CCNA Official Exam Certification Guide by Wendell Odom

Want a Cisco certificate? You can pay big bucks and take a class, often called boot camps, or you can try a self study program. Having developed software for the TCP/IP networking industry I figured I could do it on my own. If you already work in an IT department or otherwise are sure you want certification you can save money and perhaps time by doing it yourself. It isn't easy. It requires lots of memorization, understanding of theory and also much practice you can't get from a book.

This library comes with two text books. These are big, heavy books just like those in a college physics class. To start the certification track you study the ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices part 1) material then the ICND2. The two books cover ICND1 and ICND2. When complete you know a lot about Cisco switches and routers.

You can go for the entry level certificate and follow that up by taking a second exam. If you pass the first you get a CCENT certificate, the second gets you the CCNA (Network Associate) cert. Alternatively you can take a third test which covers all material required for the CCNA in one sitting. The ICND1 and ICND2 tests cost $125 each and the CCNA cost $250 around here on 5/10/09. So there is no price advantage either way.

The Official library includes DVDs with videos explaining some subjects people often have difficulty with (subnetting) and also have additional practice scenarios and printable appendices. It also comes with a coupon good for downloading a practice exam. The practice exam is a must. It is surprisingly hard and sets your expectations.

To complete your studies you will need to practice. I am a hands on guy. I want to flip a power switch. I want to hear the fans and see the lights flash. I bought used routers, switches and cables on eBay and built my own test lab. That alone is an education. It is probably cheaper to buy software that simulates test labs or software that emulates Cisco boxes. Those are likely sufficient to pass the exams but fall somewhat short in preparing you for the real working world in my opinion. The best case is if you have access to a lab at your work or at a school.

Finally as an aid to memorization you can play the free games offered at: Cisco Learning Center Games.

It makes a bunch of sense to buy the library even if you just want to try for the ICND1 exam. Amazon's discounted price for the library is not much more than the list price for a single book.

There are other books out there but this is the "Official" one. I glanced through the competition, read reviews, and chose this official library. Good luck!

CCNA Official Exam Certification Guide Read Q1 2009; above written 5/26/09. CW - Must read if pursuing certification through self study.