http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/what-course-precedes-ciscos-ccna-exam/ Wed, 22 May 2013 04:23:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/what-course-precedes-ciscos-ccna-exam/#comment-57757 mr m Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:59:57 +0000 #comment-57757 With apologies for stuffing up the HTML.

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/what-course-precedes-ciscos-ccna-exam/#comment-57756 mr m Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:57:19 +0000 #comment-57756 Then again, if you mean ‘is there a course that will prep. me for a CCNA exam (pass mark approximately 85%), I studied with the UK’s Open University . The entire content was online at (which of course you have to be signed up for with a tuition provider) except for a day school every term at which there was an invigilated online exam allowing certification to be issued for each section at the end of the course.
You can, of course, get evening classes that allow more hands-on working. The remote learning technique meant we had to log into a campus array of routers and switches to practice on if you wanted ‘real world’ experienced and Cisco’s Packet Tracer network simulation software is a good practice tool, even if it is a somewhat condensed subset of regular Cisco operating systems. You also have the option of buying yourself a couple of routers, switches and cabling off ebay; a lot of CCNA alumni sell them on after they’ve passed and the prices aren’t outrageous, for what you get, either.
You don’t have to study with an institution, you can buy some excellent books that will get you through the course (I can’t wholly recommend Cisco’s own CCNA books; many of us on the course found them confusing and would you trust a company who issues a series of course books and then issues ‘supplements’ to explain what they really meant? And happily bills you for both?
Otherwise, I can say I really enjoyed the course – but gaining a CCNA’s like getting out of boot camp. You know it all but you know nothing about the real world.

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