CCNA on my own

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Hi all,

I'm wanting to get my CCNA and am just wondering if youse can give me a bit of information about it. Like what is the best way to study, is it possible on your own, how long would it take? I'm in a part time job just now, so have a fair bit of spare time in which I can study.

How much do exams cost? and generally how much did people study a day/week and how long before they took the exam?

Many thanks,

Tim

 

Yeah bud, I've done my A+ (not IT Technican, so dont actually have the cert, but passed essentials) I did a HNC in computer maintenance, where I studied for my A+, studied some of the Network+ material, but am not certified.

I work in PC World just now yeah **** job, but I'm at the forefront of technology I guess, I've always been quite techy, did the first year of a BSc course in Computing Science, but didnt like the programming, so didn't continue with it.

I just read like a 200 slide presentation on someone of the stuff you need to know, looks really interesting, and can't wait to study it, I'm just wondering if there is any software like labsim available for CCNA, I'm going to look on youtube for videos etc.

But I reckon if I study a few hours a day, I should be able to get there, I just dont know the extent of the course, how deep it goes as such, so don't know if it would take weeks or months to complete.

Cheers,

Tim

 

Ah is that right? Yeah I've no real IT experience I'm afraid

I'm currently talking with a University, and they want me to do a networking degree, design and managment etc, and said they'd let me into second year with " Cisco Exploration Network Fundamentals" as far as I can see this is just a section of the CCNA and not an actual exam, I've been wanting to do the CCNA for a while, as networking is the route of employment I want to go down, so figured, I'm in a dead end job with crap hours, might as well use the time wisely and beter myself, whether it leads to a job or a degree, it doesnt matter.

I was looking at the MSCE a few years back, but didn't really see the benefit if I was wanting to go into networking, would you recomend it?

Cheers for the reply pal.

 

Hi

I found http://www.cbtnuggets.com/series?id=410 very good, still watch em now...
Just because you want to work in Networking, other qualifications would make you stand out more in a competitive market. Its all well and good knowing what is happening in the Cisco network but helps to know what is happening at the other end of it as well.
Good Luck

 

Of course, I dont expect to land a great job straight out of university, tbh, I cant even get a full time retail job now, so believe me a helpdesk job would be wonderful ha.

All I know is, I really like networking and security and that sort of field, last year when I was doing the Bsc this confirmed it for me, I was miserable programming in java and doing sql databases and loads of maths, so I'm glad I did that year to realise that networking is what I want!

So I'm gonna study my ass off for the CCNA, and then maybe when I get that, over the summer could study for an MCSE or something before going to university (assuming I pass the CCNA and get in)

Anyways, thanks loads you've been really helpful

 

Well i would say u should establish a firm ground, like first completing your A+. As u said u studied a bit relating to N+ and u love networking (yeah, me too! ) so u could go and finish off N+. After getting these two, i think if u then start CCNA, u would have a good knowledge base and some confidence too about cert exams.

As sparky said, MCSE takes time along with experience. But basic certs can be grabbed quickly.

Best of luck with your cert route and Welcome to the Forums!

 

Thanks for the reply,

In regards to the A+, I did the main one, essentials, but because I did it over a year ago, I can't take the IT Technician exam, so would have to pay to do all them again, which I simply can't afford, I think just now it wouldnt be that beneficial anyways, maybe when I run into a little more money I can see about doing that again, in regards to the Network +, its the same monetary problems, I wouldn't be able to afford both CCNA and N+. So what I'm doing just now is a juniper networking fundementals online course, which is really good, going to buy a CCNA book, and then see about finding some videos online, and see where they take me.

I would love to get my A+ and N+ again, but can't really jusitify the money costs just now, I think the CCNA would be the one to do, as I've been told I can get into the second year of a BSc Networking course

 

Sounds like you are talking about doing the same degree i did judging by your location

 

ooh really?

I'm talking about the RGU one : Computer Network managment and design?

If so, how did you find it? worthwhile etc?

 

i wouldn't like to recommend it outright, as everyones situation is different. But if you want to get into networking, it's obviously a good degree to have.

For me, it has worked well. The course was not the greatest, a lot of filler material it seemed. But in your second half of 3rd year and first half of 4th year you get the opportunity to do a work placement. This made it alot easier to get a job when i left uni.

 

I would recommend that you pursue the A+, Network+, and MCDST. The CCNA and MCSE are for people with a bit of real-world networking and server experience, respectively. They're good certs... but they're for later in your career... not early on.

 

what he said ^

Having high level certs that are designed to show your job experience without that experience can be more harmful that having no certs at all.

No network manager will hire a ccna or mcse certified person to support their network without the experience that is supposed go along with those certs.

 

Hi all,

So I've decided I'm going to take the two exam route, so I'll be taking ICND1, I've finished the CBT nuggets course, but I don't know what to do now? I know all the stuff fine, but don't know if I'm ready? will there be extra stuff in the ICND1 that CBTnuggets wouldnt cover?

Can anyone suggest what I do next?

Cheers

 

Run through these and see how you do.

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-1222

You could also think about purchasing a test suite.

 

I am doing CCNA by myself, it is very difficult.

I have gone into my local college to do the practicals and I freeze up because its tough.

The theory I can grasp very well, but when it comes to putting it into practice, I freeze, literally I stumble and cannot continue. I do not know how the hell I will pass the whole thing, I have passed the exams fine but really struggled with the mock practical and actual practicals

Any help is appreciated.