A+N+/CCNA

[adenjones12]

Which one is more useful? A+N+ or CCNA?

[featured_spectre]

all 3 are good, just depends on what you want to do and how much money you have

[DT2]

CCNA - but if you're relatively new to networking then you could probably use N+ for familiarisation before jumping into cisco stuff.

 

DT

[adenjones12]

True, but I see myself in Networking. Or maybe A+ first, and then CCNA? Is CCNA entry level?

[featured_spectre]

CCENT is entry level - step down from CCNA. If you want to do CCNA and you have not done networking or are lacking in fundamentals, then CCENT is the best way to start down the Cisco route.

[DT2]

No CCENT is entry level. (beaten to it by neph..)

[adenjones12]

Okay. CCENT I guess then. Any suggestions from where? Classroom please..

[featured_spectre]

how much money do you have?

how much time do you have?

 

serious questions.

[adenjones12]

I have enough for a couple of certs. I'm guessing CCENT, and CCNA. Time, I don't want to spend too much time not working. I'm working full time at the moment, and don't want to spend too much time out of office.

[featured_spectre]

get books and home kit, best way if you are a full time working.

[adenjones12]

Hmm maybe. My colleague's just mentioned Firebrand. CCENT in 3 days..know much about them?

[DT2]

They're quite expensive, but effective if that's the kind of environment you need.

You may be better looking at local colleges which are cisco academies.

 

DT

[featured_spectre]

Firebrand will teach you how to pass the exam, not how to use the knowledge practically - this comes from a former colleague of mine who did an 11 day course there.

 

Home study or college is the best way, home study you can learn at your own pace and enjoy it, but with college you get the added bonus of asking tutors for help.

[adenjones12]

They are expensive... which ones are they? Thanks for all the help btw!

[cpjitservices]

I know CCNA is good as I have done it but if I were to choose now I'd do the JNCIA by Juniper cheaper and easier and has as much clout as Cisco.

[Duke5A]

This site will give you just about everything you need to get your CCNA. Router Alley - Home

 

The labs and guides were written by the professor that taught my CCNP courses in college. Hit up eBay for some used equipment and start practicing at home. You can score 2500 and 2600 series routers pretty cheap from eBay.

[cpjitservices]

There is also Packet Life if you can't afford kit straight away if you do the CCNA, it's free to use the on-line hardware that packet life provide.

 

There is also GNS3 in which you can run real Cisco / Juniper Operating Systems but you need hardware or a service contract in order to acquire the Software Images, I'm currently running a Juniper router on a spare PC using GNS3.

[lazkopat]

If i was you, I would get an Network+ first for the fundamentals of Networking and then go on and do a CCNA.

You will need to do lots of reading on networks + practical aswel. Using simulation softwares will be a good start.

[sjatkn]

If you choose to go for a CCNA the Open University offers a course, it takes you through the whole thing in 9 months. You do need to attend 4 compulsory day schools, where I think you now have 1/2 day of teaching and then an end of block exam. You do need to arrange for the final CCNA exam once the course has finished, you are put in to a good position to take it. You can even go as far as taking an CCNP should you wish. I went down this route and it suited me just fine as it gave a balance between self paced and self motivated study and evening classes over 2 school years.

 

T216 - Cisco networking (CCNA) - Open University Course