Comments on: CCNA Test Prep resources and book recommendations?

By: nu2tech

nu2tech — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:31:44 +0000

Thank you, R3boot. I will check that out this weekend. I really appreciate the help.

By: r3boot

r3boot — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:22:29 +0000

Nu2tech, regarding about the virtual labs that you can use as at home..one is boson network simulator, checked the website (www.boson.com) im not quite sure if they still have a free download of the simulators that you can use..i bet you need to purchased it too fully utilized the software simulation capablities.

By: nu2tech

nu2tech — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:08:27 +0000

JennyMack. Yes, they are paying for the bootcamp, and since I’m local, there is no travel expense forme. I have asked my supervisor about the book reimbursement(at your suggestion) and he said he has to llok into it. Honestly, I just don’t think that whoever set this deal up had a good understanding of what this will be. I checked out our company’s intranet and under the same heading that offers informationabout this boot camp, there is also information about the ICND1&2 courses. I have suggested that thaose would have been the better way to go, rather than shelling out the money and time for 12 telecom techs to attend with “high hopes” that all of us are smart enough to pass the cert exam at the end of the week. Oh well. It is what it is. All I can do is cram for the next 2 weeks, and seee what I can retain to try and make the class intelligible for me.

By: nu2tech

nu2tech — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:01:36 +0000

Thank you for your answer, R3boot. Your assesment of my situation is right on. I have disussed the nature of CCNA with my supervisor and I believe I have shed some light for him on the broad scope of material and information they are expecting us to absorb in only 4 to 5 days. Also, thank you for taking time to break down the aspects of CCNA and and the characteristics of VoIP v/s basic DSL for internet. I suggested to my boss that he might want to try to obtain a Cisco router(s) and basic switch(s), in order to set up a mini lab environment for me to practice what I am learning as I study. This would also include possibly a working data trunk to simulate a PTP, EIA, and/or LAN/WAN environment. He has agreed to see what he can do. Only 2 weeks left until class starts, so I hope this can happen in the next few days. I agree that the tried and true method of real working experience is the best teacher, but unfortunately, I just don;t have that at my disposal. You mentioned that there are some free virtual labs. I would like to have something at my disposal for home study, so do you have any recommendations as far as those go?
Thanks againfor your time. Take care.

By: jennymack

jennymack — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:56:17 +0000

Just my two cents — since they are paying for you to spend a week at “boot camp” (they are paying for it, right?) wouldn’t they want to ensure that you make the best of their investment by passing the exam? I’d ask about additional book reimbursement; if they want you to pass the exam (and be good at your new role) they should not take issue with you wanting to prepare.