Todd Lammel CCNA Study Guide

Robert J Stowell’s Question:

Hello, does anyone have experience with Todd Lammel’s CCNA study guide? I have heard it is good. Also does anyone have any recommendations as a self study routine using Todd’s book to take the exam with about a month of studying? Thanks! 70-646

List of helpful answers:

#01 Ryan

I’m currently studying under Lammle’s 640-802 CCNA study guide 6th Edition book. I’ve also taken cisco netacad and read one of those books. Lammle’s is deff better in comparison between the two of those. For selfstudy I would reccomend it as he does tend to be less flat (makes for easier reading). 646-363

I have not however taken the CCNA exam yet, (taking the one exam). So I do not know how it compares to the actual test.

As far as studying or self-studying.. I currently combine Lammle’s book + Cbt Nuggets Video for review + dynamips for an emulated hands on approach. I did recieve classroom training for the catalyst switches. There are simulators out there that can emulate the CLI interface for you though such as Boson.642-453

#02 Andrew

otherwise affiliated with, any content provided by unauthorized third-party training companies. We recommend that certification candidates train with Cisco Learning Partners for authorized course offerings that align with current Cisco exam topics. A current list of Cisco Learning Partners can be accessed at here.

Cisco Press products are the only authorized self-study publications that align with Cisco learning paths. To see the catalog of publications and other resources visit http://www.ciscopress.com.

For more information on Authorized Cisco training and self-study material, please visit here.

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Study Material for CCNA Security

Anweesy3’s Question:

I am a current CCNA pursuing the CCNP. I have the ONT and ISCW left to take. This new CCNA Security cert seems very valuable since I want to pursue security. I was wondering since the CCNA Security and ISCW have very similar topics, can I bypass purchasing the exam guide for the IINS 640-553 and use my study materials for the ISCW instead? What are your opinions?

List of helpful answers:

It is better to continue with the CCNP track, as you said ONT and ISCW left to take. You can go through the syllabus which is given in this site itself and compare with the ISCW. It is better to wait for CCNA security as it is a fresh paper recently released. Even i am preparing, but planning to take this exam after one month. We can get more views, and details about the paper.

I am using SND and SNRS for my prepartion. Just go for the link and I hope this will clear it..

http://www.cbtnuggets.com/webapp/product?id=445

My advice is to take for CCNP and meanwhile material will be available.. and then go for the security.

—— Naresh

Just so you are aware, Cisco Press has two product out for the CCNA Security Exam. They are:

CCNA Security Official Exam Certification Guide (print book with CD test engine)

CCNA Security Quick Reference (digital review product)

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Which Router Should I Buy For CCNA?

So you want to get your CCNA and you need to buy a router for your CCNA home lab? Now the question is which router should you get? I have been in your shoes and know when you are just starting out, it is tough to make sense of all the different models of Cisco Routers available. The good news is there are a lot of good options available to get a good CCNA router for a fair price. 350-018

I recommend getting a Cisco 2611 Router or a Cisco 2621 Router because they have to two Copper ports instead of one and offer the most training flexibility. If the cost isn’t much different, go for the 2621 because it offers 2 10/100 Ethernet ports and has 128MB of memory versus the 2611 that has 2 10Mb ports with 64MB of memory. Don’t forget to buy 2 routers as most of the CCNA Labs require two routers. You could also get 3 routers, but from my experience, you will rarely actually need 3 routers to practice for your CCNA. 642-373

Another issue that comes into play is the IOS. If you can get a router with 12.4 already installed, you are way ahead of the game. Remember, the only legal way you can get a copy of the IOS is to buy a Cisco Smartnet contract for your router. If worse comes to worse, look for 12.3, but do your best to avoid 12.2. While it is a solid IOS for production, the new CCNA really focuses on the newer 12.4 version and some commands may be different from what you are learning.

This recommendation is for building a CCNA Home Lab. If you plan on building a CCNP Home Lab, then you should check back later for a post about which router you should buy for CCNP. The great part is even though the routers for CCNP are more expensive, if you buy them while working on your CCNA, you can use them for both certifications. 640-816

Also, if you have the money, you may be better off buying a complete CCNA Home Lab. You can usually find a complete CCNA Lab Kit including 2 or more routers and 1 or more Cisco Switches. Just keep in mind what I said about the routers

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The Discussion Of CCNA Advice For You

# 01 nikalex

I am currently planning to start studying for my CCNA certification.

