CCNA and CCNP candidates hear it all the time: "you have to get some hands-on experience to pass the exams".
Candidates tend to think that's just so they can solve the simulator problems, but that's only the more obvious reason.
First, I want to make it clear that I'm not bashing learning from books you have to learn theory before you can really know what's going on in the first place. The key is that to truly understand routing and switching processes, you've got to have that hands-on experience.
So if the simulator questions are the more obvious reason to get hands-on experience, what are the less obvious reasons?
Glad you asked!
You see what happens when things don't go according to the script. One of the biggest problems with learning your skills on software programs such as "router simulators" is that with simulators, things go pretty much as planned.
I have news for you: that doesn't always happen in the real world. While Cisco routers and switches are highly reliable devices, every once in a while you're going to get an unexpected result from a command. Maybe it didn't work after you typed it in maybe it has an effect on your prior configuration that you didn't expect. Maybe you don't know what happened ? you just typed in that command and the router went nuts!
Sooner or later, that's going to happen to you in the real world. And as I tell my students, it's actually a good thing to have happen to you in a lab.
You don't learn to troubleshoot or fine-tune a configuration when everything works perfectly. You don't learn much at all when things go perfectly. And you're practicing to learn!
I often say that great chefs don't learn to cook on cooking simulators they learn in the kitchen, and they burn a lot of meals on the way to greatness. You need to screw up some configs on the way to greatness, and you can't do that on a computer program. You have to be on the real thing.
You build confidence by working with real Cisco routers and switches. Would you want the Super Bowl to be the first football game you ever really played in? Of course not. Then why would you take router configuration exams and be nervous about having to create a VLAN, or troubleshoot an OSPF configuration?
You cannot walk into the testing room a nervous wreck. You must have the attitude that you are already a CCNA or CCNP, and you're just there to make it official. I can tell you from firsthand experience with many students that the way you develop than confidence is to work with the real deal.
You can't buy that confidence, and you can't simulate your way to it. You've got to work with real Cisco routers and switches. By working with the real equipment, you develop the real skills and real confidence you need to pass the CCNA and CCNP exams.
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage. The Bryant Advantage sells the world's best CCNA Study Guide in PDF format for only $15 and is the ONLY company specializing in CCNA and CCNP rack rentals, allowing candidates for these certifications to gain vital hands-on experience with full racks of Cisco routers and switches with labs and prices designed just for them. There are also plenty of FREE CCNA and CCNP tutorials! Visit his site at http://www.thebryantadvantage.com today!
In electronic repair, most of the time i came across... Read More
RAID is short for Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive)... Read More
HP refurbished laptops can be found on their website hpshopping.com.... Read More
A Good Notebook BagForget those that are bundled with your... Read More
PCIThe expansion slots available on motherboards allow for a variety... Read More
If you're a bargain shopper looking to get the most... Read More
This is the step takes the most time and consideration.... Read More
Moving the office network? How hard could it be? Anybody... Read More
Business Consultants earn hundreds of thousands of dollars every year... Read More
Someone recently asked me "I teach senior citizens in a... Read More
This article focuses on frequently asked questions by buyers of... Read More
When purchasing a flat panel TV, there are a few... Read More
Q : What is over clocking?Overclocking is when you make... Read More
Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you... Read More
It appears we need to further streamline health care and... Read More
Blu-ray is an optical disc format which is set to... Read More
Compatible Laser Toner CartridgesRecently, there has been a huge legal... Read More
Throughout the years there have been many technologies involved with... Read More
Who needs an LCD display? Well, if you're like me,... Read More
Get ready everyone, home computers are about to set new... Read More
Digital cameras have really taken off in popularity in recent... Read More
Most people understand preventive maintenance like changing the oil in... Read More
As the proud owner of a laptop computer, you'll want... Read More
A recent Tech Tip covered the basics of selecting a... Read More
Nothing is completely safe today. Adobe has recently released a... Read More
Printers are on-line devices initially categorised as being either impact... Read More
OK I confess I've bought at least 10 inkjet printers... Read More
Are you sick of all the high priced notebooks out... Read More
It's easy to be intimidated by all the laptop models... Read More
As we study the issues associated with teaching kids in... Read More
There is something good about esr meter because besides electrolytic... Read More
It is true. You can save a lot of time... Read More
The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron is a... Read More
Here's how to format a hard drive (Legal Stuff: We... Read More
You are working at your computer and trying to print... Read More
The average home computer user definitely does not need a... Read More
All in one printers, also known as multifunction printers (MFPs),... Read More
Why are there faint areas or gaps in my print... Read More
Surge Suppressors ? A First Line of DefenseAll home theater... Read More
If you are like most student's, money isn't exactly growing... Read More
Get ready everyone, home computers are about to set new... Read More
MMC and SDFlash memory is available in so many formats... Read More
It's most peoples worst computing nightmare. You wake up in... Read More
Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you... Read More
Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you... Read More
OK I confess I've bought at least 10 inkjet printers... Read More
Printers are on-line devices initially categorised as being either impact... Read More
A Good Notebook BagForget those that are bundled with your... Read More
There is something good about esr meter because besides electrolytic... Read More
So you finally have that new laptop you have been... Read More
Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you... Read More
The Pocket DVD Wizard allows you to make backup copies... Read More
Wireless Networking, Part 1: Capabilities and HardwareThese days it isn't... Read More
Someone recently asked me "I teach senior citizens in a... Read More
This is the first step to servicing, upgrading or removing... Read More
In today's age, building computers on yourself is often chosen... Read More
A surge protector [AKA surge suppressor] is an electrical plug-in... Read More
Many people simply go to the retail store and get... Read More
The notebook computer is coming of age. For the first... Read More
How To Choose the Best Student Laptop?Merchants are singing those... Read More
Before you upgrade your PC hardware it's best to search... Read More
Wow- if you do it first time and have some... Read More
The other day my son said to me, what else... Read More
This is the first article in the Understanding Your Computer... Read More
We have finally advanced to a time when technology can... Read More
Human beings are scaling new heights day by day. Markets... Read More
Computer Hardware |