Pass

Tip: Scheduling the test before you study can help you focus to study.

To that end: If, at the date you schedule, you don't feel ready; You can reschedule and push the date back. Ask your certification center for the "rules". My testing certer is 1 day If, at the date you schedule, you don't feel ready; You can reschedule and push the date back. Ask your certification center for the "rules". My testing certer is 1 day i]24 Hours[/i before your test. You can reschedule as many times as you want.

Bottom Line:

X1 - Methods ) - How you can study for your CCNA:

X2 - Self-Study ) - How to self-study for your CCNA:

ICND1

ICND2

Notes:

CCNA Composite

Notes:

3)

ICND1

CCNA Composite

Notes:

[color=red][i][b][color=green]X1 - Methods[/color][/i] [u]X1.1 - Formal Methods[/u] x1.1.A - CCNA: Discovery X1.1.B - CCNA: Exploration X1.1.C - Boot Camps [u]X1.2 - Self-Study[/u] X1.2.A - Self-Studiers (No Experience) X1.2.B - Self-Studiers (Experienced)[/b][/color][b][color=blue] [i][color=green]X2 - Self-Study - How to Self-Study for the CCNA - No Experience[/color][/i] [u]X2.1 - You'll need to pickup a book! X2.2 - You'll need to enter commands![/u] [color=blue]X2.2.A -[/color][color=darkblue] Simulators[/color] [color=darkblue]X2.2.A.a -[/color][color=black] Free[/color] [color=darkblue]X2.2.A.b -[/color][color=black] Paid[/color] [color=blue]X2.2.B -[/color][color=darkblue] Emulators[/color] [color=blue]X2.2.C -[/color][color=darkblue] Hardware[/color] [color=darkblue]X2.2.C.a -[/color][color=black] Minimal[/color] [color=darkblue]X2.2.C.b -[/color][color=black] Multi-Lab[/color] [color=darkblue]X2.2.C.c -[/color][color=black] Overkill[/color] [color=darkblue]X2.2.C.d -[/color][color=black] Hardware (Models)[/color] [color=black]X2.2.C.d.1 - Switch Models[/color] [color=black]X2.2.C.d.2 - Router Models[/color] [color=black]X2.2.C.d.3 - Frame Relay Routers[/color] [color=black]X2.2.C.d.4 - Example Lab[/color] [color=darkblue]X2.2.C.e -[/color][color=black] Hardware (Kits)[/color] [color=blue]X2.2.D -[/color][color=darkblue] Rack Time[/color] [color=blue]X2.2.E -[/color][color=darkblue] Labs[/color] [u]X2.3 - Practice Exams X2.4 - Videos X2.5 - Motivation X2.6 - Additional Tips, Tricks, Wisdom[/u][/b][/color]

________________________________________________

X1 - Methods >> There are a few methods to acquire the CCNA:

X1.1 - Formal Methods:

X1.1.A - CCNA: Discovery

foundational

Example:

X1.1.B - CCNA: Exploration

advanced

Example:

Pros:

+

+

+

+

+

Cons:

-

-

-

-

X1.1.C - Boot Camps:

supplement

My thoughts: As a newcomer to Cisco, boot camps will not/can not give you the time to absorb the information. Oftentimes will offer test **** as "Practice Exams" to boost numbers. Afterall: What good is a certification if you don't remember anything?

Pros:

+

+

+

Cons:

-

-

-

X1.2. Self-Study:

X1.2.A - Self-Studiers - No Experience:

Pros:

+

+

+

+

Cons:

-

-

-

-

-

Note:

After you've become a CCNA, strive to retain the information. Do not forget it. However, this is beyond the scope of this thread .

X1.2.B - Self-Studiers - With Experience:

________________________________________________

X2 - SelfStudy >> How to Self-Study for the CCNA - No Experience

X2.1) You'll need to pickup a book!

Optional Readings:

1.

RFCs (Request for comments):

2.

Cisco Documentation:

X2.2) You'll need to enter commands!

