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Cisco Certification: The Most Important Cisco Study You'll Ever Do |
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All of us are familiar with the pyramids of Egypt. These
magnificent structures have stood for thousands of years,
withstanding extreme heat and other factors that would bring
down an ordinary structure.
When we look at these pyramids, we instinctively look toward
the peak. We tend to do the same with the Cisco Learning Pyramid.
If you're not familiar with this, Cisco uses a pyramid to
illustrate how the CCIE is at the peak of the Cisco certification
structure, with the CCNP in the middle and the CCNA at the
bottom.
I'm often asked how to become a CCIE. My response is always
"Become a master CCNA and a master CCNP first".
That answer is often followed by a puzzled look, as though
I've mentioned some new kind of Cisco certification. But that's
not it at all.
The reason the pyramids of Egypt are so strong, and the reason
they have lasted for thousands of years, is that their foundations
are so strong. It's not the well-built peak that allows such
a building to last it's the foundation.
The same can be said for your Cisco certification studies.
As a CCNA candidate, you may not even be thinking about the
CCIE yet (although I hope you will!). You may be looking ahead
toward the CCNP. You must realize, though, that the skills
you will learn in your CCNP and CCIE studies are built upon
the studies you do for your CCNA.
Indeed, your CCNA studies are the most important studies
of your career.
Let me repeat that. Your CCNA studies are the most important
studies of your career.
Look at some of the topics you'll have to master for your
CCNP and CCIE, such as OSPF and using binary math. You cannot
understand how the many types of OSPF networks work unless
you understand how OSPF works in the first place. And how
can you possibly use wildcard masks, access control lists,
and the many other applications of binary math you'll encounter
in your CCNP and CCIE studies if you don't get that fundamental
understanding of binary at the CCNA level?
I know we work in a field where our customers tend to want
things done yesterday. I know that it's hard not to be in
a hurry when you're studying for your CCNA - I've been there!
Keep in mind, though, that when you're studying for your CCNA,
you're not just studying for a certification exam - you're
building the foundation for the rest of your Cisco certifications
and the rest of your career.
About the Author:
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage,
home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study
Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. For a FREE copy
of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” and
“How To Pass The CCNP”, visit the website and download
your free copies. You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam
questions every day! Pass the CCNA exam with The Bryant Advantage!
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