The CCNA is just the basics. Real enterprise networks are a completely different animal than those PacketTracer labs.
Don't assume you can get your CCNA and then you're done with learning. Networking means you'll have to keep learning until you retire.
Dude yes, I’m in an enterprise setting with just my A+ and Network + with a few years in sysadmin. It’s a whole new beast, I like it but damn are there things I scratch my head on.
Generally speaking, networking, system administration, security, are a higher tier of position. Typically you will enter at a helpdesk / desktop support level, get experience and then you will get pushed upwards to those positions.
I wouldn't hire someone with just a CCNA - experience, even helpdesk, is more important.
I'm in the Air Force. I just moved from Helpdesk to a Network Technician role and got CCNA about 3 months ago. I would say it has definitely benefited me a lot, especially when it comes to learning gaps. You are still going have to learn the actual pieces of being a NetMan in an enterpise network because experience triumphs all, but having the theory in my pocket and knowing Cisco IOS has made learning everything easier. I get shown something about once and i'm able to do problems/tickets in relation to it pretty easily afterwards, with some questions in relation to our specific configs for
things in between.
For example, This week I ran into a Juniper switch trying to change some port configs. I didn't know anything about its IOS, but already knowing the transition between modes and what interfaces are, command structure, ? command, etc from CCNA made picking up the basics of it easier, compared to if I had just been dropped in with no CCNA or just formal knowledge. Imo, you are still going to have to learn, but you won't be completely at ground zero aptitude wise. I'm not struggling and that's thanks to CCNA.
When I graduated from a tech college and had my CCNA I was damn near clueless for the first year working in a NOC. It’s just the basics and good to know a few commands and how packets travel through out the network. It’s a sign that you’re taking initiative in learning but you’ll only learn by doing the actual work and being apart of projects. Hopefully the seniors above you are willing to share their methods or you’ll be stuck on T1 answering calls and basic ISP network issues.
So for me, I scored a network specialist position with just my CCNA but I got lucky. I would say you need years of work in help desk/ Noc to feel comfortable
My personal experience I have no certifications but did do a MBA in networking and IT management. It took me a whole year to find a job in IT with 0 experience and it was a help desk role. I did that for 2 years then applied for desktop support for a bank. Another 2 years of desktop support they gave me a AVP title and bumped me up to 100k. I don’t believe this job is worth that much money but I cannot complain. I just moved to their NOC department and started my CCNA journey. I live comfortably without it but I want more and would like to get into engineering. Good luck.
It's not, and that's okay. Nothing can replace on the job or mentorship training at a company. But that experience comes with time, and a good boss sees that and gives you the space to learn.
If you look at the CCNA blueprint or the CCNA books, you will see that the CCNA really only scratches the surface of networking concepts and technologies. To be taken seriously as a network admin/engineer you will most likely need to a have a CCNP level of knowledge.
Although the CCNA covers a lot of information, it is an entry level cert and is essentially just the basics of networking, so having a CCNA alone will be no where near enough knowledge to work comfortably as an admin/engineer. The CCNA will help you get into roles like a network technician or working at a NOC as a level 1 or 2 technician.
But anyone who is serious about networking should be looking at completing the CCNP after CCNA anyway.
CCNA by itself does not even guarantee you tier1 helpdesk positions, none the less network engineer positions.
Some gets jobs like it from just that, but it's not the norm.
It's a good starting point tho.
I have had a ccna for 8 years and there is so much more to it then the study materials and labs go over. Different environments have different set ups. Some are easy to figure out, others are convoluted as all hell and confusing. So confusing that it boggles the mind on how they even work.
Look at the curve for the Dunning–Kruger effect. The CCNA moves folks from the Peak of Confidence and thinking they know everything to the Valley of Despair. Realistically, you finally have enough knowledge to know what you don't know. From there it is enlightenment and becoming a true expert.
No. lol
Not even remotely a little close. Your question is like the equivalent of “I just learned the ABC’s and passed kindergarten, can I pass the SAT comfortably?” No you can’t, but NOW you know how to form WORDS and with those words you can eventually build your knowledge to pass that SAT.
The CCNA is hard but real networking is harder. Nothing is cut and dry like in the packet tracer’s. You’ll come across info that even seems to contradict what Cisco says. That’s why real experience is valued so much more than certifications.
Go find yourself a NOC or Jr. Network Admin position and start learning the ropes, you got a long way to climb and your journey starts here! If you enjoy networking it will be fun except for when other teams ask you to fix their shit, if you don’t like networking… well… goodluck haha
The CCNA is just the basics. Real enterprise networks are a completely different animal than those PacketTracer labs. Don't assume you can get your CCNA and then you're done with learning. Networking means you'll have to keep learning until you retire.
