CCNA Blog

Krishna Kumar A:

Could any body tell me what is the minnimum time gap for CCNP after competing CCNA. Because today only i had completed CCNA.

Jim Woodward:

Congratulations Krishna, on completing your CCNA today! I don’t believe there is any minimum time gap, but I am just saying what I know (as a fellow student, not as a Cisco employee or moderater, etc). I know there is a minimum of 5 days (I believe) to re-take a test that you have just failed, but . . . to go from CCNA to CCNP - I don’t think there is a minimum required delay.

As far as the CCNP goes - I think that probably your brain will have a minimum delay - lol. I passed my CCNA in 2005 and did not really do anything with it (various circumstances, none real important as far as this discussion/venue goes) and have only begun in the past year studying for my CCNP. I have a decent home lab and am self-studying (I took courses for the CCNA, but didn’t find myself stimulated more in the classes than in my own studies), and will sit for my BSCI later in July. And I’m nervous as ****, to be honest. And the rest of the exams make me nervous as well.

There is a lot of material covered in the 4 CCNP exams. BSCI will seem very familiar to you, since it covers Subnetting, CIDR, DHCP, EIGRP, OSPF, RIP (a bit), etc. And BCMSN will also seem familiar to you as well. But the breadth and depth of material covered in the CCNP material makes the CCNA seem a small pond. As I’m sure the breadth and depth of material covered for the CCIE seems an ocean compared to that of the CCNP.

So . . . congratulations on your CCNA. It is a truly awesome, awesome thing to walk out of the exam room and think “Wow, I just did it!!”. So enjoy . . . study, prepare, practice, learn, discuss, grow . . . and don’t worry about racing to get your CCNP. Your mind deserves a break. It will be challenged by the CCNP and accompanying material more than you may anticipate. And it will thank you for the brief respite you give it now, as you bask in the glory of your achievement.

btw - wait till you get the little wallet card. See how many times you take that out and flash it to your friends - lol.

Congrats again!

Robin Lee :: Sep.27.2008 :: CCNA Q&As :: No Comments »

Job in Cisco, is a dream for everyone…..share ur exp.

I know that its not only me but thousand’s of networking guy’s/gal’s out there always wanted to know …….that how can we get into Cisco……?

Share your valuable experiance all those lucky guy’s/gal’s who are working for cisco….

To get into Cisco u must have:

1) Technical knowledge of ur field
2) Quantitative aptitude skills to pass the written exam
3) good interpersonal skills to pass interview

What else please share your valuable Tips to get into Cisco……..

————– Posted by praveen

Hi Praveen,

I am not working for Cisco but I have delivered tremendous number of Cisco training classes for Cisco employees around the globe starting from CCNA and ending by CCIE in almost all the specializations.

I can simply tell you that if you really keen to be a Cisco employee, you have to achieve 2 important points:

1- Usually thinks in how you could add to the team that you would like to join. Big companies like Cisco are usually looking for people that will add a value not for people that will get a value.

2- Build very strong communications with Cisco’s employees in the area that you are willing to join. The majority of Cisco’s employees that I have met were referred from their friends or their connections due to their potential skills that they may add to the company.

————– Replied by Ramy Sisy

Robin Lee :: Sep.02.2008 :: CCNA Q&As :: No Comments »

#01 Nicholas Ong

Like the subject says it, I find it weird that there is no mention of the renewal of the basic CCNA when upgrading to the new concentration which sounds quite weird since the new CCNA concentrations can be renewed by taking same level exams - other CCNA concentrations, CCNA or CCDA.

#02 Andrew

Individuals passing any current CCNA concentration exam (wireless, security, voice) will automatically recertify their expiring CCNA concentration, CCNA or CCENT certification. Passing any 642 professional level exam or written CCDE or CCIE exam will also recertify a CCNA Concentration.

#03 Nicholas Ong

Hi Andrew, Do you know if taking the CCDA exam will renew the CCNA as well?

