Certs

[Pantlegz]

How much harder is the CCNP test than the CCNA? What sort of opportunities would it open up? If I wanted to study for the CCNP what should I study if I've already got my CCNA? Is this something that I will need a lab environment for or should wait for a year or so to get some work experience?

 

[Pheran]

I think you mean "tests" since you have to pass 4 tests (or 3 if you are crazy enough to take the composite) to get a CCNP. They are significantly harder than the CCNA exam, and I would strongly suggest you have some real-world experience. You'll also want this bookset for study material. If you don't have real-world experience you will definitely want a lab, or at least a simulator.

As far as opportunities, seeing a CCNP resume is much more eye-opening for me than a CCNA, since they are a lot less common. That would be pretty much a guaranteed interview from me unless the rest of the resume is very dubious. Of course this varies depending on where you are applying.

 

[Emulex]

CCDA track is far more appealing than CCNA

design is far more complex than implementation

 

[jlazzaro]

Originally posted by: Emulex
CCDA track is far more appealing than CCNA

design is far more complex than implementation

CCNA is foundational knowledge...you need to walk before you can run. there's a reason Cisco lists both the CCNA and CCDA in the Design track.

personally, the design certs (excluding CCDE) aren't that worthwhile. you'll be hard pressed to find a DA/DP without their NA/NP.

 

[Pheran]

Originally posted by: Emulex
CCDA track is far more appealing than CCNA

design is far more complex than implementation

If you don't have real experience with how things actually work, I'm staying far away from your designs.

 

[randal]

Originally posted by: Pantlegz1
How much harder is the CCNP test than the CCNA? What sort of opportunities would it open up? If I wanted to study for the CCNP what should I study if I've already got my CCNA? Is this something that I will need a lab environment for or should wait for a year or so to get some work experience?

The CCNP track is unbelievably more difficult than the ccna track.

I've been a network guy at a datacenter for a while, and in January, while re-doing my resume (always a good idea to do quarterly!), I realized that my CCNA had expired. So I dutifully scheduled my CCNA with the local tester for later that week and breezed through it, no problem (96%, FU NAT terminology question!).

I promptly decided to put my CCNP training set to work, studied for a couple weeks and promptly didn't pass the ONT. Very surprising. I doubled back, spent another month doing it, and passed. I spent at least twice the prep time of the ONT on the BSCI, and passed, and although I felt confident about it, I wasn't overwhelmingly sure.

That said, I am hands-on with Cisco kit -- from old 3500s & 2500s all the way up to 7600s -- in a datacenter every day.

It is very surprising how tough the CCNP is, and it's only getting harder. (I dread the wireless part, since I don't have that in my lab)

 

[mcmilljb]

Originally posted by: randal

Originally posted by: Pantlegz1
How much harder is the CCNP test than the CCNA? What sort of opportunities would it open up? If I wanted to study for the CCNP what should I study if I've already got my CCNA? Is this something that I will need a lab environment for or should wait for a year or so to get some work experience?

The CCNP track is unbelievably more difficult than the ccna track.

I've been a network guy at a datacenter for a while, and in January, while re-doing my resume (always a good idea to do quarterly!), I realized that my CCNA had expired. So I dutifully scheduled my CCNA with the local tester for later that week and breezed through it, no problem (96%, FU NAT terminology question!).

I promptly decided to put my CCNP training set to work, studied for a couple weeks and promptly didn't pass the ONT. Very surprising. I doubled back, spent another month doing it, and passed. I spent at least twice the prep time of the ONT on the BSCI, and passed, and although I felt confident about it, I wasn't overwhelmingly sure.

That said, I am hands-on with Cisco kit -- from old 3500s & 2500s all the way up to 7600s -- in a datacenter every day.

It is very surprising how tough the CCNP is, and it's only getting harder. (I dread the wireless part, since I don't have that in my lab)

If you want to save some money on the rest of your ccnp exams, check out http://www.getcertify4less.com/cisco.asp. I bought all my ccnp exam vouchers from them.