Recently in CCNA Category

I ran across this "book" while randomly surfing the net. I REALLY like the concept - it's a CCNA study book...sort of...with step-by-step labs and so on. If someone were interested in CCNA study materials (just exam focused), I don't think I'd recommend this...it's too much material and a little dated (IGRP, IPX, etc...)...but if someone were wanting to get into networking & technology - what great material to do so! You end up learning a little about everything by time it's said and done (I stopped skimming somewhere around Knoppix).

I've put the PDF here locally just so I don't lose it. CCNABookV5.pdf

Here's the link to the original site: http://www.lulu.com/content/815026

I just went to register to take the CCNA Security exam...it looks like all the CCNA specialty exams are $250.00! I just took the CCNA Voice a couple months ago and it was $150.00... I'm hoping this is a mistake...

UPDATE: Called and spoke with both VUE and Cisco Certification support folks...it's not a typo - the CCNA Specialty Exams are all $250.00/attempt. Ouch. Apparently, the CCNA Voice exam I took earlier was a "pre-release" version & price.

Alright, this afternoon I took the CCNA Voice exam (aka Implementing Cisco IOS Unified Communications, 640-460). While I completely loathe brain dumps, I am all for getting a good idea of focus areas and the general feel for the exam, so that's what I'll give you here.

Cisco has just launched a new learning site that has great info about all the new certifications. Click here to check it out.

One of the documents they posted to the site is excellent. It's the CCNA Voice prep session from the Networker's conference. If you want to get a good idea of the question types, topics, etc, download this document.

Finally, on Tuesday afternoon, Cisco announced the new CCNA-level certifications...and they are (drum roll please):

CCNA Security
CCNA Voice
CCNA Wireless

I'm actually creating the CCNA Voice Official Exam Certification Guide for Cisco Press as we speak. I've got to tell you - this certification is awesome. It completely fills a much needed gap of knowledge that's needed before you get into the CCVP program. I can't speak for the Security & Wireless certs, but in the CCNA Voice, you'll be learning:

VoIP & Legacy System Integration
CallManager Express setup
Unity Express setup
Basic QoS, Dial-Peers, and other technical nuances

Having this foundation before someone gets into a CCVP will be awesome. Yesterday afternoon, Cisco Press conducted a "podcast video interview" with me about the cert. I'll post the link as soon as it's available. I was actually interviewed by none other than Jeff Doyle (the TCP/IP routing genus) - I'm honored! Anyhow, I'm finally free to talk about this stuff, which is relieving. I'm sure I'll talk plenty about it in my 4:00pm session today at Networkers.

UPDATE: It looks like the Routing and Switching CCNA (the original) will be the prerequisite for all the other CCNA specialties.

UPDATEx2: CCVP and CCSP will now require CCNA Voice and CCNA Security as official prerequisites as of June 2009.

Here's more information, if you're interested:

Official Cisco Press Announcement

Cisco's CCNA Voice Preparation Course

I mentioned a couple posts ago that I've been drafted to blog at Network World's Cisco Subnet for the month of May. Since Network World is promoting my new CCNA Practice Questions (Third Edition) book, I figured I would make my Network World blog dedicated to strategies to pass the CCNA exam. If you're interested, come on over.

PS - my CiscoBlog postings may be a little light in May. Talk about being spread as thin as butter...

PPS - The CiscoBlog Forum is rockin'! Thanks so much for those who have already started posting and replying!!! Killer.

Alright test-takers...The November 6th date is approaching quickly and the old INTRO/ICND exam path is due to expire. I've been working on three new books for Exam Cram for the new CCENT/CCNA certification path and have taken the new ICND1, ICND2, and CCNA exams. While I hate "brain dumps" of tests (I think it completely devalues the certification and the intelligence of the person taking the exam), I do like having general study guidelines before walking into an exam blindly. So, for those of you preparing to attack these new exams, here's what I have found...

Well, it looks as though Cisco has finally done a MAJOR update to their famous CCNA program. This update will indeed make it more difficult to attain a CCNA...and for good reason! Many people are just getting their CCNA certification and stopping (not moving on to the CCNP, CCSP, or whatever). So...Cisco decided, if that's all your going to do, then we'll make it so you really have an idea of what you're doing!

I've been contracted to write the new CCNA Exam Cram / Exam Prep series and to record the new CBTNuggets CCNA series, so I've been researching what is new for quite some time...Here's the scoop:

Many of my CCNA-desiring friends have asked me if I could create a post that shows the ideal budget-conscious "study-lab" to prepare for the CCNA exam. Here's my suggestion:

The minimal equipment that I would purchase for the lab is as follows: