CCNA Tools of the Trade

Your Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) training should include many tools for passing the CCNA Exam. The main tools should include some type of CCNA reading material along with a CCNA lab, and any other CCNA lab workbooks that you can get your hands on. If possible video courses would be great if you're choosing the self study route while extra lab time would be a good idea if you're taking an instructor based course.

The CCNA is the foundation for building up to the more challenging Cisco exams. Cisco is currently dominating the networking market so learning their equipment is really ideal before moving on to others. Many real world organizations depend on Cisco's technology and equipment for adapting to the fast past world of information Technology.

During your CCNA studies you will learn many valuable concepts and technologies that will no doubt help you in your future networking world. Such concepts as VLAN's, routing protocols, routing devices, and so on. You will also learn how to troubleshoot certain technologies and when. Don't be afraid to run those show and debug commands in your labs to really get a good grasp of what's happening in there.

The CCNA certifications are valid for three years. If you wish to recertify it, you should pass at least one of the following exams. The Interconnecting Cisco networking devices (ICND) part 2 exam, the current CCNA or CCDA written exam, Cisco specialist exam, or really any of the higher level exams such as the CCNP.
MCTS Training | MCITP Training .

How to Become a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert

Individuals who receive the CCIE certification have a reputation as experts in the network engineering field, and have mastered Cisco products. These professionals are typically assigned the most technically demanding assignments.

Introduced in 1993, the CCIE program is regularly updated and revised to keep up with modern technology trends. Less than 3% of all Cisco certified professionals hold the coveted CCIE certificate.

Prerequisites

The CCIE certification does not require any formal Cisco training. Candidates are instead expected to display a comprehensive understanding of end-to-end networking, and all of the intricacies and complexities involved with it. It is recommended to have a minimum of three to five years of job related experience before pursuing this certification.


Certification Tracks for CCIE

Network professionals can choose from six different tracks to obtain the CCIE certification:

*Routing and Switching

*Security

*Service Provider

*Storage Networking

*Voice

*Wireless

Each track requires passing a two-hour qualification exam at a cost $350. There is also a hands-on lab exam which is eight hours in length with a cost of $1400. Candidates can find Cisco training courses on the Cisco website to help them prepare for the exam. There are also several websites which offer additional online training courses as well.

Routing and Switching:

The Routing and Switching track indicates expertise in planning, operating, and troubleshooting intricate network infrastructures.

Security:

The Security track indicates expertise with IP and IP routing in addition to security procedures and components.

Service Provider:

The Service Providertrack indicates expertise in configuring an expandable Service Provider framework which delivers manageable services.

Storage and Networking:

The Storage and Networkingtrack indicates expertise in long distance storage solutions by utilizing multiple options in transport.

Voice:

The Voice track indicates expertise in VoIP solutions. Candidates should be able to solve Voice installation, configuration, and management issues over IP networks.

Wireless:

The Wireless track indicates expertise in network solutions for wireless LAN and WLAN technology.

Maintaining Certification:

Maintenance of a CCIE certification requires completion of either a CCDE or CCIE written exam. The exam must be taken within a two year timeframe immediately following the current deadline for recertification. Extension of active Professional, Associate, Expert, and Specialist certifications is automatic with an active CCDE or CCIE certification.
MCTS Training | MCITP Training .

Obtaining CCNA Certification

In order to obtain a CCNA certification, there are two routes available to the candidates. You can either take the Cisco CCNA exam or you can take the Cisco 640-811 and Cisco 640-821 combined examination. CCNA certification is valid up to 3 years and in order to recertify, minimum eligible marks has to be obtained during the current year CCNA examination or in ICND exam or in CCIE written exam.

Cisco CCNA certification examination:

This exam is available for the candidates who are willing to pursue a single exam option for the CCNA certification. This CCNA exam will certify that all successful candidates are having important skills as well as knowledge in selecting, configuring and troubleshooting several devices in Cisco networking. This CCNA certification exam covers the topic on switched networks along with VLANS, establishment of point to point connections, establishment of frame relay connections, IP route determining and management of IP traffic along with Access list. All the objectives are from Cisco and the objectives as well as exam topics are subject to change without any notice since the technology is often changing.

Though there are two routes in obtaining this CCNA certificate, all candidates are tested on the same subjects. By choosing the first route (single exam option), candidates will be focusing on one area (subject) at a time and take other relevant exams when they are ready. Additionally, one important thing which all candidates has to keep in mind is, there is a fee for applying to this certification exam. Hence the combined exam route will be slightly lesser cost when compared with two exam approach. MCTS Training | MCITP Training .

Cisco CCNA Certification and Training Course

If you want to earn this networking credential at an associate level, you will need to go through CCNA Certification Training program. In these training programs you get to learn a lot of other important network protocols. These certifications help you to get recognized in the networking market.

Your networking abilities are very well polished through these certification courses. Not only potential employers look forward to such a credential but also your clients are willing to work with you. It takes you a step higher in your career and helps to create a better future.

Cisco CCNA Certification is held in two parts commonly known as Part 1 and Part 2. You will need to pass both this parts in order to get the final certification which adds value to your curriculum vitae.

Where can I get the training?

There are number of IT training companies that offer education to all those individual seeking knowledge about networking. These companies have special packages and training formats to help an individual attain complete knowledge required for networking.

CCNA training modules contain online videos, distance learning classes, onsite training, boot camps and many more methods to educate the students.

There are companies which offer Online or CD-ROM self study course to their students. There are live online classes which can be more interactive for students. Boot camps are usually of seven or ten days. Most of the companies provide real world experience in their trainings.

Most of the companies offering Cisco CCNA course provide online tutorials, online lab and practice questions. Usually companies offer six months program and after the training you can appear for the certification exams.

