where to begin in the cisco...

CCNA is the certification, Cisco Certified Network Associate. Happens that version 2.0 is just coming out and there's not much available yet for books, courses. I recently completed the CCNA using self study only. It helps to have hands on as well, but there are router simulators available for about $300 or so which is really good enough to get you through this first level certification. Check Amazon.com for CCNA and pick Todd Lamel's CCNA Study Guide. It'll be about 2 more weeks before the 2nd version is out covering CCNA 2.0.

Regarding better pay, MCSE vs CCNA, it'll all depend. The certification is a great way to let a prospective employer know you can learn, but experience is what's paid for.

Check www.cisco.com, training and the certification area. Want to reall get paid well? Go for the CCIE.

This is the Australian experience.

- Cisco certification pays more. The techs have been in the industry longer and have better 'trade' skills.
- Microsoft certification is more common and therefore degrades the value. The people are younger and often do not think laterally.
- Cisco certifification classroom training includes hands on training if you do the classroom work. The training providers' in Australia provide workshop rooms after hours so you can tighten up your skills on real live equipment, as part of the training.
- On the exam side, Microsoft exams are all multi guess, you can learn by rout. Cisco at the higher levels actually makes you prove you have the practical skills to set equipment to work and fault find.
Pete