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Hey all,

I am looking to pursue both my network +, CCENT, and CCNA certifications. Does anyone have any recommendations out there where the best places are to get free or very cheap training for these certs? I am on a very tight budget right now and do not have room for training at the moment, but need the training to better myself. What a pickle!! Anyway if anyone has heard of any goo free training let me know.

Thanks

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For Cisco training ayou realy can not go past the Cisco Learning Network for free study materials .

GNS3 is a brillant program for emulating Cisco routers but YOU MUST have the IOS images for it to work. the best forums for GNS3 labs has to be 7200emu.hacki.at

CBT Nuggets also have an awesome video series on ICND1 and ICND2 made by someone who has a CCIE, a CCNP Security and CCNP Voice.

unfortunatly i dont have much info on the Network+ but CBT Nuggets does have a video series on them

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I would love to get the answers to this question as well since I am also pursuing the same certs.

I am going even cheaper than you: free

  1. I downloaded the Network+ exam objectives from CompTIA
  2. I am studying the Network+ Wiki (which is incomplete)
  3. Browsing Mike Meyers’ Guide as a reference

Best of luck in your exams JDrakes

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Thanks for the CISCO links and recommendations Panda.

I was looking at CBT Nuggets one-month subscription plan and they are quite expensive for me, but for US$199 you get access to a lot of other vendor training videos as well and their videos are quite good.

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Panda (was w bold) wrote:

For Cisco training ayou realy can not go past the Cisco Learning Network for free study materials .

GNS3 is a brillant program for emulating Cisco routers but YOU MUST have the IOS images for it to work. the best forums for GNS3 labs has to be 7200emu.hacki.at

CBT Nuggets also have an awesome video series on ICND1 and ICND2 made by someone who has a CCIE, a CCNP Security and CCNP Voice.

unfortunatly i dont have much info on the Network+ but CBT Nuggets does have a video series on them

Thank you for the tip for the Cisco material Panda. This may help a great deal. Also I do like CBT Nuggets videos, I have their app on my android phone, but I think I can only watch the intros for the videos since they require you to pay to subscribe for their website. Little pricey. Not saying that it would not be worth it, just don’t have that kind of cash to spend at the current time.

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R@t wrote:

I would love to get the answers to this question as well since I am also pursuing the same certs.

I am going even cheaper than you: free

  1. I downloaded the Network+ exam objectives from CompTIA
  2. I am studying the Network+ Wiki (which is incomplete)
  3. Browsing Mike Meyers’ Guide as a reference

Best of luck in your exams JDrakes

Thanks R@t Good Luck to you also!! maybe we both can get tips through this discussion!! lol

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Panda (was w bold) wrote:

For Cisco training ayou realy can not go past the Cisco Learning Network for free study materials .

GNS3 is a brillant program for emulating Cisco routers but YOU MUST have the IOS images for it to work. the best forums for GNS3 labs has to be 7200emu.hacki.at

CBT Nuggets also have an awesome video series on ICND1 and ICND2 made by someone who has a CCIE, a CCNP Security and CCNP Voice.

unfortunatly i dont have much info on the Network+ but CBT Nuggets does have a video series on them

Where do you find the IOS images that you need to run GNS?

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In terms of actual hands on experience, what are your thoughts (pros and cons) on kits like this advanced CCNA/ starter CCNP kit from Certification Kits? What other good alternatives exist for getting hands on experience needed to master CISCO devices at CCNA level.

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http://www.professormesser.com/ for net+

http://www.freeccnaworkbook.com/ CCNA

I have found lots of free Pod casts on Itune for CCNA/Net+

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R@t wrote:

In terms of actual hands on experience, what are your thoughts (pros and cons) on kits like this advanced CCNA/ starter CCNP kit from Certification Kits? What other good alternatives exist for getting hands on experience needed to master CISCO devices at CCNA level.

From what I understand you can get simulators that will help, or buy a cisco router, but I know I don’t have the cash for that!! So i am going to try the simulators.

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TSaL wrote:

http://www.professormesser.com/ for net+

http://www.freeccnaworkbook.com/ CCNA

I have found lots of free Pod casts on Itune for CCNA/Net+

Very nice!! These look like they will help out alot!! Thanks Tsal

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JDrakes wrote:

google skills. :wink:

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Panda (was w bold) wrote:

LOL K got it!! Thanks!

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Have a look at the Cisco press books. I bought the official CCNA guide in 2009 & got two books, a bunch of sims & a DVD of recorded labs for around $170.

Also have a look at Cisco Academy Connection - I think if you register (free) you get access to Packet Tracer - one of the most amazing tools I’ve ever encountered. It lets you create a virtula net environment & add different devices, connections, etc. The really cool part is all aspects of the IOS are included in virtual devices.

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Reap3r wrote:

Have a look at the Cisco press books. I bought the official CCNA guide in 2009 & got two books, a bunch of sims & a DVD of recorded labs for around $170.

Also have a look at Cisco Academy Connection - I think if you register (free) you get access to Packet Tracer - one of the most amazing tools I’ve ever encountered. It lets you create a virtula net environment & add different devices, connections, etc. The really cool part is all aspects of the IOS are included in virtual devices.

Awesome Ill have to try that.