If you are looking for job opportunities after the certification, you will need to understand what exactly the industry expectations are from you. It is good to have commercial experience if you are looking for a job in networking. It is advisable to seek guidance from the industry experts and choose the correct path after all these certifications.
MCTS Training | MCITP Training .

CCNA Advice

CCNA advice refers to guidance that can be made use of to attend the CCNA test successfully. The following points may be kept in mind as part of the preparation for the CCNA.

There is no need to fear the test. There are no negative marks for wrong answer. All answers are final; you cannot return to a question once you have answered it. Thus each question has to be carefully considered. The practical can be done at your convenience. Practice as often as you can and save time during the certification examination. Good practice will provide better time management and make sure that there is sufficient time to answer the multiple choice and theory questions.

There are various CCNA books such as Sybex CCNA book by Todd Lammle and the Cisco press book by Wendel Odum. Lilligren grades topics according to their importance in the CCNA examination. To attend the CCNA examination, one needs to know subnetting very well. Knowledge of bit masks and network addresses will help to pass the examination. SemSim is the internationally established CCNA exam router. SenSim software helps to understand networking concepts. It also provides a classroom quality-learning environment at a reasonable price.

Many good and bad exam routers are available. A good exam router should be complete and accurate. Good training makes you familiar with all the key commands needed. Adequate training makes the examination simple, clean and fast. CCNA certification indicates that you possess a very strong foundation and apprentice level knowledge of networking. However, there are different CCNA tracks that may or may not be the most appropriate for the certification goals. Tough exam preparation tools, combined with experience, will ensure that you have the edge to succeed.
MCTS Training | MCITP Training .

CCNA Certification - The Best Networking Careers

Unlike any other exam CCNA exam is not a tough nut to crack. It just requires right amount of preparation with adequate skills. The CCNA exam is of one and half hour duration comprising of around fifty questions. The level of the exam is moderate with very little hard questions. Candidates appearing for this exam can take courses such as the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1(ICND1) or the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2(ICND2). The exam tests the rudimentary knowledge acquired by the candidate during the training process. It tests knowledge of installation, operation and troubleshooting of a small network. The basic topics include

* Different Network types(LAN, WAN)
* Implementation of network security
* IP protocols(TCP/IP), determining IP routes
* Switched networks and establishing Frame Relay connections.

CCNA certification is valid for three years after which the candidate has to reappear for recertification. It is a process Cisco has envisaged to keep the candidate's knowledge up to date. So to obtain recertification the candidate has to pass the ongoing CCNA exam or ICND2 exam or any exam of the 642 category. Other CCNA concentration exams include CCNA Voice Exam, CCNA Wireless Exam, and the CCNA Security Exam. These exams test the competency of the candidate in areas like IP telephony installation, and technologies the Cisco uses in security infrastructure etc. It is entirely up to the candidate to go for recertification process. But Cisco always recommends going for the recertification because it is very important for IT professionals and other candidates to be aware of the changing trends and keep your knowledge updated.
MCTS Training | MCITP Training .

Configuring CCNA Dynamic DHCP

Step 1: The first step is to enable the service on the Cisco Router

Router(config)# service dhcp

This command enables the Cisco service on the Router and relay features on your router.

To remove the command use the same command with no at the beginning

Configuring the DHCP Pool Name

Configure the pool name and, use the following command in global configuration mode:

Router(config)#ip dhcp pool name

This command creates a name for the Service IP address pool and puts you into pool configuration mode, the prompt changes to dhcp-config#.

Setting up the Address Pool Subnet and Mask Next step is to setup a subnet and mask for the address pool you just created. This pool contains the valid range of IP addresses which the Service will assign to DHCP clients:

Router(dhcp-config)# network network-number [mask|prefix-length]

The prefix length indicates the number of bits which make up the address prefix. The prefix is the alternative way to specify the network mask of the client.

Setting up the Domain Name for the Client The domain name for a client puts the client into that domain.

Router(dhcp-config)# domain-name domain

Setting up the IP Domain Name System Servers for the Client When clients query DNS IP servers when they need to resolve host names or URLS to IP addresses.

Router(dhcp-config)# dns-server address [address2 ...address5]

Specifies the IP address of a DNS server that is available to a client. Only one IP address is needed but you can configure up to 8 of them.

Configuring the Default Router for the Client The client needs to route off of the network and needs to know the IPaddress of the default gateway or default router. The IP address of the default router has to be on the same subnet as the DHCP client.

Router(dhcp-config)# default-router address [address2 ... address8]

Specifies the IP address of a DNS server that is available to a client. Only one IP address is needed but you can configure up to 8 of them.

Setting up the Address Lease Time The default lease time for each IP address assigned by a Server one-day. This is the period of time which the leased address is valid. To change the lease value for an IP address:

Router(dhcp-config)# lease {days[hours][minutes] | infinite}

Configuring Dynamic DHCP on a Cisco Router Part 2

For the CCNA certification you must have a solid understanding in how to configure Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) on a Cisco router to serve IP address information to one or multiple subnets

Example Configuration of DHCP

Router(config)# service dhcp

Router(config)# ip dhcp pool CCNA

Router(dhcp-config)# network 10.1.1.0 255.255.255.0

Router(dhcp-config)# domain-name COMMSUPPORT.LOCAL

Router(dhcp-config)# dns-server 10.1.1.1

Router(dhcp-config)# default-router 10.1.1.254

Router(dhcp-config)# lease 5 2 3

The above configuration will assign an address in the range between 10.1.1.2 and 10.1.1.253 to any client, the server will also tell the client that the domain name is commsupport.local, that the DNS server on the subnet is 10.1.1.1, to use a gateway known as 10.1.1.254 and to hold onto the address for 5 days 2 hours and 3 minutes.
MCTS Training | MCITP Training .