Is self study the best one or attending classes? Which books are most recommended for CCNA Routing and Switching?

Is it better to take CCNA once or start from ICND1 and ICND2?

# 02 Kailen Harper

I have allways felt the two exam option and self study is the best way to move forward with a CCNA. The Cisco press books by Wendel Odom for ICND1&2 are an excelent choice. Most importantly though is to get a couple of routers or Dynamips and practice. Learning it in a book and actually doing it are very different things. Watch all of the videos on the site here and play the binary game A LOT. Subnetting is the most important thing to learn since without it the tests will take significantly longer to complete. And time is a valuable resource on the test. 642-445

Get the first book, watch the videos, ask a lot of questions in the forums and just keep working at it. Remember even the CCIE’s had to start somewhere.

# 03 Ryan Helton

Yup, I agree with the poster above. I just passed the ICND1 exam and I felt very prepared having used the ICND1 study guide by Wendell Odom and the CCNA study guide from sybex. I also practiced ios commands using GS3. 642-811

# 04 nikalex

Thank you so much for this valuable advice.I heard Cisco has many versions of routers and switches.

Which ones would you most recommend me for practice? I would move those ones cheap and which can be used for CCNP preparation as well.

# 05 Garry Richardson

Hi there, i also agree with all comments above! i passed CCENT 8 weeks ago and nearly read ICND2. I used Cisco Press materials and CBT nuggets, these 2 products go together a treat!

In regards to lab equipmment, a lot of people say you dont need any equipment to get pass CCENT / CCNA but i purchased for CCENT, 2 2500’s and 1 2950 CAT Switch I found it helped a lot, plus its fun playing with live Cisco IOS.

For ICND2 i’ve purchased another CAT 2950, another 2500 and a 2600. The ICND2 explorers into STP, VTP, Inter-Vlan-Routing and much more. The kit i have now, allows me to setup a network, working with all CCNA layer 2/3 protocols and much more. 000-331

I would advise anyone to spend between £100-£200 on some Cisco Kit when working through the Certs.

# 06 Mike Keedy

I’m following the self study track too, I find the Cisco Press books excellent, use the Boson simulator software and have a few 2nd hand routers and switches for practice.

Good luck in your certification, I’m planning to go straight for the CCNA exam, I hope I’ve made the right descision

# 07 Ryan Helton

Hey Mike, I’d say you’re making the right choice just going for the CCNA exam all at once. To tell you the truth I wish I had just done that becuase I feel like I was almost overprepared for the ICND1 and with a little more study of the ICND2 concepts I could have just knocked out the whole thing in one test. 000-331

# 08 Kerry LeBlanc

I agree with all the good advice here. I decided to go the one exam path myself. For resources I am using the Cisco Press set by Wendell Odem. I also have Todd Lammle’s book (Sybex Study Gude) which is excellent. I bought the Boson Exam simulator and the NetSim as well. I think the Boson exam environment is the most accurate for feel and look. 350-029

I also purchsed some equipment from CiscoKits.com. The books and simulators are great, but nothing compares to laying your hands on the real deal. I got two routers, one switch and a great lab book for about 250.00. Plus the equipment will be what I need as I move on to the CCNP.

Another good resource is the Brynat Advantage. Fairly inexpensive. MB7-515

Robin Lee :: Oct.28.2008 :: CCNA Q&As :: No Comments »

Chris Corino’s 3 Questions About CCNA

I figured this was going to be a short post, but the more I think about it, the longer it gets, LOL. So I am just going to throw out a couple questions I am confused about, and if you can answer ANY of them, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance! Hope everyone’s work-week is going well!

I am planning for my CCVP due to work requirements. I’m extremely excited. However, I have to get my CCNA or CCNA Voice cert. first. Which do you recommend? Pro/cons?

If I go for the CCNA, I either take the CCNA exam or take the ICND1 and ICND2, correct? Recommendations?

When I look up the CCVP, it says the prerequisites are “CCNA (until June 24, 2009)”. Why is there a deadline? Is the exam being retired or changed?

