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CCNA study w/ a Catalyst?

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by ghstinshll 1 view

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Ok, so I've been around, can subnet like a fool, and have been thinking about buckling down to the CCNA. Of course, I really don't have any experience with Cisco equip, have simulators, books, etc...

I have a Catalyst 3512 sitting in my office basement depreciating, with no implementation date in sight. I have approval from my manager to whatever I want to this switch. With the proper reading, and sims, will this switch help me out at all by helping me get used to the IOS or anything? give me your opinions before I possibly waste time messing around with it. I'm assuming it can help me set up and understand VLANs a little bit better, but give me your opinion... is the CCNA what this will ehlp me with or is it the CCDA?

Thanks in advance.

Jason

9 replies

by lordinfidel

It will help you learn the syntax and such.

If you can, get your hands on a cisco router. It does not have to be a big bad boy like a 7200. It can be a little 1600.

You just need to get in it and do some routing with it. Plus learn how to set acl's. I would set up a mini netwrk to test. It may also serve you to use a linux based netwk so you get used to the command line.

When studying for it though, you actually need to learn ipx/spx. Still not sure why, I have yet to this day used it.

Also when using the switch, I beleive the 3512 supports spanning tree, but don't quote me on it.
In any events read up on it. Also learn how to set up port fast on it.

Also review making a direct serial connection.

by ghstinshll

I've connected to cisco equip before under the phone supervision of others, through a rollover and all.

As for the IPX, I've heard that... and the same for me... I'm even running a Novell environment right now, and we're using TCP/IP.

Thanks. I don't know if I'll be able to get a hold of a router for training, but we'll see.

by timwalsh

Greetings Jason.

I'm about at the same point your (where to go next). I've started to take classes (at the local communitiy college). One thing the instructor keeps stressing is "Get your hands on some routers!" The biggest part of CCNA is configuring routers so they can talk to each other. You can learn some of this with one router. But without a second one, it's really hard to tell if what you are doing will really work. While a Catalyst will allow you to get familiar with IOS, it won't help with configuration of a router.

Run a search on Google for . Many vendors of used Cisco equipment actually sell packages called "CCNA Lab Package" or something similar. These packages usually come with 2 or more routers and the proper cables to connect them. The prices seem to be reasonable (compared to new Cisco equipment) (of course "reasonable" greatly depends on your finances). One example is Digital Warehouse (www.digitalwarehouse.com), which sells a "CCNA Lab Package" (a pair of Cisco 2501s with documentation, all needed cables, etc.) for $995 (compared to more than $6000 for 2 new 2501s) with a 1 year warranty. Other vendors will have similar packages.

The above mentioned instrucotr also suggested splitting costs if you can find another tech in your area who might be contemplating the same thing.

by lordinfidel

When I first started studying for mine, we got a couple of us together on the weekend and set up a mini netwk here at the office.

But tim is right, just having 1 isn't enough to make a full blown netwk. But on the other hand, you can overcome this limit by setting up another linux based router.

Which is a real world scenario.

You can install OSPF on a linux router and the cisco router and still achieve the same goals.
It's either going to work or it's not.

But no matter which way you look at it, your going to need to invest a little cash on this one if you do not have direct access to them.

by road-dog

If you are messing around with equipment, be sure that it is isolated from the production network.

If you have a VTP server operational on the test Catalyst, it is possible that it could send an invalid VTP update cascading through the network, with catastrophic results.

Any number of other things could happen. Keep it separate....

by ttrull

The books and the sim will help wiht the IOS.

The questions they ask about the IOS on the exam will be in the sims.

If you can subnet like a fool that is a BIG bonus, my exam had a few questions on subnetting alone.

by nathanh

Jason,
Theoretically, it _is_ easily possible to use the Catalyst and Sims to get all the hands-on that you will need to _pass_ the exam. I caution against this method though. It is only through actual experience with the routers that you will retain the knowledge. As with any cert, that should be the main goal, to increase your knowledge in a subject. I have several certs now, and several others that I studied for and never took the exam. Both have been winning situations because I always emphasize _retaining_ the skills, not just studying for an exam.
Hope this helps you.

Nathan

by rebelord

hi, just took my ccna exam (and passed it, too) and definitely, getting your hands on a router or a router sim would be a big help. expect a couple of questions on 607 which will require you to configure a router.

as for the catalyst, asked previous ccna candidates if there were qustions on catalyst config. answer was none (and same with me). try to study more the principles/technologies behind spanning-tree, vlan, vtp, 802.x...

hth and good luck...

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