#04 Cisco Moderator

Sorry, the CCDA will not recert the CCNA. Please review the recertification policy listed below. This is also listed on the CCNA syllabus page.

https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/community/certifications/ccna/syllabus?view=overview

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.

Robin Lee :: Sep.01.2008 :: CCNA Q&As :: No Comments »

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)

Hope that helps!

—— Doug Ingersoll

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

Vishal’s Question:

I will be taking 640-802 exam in a couple of months. I thought that I would save USD $125 by taking this single composite exam(which’s USD $125) option rather than going for two exams option(ICND1 & ICND 2) which is USD $125 each. But today when I try to register myself for the exam, I find that 640-802 is USD $ 250 NOT 125 & ICND1 &ICND2 are $25 each. Did Cisco revised the fee for 640-802 or i was wrong in the first place??? If somebody could please tell me if Cisco gives us some option to save moeny by going for a certain option.

List Of Helpful Answers:

Unfortunately, Cisco have increased the prices for the CCNA exams (both for the CCENT route and the single 640-802). Therefore it will cost the same, in monetary terms, to take the single CCNA or the double exam route. — Jordan Mazurke

As of June 24, 2008, the price of the CCNA comprehensive exam #640-802, the single exam option for achieving CCNA certification, will be $250 USD, the professional-level Composite exam #642-892, will be $300 USD and the CCIE written exams will be $350 USD or the local currency equivalent in all regions. All other exam prices still apply. If additional charges are incurred, please contact Pearson VUE at www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/contact. — Andrew

Robin Lee :: Aug.25.2008 :: CCNA Q&As :: No Comments »

Michael Foxon’s Question:

I’m already studying for the 642-552 Securing Cisco Network Devices exam but have just realised that it will be discontinued as of 17th November 08. Cisco has released a new exam 640-453 IINS which seems to be the same as 642-552. If I pass the 642-552 exam before 17th Nov will I obtain a CCNA Security?

List of helpful answers:

I just passed the SND-exam last week, so I am also curious to know if it will be converted to a CCNA security. I sent an email to my local trainingpartner. If I hear back from them, I will post the info here. — Anders Frederiksen

No, you won’t. IINS is based on SND, but had additional contents and the exam is different. AS far as I know, there is no upgrade from SND to CCNA Voice. However, if you’re pusuing SSSP, either route will do: SND or CCNA Voice. — Sergio Porter

To Sergio Porter: SSSP and CCNA:Voice…. ??? It should be CCSP and CCNA:Security — Hussain Arsalan Ali

Robin Lee :: Aug.20.2008 :: CCNA Q&As :: No Comments »

nikalex’s question:

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?

Kailen Harper answered:

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.

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.

Robin Lee :: Aug.05.2008 :: CCNA Q&As :: No Comments »

Karim Rahemat’s question:

I am confused about this cetification as I am on my path to attain my CCSP and then CCIE Security. The problem lies with the CCNA Security certification. Here is my understanding of getting the CCNA Security certification:

A valid CCNA with a passing mark with IINS (642-553) gives you the CCNA Security.

A valid CCNA with a passing mark with SND (642-552) gives you nothing but a credit towards CCSP or does it give you CCNA Security also?

Since CCNA Security is really an updated version of 642-552 merged into the certification, would the person not be eligible for the CCNA Security designation if the person has recently passed the 642-552 exam?

My plight would be that I have passed the 642-552 exam, however I am going through getting my CCNA if I want to continue in the right path. I am just confused as to the certification requirement for this designation although being an entry level certification.

Travis Newshott answered:

CCNA + SND does not give you CCNA security. You must pass the CCNA and CCNA: Security exam to gain that credential.

However, if you are pursuing the CCSP, either the CCNA: Security or the SND exam will act as 1 of your 5 required exams. Two means to the same end.

Robin Lee :: Jul.30.2008 :: CCNA Q&As :: No Comments »