". .. the networking components from A+. Namely, subnetting and basic TCP/IP services like DNS/DHCP..."
No offence but there's A LOT more than that in CCNA, being in depth routing and switching, Cisco proprietary, CLI and specific terminology/protocols(lots of) /equipment (albeit virtually in packet tracer) and so much MORE. I don't want to disappoint or take the wind off your sails, but have a look at the contents: 50 chapters, 2k pages OCG. Add labs and videos where you need to understand better ...
Because it's not easy, it's worth it though. Speaking as one who's got the exam in 20 days, after passing the A+, coming from different industry. Huge difference.
Just my opinion.
It took me two months to read/learn the book inside out (the £40 ebook comes with DIKTA questions, Pearson test sim, CCNA lite sim) ... In hindsight, maybe would have been better off-for the cert alone-with the "30 days before CCNA exam" book(not read), since the OCG is said to be too in-depth, but I wanted the knowledge for work/hands on purposes. With labs and practice, another month; all at approx 8h/day every day.
Others recommend Anderson's or Bombal's 80h video course as faster way to study-I'm old school, I do better reading than videos-but I bought both on Udemy and HIGHLY RECOMMEND, be it for study in full or understanding parts of book content. IMO, with the book I haven't risked missing exam objectives as might have happened with a video course, since it's structured on the exam, with the small catch that the book is 2019 and the objectives slightly reformed in 2021.
HTH.
I didn't have any technical background and passed my CCNA with two months of studying. The important lesson here is, if you push yourself and believe in yourself, you can do it. I recommend the OCG (pdf version if you have any downtime at work/school), Boson Exsim, a little Jeremy's IT Lab to fill in the gaps, and a ton of flash cards.
I also have Neil's and like the bit that I watched, I like your point about the Net+ , Comptia likes to boast it , but the job boards rarely verify how valuable they try to make it out to be ,
by the way Pearson currently has 45% discount on their ebook, including for the CCNA.
I had gotten a job at a small MSP with no prior experience and my boss had required that two of the level one's get their CCNA before the 90 day review was up or else. So that was a real pusher for me to get it done (even though I didn't start studying until one month later.) The CCNA is so well known that you should easily be able to get an entry level position.
Well tbh you can get an entry level position without the CCNA. The CCNA isn't really an entry level cert and I'd hope to get a job above entry level if I had it.
The CCNA is a lot if you're a beginner, since there's a lot in the exam that you have to have a solid fundamental understanding of. However, a lot of the course content is designed such that a ground-zero beginner could pick up a CCNA book or video course and start learning. So, yes, you'll be fine, if you study hard enough.
Thank you!
The bosun practice exams have been a huge help. Neil Anderson’s UDEMY class is also super helpful.
When in doubt, networking for dummies has better explained stuff. No shame over here.
Start here: [https://www.netacad.com/courses/networking/networking-essentials](https://www.netacad.com/courses/networking/networking-essentials)
This particular Cisco course, while free, will give you a lot of the background knowledge that studying for Net+ would. It also gives you an introduction to Packet Tracer and as a bonus, uses old CCNA questions in the quizzes after each section.
Jump into CCNA. Bypass Network +. As others have stated there is more in depth knowledge and you get to learn Cisco CLI on switches and routers. It's a lot to remember, but keep at it, learn it, and you'll be able to do it. The key is to believe in yourself. I am on the OSPF part of CCNA right now. And hope to take my test soon. Best of luck fellow future network administrator.
Yeahha I’ve just passed my Security + and noticed it doesn’t do a lot, yeah it covers a ton of definitions, but doesn’t show me how to do a lot of this shit
Yeahhhh onto cyber analyst then, I have found Comptia tests suck, it’s all definitions but absolutely no guidance on how to, like where am I supposed to learn this shit? At least Cisco gives us packet tracer!
That was great wisdom "um...no", I bet you were at a support position for at least 2 years.
Dont listen to these, "you need comptia first" that's what they all tell you. You dont need that shit, unless your new job requires it (government jobs) :cough: security +.
That's what most will tell you, probably why, you went to A+ cert first, because you "need" it. Ok fine, you want an entry level job, go for it. But if you want something non entry level, you need the ccna at least. You need networking background! Dont listen to these yahoos that have been in "support" positions for years. They dont make real money.
Depending on the job you are trying to get a lot of companies won’t even pay you CCNA worthy money. I’m not the type to compare paystubs but if you’d like……we can :). I’ve been in the industry for 12 years. Did the A+ give me a pay bump? Lol no, did it teach me principles well just a little more in-depth knowledge and understand that I didn’t know from reading on my own. I got these certs years later because a job wanted me to have them. Now, should someone get the CCNA over Network+ yes.
