I'll nibble at a couple of your questions.
1) Does it seem feasible for a reasonably disciplined home student to
>obtain CCNP within a year? Six months? Is it worthwhile, and again
>feasible, to pursue CCDA simultaneously (that is, will the material be
>related enough as to not distract from each other)?
Yes, yes, and yes.
To elaborate, CCDA piggybacks, in large part, off of the material for CCNA.
You'll find some routing and switching
(but less remote access) from CCNP in there as well. The key is that instead
of focusing in on a portion of the network, CCDA examines the whole network
from what may seem like a skewed point of view. Instead of just what-it-is,
you're considering what-should-it-be, and then how do I get it there from
here? The studies complemented each other for me.
>2) Are there specific hardware units which are typically more
>conducive to my home study goal? Or should I just keep my eye out for
>used equipment and then evaluate the units as they become available.
>Up to a thousand dollars (U.S.) seems doable
I picked up 2 OLD 31xx routers running 11.2(19) Enterprise for $1300, then a
2504 for another $650. The latter I got from here:
http://www.dwc-computer.com/ I got a decent price and a good product. I
chose my 3rd router by deciding the capabilities I wanted it to have, then
going into CCO and looking at the 2500 product selection matrix.
I think you're better off deciding what you want to be capable of doing,
then spending your limited money on that, rather than taking pot luck from
what's available on ebay, etc. Others may feel differently; of course, what
matters is what you feel.
>3) How best to enter the field. Join a large company, as an admin,
>with the necessary infrastructure and the hope of transferring to
>networking? How about Cisco themselves, do they ever take entry level
>personnel?
Be open to many possibilities. I answered an ad for Nortel essentially on a
lark, thinking I'd be ignored (at best ) for being Cisco. I start with
Nortel Monday as a System Engineer on WAN switches.
#4 I'm not qualified to address
>5) Should I take the aforementioned contract job as admin or hold out
>for what I really want? I figure I can sit at home for a couple weeks
>more before going nuts.
If you can hold out financially, I 'd recommend doing what feels right in
your gut (sort of brings new meaning to the term "gut-check," I know).
Whatever choice you make will affect things, maybe just for a short period
of time, maybe longer. I can't say to be sure you don't have second
thoughts, because we all do. But I would say to be sure that, given the same
choice *with the same data set on which to make a choice*, you would do the
same thing. With that, you should have no regrets, because you did the best
you could.
HTH....at least a little
Annlee
Sammi wrote in message ...
>Hi all,
>I have my CCNA, CNA and MCP-TCP/IP. I've been in the industry for
>about 2.5 years mostly system admin. The situation at my contract
>house was conducive to my leaving and really putting forth the effort
>to start my new direction. I've been trying to get my foot in the door
>of network infrastructure but no dice, I was offered a job starting
>Monday if I could install routers solo but I hate making a fool of
>myself ;-)
>I'm not discouraged nor bitter but would like my plans evaluated by
>those in the know.
>I've been offered another contract admin position that is in 3 month
>increments. I figure I'll bite the bullet and continue in this role.
>I'll pick up some more hardware for a home lab (currently working half
>a dozen machines networked NT). With that equipment and a lot of books
>I'll pursue my CCNP.
>With that in mind, a few questions:
>1) Does it seem feasible for a reasonably disciplined home student to
>obtain CCNP within a year? Six months? Is it worthwhile, and again
>feasible, to pursue CCDA simultaneously (that is, will the material be
>related enough as to not distract from each other)?
>2) Are there specific hardware units which are typically more
>conducive to my home study goal? Or should I just keep my eye out for
>used equipment and then evaluate the units as they become available.
>Up to a thousand dollars (U.S.) seems doable.
>3) How best to enter the field. Join a large company, as an admin,
>with the necessary infrastructure and the hope of transferring to
>networking? How about Cisco themselves, do they ever take entry level
>personnel?
>4) Finally, and really reaching, say in one year I'm on the network
>team, achieved my real world experience and certification goals. From
>that point would it be reasonable to put a 5 year target on a shot at
>CCIE? Again assuming hands on work and home study. I know CCIE is tops
>and am wondering if those obtaining such are in the field 5 years, 10,
>etc.
>5) Should I take the aforementioned contract job as admin or hold out
>for what I really want? I figure I can sit at home for a couple weeks
>more before going nuts.
>
>I realize all the questions can be subjective, just trying to set
>realistic time frames for my goals.
>
>Thanks for any, and all, advice.
>
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