CompTia/ CCNA/ other alternatives?

[Mel_16]

Hi All,

 

I've been asked to look into some courses that I can go on. I currently work as the IT Network Manager at a growing school and need to go on some formal training. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on training courses. I am looking into managing a network and from what I can tell CCNA is more of building the network? So I thought CompTia A+ and Network+ may be the way to go. The only full-time, intense course providers I can see is FireBrand, who look a bit pricey. Does anyone know of any alternative providers that they've used? Just need a bit of guidance.

[rrrrr]

I would look at ccna and mcse for a network manager. 1st half of the ccna is very much getting to know ip addresses, subneting and routing. Most of the cisco commands are easily translated to other manufacturers like hp.

Msca/mcse will give you the server side of things.

Look at cbt nuggets for self study

[Mel_16]

That's what puts me off CCNA, is that it uses Cisco technology and we use HP. I know it can be translated, however if there is a course more suited to the technology I'm working with everyday, I'd probably find that preferable.

[rrrrr]

Hp do have their own certification track, but cisco is a much more desired cert for future.

Most commands, technologies are very similar, often just a different wording.

I too work with hp all day and i did cisco certs, helped me out alot.

[bigdpm]

Hi Mel_16

For those on a tight budget(!) - Udemy (https://www.udemy.com/courses/search/?q=CompTIA&src=ukw&lang=en)

For those with No money - Try Prof Messer (youtube) - Professor Messer IT Certification Training Courses, videos are short & free, notes are $10 etc,

Both of these are excellent starting resources!

 

Knowledge comes from experience!

You need a Home Lab (server, pc etc, using 180 day MS demo licenses or similar, then wipe & start again. Setup Virtual workstations build em, mess with em, rebuild etc.), Good Home Server would be HP Proliant Microserver, you can get these 2nd hand on ebay etc, but look out for Cashback deals from HP, try to stick to 4th Gen or later if you can.

 

Also you need good books that cover your courses, preferably with Lab examples for you to setup on your home lab etc.

Get the books in electronic format so you can access via a tablet or large screen phone so you can read on the way to work!

 

IMO

if you have had no training thus far, then get the A+ (900 series) and possibly Network +. This gives you vendor independent training and a good "general" skillset.

Self Study backed up with On-Line CBT is a good option,as you can study at your own pace. Good online study CBT providers include :

https://www.cbtnuggets.com/ .

Online Video Tutorials & Training at Lynda.com

http://www.pluralsight.com

Look at the package deals, - eg CBT Nuggets - $996 gets you the entire catalogue, Test Exams and online Labs. Well worth it if you are able to do more than one course a year.

 

Look at ITIL foundation, this will give you valuable tools for IT Support Framework "Best Practice's", (FITS is the school equivalent of ITIL if they are still doing it). I have been told some people complete the ITIL course & exam in 4 to 6 weeks!

 

(Side note, a lot of IT Cert Exams are now proctored online so you can do them at home (or at school)! No need to find an exam centre and book anymore!)

 

Once you have some of the "general" courses and some experience under your belt, then consider "specialising" depending on the Network setup you have, eg Microsoft 70-410, 411 & 412 for Win 2012, etc.

 

CCNA has probably got a finite life, now that Cisco are taking the Meraki (manage your switches on the web) approach, so "traditional" Cisco Command Line may well become a relic one day, all too soon, unfortunately, however "good" the courses are, so CCNA skillsets will be less in demand in future (maybe?)

 

If you want to look at VMWare, then you have to do a course, these are very expensive, however there is a "cheaper" route, as VMware allow 3rd level colleges to undertake the course in a different way to the norm. In London the Stifford Academy in the east end is an example of this alternative approach, it does the main Vmware VCP Cert for £999 via a number of evenings and weekends, (have not used them myself but heard good things). There are others out there doing the same (Usual VMware courses are south of £3,000 and require at least a week off work)

 

Whatever you do you will need to develop a strong study habit, and devote time, not just to a course, but to developing your experience as well. The days of passing an exam by doing a week long course and reading the book are long gone I am afraid.

 

Good Luck!

 

Bigdpm

[ellsandell]

I did my CCNA through Firebrand, would deffo recommend! Work paid for it using Cisco learning Credits (From buying kit) - might be worth speaking with them directly as they certainly gave discounts to other course attendees.