|
|
| contractboy 2003-10-13, 8:20 am |
| Hi,
Can anyone assist me.
I'm currently studying the Bicsi Rcdd( which I've been able to find a homestudy provider for).
However I'm also about to start the CCDA 640 861. I've bought the sybex book, however every online study provider I've tried doesn't appear to have updated there syllabus and when I've contacted them they tell me they are not updating it.
The new syllabus was March, it's now October, can anyone tell me on online or homesudy providers for the new syllabus, so I can get my study underway.
I need to be CCDA qualified by no later than April next year at at this rate it isn't going to be possible.
How difficult is the CCDA?, I took the CCNA in September but failed, now the syllabus has changed so I've moved onto the CCDA for now becuase thats more relevant to my job role. Based on failing the CCNA, will I struggling with the CCDA?, I've been estimating and designing small networks for nearly 3yrs and currently studying the RCDD.
Any help, advice greatly appreciated. | |
| ahuebel2 2003-10-13, 11:56 am |
| good luck getting answers in here. I have posted a couple of messages and gotten no replies. It seems difficult to find much info on CCDA. I have heard mixed reviews on the difficulty level of CCDA. I will let you know tomorrow. I passed CCNA 1.5 yrs ago and have been studying for CCDA for 1 week. I have the sybex book (which doesnt seem to have enough information to pass the exam). I am supplimenting this with Boson practice tests and cisco documents on IPv6 and SAFE architecture. Again, will let you know tomorrow. | |
| contractboy 2003-10-13, 4:26 pm |
| Hi ahuebel2
Thanks for your prompt reply. Did you use the testking at all?
Good look tomorrow, I hope you do well. What are you going on to do next, if anything?
 | |
| ahuebel2 2003-10-13, 4:28 pm |
| no I did not use testking. after this I am going to get the CQS Wireless SE specialization. (hopefully by friday). I am cramming these in because I need them for my job. After that CWSP from planet3 wireless. | |
| OHCCNP2003 2003-10-14, 1:01 pm |
| Cisco Press and Sybex have books. Self Test Software and Boson have exam simulation questions, with the former being recommended by Cisco. Cisco recommends that acheive your CCNA before you take the CCDA. I personally got my CCNA and CCNP before I started the design courses. Depending on your level of experience, you can probably prepare for the 640-861 exam in 4 - 8 weeks. Depends on how much time you have to study and how much experience you have in actual design. If you go the TKING route you can probably prepare in a week, but will only have proven your ability to memorize answers. This is a topic that gets kicked around this and every other forum on a regular basis and there is no reason to rehash it again. If you had problems with the CCNA, you will probably find the CCDA even more difficult. | |
| ahuebel2 2003-10-14, 2:10 pm |
| the sybex book does not cover enough to successfully pass the exam. I was expecting it to be a little more like the CCNA exam (i.e. list the features of a given routing protocol, at least some CLI commands, and a few more concrete questions).
It had a fairly significant amount of questions on IPv6 (the sybex book has maybe 2 pages of material on it). The questions werent as simple as how many bits, list the frame header fields, etc. There were some that dealt with addressing but there were also some on how they effected rougint protocols like BGP, RIP, etc.
There were also less questions on cisco SAFE architecture than I thought. A few of the Boson questions and pass-guarantee.com questions were verbatim and some where identical except a few name changes. | |
| contractboy 2003-10-15, 5:40 am |
| Thanks for your replies.
I failed the CCNA because I was ill prepared at college, at no stage did the tutors inform me that the exam required as much preperation as it did.
In a good way I am glad that I failed, because it has made me realise that it isn't as easy as I had expected and the work must be put in. I have learn't not to underestimate the importance of preperation.
As for the Sybex book, thats wahat I currently have, however I was hoping to use just this book but I will probably invest in the Cisco Press book. I am more involved in the design and technical specification side then the hands on.
I am still at a loss why there aren't any on-line courses mapped to the DESGN course in the UK.
I take it that you didn't suceed on this occasion? | |
| ahuebel2 2003-10-15, 9:39 am |
| The sybex book is ok for a primer, but in no way will it prepare you to pass the CCDA. You really need to get the Cisco Press book once it finally comes out. | |
| jonjavajones 2003-10-19, 3:26 am |
| I am studying for my CCDA right now. One of my classmates just took it. He said it was the hardest test he ever took. Using the old DCN book by cisco press did not even scratch the surface. Lots of IP-6 VoIP and Safe questions. He said it was in a totally different level than the CCNA tests. Any one have any other good study preparation sugestions. | |
| ahuebel2 2003-10-20, 4:53 pm |
| I just passed it today. I would strongly suggest waiting for the Cisco Press book. Suppliment that with Boson practice tests and you should do just fine. | |
| davidbec 2003-12-12, 7:11 pm |
| Hi all I just did the exam and I passed.
I though I should pass on some of the things I learned.
The Cisco Press "Exam Certification Guide" came out in Octoder, but it is not sufficient to pass the exam. The Sybex book should be discarded.
To pass the exam you will need
the Cisco Press 640-441 Preparation library
A visit to the Cisco site and download the SAFE white paper
A visit to Microsoft site and download the IPv6 white paper
Another visit to Cisco and download the VoIP PDF.
A Cisco Press 640-861 book.
Practice Exams from multiple vendors
Boson and Transcender are my recommendations
D | |
| jonjavajones 2003-12-26, 12:23 am |
| I am studying now for my third shot at the CCDA. I Find the test to be very clever and difficult. I have used boson, and pass-garrentee tests to prepare, but you really have to know your stuff. | |
| s2kfan 2003-12-27, 2:56 pm |
| good luck | |
| sukuvi 2004-01-12, 12:01 pm |
| Davidbec,
Very helpful info you provided for the 640-861 exam. I went through the list but couldn't figure out what the 2 Cisco Press books you listed are:
-the Cisco Press 640-441 Preparation library
-A Cisco Press 640-861 book.
I would appreciate it if you could tell us the authors or the ISBN of each one so I could buy them and start studying.
Thanks again. |
|
|
|