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Why a CCNA SHOULD Read the CCNP Theory

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This is a bit of a sticky one and there are pitfalls but
here is what I recommend when studying for the CCNA but
wanting more info on a topic.

I heartily recommend reading Farai's CCNP notes if you
are reading up on a CCNA level subject but would like to
add a little 'meat' to my notes. You can do this for all
sorts of subjects including:

Routing basics
Routing protocols
DHCP
VLANs
STP

That is, once we have the CCNP SWITCH notes up. It is good
to see the bigger picture before you come back to the CCNA
level required for the exam. If you can get to grips with
at least some of the concepts then coming back will make
CCNA notes seem a lot easier.

There is also a 'no mans land' which is somewhere between
where the CCNA leaves off and the CCNP begins. You can
bridge the gap by reading around a topic.

Remember also that it may help to read another persons
concepts on a subject matter. They will have different
experience to me and have dealt with different scenarios
as well.

Warning

The mistake I see many students make is getting drawn into
off topic subjects or getting bogged down with BGP when to
be honest, you don't need to know this stuff for the CCNA
exam. Great that you want to know more but if this quest
for knowledge delays your exam date or worse, causes you
to suffer from paralysis by analysis then be very careful
about your extracurricular reading.
 

Paul Browning

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Most Helpful Customer Comment or reviews
0 of 0 people found the following comment or review helpful:
Using CCNP Material for CCNA, February 26, 2010
By pwilko - See all my comment or reviews    
The HTN CCNA material is to the point, which is why it worked so well for me. Getting close to the exam there were times when I need to go pass this material to further enhance my understanding, particularly after attempting the 100 question practice exams.

This is where I found the CCNP material effective, particularly around more detailed Routing Protocol / ACL information.

But as Paul says dont get bog down with it if the goal is to pass the CCNA not CCNP.
3 of 3 people found the following comment or review helpful:
Very good idea to see the big picture - Securely, February 23, 2010
By eeb2 - See all my comment or reviews    
Coach Paul's warning is real - for me it has been security! Everyday before I began studying I remind myself not to get bogged down by always thinking security.
But.....
My quest for CCNA/CCSP certs is not only increasing my knowledge of how and why routing and switching is done (Great Job Coach Paul), but also is shedding some light on questions I ask myself when I run across network devices that are not properly secured.
As a network security analyst, with 8 years experience performing penetration/vulnerability test, I think anyone looking to support a network device should at least read thru CCNA Security Theory and walk thru the labs.
As a network administrator/engineer, our job is more than just being responsible for moving data from point A to point B, we are also the first layer of defense for the network we support. We will have a critical role in securing and protecting our network resources. This is the most critical layer in the defense in depth architecture.
With the ever creative threats against network resources which we have to defend against today, we need to prepare ourselves to secure and protect our network resources by THINKING SECURITY from day one of training.
I am sure this extra study material will cause you to study harder or even push your testing date out a little (Sorry Coach Paul), but if you think a mis-configured network device could be job threatening, imagine what will happen if your network device is not properly secured and locked down and you let the crown jewels of your organization out the door?
Coach Paul and HTN is absolutely the best! I am solidifying and filling in grey areas in my system administration, computer/network security, and packet analysis working experience. At the same time preparing myself for a career as a Cisco networking engineer. WooHoo!
Thanks Coach Paul - I am having a ball!!

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