Reddit reviews CCENT: Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician Study Guide: ICND1 (Exam 640-822)

Step 1. Go for the CCENT. It's like half a CCNA, focusing on the basics of networking. The Lammle book is pretty good.
Go to Pearson Vue to register for the test and find a testing center near you.

Step 2. After you have the CCENT, you might be looking at some entry level support jobs. Maybe add A+ and Net+ (pretty straight forward CompTIA certs) and you'd definitely be in the range for a desktop support position.

Step 3. Go for the CCNA. At this point you just have to take the ICND2 exam since you already have the CCENT. Get Packet Tracer, it's a network emulator designed by Cisco specifically for CCNA study.

Step 4. With a CCNA and maybe 6 months of experience in desktop support you might be able to start looking at network support positions. Look at some of the recruiting firms - TEKsystems, Apex Systems etc. Usually it's easier to get a position as a contractor since it's easier for the host company to get rid of you if it doesn't work out and they don't have to worry about benefits or your rights etc. It kinda sucks in some respects, but it's a great way to build a resume and get to know some people.

At this point, you can start to specialize. Maybe go for the CCNA Security if you're into that or go straight for the CCNP. It's a great industry, always stuff to learn, valuable skill set.

If you really want in-depth knowledge, I would go with TCP/IP Illustrated. It has recently been updated and pretty much covers the gamut of all things networking.

If that looks a little too daunting, you can go with a CCENT book (Lammle and Odom tend to be the best writers, IMO). It does cover Cisco products, but the concepts in it are primarily vendor neutral. Hope that helps.

First take this as a learning experience. I failed it with that same score last month and past it this month. I would skip the dummies book because it is not really full of good information and get the this book Todd CCENT

Give yourself another month and have at it.

Happy birthday good sir.

Just got these 2 for xmas.. I'm still in the process of figuring out where I want to go within the industry, but both provide a good foundation for Administration and Networking. Plan is to get at least CCNA to help with the networking fundamentals.

Practice of System & Network Admin

CCENT

If you are going to pursue the single CCNA test, you should definitely get Tod Lammle's CCNA Study guide. He writes some of the best books for self study.

http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Certified-Network-Associate-640-802/dp/0470901071/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

If you are going to pursue the 2 test route for CCNA, here are the books to get.

ICND 1

http://www.amazon.com/CCENT-Certified-Networking-Technician-640-822/dp/0470247029/ref=pd_sim_b4

ICND 2

http://www.amazon.com/ICND2-Official-Certification-640-816-640-802/dp/158720181X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c

If you can, sign up for the Cisco Net Academy, it's a great course.

Thank you for the detailed advice. I believe I've found the book that you mentioned on Amazon, though it was published in 2008. Should this suffice or would something more recent be better?