About to start studying for the CCNA

[dxkj]

Background:
Computer science major, worked with windows/mac/unix os's, I've done some web design, some unix tools development in C, and worked with database design/programming, etc...

I currently work in a job where I do phone support and monitor network/routers/switches, etc, and do some basic work on the routers (no config stuff, just checking interfaces, etc, even if I dont know 100% what they do). I've been doing this for almost a year, and havnt really gotten training, just picked it up and learned.

Positions in the networking group are opening up, one of the requirements knowing some stuff, and having a CCNA..

any suggestions on books/training tools in order to pass the CCNA and get a firmer understanding of networking/troubleshooting? I have a month or so in my spare time to work on this, and possibly at work whe nit is slow. I appreciate any feedback, Im going to start with this book http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bookse...nquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780782143911&itm=2

Thanks!

 

[Cooky]

The timeframe depends on how much you study for it everyday.
Besides the book, you should also get some hands on lab equipment (2500 router, 2900 switch). See if your work has some spare for you to practice on.

W/ descipline and proper equipment, you can get it in two months.

 

[azev]

with the background and experience you have, you should have no problem with CCNA.
Just get a couple of books and hardware for you to have hands on and labs.
Good luck...

 

[bruceb]

The hardest parts of the test includes 'remembering exact cisco command syntax'
sometimes the exam will try to trick you with commands that look almost right
You also need to be good at doing Subnetting as that will be on the test
And on some questions there is the Real Answer & Cisco's Answer .. both of
which will be very similar, but they want the Cisco Answer

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Not to hijack, but if you find a good book for CCNA / general networking, let me know. I've been searching for something that covers most of the general stuff (beginning book, I guess you could say, but it will be for reference as well), but I can't find anything that has generally good reviews (it's all mixed). Not to mention I have to wonder if the reviews at the book stores are like newegg reviews. *shudder*

Good luck on your CCNA...

 

[Cooky]

The book that the OP is getting is pretty good.

 

[minibubba]

if you take the offical cisco academy training, it inovles 4 seperate classes and will likely take over a year