IT Employment

Ask something
Discussion Locked

CCNA self-study materials X Cisco Network Academy

0 helpful
5 replies

by mastertone_tech 3 views

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I'm preparing for the CCNA exam and would like an input as far as study and hands-on preparation.

What would you recommend: the Self-study CCNA books (two books authorized by Cisco Press), or joining a technical school associated to Cisco Network Academy and attend that course online? I heard Network Academy has a lab simulator called Packet Tracer and it is very good. However, I would like to know if I decide to go with books (self-study) I would also have access to any lab simulation (so to practice configs + troubleshooting).

Which one is best for getting ready for the exam?

5 replies

by dr dij

endless books on CCNA
I have 22 on my online books subscription on books24x7.com that have CCNA in the title.

However, there is another route you didn't think of: online courses.

you can get CCNA courses on mindleaders site that you can take for a year. Many are by people who wrote books. I find that the less passive approach of courses - asking you questions every few pages, and clicking to next page plus the presentation of the critical material speeds learning over a book, where you are more likely to get distracted or kind of doze off.

the acm (acm.org) has this oreillybook: CCNA Self-Study: Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices (ICND), Second Edition
By:
Publisher:
Pub. Date: 2003/11/19
Insert Date: 2005/03/15
Table of Contents

- you can read the oreilly books free online while a member
and these two books on books24x7 subset on acm site:
CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide, Sixth Edition, (Exam 640-802)

by Todd Lammle
Sybex ? 2007 (1005 pages) Citation
ISBN:9780470110089
Packed with lively examples, easy-to-understand analogies, practical hands-on exercises and labs, and real-world scenarios, this guide will not only help you prepare for the exam, but also give you a solid foundation as a Cisco networking professional.

0

CCNA For Dummies

by Ron Gilster, Jeff Bienvenu and Kevin Ulstad
John Wiley & Sons ? 2000 (376 pages) Archive Citation
ISBN:9780764506901
A easy-to-read and comprehensive guide toward passing the CCNA exam and becoming a Cisco Certified Network Associate.

0

CCNA For Dummies

by Ron Gilster
John Wiley & Sons ? 2004 (432 pages) Archive Citation
ISBN:9780764541896
Prepared by Cisco-certified experts and packed with proven tips and practice questions, this hands-on guide is your one-stop resource to get up to speed on routing and switching technology--and pass the test!

the IEEE site has an element K course on CCNA (plus other cisco courses of course)

mindleaders seems to have hte most extensive selection - 2 ccna series of courses:

Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders CCNA 640-801
The Open Systems Interconnect Model (OSI)
Hardware and the OSI Reference Model
Wide Area Network Protocols
TCP/IP Technologies
Understanding Layer 2 Switching Technologies
Understanding Layer 3 Routing Technologies
Configuring a Cisco Switch
Configuring a Cisco Router
Creating and Applying Additional Router Configurations
Practice Exam
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders CCNA 640-802
Networking Fundamentals
Network Models
Concepts in IP Addressing
Working with Cisco Equipment
Managing Your Router
Basic Catalyst Switch Operations and Configuration
Introduction to WANs
Wireless LANs
Basic Network Security
Basic Routing
Small-Office Internet Connection
Advanced Catalyst Switch Operations and Configuration
IP Access Lists
Advanced Routing
Advanced WANs
Advanced IP Concepts
Practice Exam 1
Practice Exam 2
Practice Exam 3

they are fairly cheap if you buy a whole package together, and it includes other cisco courses if you decide to up your certs later:
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders BCMSN 642-811
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders BCMSN 642-812
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders BCRAN 642-821
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders BSCI 642-801
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders BSCI 642-901
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders CCDA 640-863
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders CCNA 640-801
The Open Systems Interconnect Model (OSI)
Hardware and the OSI Reference Model
Wide Area Network Protocols
TCP/IP Technologies
Understanding Layer 2 Switching Technologies
Understanding Layer 3 Routing Technologies
Configuring a Cisco Switch
Configuring a Cisco Router
Creating and Applying Additional Router Configurations
Practice Exam
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders CCNA 640-802
Networking Fundamentals
Network Models
Concepts in IP Addressing
Working with Cisco Equipment
Managing Your Router
Basic Catalyst Switch Operations and Configuration
Introduction to WANs
Wireless LANs
Basic Network Security
Basic Routing
Small-Office Internet Connection
Advanced Catalyst Switch Operations and Configuration
IP Access Lists
Advanced Routing
Advanced WANs
Advanced IP Concepts
Practice Exam 1
Practice Exam 2
Practice Exam 3
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders CIT 642-831
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders ICND1 640-822
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders ICND2 640-816
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders ISCW 642-825
Cisco Related Series by MindLeaders ONT 642-845
CISSP Security Professional

by mastertone_tech

As far as self-study, I was considering 'Authorized Self-Study Guide: CCNA Preparation Library, 7th Edition'. The MindLeaders series seem to be very comprehensive. I appreciate the advice.

by jdclyde

The reason so many people go with the classes instead of just getting the books and esims, is so many do not have the drive and dedication to go through all of the material on their own.

As for esims, Sybex has a few that come with lab books, but they are far from free.

Others will go on ebay and buy used routers to practice with.

And yes, I went through the Cisco academy as part of my BA in networking. Takes more time and money, but I got a degree that work paid for out of the deal.

by mastertone_tech

I also went for the initial two quarters on Cisco Academy through a school near by (although online). However, due to getting busy during the second quarter, I fell behind and could not recuperate. That's why I'm now reconsidering studying on my own time by using good material and, if I can find, a good simulator (hopefully the same level of Packet Tracer - provided by Cisco Academy). Regards.

by alomega789

Hello Knoy,

I have had a tremendous problem in finding study material. What I did do is purcha a CCNA lab consisting of a minimum of 3 routers and 3 swithces (which has helped alot, because simulators do not have a full amount of command line interface commands)(what this means is that you will not be exposed to all of the configuration commands if you use a simulator). So save your money on simulators unless you can obtain Cisco's simulator (somehow) ! But with actual routers and switches, switch over cables, and straight through cables, sitting in front of you, your confidence will go up as far as being able to do the real work.

But getting back to study material. Cisco Press material is scattered through out both books, there is neither complete harmony nor chronology of subject matter. Each book while your are studying referes to various parts of the other book, which breaks your concentration and loss of time getting through the material.

I did take the test, and scored 57% overall. But on the WAN section I scored 100%. It cost me $250 to fail. I didn't like that feeling and continue to not like that memory.

What I determined was taht I needed a CCIE or a CCNP who knows what it takes to pass the test to produce study material in a chronological, systematic, manner. I've found a couple of places on the Internet that are very affordable, and seem to present the material in a manner that I can understand and remember. But everybody learns from 1 or 2 of 4 methods of learning, and these guys seem to cover those bases.

I hope this helps

This discussion is closed to new replies.