Thursday, July 2, 2009

Thoughts on Cisco CCNA Training Described

By Jason Kendall

The CCNA certification is the way to go for training in Cisco. With it, you'll learn how to handle maintaining and installing routers and switches. The internet is made up of many routers, and large companies who have different locations utilise them to allow their networks to keep in touch.

It's vital that you already know a good deal about computer networks and how they operate and function, because computer networks are joined to routers. If not, it's likely you'll run into difficulties. Better to find training that also includes the basics (CompTIA Network+ as an example - maybe with the A+ as well) and then do a CCNA course. Some companies will design a bespoke package for you.

If you haven't yet had any experience of routers, then qualifying up to the CCNA level is definitely sufficient - don't be pushed into attempting your CCNP. With a few years experience behind you, you'll know if CCNP is something you want to do.

A competent and specialised consultant (in direct contrast to a salesman) will ask questions and seek to comprehend your current experience level and abilities. This is paramount to establishing your starting level of study. With a strong background, or maybe some commercial experience (some certifications gained previously perhaps?) then it could be that the level you'll need to start at will vary from a trainee who has no experience. If you're a new trainee embarking on IT studies anew, it can be helpful to break yourself in gently, starting with user-skills and software training first. This is often offered with most training programs.

Of all the important things to consider, one of the most essential is always full 24x7 support via trained professional instructors and mentors. Too many companies only seem to want to help while they're in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends. Avoid those companies who use 'out-of-hours' call-centres - with your call-back scheduled for typical office hours. It's no use when you're stuck on a problem and need help now.

The most successful trainers utilise several support facilities around the globe in several time-zones. By utilising an interactive interface to seamlessly link them all, no matter what time you login, there is always help at hand, with no hassle or contact issues. Seek out a training provider that is worth purchasing from. Only proper round-the-clock 24x7 support truly delivers for technical programs.

Many people don't really get what information technology means. It's stimulating, innovative, and means you're a part of the huge progress of technology that will impact the whole world for generations to come. Society largely thinks that the increase in technology that's been a familiar part of our recent lives is slowing down. There is no truth in this at all. We have yet to experience incredible advances, and the internet in particular will be the biggest thing to affect the way we live.

Let's not forget that income in IT throughout this country is considerably more than the national average salary, therefore you will probably receive significantly more as a trained IT professional, than you'd get in most other industries. It's no secret that there is a significant nationwide demand for trained and qualified IT technicians. And with the marketplace continuing to expand, it looks like this will be the case for a good while yet.

Most people don't even think to ask about something of absolutely vital importance - how their training provider breaks up the courseware elements, and into how many bits. Many companies enrol you into a program typically taking 1-3 years, and send out each piece as you pass each exam. If you think this sound logical, then consider this: What would their reaction be if you find it difficult to do all the exams at the speed they required? And maybe you'll find their order of completion won't fit you as well as some other structure would for you.

For maximum flexibility and safety, it's normal for most trainees to insist that all study materials are posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. It's then up to you at what speed and in which order you want to finish things.

Make sure that all your exams are current and commercially required - forget programs which lead to some in-house certificate (which is as useless as if you'd printed it yourself). From a commercial standpoint, only the major heavyweights like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe (for example) really carry any commercial clout. Anything less just won't hit the right spot.

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