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Hey Guys,

I’ve recently went though a bad patch on jobs, and I’m trying to recover, get back up to where I used to be in technical skills before I became the everything IT guy that did more of the management / analyst role than I got to do the technical. I’m lost on what to really try to focus on for myself, I do like being a network or systems admin, with a specialty on security. I came from a place that systems / network admin were two sides of the same coin, I still worked in the server room, but I was the end face for a lot of the department as well.

What I’m trying to really decide is what I certifications I can get to help bolster myself since I do have 4 years of broad experience. I’ve been to a few interviews, and the overwhelming one that they seem to always ask for is the CCNA. I want to start studying for it, but given time constrains with a low budget, I’m trying to decide what is going to be my best course of action for me. Does anyone have any advice? I already have my older CompTIA A+ & Network+.

11 Spice ups
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Going by your post, CCNA is being considered for IT positions in your area.So it is the best choice to get back in the game.

CCNA is not that much of a burden financially to get.( Price - 250 USD). Training on the other hand is a different thing. If you want free resources, then look up each of the topics individually. ( as collectively it might not all be available on one site). Join the cisco learning network. It is free to join and use.Download packet tracer and use it.

The major hurdle is a mental block which does not allow you to focus or decide when things have been going badly for you.Join a study group in your area and get started.

Good Luck.

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CCNA seems like the obvious answer. Nothing of lower cost is going to be very useful, I’m afraid.

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Yeah, I was thinking so as well, I just wanted a reality check on my thinking given the way things have been. I’m trying to determine if buying a CCNA kit from ebay would be better to practice or use packet tracer.

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Maybe start with just a good book.

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I would also take a look on youtube at the channel “danscourses”

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If you’ve never used a router/switch in your life, I’d get the kit. However, 99% of what the CCNA entails can be done via GNS3 and Packet Tracer.

GNS3 is superior to packet tracer due to being an emulated version of a switch/router relying on actual firmware/ISOs to mimic exactly what the routers would do.

The only thing you do via GNS3 and PT is to eliminate the physical level, which if you’ve never interacted with before, may be really useful to you. If you have some experience with them, you can probably skip that step and the 400$ a decent lab would cost. GNS3 can even be tied in to your computer/a VM to integrated within AD/DNS etc as well. So that is an option.

2 Spice ups
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I’ve had a majority of my experience in switches, and firewalls, but never a real router per say unless you want to count little simple home routers. I’ve never had a lot of experience with cisco gear in general, most of what I used was IBM rackswitchs, and very low end cisco switches via web interface.

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I’ve got an older Cisco router and Catalyst switch I’m debating on getting rid of for this very reason. They are both 100 megabit but too slow for anything I do now. GNS3 works great but if you need to physically see the device to learn it may not be for everyone. The devices would be perfect for a CCNA lab.

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I have an 1812 router I would sell for 75 shipped. I also have an ASA5505 for 90 shipped

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jcherwinski Aug 25, 2014 at 10:47 PM

I have an 1812 router I would sell for 75 shipped. I also have an ASA5505 for 90 shipped

Can you ship to Oman ?

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Sorry, I would probably lose money

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Hey Ryan,

Have you heard of Pluralsight ? We’re an online video training provider with over 3,000 courses. You can access our entire library for as little as $29/month. Check out our CCNA training for free with our 10-day trial.

Let me know if you have any questions. Happy training!

2 Spice ups
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Look into a Cisco Network Academy ( link ) for CCNA which may be at a local community college. It is a series of four in-person classes with equipment provided designed to be over four semesters, but often combined to 2 one semester classes. Successful completion with satisfactory scores on all the test will grant a CCNA test voucher. They’ve had extensions for exams to insure students get an adequate chance to take the exam.

NetAcad is widely available at Community Colleges, which will give college credits (nice side benefit, matriculated or not). NetAcad 1-2 ought be straightforward, NetAcad 3-4 do require study & diligent performing the practical exercises.

Benefit is having physical equipment to use, like minded students, on-hand instructor for trouble spots, and possible tax benefit (learning credit & deduction). Class structure and regularity can assist in forcing to study & do labbing. For jobs and as part of ongoing class, can add “CCNA (in progress)”.

Added resources such as Pluralsight, CBT Nuggets, Lynda.com, or the like can be helpful for reinforcement and re-stating topics. Todd Lammle’s book is a popular supplement.

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RoguePacket

I’ve actually checked into that, the only local community college that did it, closed up teaching it about a year and a half ago. I’m stuck to something like Pluralsight, sim software, and maybe a piece of hardware or two from the looks of it.

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Ryan,

I am sorry to hear about the spree of bad jobs. Though your potential employers have asked about the CCNA (which is an excellent certification to earn), I would recommend pursuing a certification that you are passionate about. Work will not feel as strenuous if you truly love what you do. There are many certifications you can pursue within the IT security industry.

If you get a chance, check out CBT Nuggets’ Security library and see if there are any training courses that will spark your interest. Train free for 7 days and let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.

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Hi Mate,

All you need is CCNA book from Todd Lammle, Watch CBTNuggets videos(don’t ask me where to download it from :stuck_out_tongue: ) And also packet tracer to practise the labs.

CCNA is the best course I have done, it has helped me lot to understand and clear up concepts. Book had 13 chapeters when I did it and you want to make sure you understand subnetting and routing chapters other ones are just lot of basic information.

Certification can def be achieved with Sefl Study and there is always examcollection to go through day before the exam. All the best.

N