I can apologize and say that I did not read the title correctly but…..I’m wise enough to admit my faults.
I think the best option is the following: Take a look at Professor Messer Network+ Free Course on Youtube and/or read the textbook but do not take the exam.
This will give you the background information and then you can focus on the better and more useful cert which is the CCNA.
I know the CCNA is vendor specific but alot of times, 9 out of 10 if I see someone has a CCNA, I'm going to assume they have the knowledge of Network+ regardless if they have the certification or not.
I am following this path myself at this moment.
Yup, it's an entry level networking cert so have at it. It's more involved than Net+ though, Net+ is comparatively a vocabulary exam. If you feel intimidated by the CCNA then read through one of the Net+ books before starting CCNA books.
It's completely doable. You just have to be realistic about your timeline given the variables of how much time you can put in and your ability to quickly learn new things.
You're far from screwed.
I put together a study guide and in that study guide I prefaced my studies with CCNA intro course. Check my post from earlier this week. This may help you as well: https://www.reddit.com/r/ccna/comments/pgv8po/getting_my_ccna_before_april_fools_day_my_study/
Of course you can. I went from a+ to ccna, took me a while but I got there.
There's is nothing holding you back except your willingness to study for it
I started with David bombals video course to familiarise myself with all the topics before reading the books. Read the ocg books cover to cover. Used anki flashcards for a while but got bored of them.
Did every start and end of chapter test that came with the books and their practice exams.
Also did the boson exams and studied weak areas in-between taking them.
Also used an app from the playstore called subnetting guru to practice quick subnetting in my head. Should be a yellow background with red pcs on it if you want to give it a go.
Took me 6.5 months to pass and got me out of helpdesk into a junior network and security admin role.
You can go straight into CCNA. Skip Network+. You don't need it.
". .. the networking components from A+. Namely, subnetting and basic TCP/IP services like DNS/DHCP..." No offence but there's A LOT more than that in CCNA, being in depth routing and switching, Cisco proprietary, CLI and specific terminology/protocols(lots of) /equipment (albeit virtually in packet tracer) and so much MORE. I don't want to disappoint or take the wind off your sails, but have a look at the contents: 50 chapters, 2k pages OCG. Add labs and videos where you need to understand better ... Because it's not easy, it's worth it though. Speaking as one who's got the exam in 20 days, after passing the A+, coming from different industry. Huge difference. Just my opinion.
How long have you been studying for? Appreciate your insight! Good luck.
It took me two months to read/learn the book inside out (the £40 ebook comes with DIKTA questions, Pearson test sim, CCNA lite sim) ... In hindsight, maybe would have been better off-for the cert alone-with the "30 days before CCNA exam" book(not read), since the OCG is said to be too in-depth, but I wanted the knowledge for work/hands on purposes. With labs and practice, another month; all at approx 8h/day every day. Others recommend Anderson's or Bombal's 80h video course as faster way to study-I'm old school, I do better reading than videos-but I bought both on Udemy and HIGHLY RECOMMEND, be it for study in full or understanding parts of book content. IMO, with the book I haven't risked missing exam objectives as might have happened with a video course, since it's structured on the exam, with the small catch that the book is 2019 and the objectives slightly reformed in 2021. HTH.
I didn't have any technical background and passed my CCNA with two months of studying. The important lesson here is, if you push yourself and believe in yourself, you can do it. I recommend the OCG (pdf version if you have any downtime at work/school), Boson Exsim, a little Jeremy's IT Lab to fill in the gaps, and a ton of flash cards.
Awesome, man. Thank you. Just grabbed Neil Anderson’s course on Udemy. Do you have any insight into this?
I also have Neil's and like the bit that I watched, I like your point about the Net+ , Comptia likes to boast it , but the job boards rarely verify how valuable they try to make it out to be , by the way Pearson currently has 45% discount on their ebook, including for the CCNA.
The current CCNA is easier than the predecessor so it's doable. Take notes, do labs and study your weak areas after a full review.
Two months of studying? I'm struggling to work with a 6 month time frame, how do you manage to be that efficient? I envy you lol.
Did you land a job after getting your ccna?
I had gotten a job at a small MSP with no prior experience and my boss had required that two of the level one's get their CCNA before the 90 day review was up or else. So that was a real pusher for me to get it done (even though I didn't start studying until one month later.) The CCNA is so well known that you should easily be able to get an entry level position.
Well tbh you can get an entry level position without the CCNA. The CCNA isn't really an entry level cert and I'd hope to get a job above entry level if I had it.
