FW: advice for ccna certification

["Jason Harris" <jharris () newhorizonscr com>]

Don' get a 2610, get a 2620. A 2610 only has an Ethernet port where as a
2620 has a fastethernet port for trunking built in. Three 2501's, a 1900xl,
and a 2620 would allow you to do everything but ISDN for cheap. If you
really want to do ISDN you can get an ISDN simulator, not cheap, and a 2520.
If shopping on ebay watch out for the CCNA LAB KIT FOR ONLY $1000. Buying
them in pieces can be much cheaper. Watch out for the IOSs that come with
the routers, try and get all that have at least 12.0. Unless you want to
have some fun with the restrictions of some of the older IOSs. Yes a 1900
series switch does have a different way to build vlans than a 2900 series.
If you find a 2916 make sure that it has a 4 port fastethernet extension
slot filled because the main fa0/1-16 do NOT support trunking. Also, there
can be variations in the switching commands with in the 2900 series also. I
would just go for a supper cheap 1900 and get a full understanding of
VLANs/VTP/STP that way then concentrate on some of the 2900 series syntax
for port security and such. The exam doesn't go into switching simulations
at the CCNA level because there is such a wide discrepancy between different
models let alone two major divides between set based and IOS based. At the
professional level and above then you'll really need to know the syntax
properly. 

You'll know when your ready for the certification once you've memorized
every table, matrix, and understand every debug out put that is listed in
your CCNA prep books whether they are Sybex, Cisco press, or whatever and
you can sit down in front of your routers and build a complete network from
scratch with out any guidance other than maybe the "?" then rework the
network. Be able to build up ppp, frame-relay, ACLs, different banners, host
tables, different levels of passwords, password recovery, dynamic/static
NAT, PAT, static routes, RIP, IGRP, OSPF, EIGRP, VTP Domains with password
and pruning, and debug everything and understand what you are seeing. Then
explore on from there. Don't just do a simple straight forward IP scheme
either. Plan out the network with VLSM and watch what happens with RIP then
switch to version 2 and watch it build up. I truly believe hands-on is the
most important thing to passing any of the Cisco exams. The first time you
sit down with your lab kit you might take 5 hours just to setup telnet and a
password, who cares. Just keep doing it and it will go faster and faster.
Frustration is common and expected but don't ever give up. 

On the subject of taking a course, I wouldn't say they are a waste depending
on where you are going. I might be biased on this because I have taught
Cisco courses for more than 8 years now. I won't plug who I train through
though. I will admit there are places that are a waste of time but there are
some really great training facilities out there that incorporate a lot of
hands on gear and labs. In my classes I'll go over the theory of it all but
probably not for more than 30 minutes on each topic because the rest of the
time is throwing everyone in the water and helping them swim. I would say I
have at least 90% of students pass first time and the rest pass the second
time through. When looking for a training provider look at the type and
amount of equipment to be used and the training style. Talk to the
instructor and not the sales people before signing up. I'm not to familiar
with Cisco academy but if it's through authorized training make sure that
the instructor is CCSI. I wouldn't take a course that is not authorized by
Cisco.

One last note on a great resource if this has not yet been mentioned,
cisco.com. They have an extensive list of white papers, command syntax
resources that can help with your home kit or real world, and also a great
CCNA Prep center. 

Have fun,
Jason


-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On
Behalf Of Erick Jensen
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 5:49 PM
To: Dixon, Wayne; lists () ciscokid net; Alexey Eremenko;
security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: RE: advice for ccna certification

A good kit would be 25xx routers for all purposes except trunking, as
mentioned.  Pick up a 2610 for cheap and get your trunking down.  The
WS-C2924-XL-EN switch is still a hot item, the price is usually steady.
Try the 2912 or the WS-C2924M-XL-EN, they usually run a little cheaper.
You can probably stay away from the 1900 series; I don't remember any of
those questions on the test.  

Sorry, knowing the models is part of my job.  

If you want to find these, I know a place that is usually cheaper than
ebay.  See the back of my email address.  Shameless plug I know, but
I've seen others do it!  

-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com]
On Behalf Of Dixon, Wayne
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 6:47 PM
To: lists () ciscokid net; Alexey Eremenko;
security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: RE: advice for ccna certification

The issue with getting only 2500 and 2900s are the inability
(particularly with the 2500) to do subinterfaces on the Ethernet
interface.  Take a look over what is tested on the current test, since
they recently re-did the tests, and choose from there.  My guess is that
3548's, which are soon not going to be supported might be a good bet.
Possibly a bit older 2600's might be good for the routers.

Wayne
 


-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com]
On Behalf Of Steve Kalcevich
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 11:28 PM
To: 'Alexey Eremenko'; security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: RE: advice for ccna certification


I took the CCNA in June 2003. What I can say is get 3 2500 series
routers and a 2900 series switch. Get the Cisco books and join
groupstudy.com and comp.dcom.sys.cisco and alt.certification.cisco on
news group. 

Buy the routers and switches on ebay. That is all you need to pass and
be educated don't take any classes it's a waste.

--
Steve Kalcevich PMP, CISSP, CCNA, CCDA

-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com]
On Behalf Of Alexey Eremenko
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 12:38 PM
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Re: advice for ccna certification

I disagree with your idea that Cisco Academy is waste of time. Actually
I passed CCNA thanks both to my own learning + Cisco Academy. It helped
me a lot. I really love Cisco Academy. (even many years after completing
CCNA)

Of course such material like Sybex and Testking helps too. Having access
to real hardware is very important to have some real skills for the job.
Simulators however will allow you to pass the exams.

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