The CCNA certification is where it all starts for Cisco training. This teaches you how to operate on maintaining and installing network switches and routers. The internet is made up of many routers, and large companies that have various regional departments rely on them to keep their networks in touch.
Routers connect to networks, so seek out training that features the basics on networks (maybe the CompTIA Network+, possibly with A+ as well) before getting going with CCNA. You'll need this background understanding on networks before you commence any Cisco training or you could find yourself a little lost. In the commercial environment, you'll benefit from having a good knowledge of networks in addition to the CCNA.
Get on a tailored route that takes you on a progressive path to make sure that you've mastered the necessary skills and knowledge before starting your training in Cisco skills.
One thing you must always insist on is proper direct-access 24x7 support through expert mentors and instructors. Far too often we see trainers who only provide office hours (or extended office hours) support.
Look for training where you can access help at any time of day or night (even 1am on Sunday morning!) Make sure it's always direct-access to qualified mentors and tutors, and not simply some messaging service that means you're consistently being held in a queue for a call-back during office hours.
We recommend that you search for training schools that have multiple support offices around the globe in several time-zones. These should be integrated to enable simple one-stop access and also round-the-clock access, when you need it, with no hassle.
If you opt for less than 24x7 support, you'll regret it. You might not want to use the service during late nights, but you're bound to use weekends, early mornings or even late evenings at some point.
We'd hazard a guess that you probably enjoy fairly practical work - the 'hands-on' personality type. If you're anything like us, the trial of reading reference books and manuals can be just about bared when essential, but you'd hate it. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if you'd really rather not use books.
If we can involve all our senses in the learning process, then the results are usually dramatically better.
Courses are now available via DVD-ROM discs, where your computer becomes the centre of your learning. Through video streaming, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how it's all done, and then practice yourself - in a virtual lab environment.
It's very important to see the type of training provided by any company that you may want to train through. You'll want to see that they include video demo's and interactive elements such as practice lab's.
You'll find that many companies will only provide purely on-line training; sometimes you can get away with this - but, consider how you'll deal with it when you don't have access to the internet or you only get very a very slow connection sometimes. It is usually safer to have DVD or CD discs which don't suffer from these broadband issues.
Be alert that all accreditations you're studying for are recognised by industry and are current. Training companies own certificates are not normally useful in gaining employment.
Unless the accreditation comes from a company like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe, then chances are it won't be commercially viable - as no-one will have heard of it.
A question; why should we consider commercial qualifications rather than traditional academic qualifications obtained from the state educational establishments?
With a growing demand for specific technological expertise, the IT sector has been required to move to specific, honed-in training only available through the vendors themselves - for example companies like Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. Frequently this is at a far reduced cost both money and time wise.
Academic courses, for example, clog up the training with a lot of loosely associated study - and much too wide a syllabus. This holds a student back from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.
Assuming a company understands what areas need to be serviced, then they just need to look for the particular skill-set required. Commercial syllabuses are set to meet an exact requirement and aren't allowed to deviate (like academia frequently can and does).
Routers connect to networks, so seek out training that features the basics on networks (maybe the CompTIA Network+, possibly with A+ as well) before getting going with CCNA. You'll need this background understanding on networks before you commence any Cisco training or you could find yourself a little lost. In the commercial environment, you'll benefit from having a good knowledge of networks in addition to the CCNA.
Get on a tailored route that takes you on a progressive path to make sure that you've mastered the necessary skills and knowledge before starting your training in Cisco skills.
One thing you must always insist on is proper direct-access 24x7 support through expert mentors and instructors. Far too often we see trainers who only provide office hours (or extended office hours) support.
Look for training where you can access help at any time of day or night (even 1am on Sunday morning!) Make sure it's always direct-access to qualified mentors and tutors, and not simply some messaging service that means you're consistently being held in a queue for a call-back during office hours.
We recommend that you search for training schools that have multiple support offices around the globe in several time-zones. These should be integrated to enable simple one-stop access and also round-the-clock access, when you need it, with no hassle.
If you opt for less than 24x7 support, you'll regret it. You might not want to use the service during late nights, but you're bound to use weekends, early mornings or even late evenings at some point.
We'd hazard a guess that you probably enjoy fairly practical work - the 'hands-on' personality type. If you're anything like us, the trial of reading reference books and manuals can be just about bared when essential, but you'd hate it. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if you'd really rather not use books.
If we can involve all our senses in the learning process, then the results are usually dramatically better.
Courses are now available via DVD-ROM discs, where your computer becomes the centre of your learning. Through video streaming, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how it's all done, and then practice yourself - in a virtual lab environment.
It's very important to see the type of training provided by any company that you may want to train through. You'll want to see that they include video demo's and interactive elements such as practice lab's.
You'll find that many companies will only provide purely on-line training; sometimes you can get away with this - but, consider how you'll deal with it when you don't have access to the internet or you only get very a very slow connection sometimes. It is usually safer to have DVD or CD discs which don't suffer from these broadband issues.
Be alert that all accreditations you're studying for are recognised by industry and are current. Training companies own certificates are not normally useful in gaining employment.
Unless the accreditation comes from a company like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe, then chances are it won't be commercially viable - as no-one will have heard of it.
A question; why should we consider commercial qualifications rather than traditional academic qualifications obtained from the state educational establishments?
With a growing demand for specific technological expertise, the IT sector has been required to move to specific, honed-in training only available through the vendors themselves - for example companies like Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. Frequently this is at a far reduced cost both money and time wise.
Academic courses, for example, clog up the training with a lot of loosely associated study - and much too wide a syllabus. This holds a student back from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.
Assuming a company understands what areas need to be serviced, then they just need to look for the particular skill-set required. Commercial syllabuses are set to meet an exact requirement and aren't allowed to deviate (like academia frequently can and does).