Cisco CCNA Networking Training - Options

Should you be aspiring to become Cisco accredited, and you've not yet worked with network switches or routers, the chances are your first course should be the Cisco CCNA qualification. This will provide you with the knowledge you need to understand routers. Vast numbers of routers make up the internet, and large companies with several different sites also rely on them to allow their networks to keep in touch.

It's important to have an understanding of the operation and function of computer networks, because computer networks are joined to routers. If not, it's likely you'll run into difficulties. We'd recommend you first take a course in the basics - perhaps Network+ and A+, before you start a CCNA course. You may find training companies will put such a package together for you.

Having the skills and knowledge in advance of commencing your Cisco training is essential. Therefore, it's probably necessary to speak to an advisor who can fill you in on any gaps you may have.

Throw out any salesman who pushes one particular program without performing a 'fact-find' to better understand your current abilities and also your experience level. They should be able to select from a generous array of training so they're able to give you an appropriate solution.

If you have a strong background, or maybe some commercial experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it's more than likely your starting level will be different from someone who is just starting out.

Commencing with a basic PC skills course first may be the ideal way to get into your computer training, depending on your skill level at the moment.

What is the reason why academic qualifications are being overtaken by more qualifications from the commercial sector?

With an ever-increasing technical demand on resources, the IT sector has moved to specific, honed-in training that the vendors themselves supply - in other words companies such as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA. This usually turns out to involve less time and financial outlay.

The training is effectively done by honing in on the skills that are really needed (together with a relevant amount of related knowledge,) instead of spending months and years on the background 'padding' that degrees in computing are prone to get tied up in (to fill up a syllabus or course).

Assuming a company is aware what areas need to be serviced, then all they have to do is advertise for a person with the appropriate exam numbers. The syllabuses are all based on the same criteria and can't change from one establishment to the next (in the way that degree courses can).

Don't accept anything less than an accredited exam preparation programme included in the package you choose.

Ensure that the mock exams aren't just asking you the right questions on the correct subjects, but additionally ask them in the way that the actual final exam will formulate them. This really messes up people if they're faced with unrecognisable phrases and formats.

You should make sure you check your knowledge through quizzes and practice in simulated exam environments prior to taking the proper exam.

The way in which your courseware is broken down for you is often missed by many students. How many parts is the training broken down into? What is the order and how fast does each element come?

Often, you will join a program taking 1-3 years and get sent one module each time you pass an exam. This sounds logical on one level, until you consider this:

What if there are reasons why you can't finish every exam? What if you don't find their order of learning is ideal for you? Because of nothing that's your fault, you might take a little longer and not get all the study materials as a result.

To be straight, the very best answer is to get an idea of what they recommend as an ideal study order, but get everything up-front. You then have everything if you don't manage to finish within their ideal time-table.

(C) Jason Kendall. Go to LearningLolly.com for superb career advice on Cisco CCNA and Cisco Training.

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