around £4,000. I'm paying for all the materials, exams as well i presume? and also support throughout the study and also access to a virtual server so that I can program Cisco routers (i think).

I am able to gain access to material for the MCSA and CCNA modules, so is there anyway I can do just the exams on their own? Meaning I only pay for exams and not the full £4k for the materials, support etc?

Can someone also tell me what's the latest materials needed just to make sure I have the right one?

Also, if doing on my own, how would I go around practicing the more hands on stuff?

Hoep someone can help!

 

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yes if you have training materials already or have access to them you can just pay for exam fees at your local testing centre.

Microsoft exams are about £88 each, comptia ones I think are a little more, not sure about cisco one.

I would deifntily do the self study route and book exams when your ready.

 

Thanks. I was told by someone that the Cisco one includes some hands on stuff? How would I go around that if i was doing the self study?

 

looks like a nice course, they offer a lot of stuff. Good luck with it.

 

I agree - thats pretty comprehensive for four grand.

Ignoring the shite at the top (NITLC? They'll get you far in the workplace...) the route they have planned out is a nice, sensible one.

I foresee problems at the end however - I'm sick to death of tech schools pimping out the SQL Admin course as an elective for the MCSE.

BEWARE - SQL Server is BLOODY HARD. If you have the choice of doing another elective, take it. I had loads of SQL experience before taking my two SQL exams for the MCDBA - it still took me six months to study for them.

That gripe apart, it looks good.

How long have you got for the course? I'd estimate that would take around 18 months with your BSc - maybe shorter depending on how much knowledge from that you can port across to the professional certifications.

As for equipment, FleaBay is your friend! You can kit out a whole lab with routers, switches, boxes and networking equipment for about 1200 quid. That should buy you four little PCs you can use as servers/workstations, a KVM, a monitor, a couple of 2500s as your routers, a couple of catalysts (2924s or similar) plus the assorted gumph necessary to connect everything up. If you;re not doing your CCNA until the end, then you dont have to bother with the Cisco kit until then either - by which time you may well be earning enough money to help pay for all this!

Good luck!

 

Not a fan of NITLC then Zeb? Pray tell, what is your gripe?

 

I have VMware with Serve 2003 running, is that sufficient enough? Do not have any Cisco equipment though . . .

 

5aq1b

I'd advice you go the MCSA/MCSE route first as this would help give you more grounding on the network infrastructure side of things i.e. TCP/IP. I think with VMware server running on Windows 2003 server would be a good way to practice stuff like domain controller, GPO and active directory.

With regards to the Cisco side of things you don't need a router or switch to practice on as you can use Boson netsim very good. On the other hand if you can get some 2500 routers and 2600 switch from ebay then go for it by all means as hands on is the way to go either way.

Let us know how you get on. Cheerio

 

That's great, Onoski... but this post is almost 6 months old. I doubt they're watching for a response...

 

Apologies, did not know post was that old, well talk about resurrection heh

 

No problem, no harm done... I was pretty sure you didn't realize it.

 

Thanks alot guys for the replies. Still keeping tabs on this post!

With regards to the MCP/MCSA/MCSE, i've yet to start these so am i better of gettting started on the MCITP certs? Are they replacing the current ones?