Cisco CCNA Training Examined

CCNA is where it all starts for training in Cisco. With it, you’ll learn how to handle the maintenance and installation of switches and routers. Basically, the internet comprises of vast numbers of routers, and many large organizations who have several locations need them to allow their networks to keep in touch.

Routers are linked to networks, so look for a program which teaches the basics – perhaps Network+ and A+, and then do a CCNA course. It’s essential to have this background understanding on networks before you start a Cisco course or you may encounter problems. In the commercial environment, networking skills will be valuable to complement your CCNA.

Qualifying up to the CCNA level is the right level in this instance – you’re not ready for your CCNP yet. Get a couple of years experience behind you first, then you can decide if CCNP is something you want to do. If it is, you’ll be much more capable to succeed at that stage – as your working knowledge will put everything into perspective.

Most trainers typically provide mainly work-books and reference manuals. It’s not a very interesting way to learn and isn’t the best way to go about taking things in. Long-term memory is enhanced with an involvement of all our senses – educational experts have expounded on this for years now.

Interactive audio-visual materials utilizing video demo’s and practice lab’s will forever turn you away from traditional book study. And they’re a lot more fun to do. You really need to look at examples of the study materials provided by any company that you may want to train through. Be sure that they contain full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab’s to practice the skills in.

Avoid training that is purely online. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where possible, so that you have access at all times – it’s not wise to be held hostage to a good broadband connection all the time.

It’s not uncommon for companies to offer inclusive exam guarantees – this always means you have to pay for the exams before you’ve even made a start on the course. However, prior to embracing guaranteed exams, be aware of the facts:

We all know that we’re still being charged for it – it’s not so hard to see that it’s been inserted into the gross price invoiced by the training company. It’s absolutely not free – don’t think these companies are so generous with their money! Trainees who take each progressive exam, funding them one at a time are far more likely to pass first time. They’re conscious of their spending and prepare more appropriately to make sure they’re ready.

Find the best exam deal or offer available at the appropriate time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You’ll also be able to choose where to take your exam – meaning you can choose a local testing centre. Buying a course that includes payments for exams (and interest charges if you’re borrowing money) is a false economy. Why fill a company’s coffers with your money just to give them a good cash-flow! Many will hope you don’t even take them all – so they don’t need to pay for them. Remember, with the majority of Exam Guarantees – the company decides when you are allowed to do a re-take. You’ll have to prove conclusively that you can pass before they’ll pay for another exam.

Average exam fees were 112 pounds or thereabouts in the last 12 months through local VUE or Pro-metric centres throughout the country. So what’s the point of paying maybe a thousand pounds extra to have ‘Exam Guarantees’, when it’s obvious that what’s really needed is consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software.

Consider only training programs which will lead to commercially acknowledged exams. There’s an endless list of small companies promoting ‘in-house’ certificates that are essentially useless in today’s commercial market. If the accreditation doesn’t feature a company like Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA, then it’s likely it will be commercially useless – as it’ll be an unknown commodity.

We’re regularly asked to explain why qualifications from colleges and universities are being overtaken by more qualifications from the commercial sector? The IT sector is of the opinion that to learn the appropriate commercial skills, certified accreditation supplied for example by Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA is closer to the mark commercially – saving time and money. Patently, a reasonable portion of closely linked detail has to be taught, but focused specialised knowledge in the exact job role gives a vendor educated student a distinct advantage.

It’s rather like the advert: ‘It does what it says on the tin’. All an employer has to do is know where they have gaps, and then request applicants with the correct exam numbers. Then they know that anyone who applies can do the necessary work.

(C) J. Kendall 2009. Pop over to Retraining Courses or NewCareersTraining.co.uk.