Cisco: Goals, Lab and Learning

Goals

First thing’s first: get a CCNA (a core short term personal goal)

I also have additional goals that depend on getting this completed and reusing the lab equipment investment. These goals are getting additional Cisco certifications down the security path. So, CCNA+security and CCSP.

Learning

I’m going to be sticking to official Cisco books and software that isn’t cheating oriented or Cisco emulation.

• Books:
  • CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (Exam 640-802), Third Edition
  • CiscoKits.com CCNA Self-Study Lab Workbook 640-802
  • CiscoKits.com CCNA CRAM Sheet
• Software:
  • Boson simulated test questions (included with Cisco CCNA books)
  • iPhone app “CCNA Exam Prep”

Lab

Not the greatest, yet enough for CCNA right now. I’d like to have another switch, and a router or two that support more features. Yet, right now what I have is more than enough for what I know or need. Will build up when I know exactly what I need and when I require it (no wasting money on impulse buying). Probably need more devices that can run 12.4, for IPv6 and such.

• Routers: 2 x 2514, 2 x 2501
• Switch: 1 x Catalyst 2924 XL