Resources for the CCENT and CCNA Exams

After participating in this Google+ post, I thought it would be nice to list the resources I used when studying for the CCENT and CCNA exams.  Please keep in mind that I earned the 'v1.1' certifications that were recently updated by Cisco.

I imagine that most of the information in these resources will still be relevant to the new exam, but make sure that most of your material is geared toward the new v2.0 exams.

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The first concept I recommend is the "Don't Break the Chain" concept I learned on lifehacker.com.  You can accomplish damn-near any goal through consistent effort over time.

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Next, be sure to grab the syllabus from Cisco's website for the exam.  If you are going to break the CCNA into two parts (which is what I did), the first exam to take is the 100-101 (CCENT).  After you click on the link, click on 'Exam Topics'.

Also, head over to the Cisco Learning Network and create your Cisco.com account.  Once you create an account, you'll have access to download white papers and PDFs for the exams.

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/index.jspa

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The Cisco Press website is also a mandatory stop.  These materials are geared specifically for the exams and are published with Cisco's blessing, so they better be good enough to help you pass the exam!

CCENT:  http://www.ciscopress.com/markets/detail.asp?st=44701

CCNA:  http://www.ciscopress.com/markets/detail.asp?st=44711

Personally, I would start with the Foundation Learning Guides.  I didn't know these guides were available when I took the CCENT/CCNA, but I started using them when studying for the CCNP SWITCH and CCNP ROUTE exams.  Highly recommended!

CCENT:  http://www.ciscopress.com/store/interconnecting-cisco-network-devices-part-1-icnd1-9781587143762

CCNA:  http://www.ciscopress.com/store/interconnecting-cisco-network-devices-part-2-icnd2-9781587143779

The Official Certifcation Guide would be my next stop.  These are aimed directly at passing the exam.  A lot fo the same material will be presented between the Foundation Learning Guide and the Official Certification Guide, but my method of study isn't just to learn, but to overlearn.

Last in this section, grab the Portable Command Guide.  The Portable Command Guide on it's own won't help you much but once you have the Foundation Learning Guide and Official Certification Guide under your belt, the Portable Command Guide is where the rubber meets the road.

Think of these three books this way:  The Foundation Learning Guide is the 'high level' book to show you the overall picture with some detail.  The Offical Certification Guide is a more focused view of the same terrain (middle level).  But the Portable Command Guide is the ground level, 'roll up your sleeves and get dirty' book.  If you haven't seen the overall picture of the exam and the technology, it makes it more difficult (in my opinion) to really know what each command is going to do, what commands are needed to implement the technology and what the consequences of those commands might create.

The whole purpose of these exams is to prove we have the knowledge and skills to configure and troubleshoot Cisco equipment and networks.  If we lack the fundamental knowledge and skills and just study to pass the exam, we're cheating ourselves and cheapening what the exam is worth.  The Foundation Learning Guides are to learn about the theory and implementation behind the technology, not just to pass the exam.  Start at the high level; work down to the ground level.

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Next, you need to ask yourself how far you want to take this.  If you are just going after the CCENT and CCNA, you can probably get by with a simulator.  But I recommend using both simulators/emulators and real equipment.

Hit ebay and look for great deals.  There are other suppliers that can be found, but I've purchased all my Cisco gear via ebay.

For crossover and serial cables, monoprice is a great site.

When I took on the CCNA, I used two routers and three 2950 switches, but mostly, I used GNS3 especially for the Frame Relay topics.

GNS3 is a Cisco router simulator/emulator program available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Another great resource that ties into GNS3 is http://www.freeccnaworkbook.com/workbooks/ccna.  This site provides a great framework to build labs in GNS3 and to help prepare you for the exams.  I recommend actually typing in the configurations (since that what you're trying to learn anyway!) instead of 'copy and paste'.

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Next:  YouTube

There are so many great videos to learn Cisco and networking technology on YouTube that it would be difficult to list them all here.  Search for the topic you are wanting to study next (RIP, Frame Relay, VLANs, etc.) and you'll find plenty.

Here are some channels that I subscribe to:

CBT Nuggets
Cisco
INE Training
Keith Barker
Kevin Wallace

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There are also plenty of video courses out there.  Check out their samples and if you think you might like their teaching style, go for it.

CBT Nuggets
Chris Bryant
INE

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After reading a number of articles about what study methods work and which don't, flash cards were consistently at the top of the list.  Cisco has flash cards available, but if you want a free program check out AnkiDroid.  I have AnkiDroid installed on my phone and tablet.  It's a great study tool when you have a few minutes of downtime.  I've been doing more book reading than using flash cards lately, but memorizing terms is crucial for these exams.

Practice exams are also listed as great educational tools.  I see that Cisco does offer some practice tests, but I've never used them so I can't say if they are any good or not.

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Also, it might be worth your time to head down to your local library and see if they happen to have any Cisco books.  The books will likely be outdated, but take advantage of as many free resources as possible.

If (and this is a big if) you can grab a copy of 'Routing TCP/IP Volume I' by Jeff Doyle, the first chapters will be very educational.  It's an intense and immense book, but there's good reason why it's been called the 'Networking Bible'.

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I've acquired most of my books in ebook format and uploaded them to my Google Play Books account.  It has been so nice to be able to read these books on my tablet and my phone.  The syncing works OK, but the portability is the biggest benefit.  Highly recommended.

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In conclusion, there are so many resources to study for the Cisco exams that you will probably have more trouble deciding which ones to use instead of having trouble finding anything at all.

If I find any more resources, I'll add them here.

Good luck!