CCNP - CCNP: need courses ? or will self-study do it?

Author

CCNP: need courses ? or will self-study do it?

Cizko

2002-07-30, 12:36 am

Hello cisco-fellaz

Well, I just finished the first course for CCNP,.

I got about 1 more year to graduate from school if I just take classes required for my major (computer science).
But if I decide to take CCNP classes, it will take me a little more.

I was wondering, do you guys think it is really necessary to take the actual course (where you use the routers, do the labs, take chapter exams, etc. etc.)?
Or will self-study do it?

I already have all the material to study for it (online curriculum, CCNP labs, etc.).

Personally, I feel like taking the class is useless cuz the only real place where you gonna learn is in the work place.

But I'm not really sure, and so I'm asking for your advice guys.

Thanks a lot for reading :0)

peterd

2002-07-30, 1:50 am

hello,

the course is great for getting hands-on with the equipment, and for getting answer to any problems that you may have directly from an instructor.

Of course, you can get answers here. And you may be able to get by with a simulation, I played with one for switching and it was pretty good (can't remeber which one it was now, sorry).

So it depends on you really. The courses takes most of a year to run for each exam whereas self study would allow you to take an exam every three months or so...

Regards
Peter

glen

2002-07-30, 12:21 pm

Cizko,

If money is not a issue go for the courses.

I know a couple of CCNP, who got by on the router sims, and the good ole CISCO press books.

Even when I started I spent a couple of weeks on sims before they even let me touch a 3640. A course gives you this experience.

Anyhow just my 2cents, good luck w. your studies.

Laterz.

Cizko

2002-07-30, 10:34 pm

Thanx for the replies guys.

Well, just to ellaborate more....
I have used several of those router/switch simulators, and although some come close to the real thing, many of the advanced and useful features are not supported, making them really useless.

The ccnp labs teach you how to setup things, etc, but then again, you do so many labs, that when you go into the real world, you will very unlikely remember how to do this, and will probably have to learn it again anyway. And, in the cisco labs, the worse u can do is do a bad router configuration, which can be redone. But in the real world, you can really mess up your network (and company) if you configure something bad.
So, that's why I think, we are going to learn this whole thing on the job anyway.
At least that's my opinion.

And also, I guess I was asking if it's worthed taking the classes, in terms of time. Because I want to get out of school already, and maybe just study for the ccnp on the side and take the exams. I go to Cal State University Los Angeles, and basically they offer these CCNP classes just like any other university class, and there is no extra cost, just the regular registration fee, etc.. And our lab has like 10 routers (2600 series), 10 of those 2500 series routers, and a few switches ... and other things we have not gotten to use just yet.
---
Let me know guys ... I really want to hear your input and opinion regarding this.

Thanx a lot.

akarklins

2002-07-31, 11:59 am

Hello,

It always looks good if you have college classes within your chosen field. The more experience you have with the equipment the better you'll get.

Classes are great but not absolutely necessary. Router simulations do have their limitations, they often don't cover some of the extra commands you might want to play with. On the other hand you are not crashing someones real network.

Hands on and understanding of the test topics if you are going for the certifications.

Good Luck!!

Cizko

2002-08-01, 1:44 am

Thanx for your replies guys/gals, they were really helpful.

I still need some thinking to do, however, but I'm keeping the advice into account

byeeee

Sponsored Links