X2.2.A)

Simulators

X2.2.A.a)

X2.2.A.b)

X2.2.B)

Emulators

X2.2.B.a)

X2.2.B.b)

Unknown

X2.2.C)

Hardware

X2.2.C.a)

Switch

Router

X2.2.C.b)

Switches

Routers

X2.2.C.c)

Switches

Routers

X2.2.C.d)

Hardware (Models)

investment

Note:

X2.2.C.d.1)

X2.2.C.d.2)

X2.2.C.d.3)

X2.2.C.d.4)

Note:

Pros:

+

+

+

+

Cons:

-

-

-

-

Warning:

Make sure the ports are " Green ". " Amber " is a bad color. This is a great indicator that the hardware is in great working order. Look for IOS 12.4 for Routers. If possible: ask for terminal outputs: show version, show post. Examples of both can be found at the end of this post: 6.C, 6.D.

X2.2.C.e) Hardware Kits

Pros:

+

+

+

+

+

Cons:

-

-

Warning:

Stay away from eBay kits. I've read some posts where eBay Kits were known to malfunction, older (Not useful) IOS versions.

Examples:

X2.2.D) Rack Time

Pros:

+

+

+

Cons:

-

-

-

Examples:

X2.2.E) Labs

Free Examples:

Paid Examples:

X2.3) Practice Exams

Wrong Way:

Right Way:

Free Examples:

Paid Examples:

X2.4) Videos

Warning:

Do not use videos as a subsitute for reading a book and/or labbing!

Free Videos:

Paid Videos:

X2.5) Motivation

YOU! STOP!

Before we move on, I have a few questions for you:

1)

know

know

2)

never

//

End Scene.

feel

[I hope I didn't scare anyone off?]

will

1)

The key here:

My Tip:

T

xxx xxxxxxxxx

2)

3)

Tip:

4)

never

See how that worked?

Above all, Do not forget...

X2.6) Additional Tips, Tricks, Wisdom

6.A:

6.B:

6.C:

Show Version

Yes, it's upto date!

[color=green][b]Neo>show version[/color][/b] Cisco IOS Software, C3550 Software (C3550-IPSERVICESK9-M), [color=red][b]Version 12.2(44)SE6[/b][/color], RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1) Copyright (c) 1986-2009 by Cisco Systems, Inc. Compiled Mon 09-Mar-09 20:28 by gereddy Image text-base: 0x00003000, data-base: 0x012A99FC ROM: Bootstrap program is C3550 boot loader Neo uptime is 1 minute System returned to ROM by power-on System image file is "flash:/c3550-ipservicesk9-mz.122-44.SE6.bin" This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption. Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately. A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at: http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to [email protected] Cisco WS-C3550-24-PWR (PowerPC) processor (revision G0) with [color=red][b]65526K/8192K[/b][/color] bytes of memory. Processor board ID CATxxxxxxxx Last reset from warm-reset Running Layer2/3 Switching Image Ethernet-controller 1 has 12 Fast Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interfaces Ethernet-controller 2 has 12 Fast Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interfaces Ethernet-controller 3 has 1 Gigabit Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface Ethernet-controller 4 has 1 Gigabit Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface 24 FastEthernet interfaces 2 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces The password-recovery mechanism is enabled. 384K bytes of flash-simulated NVRAM. Base ethernet MAC Address: xx[IMG]https://us.v-cdn.net/6030959/uploads/images/smilies/icon_mad.gif[/IMG]x[IMG]https://us.v-cdn.net/6030959/uploads/images/smilies/icon_mad.gif[/IMG]x[IMG]https://us.v-cdn.net/6030959/uploads/images/smilies/icon_mad.gif[/IMG]x[IMG]https://us.v-cdn.net/6030959/uploads/images/smilies/icon_mad.gif[/IMG]x[IMG]https://us.v-cdn.net/6030959/uploads/images/smilies/icon_mad.gif[/IMG]x Motherboard assembly number: xx-xxxx-xx Power supply part number: 341-xxxx-xx Motherboard serial number: CATxxxxxxxx Power supply serial number: LITxxxxxxxxx Model revision number: xx Motherboard revision number: xx Model number: WS-C3550-24PWR-SMI System serial number: CATxxxxxxxx Configuration register is 0x10F