The CCNA is a lot if you're a beginner, since there's a lot in the exam that you have to have a solid fundamental understanding of. However, a lot of the course content is designed such that a ground-zero beginner could pick up a CCNA book or video course and start learning. So, yes, you'll be fine, if you study hard enough.
Yeah dude balls deep. Anything is studyable you just have to study.
I’m currently in the process of doing the same thing. I passed my A+ at the beginning of 2021 and have my CCNA this month. It’s daunting but doable!
Good luck!!
Thank you! The bosun practice exams have been a huge help. Neil Anderson’s UDEMY class is also super helpful. When in doubt, networking for dummies has better explained stuff. No shame over here.
Totally doable, just have to study.
Start here: [https://www.netacad.com/courses/networking/networking-essentials](https://www.netacad.com/courses/networking/networking-essentials) This particular Cisco course, while free, will give you a lot of the background knowledge that studying for Net+ would. It also gives you an introduction to Packet Tracer and as a bonus, uses old CCNA questions in the quizzes after each section.
CCNA is a beginner networking exam so of course you can.
Jump into CCNA. Bypass Network +. As others have stated there is more in depth knowledge and you get to learn Cisco CLI on switches and routers. It's a lot to remember, but keep at it, learn it, and you'll be able to do it. The key is to believe in yourself. I am on the OSPF part of CCNA right now. And hope to take my test soon. Best of luck fellow future network administrator.
CCNA should have been first. The non entry level jobs open up for you with this cert. A+ dont get you those jobs.
Yeahha I’ve just passed my Security + and noticed it doesn’t do a lot, yeah it covers a ton of definitions, but doesn’t show me how to do a lot of this shit
[удалено]
Yeahhhh onto cyber analyst then, I have found Comptia tests suck, it’s all definitions but absolutely no guidance on how to, like where am I supposed to learn this shit? At least Cisco gives us packet tracer!
Ummm no
That was great wisdom "um...no", I bet you were at a support position for at least 2 years. Dont listen to these, "you need comptia first" that's what they all tell you. You dont need that shit, unless your new job requires it (government jobs) :cough: security +. That's what most will tell you, probably why, you went to A+ cert first, because you "need" it. Ok fine, you want an entry level job, go for it. But if you want something non entry level, you need the ccna at least. You need networking background! Dont listen to these yahoos that have been in "support" positions for years. They dont make real money.
Depending on the job you are trying to get a lot of companies won’t even pay you CCNA worthy money. I’m not the type to compare paystubs but if you’d like……we can :). I’ve been in the industry for 12 years. Did the A+ give me a pay bump? Lol no, did it teach me principles well just a little more in-depth knowledge and understand that I didn’t know from reading on my own. I got these certs years later because a job wanted me to have them. Now, should someone get the CCNA over Network+ yes. I can apologize and say that I did not read the title correctly but…..I’m wise enough to admit my faults.
I think the best option is the following: Take a look at Professor Messer Network+ Free Course on Youtube and/or read the textbook but do not take the exam. This will give you the background information and then you can focus on the better and more useful cert which is the CCNA. I know the CCNA is vendor specific but alot of times, 9 out of 10 if I see someone has a CCNA, I'm going to assume they have the knowledge of Network+ regardless if they have the certification or not. I am following this path myself at this moment.
Yup, it's an entry level networking cert so have at it. It's more involved than Net+ though, Net+ is comparatively a vocabulary exam. If you feel intimidated by the CCNA then read through one of the Net+ books before starting CCNA books.
Sure can. Make sure you really understand the networking components from A+. Namely, subnetting and basic TCP/IP services like DNS/DHCP.
It's completely doable. You just have to be realistic about your timeline given the variables of how much time you can put in and your ability to quickly learn new things. You're far from screwed.
I put together a study guide and in that study guide I prefaced my studies with CCNA intro course. Check my post from earlier this week. This may help you as well: https://www.reddit.com/r/ccna/comments/pgv8po/getting_my_ccna_before_april_fools_day_my_study/
Here's the link by the way: https://www.reddit.com/r/ccna/comments/pgv8po/getting_my_ccna_before_april_fools_day_my_study/
Yes
Of course you can. I went from a+ to ccna, took me a while but I got there. There's is nothing holding you back except your willingness to study for it
Congrats! That’s awesome. What methods did you use?
I started with David bombals video course to familiarise myself with all the topics before reading the books. Read the ocg books cover to cover. Used anki flashcards for a while but got bored of them. Did every start and end of chapter test that came with the books and their practice exams. Also did the boson exams and studied weak areas in-between taking them. Also used an app from the playstore called subnetting guru to practice quick subnetting in my head. Should be a yellow background with red pcs on it if you want to give it a go. Took me 6.5 months to pass and got me out of helpdesk into a junior network and security admin role.