CCNA CBT Training

There are several CCNA types, according to which certification path you want to follow:

1) CCNA Routing & Switching (General CCNA)

This is the most common certification path. You can obtain this certification by taking the single-exam or the double-exam options. The single-exam option requires candidates to take the 640-802 CCNA exam, while the double-exam option requires candidates to take both the 640-822 ICND1 and 640-816 ICND2 exams.

2) CCNA Security

This is a new CCNA type and its the option for people wanting to follow the security certification path which leads to CCSP and CCIE security.The exam requirement is to take the 640-553 IINS (Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security).

3) CCNA Voice

For IP Telephony and Voice path certification, the CCNA voice is the starting point. This certification leads to CCVP and CCIE Voice certifications. Candidates need to take the 640-460 IIUC (Implementing Cisco IOS Unified Communications).

4) CCNA Wireless

The emerging wireless technology requires associate-level knowledge and skills to configure, implement and support of wireless LANs, specifically those networks using Cisco equipment. With a CCNA Wireless certification, network professionals can support a basic wireless network on a Cisco WLAN in a SMB to enterprise network. The exam requirement is to take the 640-721 IUWNE (Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials).

First of all, CBT Training means Computer Based Training. CCNA CBT is the most cost effective and valuable training type in my opinion. I am a CCNA, CCNP and CCSP certified engineer and have earned all of my certifications through Computer Based Training. And all exams passed from the first attempt. If your company can afford to offer you a 5-day classroom instructor-led training, then by all means it's a great option as well. However, this option will cost between 3000-4000 USD. The next best option is to use a CCNA Video Training. Usually a CBT training is a package with DVD videos of the instructor teaching the full course, together with practice examples, test practice questions, written notes etc. With this method you can study on your own pace and play the DVD videos over and over again if you did not understand something. It is like taking an instructor based classroom on your own time schedule.

1) Which command is used to display the placement and direction of an IP access control list on a router?

ANSWER: show ip interface

2) How do you connect to a console interface of a router?

ANSWER: Use a roll-over cable from the COM serial port of your PC to the Console port of the router and start a terminal emulation program.

3) Why would you segment two networks with a router?

ANSWER: To block broadcasts from one segment to the other.

4) What is the default Frame Relay encapsulation on a serial interface of a Cisco router?

ANSWER: Cisco (as opposed to IETF)

5) What command will show you the routed protocols running on a Cisco router?

ANSWER: Show protocols

I will start a series of posts about some key points that you need to remember for your Cisco CCNA Certification.

• Ethernet Hubs belong to OSI Layer 1


• Ethernet Switches belong to OSI Layer 2


• Routers belong to OSI Layer 3


• RAM memory contains the running configuration


• NVRAM memory contains the startup configuration


• Flash Memory contains the Cisco IOS image


• IP and IPX are routed protocols, whereas RIP,IGRP,OSPF,EIGRP are routing protocols


• RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, IGRP are Interior Routing Protocols (IGPs)


• BGP is Exterior Routing Protocol (EGP)


• There are three types of Routing Protocols: Link State, Hybrid, and Distance Vector


• RIP and IGRP are Distance Vector routing protocols


• OSPF is Link State protocol


• EIGRP is Hybrid protocol

This is another post about important key concepts that you need to learn for passing the Cisco CCNA exam.

• Distance Vector routing protocols (like RIP, IGRP) send entire routing table to their neighbors in a periodic way, thus they waste bandwidth and have slow convergence. Each router is aware only of its immediate neighbors and are prone to routing loops. Distance Vector is however easier to configure.


• Link State routing protocols (like OSPF) send routing table updates only when there is a topology change, thus they are more efficient and have faster convergence. Each router is also aware of all other routers in its area. They are less prone to routing loops but they are more difficult to configure compared with Distance Vector.


• Administrative Distances of some popular routing protocols: EIGRP (90), IGRP (100), OSPF (110), RIP (120).


• CDP is the Cisco Discovery Protocol. You can discover neighboring devices.


• To disable CDP on a particular interface, use the "no cdp enable" command.


• To disable CDP globally on the entire device, use the "no cdp run" command.

Computer Data Networks and in general IT technology are two hot career paths that many people get into seeking a long term and permanent career job. However, the advancement of technology requires more skills from employees and professional qualifications (such as technical certifications) are now a necessity for people pursuing a professional career in data networking or IT technology. Most companies now require several professional certifications from candidate employees before even considering their application for employment. Especially during this economic crisis, having a professional certification will greatly enhance your probabilities to find a decent job.  

Cisco and Microsoft offer the two hottest and most prestigious technical certification paths. Especially Cisco entry level certifications (for example the Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNA or the Cisco Entry Level Technician CCENT) are very popular among network engineers. Personally I pursued certifications from both companies, but my main focus is on Cisco (my Microsoft certifications have expired long time ago!!). In my work environment I get asked numerous times from junior professionals pursuing a certification from Cisco regarding the best study and training option. I always tell them that their best option is first of all determination and discipline and then anything else. If certification candidates have those two characteristics then they only need a good training and study methodology to pass their exams guaranteed.   

Although there are several study and training options available, I prefer Video computer based trainings (CBT Video Training) because they combine both self-study and instructor based training methods. CBT is basically Video based training where you get high quality DVD video tutorials with an actual instructor teaching the course in the video. There are two big companies in the industry offering CBT video trainings. These are TrainSignal and CBT Nuggets. Both training companies offer excellent value preparation to help you get ready for your exams. They both offer trainings on Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, VMWare etc. I have read testimonials in various forums for both companies (regarding Cisco Trainings) and the conclusion is that TrainSignal offers the most complete exam coverage and details but CBT Nuggets is less boring but does not cover all exam topics. The instructor of Cisco trainings in Trainsignal is Chris Bryant who is more focused on teaching you all the details required to pass the exam, but he is not as exciting and "funny" as Jeremy Cioara (the instructor of CBT Nuggets).

Speaking from personal experience, I have used Trainsignal Video Trainings when studying for my CCNP exams and have easily passed the exams just from the video training itself.  Check out the following comparison article between Trainsignal Vs CBT Nuggets ( http://www.cisco-tips.com/trainsignal-vs-cbt-nuggets-ccna-video-training/ ) for Cisco CCNA Training ( http://www.cisco-tips.com/ccna/ccnavideotraining.php ) to get a better picture of the two options and decide which one is best for you. Whatever training option you decide to purchase (either CBT Nuggets or Trainsignal) you can be sure that you will get top quality training which will help you pass your certification exams.