6.D:

Show Post

[b][color=darkgreen]Neo>show post ^ [color=darkred]% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.[/color] Neo>enable[/color] [color=green]Neo#show post[/color][/b] Stored system POST messages: POST: CPU Buffer Tests : Begin POST: CPU Buffer Tests : End, Status [color=green]Passed[/color] POST: CPU Interface Tests : Begin POST: CPU Interface Tests : End, Status [color=green]Passed[/color] POST: Switch Core Tests : Begin POST: Switch Core Tests : End, Status [color=green]Passed[/color] POST: CPU Interface 2nd Stage Tests : Begin POST: CPU Interface 2nd Stage Tests : End, Status [color=green]Passed[/color] POST: CAM Subsystem Tests : Begin POST: CAM Subsystem Tests : End, Status [color=green]Passed[/color] POST: Ethernet Controller Tests : Begin POST: Ethernet Controller Tests : End, Status [color=green]Passed[/color] POST: ILP Controller Tests : Begin POST: ILP Controller Tests : End, Status [color=green]Passed[/color] POST: Loopback Tests : Begin POST: Loopback Tests : End, Status [color=green]Passed[/color]

Congratulations! You've decided to study for a Cisco certification!Schedule &the CCNA test with Pearson Vue!Welcome! This thread is laid out to. No, this thread will not help you study specifc topics - like EIRGP, RIP, Subnetting... That's the next step beyond this thread. This thread's sole purpose is to help answer the never-ending questions: "How do I study", "Strategies to study", "How do I get the CCNA quick?".I can not give you the answer forsituation. Everyone has their own goals, budget, work situation. However, I can you share the many methods successful people have used to gain their Certifications. I will also share my own experiences, as well as experiences of other forum members.Cisco has a lot of short i]Less than 15 minutes[/i webinars as "Studying for Results". As of this edit, they haven't posted all the videos. Note: You need to be logged into Cisco's Website to watch the short films.There's a lot of ways to get the piece of paper that says "CCNA", along with a small plastic card. I will highlight the ways you can get this knowledge!For those that want the flexibility, and have the drive - or are just want the cheap way (). This highlights the numerous questions, as well as explores the answers, giving examples, tips, tricks from people around the globe on Tech Exams. Yes.Yes, I know there's three listed here.Take the) Exam. Pass it. Take the) Exam. Pass that within 3 years.The two-test route is what I took. I recommend this over the single exam for self-studiers (More below). It's cheaper to pass and cheaper to fail. It covers less material.Take the) Exam. Pass it.The CCNA Composite exam needs to cover ICND1/ICND2, so the depth of questions may not be as deep. However, if you fail the exam - you're short 300 dollars and you have much more to study and retainTake the(640-822) Exam. Pass it. Take the(640-802) Exam. Pass it.Some people have taken the Composite afterwards, as this covers all the material and is not as indepth. It's the most expensive route, andrecommended.- CCNA Discovery- CCNA Exploration- Boot Camps- No Experience.- With ExperienceCisco hosts something called "" or Cisco "". You also may hear it called "" or "". Both are fundamentally the same: A teacher, physical lab, books. However, there are some differences between the two that you may not know:- Designed for students with basic PC skills andmath and problem solving skills. Gentle learning, more time may be spent on developing the theories.If you've taken the Cisco Networking Academy during High School - Like I did. This is an example of "Discovery". It's a two-year, half day, every day, vacation from High School.- Designed for students withproblem solving and analytical skills. More material. More Depth. Quicker speed.Colleges. Expect to cover what you need to know in a single semister.TeachersLab equipment suppliedOther students.You paid a lot of money.Packet Tracer (Time & DedicationCan be a lot more expensive.You paid a lot of money.May include cheating methods.Boot camps are designed as an intense, condensed introduction to the material. Usually, a boot camp will last for a week ().The most attractive thing about Boot Camps are they're short. The bad thing is that they are short. There isn't a lot of time to absorb or understand hard-topics. You get in. Do your thing. Get out.Some companies will provide boot camp training, as a time-efficient means to get employees up to speed. Boot camps can be done in person () or over the internet.The people that will gain the most benefit out of boot camps are persons that have a high-level understanding prior to the boot camp. In Otherwords, People that already know the