networking / switching

[visioN]

I am wanting to learn more about networking, specifically switching. I do manage a network and have done years of different varieties.

 

I've looked at network+ but want something a bit more complex not sure what exactly?

 

I know the basics but would like to know how exactly stuff works; voip, sip, vlans, stacking, capacity planning etc - using hardware like HP etc.

 

Thanks!

[johnat1121]

Cisco's CCNA covers pretty much all of that and the courses layout (online tests) makes it a very flexible certification to get. Also it pretty cheap to get some old Cisco kit and build your own lab, you can learn so much just messing in your own lab

[visioN]

is there specific parts? I don't want to do the full CCNA!

[amckinley]

CCNA is a whole test. You can't pick and choose which parts you want to get. You either take the whole thing or you dont haha. But even just reading the guide would give you a lot of knowledge.

[noit]

You could take ICND1 and ICND2 which are the individual exams that make up the CCNA. When I did mine, this is what I did, alot easier in my book.

 

ICND1 gives you the CCENT certification and both create the CCNA. There' also the Comptia Network+ which I hear is pretty solid

[fairm010]

Not sure if this helps but I found this very useful.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/LAN-Switching-First-Step-Matthew-Castelli/dp/1587201003

[themightymrp]

@noit makes a good suggestion for splitting the CCNA into the two separate exams. I personally went the full CCNA route via the one exam and passed it last year.

 

I notice that you are in Leeds (same as me). I did the CCNA course at the Leeds Networking Academy which is part of the College of Technology. I did the evening classes which basically consists of four 12 week terms (semesters they like to call them). It was one evening per week from 6:15pm to 9:15pm. It follows school terms quite well so it was actually spaced over a total of 15 months.

 

Its worth checking their site for course prices and dates - PM me if you want some contact details

[ChrisH]

The Cisco curriculum has changed so you can now do the CCENT and then do voice or security or similar to get CCNA Voice etc without doing the full CCNA routing and switching first.

[Leeoakley]

You can also do a combined 5 day course covering ICND 1&2.

 

The cheapest way to receive this type of training (per person), if you just want to get the training in and sorted, is to ping an email out to the other local schools/colleges in the area. If they also have an interest, Group as many techs together as possible (I wouldn't advise more than 10) an split the cost of an onsite course. You can easily run this type of training out of one of the school IT/conference rooms.

 

It will cost you a bit of time in trying to organise it, but will save on the wallet.

 

Alternatively you can try the local colleges/universities, but then you usually looking at a course spread over a few months.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Lee

[PotNoodleTech]

Why not study for the Network+ and get that cert under your belt, there's plenty of good theory in there.

 

Then move on to Cisco - i.e how to apply the theory to real life.