NEW to the cisco world

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hi all. i am new to this world of cisco and IT. I stumbled on this site and decided to join hoping to get some help and questions answered. I have started studying for the ICND1 exam, and i read on some study guides that mostly those people who are already working in the IT field go for the Cisco Certs since they are very difficult to get. I have NO real world experience in the IT field since i am switching careers. I am studying for the ICND1 exam using a study guide from this one site bryantadvantage So far what i have read, i understand. but i have NOT taken any practice exams so i don't know how much of what i am studying i am retaining. Is it possible for someone like me to pass the ICND1 exam on first try also, how much time do i need to study. I am giving myself 1 month of studying ATLEAST 4-6 hrs/day.
Any help, insight on the exam from recent passers or any other advice will be greatly appreciated. Also, i just found out about the comTIA Network+ certs...are those better than Cisco certs??

thanks all in advance

 

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As far as I know, the Comptia Network + course gives you a general overview of networking. The Cisco CCNA is more focussed on setting up Cisco gear, troubleshooting and more advanced concepts. Routing protocols, VLANs and so on.

The general advice though is start off with something like the Comptia A+ or Microsoft Certified Desktop Technician. Try find your way into the industry through first line support. Then move on to more advanced or specialised areas.

 

Try and get some video training in as well i.e trainsignal( although you may be asleep after 15 minutes of him droning) or you could try CBT, the narrator here goes off at different tangents all the time and speaks like tomorrow is going out of fashion. but you will get the gist of it I think ! I have both and alternate between the two. also you could try one of the cisco books. DONT buy wendell odum exam certification as this is only meant for review purposes and the book assumes you already know the know the subject, You need the actual study guide by cisco, you could always try a book by Todd lammle to, I ve heard they are pretty good. Hope this helps.

 

you will also need a lab sim, cisco packet tracer as well.. try here https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/thread/15662

 

The Cisco Academy Program would work well for you, with you being new to IT. They are run through Colleges and UNIs. I used them to get through CCNA and CCNP. Online resources, instructor led classes, plenty of lab time and other students to support you. At least that was my experience.