major topics and theories and won't need to spend a lot of mental strength on these heavy topics. These people don't know the finer details and just looking for some formal instruction as a2K+ (TeachersOther students.A lot of money spent.Not a lot of time to absorbNot a lot of time to understandMay include cheating methods.Everyone learns at their own rate. If you push too much information into your head, you will not retain the information you learned. Motivation, Dedication, Time, and yes... Money. All these will play a part in your studies. Because when it boils down to it, you have the control of the throttle.2-6 Months. Zero to CCNAHaven't touched a switch or router in a couple years? Never even seen a switch or a router? You fall into this category. No biggie. Most of us do.Tech-exams is a perfect example of people that "Self-Study". There are a lot of ways to self-study. I will go deeper into "how" later in the thread. I place myself in this category, because I don't work in a field with cisco equipment. Cisco is out of the ordinary.ICND1, ICND2Self-PacedCheaper.Can still be expensiveWork may helpHard to stay motivatedEasy to stop studyingHard to know what do to, what to buy, where to start.You won't often see the benefits of a CCNA right awayWork may not helpYou work with Cisco Equipment day in, day out. You know the material, but you still want/need to get certified. It may be required for work. Either way, you've got your foot in the door.CCNA CompositeThe rest of the thread is dedicated to those that are intested in self-studying. I would hope you are. It's an exciting, vast world. One that I hope you can share my excitement someday! The networking world is much more involved than routers and switches. At the same time, most electronic information relies heavily on routers to route, and switches to switch. This is the door to all of it, and CCNA is a great start to look into the key-hole." It's easy to say those two things. (). At the same time your motivation can burn out trying. I'm not saying that it's going to be easy. Because it's still going to require dedication, time, practice. But this thread is to make it somewhat less foggy.Ultimately, the best way is get right in! Jump in and do it!Cisco gives you everything you need to know. Which is fantastic. How? Take a gander at their exam websites. They practically hand you the answers!1) Buy & Read a book.- This is a requirement. Yes, I know it's thick, it's heavy and boring with A lot of word-2) Enter commands.- Type in commands for the equipment. See the Output. Make it work!3) Practice Exams4) Videos5) Motivation6) Additional Tips, Tricks, Experience.Yes. I said it. Run for the hills, lock your windows, bar your doors. You heard me. You will need to read something. It's going to be dry. It's going to be boring.First the books: These are the most-often recommended books members at Tech-Exams gravitate towards:- Todd Lammle. CCBA Study Guide. 1 Book.- Wendell Odom. CCNA Offical Cert Library. 2 BooksI prefer the hardcover for a couple reasons: 1) Depth of material 2) Looks great on the shelf 3) Lasts longer 4) I can study for the CCENTGetting used to reading technical documents will sooner or later become a need. There's over 5 thousand RFCs (). Might as well start with a few entertaining ones: 1882 Advice from the horses mouth... so to speak. There's documentation, graphics, command syntaxes. It's free and there's a lot of information.Perfect practice makes perfect! Getting into the terminal, seeing the command-line (), and practicing commands is a must-do for CCNA candidates.- Simulators will give you feeling without the hassle. Some include labs with it. Convienent, Quick.).- Emulators will use the actual Cisco IOS. It acts like the real thing without the hardware! Great for saving some cash.- I recommand buying hardware for candidates. It's expensive, I know. But there's experience you can't get with the other options.How do you upgrade the IOS? How do you find out the DTE/DCE cabling are bad? That's just a taste of it., I just like to see the lights blinkIf you're going to have your own equiment, invest in a USB-to-Serial Converter. You'll going to need to console into the equipment, which, will usually be a Light-Blue Console cable, with a serial port at the end. The Serial end would go to the PC. Thankfully, we've phased the serial portion out! But it's still used for the cables, so far.Prolific Adapter url=http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1348579456&sr=8-3&keywords=usb-to-serial]Amazon Link[/url is what was recommended to me because it worked without problems. I bought it, tried to use it without drivers, then installed the drviers. It still worked! Yes, you'll need to install the drivers () before plugging it in! My Ubunutu didn't need drivers, though. mintty , Hyper Terminal (Non-Vista or Newer)9600 bits per second, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit.