Re: Cisco Certifications

["Kerry Thompson" <kez-fulld () crypt gen nz>]

Andrew Smith said:
> Hey,
> Might not be the best place to ask this, but I couldn't find anywhere more
> relevant.
> I'm considering trying to get some CISCO Certifications in the future, but
> can't really afford the training.
> I know a few people with certifications and they're willing to lend me
> their
> books and some training material they have, assuming it's possible to pass
> an exam without training is it possible to simply sit the exam?
> I'm in the UK here, and I can't seem to find anywhere that I can just sit
> exams, all include training for $2,000+
>
> Could anyone reccomend any sites or facilities?

Yes, you can certainly do a self-study course and pass the CCNA - I did
this last September. But there's a few things to be careful of :

 - check the Cisco web site for CCNA information, because there's two
different ways to do the exams - you can either do the two INTRO & ICND
exams, or the all-in-one CCNA exam. There's also lots of other useful
stuff in their training centre.

 - a good book is recommended, but make sure books you get are for the
640-801 exam. Older ones, which may be somewhat useful, will have stuff
in them that you don't need to know, and miss stuff which you do need to
know.

 - you really need to have hands-on experience with Cisco routers, and
possibly switches as well, either by getting some second-hand gear, or
some good simulator software.

 - book the exam at www.prometric.com when you're ready

I've put up more tips at http://www.crypt.gen.nz/papers/ccna2.html which
may be useful.

Kerry




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