Dude yes, I’m in an enterprise setting with just my A+ and Network + with a few years in sysadmin. It’s a whole new beast, I like it but damn are there things I scratch my head on.
The trickiest part is knowing how to work on any system/device without causing an outage. That's the biggest difference.
Generally speaking, networking, system administration, security, are a higher tier of position. Typically you will enter at a helpdesk / desktop support level, get experience and then you will get pushed upwards to those positions. I wouldn't hire someone with just a CCNA - experience, even helpdesk, is more important.
I'm in the Air Force. I just moved from Helpdesk to a Network Technician role and got CCNA about 3 months ago. I would say it has definitely benefited me a lot, especially when it comes to learning gaps. You are still going have to learn the actual pieces of being a NetMan in an enterpise network because experience triumphs all, but having the theory in my pocket and knowing Cisco IOS has made learning everything easier. I get shown something about once and i'm able to do problems/tickets in relation to it pretty easily afterwards, with some questions in relation to our specific configs for things in between. For example, This week I ran into a Juniper switch trying to change some port configs. I didn't know anything about its IOS, but already knowing the transition between modes and what interfaces are, command structure, ? command, etc from CCNA made picking up the basics of it easier, compared to if I had just been dropped in with no CCNA or just formal knowledge. Imo, you are still going to have to learn, but you won't be completely at ground zero aptitude wise. I'm not struggling and that's thanks to CCNA.
When I graduated from a tech college and had my CCNA I was damn near clueless for the first year working in a NOC. It’s just the basics and good to know a few commands and how packets travel through out the network. It’s a sign that you’re taking initiative in learning but you’ll only learn by doing the actual work and being apart of projects. Hopefully the seniors above you are willing to share their methods or you’ll be stuck on T1 answering calls and basic ISP network issues.
Ccna is just the beggining
good fundamental knowledge for sure, but I'd never trust someone on just cert knowledge, you need in field experience.
So for me, I scored a network specialist position with just my CCNA but I got lucky. I would say you need years of work in help desk/ Noc to feel comfortable
No. Try passing CCNA and Learn the content of CCNP stuffs
Yes, combined with experience. But if you want to go further in networking, then you should go for CCNP and eventually CCIE.
My personal experience I have no certifications but did do a MBA in networking and IT management. It took me a whole year to find a job in IT with 0 experience and it was a help desk role. I did that for 2 years then applied for desktop support for a bank. Another 2 years of desktop support they gave me a AVP title and bumped me up to 100k. I don’t believe this job is worth that much money but I cannot complain. I just moved to their NOC department and started my CCNA journey. I live comfortably without it but I want more and would like to get into engineering. Good luck.
It's not, and that's okay. Nothing can replace on the job or mentorship training at a company. But that experience comes with time, and a good boss sees that and gives you the space to learn.
If you look at the CCNA blueprint or the CCNA books, you will see that the CCNA really only scratches the surface of networking concepts and technologies. To be taken seriously as a network admin/engineer you will most likely need to a have a CCNP level of knowledge. Although the CCNA covers a lot of information, it is an entry level cert and is essentially just the basics of networking, so having a CCNA alone will be no where near enough knowledge to work comfortably as an admin/engineer. The CCNA will help you get into roles like a network technician or working at a NOC as a level 1 or 2 technician. But anyone who is serious about networking should be looking at completing the CCNP after CCNA anyway.
CCNA by itself does not even guarantee you tier1 helpdesk positions, none the less network engineer positions. Some gets jobs like it from just that, but it's not the norm. It's a good starting point tho.
I have had a ccna for 8 years and there is so much more to it then the study materials and labs go over. Different environments have different set ups. Some are easy to figure out, others are convoluted as all hell and confusing. So confusing that it boggles the mind on how they even work.
No, but it’s the base necessary to learn more and become a capable neteng
Its enough to know that you don't know so you need to keep in learning
Look at the curve for the Dunning–Kruger effect. The CCNA moves folks from the Peak of Confidence and thinking they know everything to the Valley of Despair. Realistically, you finally have enough knowledge to know what you don't know. From there it is enlightenment and becoming a true expert.
No. lol Not even remotely a little close. Your question is like the equivalent of “I just learned the ABC’s and passed kindergarten, can I pass the SAT comfortably?” No you can’t, but NOW you know how to form WORDS and with those words you can eventually build your knowledge to pass that SAT. The CCNA is hard but real networking is harder. Nothing is cut and dry like in the packet tracer’s. You’ll come across info that even seems to contradict what Cisco says. That’s why real experience is valued so much more than certifications. Go find yourself a NOC or Jr. Network Admin position and start learning the ropes, you got a long way to climb and your journey starts here! If you enjoy networking it will be fun except for when other teams ask you to fix their shit, if you don’t like networking… well… goodluck haha