- (1), (1)- (3), (3)- (3), (6+)Like I stated before, buying equipment is not cheap. It's also not easy. But dang, it's fun! It's the benefit of window shopping without the guilt. Better than Chocolate!! Before you go out and start looking at 10000-class routers, and switches that have blades in them... I'll just give you a list. It's a compliation offor most people. Some models will be cheaper than other, some may be old as dirt. For this list, I tried to keep the cost to- Less than 500 USD. Yes, Less than 500 USD is afor your own hardware.I talked you into buying some hardware.But... What do you look for in hardware? You'll be looking for the IOS version. It's the big one. Besides buying something that tests correctly! Routers with 12.4 is a must, as it's what's tested and what's current of this thread. Focus onand. Keep a few bucks in your pocket.Models inare recommended asandfor the CCNA-Level topics.- 2950 or, 2960, 3550, 3560., 1760, 1841,, 2610XM/2620XM, 2611, 2611XM/2621XM, 3640- 1721, 1841,, 2610XM w/ NM-4A/S ModuleThere's a lot of choices. So here's what you'll need to do everything. You'll need 3 routers, and 3 switches.that "Module" equipment will be more expensive - because it's flexible for labs. You'll pony up the cost for the Module and the Router/Switch separately. I'd say dedicated hardware is better, atleast it should be cheaper to replace. Knowing how to troubleshoot modules can also be a good thing, and can decrease the overall size of your lab!I won't be listing everything - like cables, or transcievers, if needed. I have tried to go through the list and find compatable items, but there's so many options out there, you'll need to do the rest of the legwork. I'd recommend looking at Kits, see what they include. Figure out the answer to this question:. Check Cisco's site. It's a lot of leg work, but this is something you might be doing. With that said: I can not guantee my example lab is correct. It may not meet your needs!3x 2950c (17-30$)1x 2520 (37-50$), 3x 1721 (~20$ ea)6x WIC-1T Modules [For 1721] (~14$ ea),Exciting! Window shopping for equipment to help you in the long run!It's yours. Forever.Interesting to see how other equipment may have been setup in the past.Can be a lot cheaper than Hardware KitsCan be expensive than Hardware Kits.Warranties aren't guanteed.Time will be invested. You'll need to look for a good, inexpensive buy.You don't know exactlyyou'll get until you get it in your hands. CraigsList , Many "Kit" websites ().- While it's a fun time to go hunt for hardware. You never know what you'll find... But sometimes, we just don't want to deal with all of that. I get it. Hardware Kits come in all ranges - Barebones to Extravagant. You'll need to weigh your options, and make sure the shipping doesn't kill that good looking cost.ConvienentWarrantiesTechnical Support for hardwareMay include labs, wiring and everything needed to start doing labs the first day.Upgraded to latest version, most of the timeExpensiveNot as much "Thrill" buying them all together.- Use the internet connection, connect to a rack, start labbing! It's a cost-effective method for people that want to use expensive setups but can't afford the cost, or maintence. Best of all. You don't need to worry about IOS software, and it's ultra-portable!Convient. Access your lab from around the world.It's not yours.CheapYou're scheduling time. First come, first served.It's not yours.Service may not be available- You need material to work with!Practice exams are great to knock cobwebs loose. It also allows you to get into the testing mind-set. There is a right way and a wrong way to take these exams.Go through each question, seeing the right answer, and immediately selecting thatanswer.- Did you give a thought to any reason why? What about the other answers?Go through each question, seeing the right answer. Then you ask yourself: Why are the others wrong? You can get 4x the benefit out of a single question by asking that one question, and working through it.Examining the answers will help you dig up and strengthen the material. You may discover that you may not knowacronym like you thought you did.This is a procedure that works to help avoid memorizing test answers. Memorizing a practice test and its answers won't help you. If you happen to pass the real test, you'll find out that you'll be missingsomething works like it does is the most important question to ask while you test and when you get on the