What to study for the CCNA?

[Panarchy]

Good Morning,

Yesterday I sat my 70-290 MCP, which makes my grand total of certifications the following;

Cisco;

• IT: Essentials
• CCNA Discovery 1
• CCNA Exploration 1

Microsoft;

• Microsoft Certified Professional (70-270)
• Microsoft Certified Professional (70-290)

CompTIA;

• Security+ (SY0-201)

The next certification I'm going for is the Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) accreditation.

Could you please recommend some study materials?

Of all the certifications I've studied for, it seems that the CCNA has the greatest number of Study Materials (books, videos, tapes/audio, labs & practice exams/quizzes), which is why I am writing here to find out which is the best.

Please tell me which one you think is the best, and why.

Thanks in advance,

Chip D. Panarchy

BTW: Planning to sit the test by the end of next month...

[GroundZero3]

When I studied for my CCNA/CCNP I used only the Cisco material and the CBT nuggets. A small lab of switches and the application GNS3

Amazon.com: CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (Exam 640-802), Third Edition (Containing ICND1 and ICND2 Second Edition Exam Certification Guides) (9781587201950): Wendell Odom: Books

[usslindstrom]

When I went through my CCNA/CCNP, I did almost the exact same thing as GZ3 (Jeromy from CBT is the absolute best trainer IMO).

But instead of the simulator GNS3, I went ahead and grabbed this: Advanced Cisco CCNA/Starter CCNP Lab Kit

In retrospect, I could have saved a bit of cash by doing the sim route, but I'm really glad I went the ciscokits way, as the "hands-on" really gave me some great experience.

But like GZ3 mentioned, stick with the official Cisco material, and then if you need the videos, go the CBT way. CBT Nuggets: Training for Cisco CCNA SQL MCSE VB.NET A+ Linux PMP & Many More IT Certification Exams!

[GroundZero3]

Yeah dont waste your money on those simulations, half the time they don't work, missing many commands, and dont allow you to try different things.

[Panarchy]

I've got a couple of Cisco 800 Series routers around.

I'll have to check, but I think they're 837.

Will they be enough for my CCNA lab?

Also, I've gotten a few books ordered through work (Sybex CCNA - Todd Lammle & ExamCram 3rd Edition), as well as some of the video tutorials.

Will that be enough for me to pass?

Work suggested I do my CCENT first... not sure though.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

[GroundZero3]

The Cisco exams are a lot harder than the MS exams, espically if you really never had real world experience with the devices.

The CCNA can be done in one exam or two exams, its up to you one what you want to do:

CCNA - Career Certifications & Paths - Cisco Systems

As for study material, I cant say how that book is. I stick with the materials released by cisco.