More of a story, not really a question: Not even knowing there was a “CCNA Voice” certification, I bought a book yesterday from Barnes and Noble. I couldn’t understand how it was possible, but listen to this: I can either buy the CCNA Cert. Library for $95 that trains you on JUST the CCNA. OR I could buy a CCNA cert. Library for $60 that trains you on the CCNA, ICND1, and ICND2, along with a 1-hour training DVD, and 2 CD’s with the books on PDF, and 400 practice questions. Anyone see anything wrong with that picture?!? They were both made by Cisco, but the $60 one was a “Barnes and Noble Exclusive Edition”. Needless to say, I got the $60 one. 70-631

Helpful answer form Timothy Walsh:

You’ll need to do it in the following order:

CCNA (Note that you can break this into two tests, ICND1 which gets you the CCENT certification followed by the ICND2 which then makes you a CCNA)

CCNA-Voice (This certification requires you to first be a CCNA, hence step 1. This is a new cert which is why the CCVP has the deadline you spoke of, basically Cisco is allowing those of us already working on the CCVP to finish it before requiring the CCNA-Voice cert.)

CCVP (Currently only requires the CCNA, but after 6/24/09 will require the CCNA-Voice cert) 642-444

Robin Lee :: Oct.22.2008 :: CCNA Q&As :: No Comments »

CCNA Discovery 4, Is the First 2 Modules Enough For CCENT Exam?

# 01 Araza

Dear All, I am thinking in registering for NETCAD and wanted some advice. It says that after the first 2 modules in the CCNA Discovery 4.0 you will have all the material to sit for the CCENT certification exam, is this true? Not calling Cisco liars but has anyone who has studied the first 2 modules of the CCNA Discovery 4.0 set the CCENT exam? If yes, can you advise if the first 2 modules are sufficient. 650-251

# 02 Chetan

Hi Araza, I completed CCNA Exploration 4.0 course from NETACAD, India in august this year. Contentwise, Cisco says that Exploration track is more advanced than the Discovery Track. 156-215.1

The course curriculum is good.

First two modules of Discovery 4.0 track are meant for the CCENT certification. And they cover all the necessary topics in sufficient detail. But my personal advice is that not to rely on First two Modules completely although they cover the required syllabus.

Keeping in mind the long term goal of obtaining CCNA certificate after CCENT, I personally think that one should Also go for CCENT / CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide by Wendell Odom. 70-624

Cisco NetAcad Material + Cisco Press Books are a great combination. The online tests at the academy are also of good quality.

# 03 Araza

Hi Chetan, Thanks man,that makes a lot of sense. I have purchased the Wendell Odom ICND1 book as well. I am thinking of buying the CBT videos. I am very new to networking so i need all the info that i can get. I don’t want to buy too much as this will confuse me so i thought one book and one video should do. Once again thanks for your advice.

# 04 Chetan

Hi Araza, I just wanted to share some information about CBT videos. I haven’t used those videos, but on the following link I found some information that might be of some use to you.

Please go through both of the following links, and not just one.

https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/message/3662#3662

https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/message/4575#4575

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About CCNA Certification

The Cisco CCNA network associate certification validates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a WAN. This new curriculum includes basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networking concepts and terminology, and performance-based skills. This new curriculum also includes (but is not limited to) the use of these protocols: IP, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Serial Line Interface Protocol Frame Relay, Routing Information Protocol Version 2 (RIPv2),VLANs, Ethernet, access control lists (ACLs)

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is an entry-level certification, which is a pre-requisite for all the advanced level Cisco certifications such as CCNP and CCIE. It validates the skills of networking professionals to install, configure and troubleshoot routed and switched networks. CCNA Certified professionals are capable of implementing and verifying connections to remote sites in a WAN. They also have basic knowledge on security issues, Wireless networking and performance-based skills.

Get CCNA Certified

Getting CCNA certified is easy. Follow the instructions below and get your CCNA certification effortlessly. We have designed these PrepKits so you don't have to search for books and other study material as they contain everything you require to pass your CCNA certification exam. All our PrepKits come with 100% money back guarantee. You can get your money back, if you do not pass your exam in the first attempt.

CCNA Exams & Recommended Training

CCNA 640-802 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) v1.0

Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2) v1.0

CCNA Recertificaton

CCNA certifications are valid for three years. To recertify, either pass the current CCNA exam, or pass the ICND2 exam, or pass any 642 professional level or Cisco Specialist exam (excluding Sales Specialist exams), or pass a current CCIE written exam.

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