job.So what's the next-best thing to a real teacher in class? A video lesson. While not interactive, it can be used to help understand the fundamentals and can also add other bits of information that you would otherwise not have known about.Yes. Iyou are. Youyou are.Are you sure you are? To be quite honest, I'm not sure you have it in you.Those are some long months ahead.It's going to be harder once you realize that this stuff is pretty scary. It's new. They're topics you'veseen before. A lot of stuff will be thrown at you: EIGRP, VTP, Router and Switch commands, Subnetting -just to name a! You'll be reading books that look like they came from Harvard! Then you'll need to work through lab problems, solving them yourself. You'll need an advil to get rid of the headache!".Your motivation is already going down. I canit () It's that nagging itch at the back of your mind. You don't want to acknowledge it- but it's there. It waits in the depths for a weak moment. Then out of the blue - It'll hit.. It'll hit so hard that you won't want to do anything at all.This is the feeling everyone that has studied for a certification, or any test can atest to. For some people, this feeling is more prominent than others. But it's still there in one degree or another.I'm a betting man. I'd be willing to bet on that sometime during everyone's life - they sensed it too. So you're in good company.If you're still with me......I wanted to try to introduce you to the enemy. I'm going to help you. You can't fight what you pretend doesn't exist. Ignorance does not help you. It's there, even if I couldn't shine a light on the blob. I can guantee it sometime down the road: Yousecond guess the pace you're studying.It happens to everyone - admit it or not.So how can you fight it? How can you protect yourself against this motivational pirate?Are you thinking about going head-first and quitting everything to get it done? Don't. Go to the gym. Play video games. Go out with family. See your friends. Humans by nature are social creatures. Don't punish yourself for something that's good.. It sounds like a "", right? You could boil it down to dieting. But saying "" is like saying "". You just don't want it () around.Don't use the word "". Forget "". They were dropped from Wikipedia, Webster's Dictionary long ago.What you want to do is to make room to study. It may not be hours, or half a day. It may be just 10, 20, 40 minutes. Just do something, for what you can, everyday. No stress. When you're in the bathroom, prop up a book. That's the wayshould be!We are all your peers. We may not know, or like you. Yet, We are what we are. Some are more knowledgable than others. We work in your field, or want to be. Reach out to us. The good thing about the internet, and these forums: You can talk to anyone around the globe. Use it.You know what Lennon said: "Complete them. Reward yourself for doing every one.Read Chapter 2 tomorrow.Bottle of BAWLS. Personally: My reward for finishing this post is to order a case of BAWLS. Yeah, It works. Bribe yourself with a carrot. That said...Do not punish or take away something if you don't complete it.You'll learn to like it through doing it. You may hate it at first. I hated reading. I've learned to tolerate it. I'm starting toit. I (owned anything that didn't include the words "Strategy Guide" in them before last year. If you read this entire post so far, you can definitely make it through the Cisco Books.No matter what you do,. Somehow, Someway it will happen and It really sucks when it does. What you do at that moment is what makes people successful, and those working at the local Burger joints.my friend, is not just with Cisco or Certifications, but anything worth doing.I'll leave this section with a few good quotes. Bites for your noggin'. Sources " -" -" -" -Expect personal problems to come up. Deaths, illness, legal, weddings, children, Holidays, Work projects, All. You'll need to manage your time around it. You'll need to get efficient at learning. I've run into a lot of those bumps in the road.The only suggestion I can make: Print out some of your notes. Otherwise, If you can afford a cheap e-reader/tablet/net book, pick one up. All the time you're doing nothing, you should be doing something. Might as well be something to help you.There's only so much you can do about Life, the rest needs to play out on it's own. Of course - Do what you can, then get your head back in the game. Don't forget us.Asking questions helps you, helps me, helps everyone. When you ask questions people will see the question and think about the problem. The mere act ofto think about the topic helps to retain knowledge.. 3550 Switch output.. 3550 Switch output.