Reddit mentions of CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (Exam 640-802), Third Edition (Containing ICND1 and ICND2 Second Edition Exam Certification Guides)

If you've looked into it online, you know it's not the easiest subject to just explain in a comment. If you're learning subnetting, you may as well take the ICND1 exam and get CCENT certified.

Chapter 12 of Book 1 in this set honestly did the best job of any resource I found.

In a nutshell, focus on the binary math - it's longer and more tedious, but helps get the point of it across. Once you have that down, learn how to convert back to dotted decimal very quickly. There are tricks that you'll learn, like subtracting the value of the subnetted octet of the mask from 256 to quickly figure out subnet size and range (for example, 256 - 192 = 64, subnet has 64 addresses - 2 = 62 valid addresses, network addresses at .0, .64, .128, and .192 in that octet). Expect to need or use multiple sources to ensure you have it down. Be sure that you can do Class A and B addresses as easily as you can Class C.

Use http://www.subnettingquestions.com/ to practice until you're able to do the questions in about 10 seconds. You can consider yourself able to subnet at that point. Good luck, feel free to PM me with any specific questions you have.

The CCNA one is in very high demand. I took part in a lecture held by Todd Lammle at Birmingham City University a few months ago. He basically said the best jobs to get into right now are communications, virtualization and web aplication development. It's kind of obvious really considering the trend towards cloud computing, on demand services and most importantly converged networks.

If you want to do the CCNA I would recommend skipping CompTIA N+ all together. But be warned CCNA is not something you can jump into that easily. From my experience, which isn't that much but it is a little, best books for the CCNA are the ICND1, ICND2 and Todd Lammle's CCNA Study Guide. I strongly recommend taking a course for the CCNA as the practice is not easily achieved at home (lack of equipment unless you have money to spend on second hand cisco routers, switches, cables, etc.).

Other than that, best of luck!

As for the Microsoft ones... meh, a book and a few virtual machines should get you sorted.

Congratulations!! I started out using the Lammle book as well but also used the official Cisco books to make sure I had coverage for the blueprint items the Lammle book didn't cover (I studied before the current version was released). Make sure to keep the ICND2 blueprint in mind while you study, you'll do great!! :)

I use this

well, to get started in networking I would recommend Cisco.com There is a lot of info in the tech part of the site.... Just kidding, that is where you'll eventually end up reading though... (and hopefully enjoying it)

The first thing to do is make a choice. In networking there are several different paths you could take. Voice, Routing & Switching, Security, Design or service provider stuff... among others.

It all begins with one to three exams. If you want to bypass your network+ and go straight for your Cisco certs it will be 1 or 2 exams, then pick up the CCNA books from Cisco Press. They are extremely beneficial, and the Official Exam Certification Guides for ICND1 and 2 also come with CDs that have a practice exam environment that is very similar to the actual test. Grab the Box set, it comes with both, and is cheaper.

Also, I would recommend scouring Ebay for some decent switches and routers. I highly recomment grabbing a Cisco2511 (and not the RJ45 one, the one that takes the Octal Cable.) As much as I hear people talking about GNS3 and Packet Tracer, I understand it works (I use GNS3 myself, but also have a sweeeeeet home lab setup) I still think hands on with the equipment is more important than only the config.


Also, I really don't have any experience with Juniper, but from what I've seen there isn't much difference, just syntax and terminology. I'm sure there are some Juniper guys on here that might be able to give you some info.

Ok you've decided to do it. here is my $.02

Checkout The Cisco Network academy and see if they have any locations near by. Generally they are done as adult school classes, or at community colleges. Its great training ( Cisco curriculum), led by certified instructors, for generally pennies on the dollar.

If that turns out to be not an option the self study books are the next best thing. Take your time, do all the DIKTA Q's (Do i know this already) and end of chapter review questions. Be honest with yourself if you get 1 out of 2 answers on a "choose the best two answers" type of question mark it wrong. As you read, and a concept isn't clear, keep going back until you get it. If you cant get it, us ask here, thats why we have this.

Protip: start taking multi vitamins , it helps with memory, retention, and focus. Keep taking them at least till you pass the test.

If you need anything else or you have any more questions please ask /r/ccna were here to help!

Sweet, thanks for the tips!

My job provides me access to Cisco equipment, and I have the Cisco Press CCNA prep books. How true are the practice tests in the books to the actual exam?