attn: Justin

[DANIEL MAGNUSZEWSKI]

Now, I do have my CCNA, so this is my (biased?) viewpoint.

I'd definately say it's worth it to get the CCNA/CCNP/CC**. The great
thing that I found about the main Cisco certs is that they require a lot
of hands on experience. The CCNA is definately a good start in
understanding basic networking principles, and configuring
routers/switches. Unfortunately, this requires you to have access to
(specifically) Cisco routers, switches, and networks to practice the
labs and configure the network. There is also software simulators to
help with this, but I have never used any of them, so I can't say how
well that will prepare you for the exams.

For me, I took the Cisco Networking Academy in High School (@ Sweet Home
High School). The summer after I graduated, I had two IT internships and
I got my CCNA certification. The knowledge from the Academy is what
helped me get the internships and create a decent base of knowledge. By
getting the certification, and subsequently showing them that I actually
knew the material, it allowed me to land a permanent job from the one
internship. For me, I got more respect from my co-workers and managers
when they found out that (even though I just got out of high school,
with no real world experience) I had my Cisco certification and
training. So for anyone who does not have a lot of "real world"
experience, it may help you gain a little more respect - or at least the
opportunity to prove that you know the material. As with any cert
though, you actually need to be able to back up that piece of paper.

As I said, this is my own experience, so the results will vary, but
Cisco certs are always good to have.

Daniel Magnuszewski
CCNA
M & T Bank
dmagnuszewski at mandtbank.com
>>> joshua at gnu-linux.net 07/16/04 6:30 PM >>>
Well what about the CCNA and CCNP are they worth it?

Justin Bennett wrote:

>
> It's test based, like most, there is 2 parts a question based section,

> and a hands on system setup and config.  You can take the test ~$700, 
> or there is a 5 day course I took, mostly review for me wasn't worth 
> it in my opinion but my employer payed for it, I would reccomend it if

> your not paying for it, but if you get a review book, and an old pc 
> you can do most of it on your own.  that was ~$2500. Red hat just 
> announced a new certification RHCA looks interesting I may look into 
> taking that. As for employers, hmm coudln't tell you, I haven't come 
> across a lot of shops that run linux in a production environment, 
> locally. About 90% of our servers are linux, correct me if I'm wrong, 
> but I think that is an oddity in the buffalo market, if he's looking 
> to move thats a different story.
> The plus side is once you get comfortable in a unix like OS picking up

> something like Solaris for example which is big in the Universities 
> and several other places in the area is pretty easy to pick up.
>
>
> Justin
>
>
> Cyber Source wrote:
>
>> Hey Justin,
>>  I know your a RHCE. My son is interested in what steps to take and 
>> the costs involved. Could you enlighten us? He is also interested in 
>> who might be hiring a RHCE, just to get some ideas. He just started 
>> ITT and is getting totally pissed at all the M$ crap they feed. I 
>> told him I thought it would be like that and a waste of money and 
>> that they wouldn't teach anything he's not learning at Cyber Source 
>> (except for how to bow to M$). You wouldn't believe some of the 
>> nonsense they teach there, I think there M$ funded.....
>> Anyway, if you or anyone else could give us some clues as to 
>> obtaining an RHCE or any other Linux Certification, that would be 
>> great, Thanks.
>
>
>