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How To Become A True CCNA |
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I've worked my way from the CCNA to the CCIE, and along the
way I've conducted job interviews and casual conversations
with dozens of CCNAs and CCNA candidates. Believe me, people
who "sneak by" the CCNA exam by braindumps, memorization,
and never touching a router or switch are QUICKLY found out
in job interviews and on the job.
The field will always need qualified CCNAs. The key word
is "qualified". How can you make sure you're truly
qualified? It's actually pretty simple.
1. Use routers and switches in your study, not simulators.
Simulators are OK to start with, but when you're in the interview
room and you're taken to the network room, that simulator's
not going to be there. Real routers and switches are. With
all due respect to the simulators on the market, they're not
routers and switches. Don't fool yourself.
Attend a CCNA class that gets you plenty of time on real
Cisco equipment. Used Cisco equipment is cheaper than ever.
Look at it this way -- you can put together a true CCNA lab
that you can also use for CCNP study for less than $1000.
When you choose to sell it, you can get half of that back.
A small investment like that pays huge dividends in your future.
2. Know binary math. Some leading CCNA books tell you to
just memorize a chart to get by the exam. I wish I had a nickel
for every CCNA that hasn't been able to solve a simple subnetting
problem in a job interview. Someone who doesn't know binary
math is not going to go far. Who's going to remember that
chart they memorized for the exam six months ago?
3. Run plenty of "show" and "debug" commands
when running labs. These are the commands that show you what's
going on "behind the command". You need to know
what is really happening when you put in a command when you
get asked about it in an interview.
These three simple points separate the real CCNAs from the
ones who got lucky or braindumped their way to success. By
constructing a solid foundation of Cisco knowledge at the
CCNA level, you build the bridgework for a lifetime of career
success. You don't have to have a lot of job experience to
get a CCNA job, but you do have to really understand the subject
matter.
It worked for me. I went from the CCNA to the CCIE in this
manner, and the habits I developed at the CCNA level followed
me all the way to the top. It can happen for you, too!
Good luck!
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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Relevant Resources |
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Need Cisco Hardware for your Cert? |
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| Call 813.852.6400 now for more information to find the best router or switch to best help you with your certification exam. Having "real" hands-on experience is extremely beneficial not just for testing, but also ensures you are actually familiar with the device you are working on.
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Cisco Routers |
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Cisco Switches |
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