|
Home > Archive > alt.certification.cisco > February 2004 > CCDA or CCNP next? Advice please
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
| Author |
CCDA or CCNP next? Advice please
|
|
| Andrew 2004-02-22, 11:25 pm |
| After passing the CCNA 640-607, I am ready to start preparing for another
Cisco cert. I am very interested in the design aspect of networking. While
browsing the foreword in a CCDA book, it was stated that having a CCNP would
be very beneficial when preparing for the CCDA.
My questions:
1) Does anyone have advice on which would be better to do next CCDA or CCNP?
2) Does anyone have suggestions for CCDA study materials?
3) What hardware would be recommended for a home CCNP lab.
(current lab consists of (1) 2514, (1) 2501, (1) 1912)
Thank you!
Andrew
| |
| Secret Squirrel 2004-02-23, 1:25 pm |
| "Andrew" <a1_holt@cox.net> wrote in
news:mqe_b.12865$iB.11578@lakeread06:
> After passing the CCNA 640-607, I am ready to start preparing for
> another Cisco cert. I am very interested in the design aspect of
> networking. While browsing the foreword in a CCDA book, it was stated
> that having a CCNP would be very beneficial when preparing for the
> CCDA.
>
> My questions:
> 1) Does anyone have advice on which would be better to do next CCDA or
> CCNP? 2) Does anyone have suggestions for CCDA study materials?
> 3) What hardware would be recommended for a home CCNP lab.
> (current lab consists of (1) 2514, (1) 2501, (1) 1912)
>
> Thank you!
> Andrew
>
>
>
To adequately prepare for the CCNp using your own gear you will need 3
basic routers (2501 is fine) capable of running IOS 12.0 or higher. Most
2500 series routers will need flash and ram upgrades. You will need a
router capable of acting as a frame relay switch (2520 or similar) and
you will need a remote access router (2509 or similar).
You will also need switches capable of running IOS, the older set based
switches are no longer part of the test criteria although you would still
certainly want to learn them. 2900xl and 3550 switches will work as will
4000 5000 and 6000 series switches with the proper supervisor engines.
You will also need all of the assorted cables, transcievers etc necesarry
to make it all go.
| |
| Schmuck 2004-02-23, 2:25 pm |
| "Andrew" <a1_holt@cox.net> wrote in message news:<mqe_b.12865$iB.11578@lakeread06>...
> After passing the CCNA 640-607, I am ready to start preparing for another
> Cisco cert. I am very interested in the design aspect of networking. While
> browsing the foreword in a CCDA book, it was stated that having a CCNP would
> be very beneficial when preparing for the CCDA.
>
> My questions:
> 1) Does anyone have advice on which would be better to do next CCDA or CCNP?
> 2) Does anyone have suggestions for CCDA study materials?
> 3) What hardware would be recommended for a home CCNP lab.
> (current lab consists of (1) 2514, (1) 2501, (1) 1912)
>
> Thank you!
> Andrew
What do you want to do?
If you want to be a network support engineer, take the CCNP, if you
want to be a network designer, take the CCDA.
There is a bit of design in the CCNP exams (tho not much) and it does
help to have CCNP level knowledge for some of the CCDA topics.
If you are planning on getting everything in the end, go with your
strengths.
With a CCNA, both the CCDP and CCNP are four exams away (if I read it
correctly, BCRAN is no longer necessary for a CCDP).
For a CCNP lab: For my money, grab a couple more 2500 series routers,
or even a maxed out 1601 with a WIC-1T (they are pretty cheap, but
you'll need more than the IP image), then use rental labs for layer 3
switching, ISDN and larger routing implementations (esp BGP).
Matt
| |
| Andrew 2004-02-25, 1:25 am |
| Thank you Matt and Secret Squirrel.
I appreciate your helpful response.
I believe I will first go with the design track and CCDA.
Any suggestions for additional study materials - hardware, software, books
etc?
"Schmuck" <yamahasw40@latinmail.com> wrote in message
news:24819cc3.0402231014.37ae3cae@posting.google.com...
> "Andrew" <a1_holt@cox.net> wrote in message
news:<mqe_b.12865$iB.11578@lakeread06>...
another[color=blue]
While[color=blue]
would[color=blue]
CCNP?[color=blue]
>
> What do you want to do?
>
> If you want to be a network support engineer, take the CCNP, if you
> want to be a network designer, take the CCDA.
>
> There is a bit of design in the CCNP exams (tho not much) and it does
> help to have CCNP level knowledge for some of the CCDA topics.
>
> If you are planning on getting everything in the end, go with your
> strengths.
>
> With a CCNA, both the CCDP and CCNP are four exams away (if I read it
> correctly, BCRAN is no longer necessary for a CCDP).
>
> For a CCNP lab: For my money, grab a couple more 2500 series routers,
> or even a maxed out 1601 with a WIC-1T (they are pretty cheap, but
> you'll need more than the IP image), then use rental labs for layer 3
> switching, ISDN and larger routing implementations (esp BGP).
>
> Matt
| |
| Schmuck 2004-02-25, 8:25 pm |
| "Andrew" <a1_holt@cox.net> wrote in message news:<ClW_b.10494$TT5.3985@lakeread06>...
> Thank you Matt and Secret Squirrel.
> I appreciate your helpful response.
> I believe I will first go with the design track and CCDA.
> Any suggestions for additional study materials - hardware, software, books
> etc?
For the CCDA, I'm using (note present tense) the two Cisco Press
books: The DESGN coursebook and the CCDA certification guide.
Oh.. and of course.. http://www.cisco.com/univercd is your friend.
I've got folders full off stuff printed off the site, mainly used to
flesh out topics at the other levels.
For the CCDP, you need half the CCNP anyway... BCMSN and BSCI. I
bought the certification box set (not to be confused with the
preparation box set). Then you've got the BCRAN and CIT books
effectively for half price if/when you decide to sit the exams.
So, as far as lab gear goes.. that's entirely up to you. Once you get
three pages into the DESGN course you are already dealing with
roll-outs using kit that you will never buy (Multilayer Core switch
anybody?), but for BSCI you might find a couple more routers handy.
I've got six in my lab (a combination of 2600s and 1600s with a 2511
access server), but I know people who have a lot more and others with
a lot less.
I'm leaving the ARCH exam until last, so I haven't bought any
resources to prepare for it.
Good luck
Matt.
|
|
|
|
|