Wanting to work in IT

Kieron26

Hi All,

I have been researching into the CCNA and have found some videos I can obtain:

Train Signal Cisco CCNA Training Videos

Are these the ones I need to be watching??

I see on the Cisco website it sates:

Required Exam(s)

Recommended Training

640-802
CCNA
Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) v1.1
Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2) v1.1

Exam Description

The 640-802 CCNA is the composite exam associated with the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification. Candidates can prepare for this exam by taking the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) v1.1 and the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2) v1.1 courses. This exam tests a candidate's knowledge and skills required to install, operate, and troubleshoot a small to medium size enterprise branch network. The topics include connecting to a WAN; implementing network security; network types; network media; routing and switching fundamentals; the TCP/IP and OSI models; IP addressing; WAN technologies; operating and configuring IOS devices; extending switched networks with VLANs; determining IP routes; managing IP traffic with access lists; establishing point-to-point connections; and establishing Frame Relay connections.

OR

Required Exam(s)

Recommended Training

640-822
ICND1
Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) v1.1

Exam Description

The 640-822 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) is the exam associated with the Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician certification and a tangible first step in achieving the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification. Candidates can prepare for this exam by taking the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) v1.1 course. This exam tests a candidate's knowledge and skills required to successfully install, operate, and troubleshoot a small branch office network. The exam includes topics on networking fundamentals; connecting to a WAN; basic security and wireless concepts; routing and switching fundamentals; the TCP/IP and OSI models; IP addressing; WAN technologies; operating and configuring IOS devices; configuring RIPv2, static and default routing; implementing NAT and DHCP; and configuring simple networks.


640-816 ICND2
Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2) v1.1

The 640-816 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2) is the exam associated with the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification. Candidates can prepare for this exam by taking the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2) v1.1 course. This exam tests a candidate's knowledge and skills required to successfully install, operate, and troubleshoot a small to medium size enterprise branch network. The exam covers topics on VLSM and IPv6 addressing; extending switched networks with VLANs; configuring, verifying and troubleshooting VLANs; the VTP, RSTP, OSPF and EIGRP protocols; determining IP routes; managing IP traffic with access lists; NAT and DHCP; establishing point-to- point connections; and establishing Frame Relay connections.


When reading all the descriptions they sound very similar, so which one is best to start off with, obviously im attracted to the one thats a single exam assuming it will be more straight forward rather than doing two separate ones or is it best to jump in the deep end and go for the two separate ones which im guessing maybe more complex hence two rather than one.

I just dont know where to start, once ive started then I should be OK, just need a poke in the right direction.

AngryDog

Sorry to be a kill joy, but I work in IT, and will be on a Second Line support desk again shortly.
Passing exams is one thing, doing the job is another. It pains me when I see all these adverts on the TV about fast track learning to do x y and z. when it boils down to it, yes, you're qualified, but wheres the experience to back it up?

I could go do Windows Server Admin, Exchange Admin etc.. but without the experience, it matters nothing.

Best bet is to get a job and work your way up..

tombruton87

you keep mentioning networking but havnt really commented on your knowledge. To be honest the CCNA isn't really that valuable you need to follow it up with other cisco courses to get any career benefit from it. Just got some Q's to see where you are placed

1. do you fully understand the tcp/ip stack
2. do you understand ports properly i.e. what port is out going http/tcp on (its not port 80)
3. do you understand the OSI model
4. can you use common network tools such as nmap and wireshark
5. what is your programming experience, and general development knowledge.
even if your not applying for a job as a programmer you need to know how it works to understand things like stacks and pipes.
6. Have you communicated in computing social networking, if you do, do programming stack overflow is a great place to find a job. The great thing is the employers come to you
7. whats your web development knowledge, is it just html and css, or php and js aswel or even ruby. also can you make them secure protecting them from injection attacks xss attacks.

microsoft qualifications are very good, some of them are bait like learning a phone book though.

sharkie

AngryDog, I perform windows admin work. I personally feel that Cisco pays more and if the company move the data centre to another part of the world, or outsource, you have a better chance of keeping your job.

Many peeps do brain dumps and pass exams, and even if you do not, after 6 months you will have forgotten the majority of stuff you learned because you do not use it.

Cisco have branched from routers, to telecoms, to wireless, and now are in the server market. From people talking the wireless qual seems to be most in demand, while telecoms is second, this not implying the old switch/routing is useless, just less employable.