I have my A+ certification and will be sitting for the Network+ exam real soon. I am currently doing hardware tech support and would like to move into the networking arena.
Is it possible to pass the CCNA exam with no hands on experience other than simulators?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lancer
Is it possible to pass the CCNA exam with no hands on experience other than simulators?

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even if you get hands on simulator experience and your last job on your resume shows you did hardware support your gonna have a hard time getting even an interview because the interviewer knows you dont have any experience, and if you B.S. on your resume your gonna get blasted during the interview process. A person thats any good at interviewing will be able to ask the questions necessary to find out what you really know. Theres no quick way to the top. gonna have to work your way up

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Go for it! I know 2 paper CCNAs that got jobs. I plan to be one too. I am a career changer and expect to get a job after I get a CCNA and CCDA.

To me getting a CCNA before actually looking for the job shows that you are motivated enough to get the work done. Personally I don't think anyone would hire or believe that I can do networking without some type of proof (a certification in my case). Do you know anyone that got a CCNA job without any experience or certs? I don't. At least you will have Hardware (which is computer related) so you can impress them with something besides your certification. I plan on using my engineering background to help get my foot in the door. There is nothing wrong with being a paper CCNA to get your foot in the door especialy if you are open and up front about it.

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I am also currently studying for CCNA. I am using Sybex Study Guide, Sybex Virtual Lab, and other labs that you can get off the net to get some type of "hands on".

Personally I feel that this is a good way to study for this exam, if you don't have enough money to go out and buy your own little lab.

I also would like to say that there is nothing wrong with having a CCNA by using this method. People always harp on others who want to get a certification, with little experience. Doesn't seem to me your looking to walk into a Net Admin position with your CCNA. Other people who have posted here have tried to tell you that your not going to make it with this certification. Looks like your on the right track and set good goals. Keep up the good work, and good luck on your Network + exam. I'm sure you will do great!

No offence to others, just my opinion.

__________________
chad_tech
A+, Network+, MCP-NT, MCP-2000, CCNA

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to trinidee....
it is not ok to be a paper CCNA, the CCNA is designed to show that you have the fundamental knowledge to walk into a job and be able to properly do your job with little guidance, and those of you that are paper CCNA's. you dont have that, you have the fundamental ability to cram a buncha stuff in your head and pass a test, and by the time you do happen to get a job, you already forgot how to get into config mode. And everytime another paper CCNA passes their test it has negative implications on the salaries offered to those who do know their stuff. And once you get to a level of knowledge where someone hurts your salary, then you'll understand. Luckily cisco, unlike microsoft, has tests that are geared towards those of us that do have to run major corp networks that you'll never be able to get until you do have a real job. Go get yourself the Network + cert, get a job, play with the stuff everyday and then get the cert, quit being selfish and work yourself up the ranks like the rest of the world does, you'll do yourself more good in the long run.

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TO sw1tchn1nja:

"the CCNA is designed to show that you have the fundamental knowledge to walk into a job and be able to properly do your job with little guidance, and those of you that are paper CCNA's. you dont have that, you have the fundamental ability to cram a buncha stuff in your head and pass a test, and by the time you do happen to get a job, you already forgot how to get into config mode."

You’re ASSumptions about me are inaccurate. Believe me, you have no idea!

Anyway, I was giving support and encouragement because your initial comment was negative, discouraging and absolutely appalling. I think that you should address the real ISSUES here. If you are unsatisfied with your salary, you should work on what YOU NEED TO DO, instead of coming to this forum with a Nasty Attitude.

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This is for: sw1tchn1nja

So your telling me that the lab I have set up in my home is not experience? I noticed that you have a MCSE are you saying that it don't carry as much clout as your CCNA? Come on there are 75% more IT guys with Mcse's over CCNA out there. I got a close buddy that took his CCNA test and passed before he took his last test for the MCSE it's just a totally different beast how can you compare the two.( that like comparing Windows to routers or something.)If you ask me you need some experience in the IT field and stop trashing people. I'll bet you I got more experience out of my lab then you do on the job. I have taken it apart and put it back together so many times and implemented everything that I study. I say to the guy that has his A+ and N+ you get all the certs you want and you are already in the IT field getting the experience you need and keep adding to you resume as you go and get them out to employers and you'll be fine. I started this as a hobbies and it turned into a life thing for me so good luck and keep your head up.

(By the way I hope that you retain everything that you learn at "your hands on job" because I sure as hell wouldn't help you out. But you most likly don't need any kinda help, you most likely know it all by heart and retain everything you do. GOOD LUCK PAL.)

Last edited by BigHef on 02-27-01 at 01:50 AM

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nahh my salary is just fine, i live very well...my point was, i recall when a MCSE was guarenteed 55-65 k depending on where you lived, but then a flood of PAPER MCSE's hit the scene and suddenly that salary dropped, granted, supply and demand was an issue, but serious incompetance was the other...and i see it happening with the CCNA too. and to big hef, the two are completly diffent yes, but the cert concept is the same, the more lame brains that hit the scene the less dollars they make, and you having more experience on yer "lab" then i do, i highly doubt it, i manage 300+ switches and 150+ routers. so you take yer two point to point 2500's and learn all you want, while i take care of my multipint 7500's, 6500's and 15000 users. And yes i am callin a home router/lab no experience, because your not gonna see HALF the production problems into with DLSw, VLAN's, traffic issues and countless other things your gonna see on a real network, becuase you dont get to troubleshoot what is going on, that home lab is good only for playin on. Kinda hard to duplicate an issue you'll see on a real network with huge routing lists etc etc. And by no means am i a know it all but i have been doin this for 3 years. so i still stand behind what i said.

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switchninja:
why don't you encourage people instead of putting people down. you say people have to work their way to the top. hello, these people are studying on their free time trying to learn and while working. this shows that they have drive to learn. remember everyone starts at the same place. I'm sure you didn't come out of the womb a cisco king. I hate when people discourage others.

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