i am trying to venture out in the world of networking. I just got my CCNA certifications, but have no experience in IT field. I used to be an Oracle developer 10 years ago and changed professions. I am planning to do MCITP Server 2008 certification. Please guide me.

On what, you didn't ask a question.

CCNP

CCNP with little or no Practical knowledge of networking.  

Mmmm, you might be able to obtain it. but it will be just a piece of paper. Experience and cisco go hand and hand. The ccnnp is tougher now then before also.

CCNP

I don't run a large network, so I bought some good, used cheap routers, switches, and firewalls. I built my own lab network and worked with them to pass my CCNA. I've added some more equipment as my pocketbook will permit, and am able to work through a lot of problems that way. It's good practice, without the fear of blowing up a production network. I am working on my CCNP as well. Good luck.

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer

Bobby101,

As ISPKing stated EXPERIENCE is very important to go hand in hand with Cisco certs. As Iolair stated - having a home lab to gain some of this experience is very important.

How important - check out 4 time CCIE Scott Morris' "home lab"

http://smorris.uber-geek.net/lab.htm

Now this lab is now worth more than $2,300,000.00 but it started as a regular rack and a few routers .......

You CAN get experience at home

Do what you can do - make sure that you are getting HANDS ON EXPERIENCE and see if you can use the CCNA to get a entry level job and get experience ON THE JOB, as well as at HOME on YOUR own Cisco lab!!!!

Work on getting into the field and then start adding more certs like CCNP !!!

Hope this helps!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

My CCNP came mostly from Cisco's self-study guides, but I think the "portable command guides" are fantastic if you lack experience for the lab questions (I don't think the new exams might not have the equivalent, but the BSCI and BCMSN command guides should still be very relevant material).

I had it done 8 months after my CCNA, but I also worked with Cisco gear 40+ hours a week on top of the studying, plus I'm a madman when it comes to putting in study hours, both of which helped tremendously.

CCNP, CCDP

42.

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Edge uptime is 469¼  

I had my ccna September 23rd and my ccnp January 28th, 4 months. Currently completed my ccie written and studying for my lab. I too though work for an ISP and dibble in cisco stuff all day long, additionally I built the lab on proctorlabs.com (ipexpert) for R&S with lesser hardware.

Total cost of my CCIE studies to date is over 7k.....

You get some real hardware, it's amazing how much of a production environment you can simulate.

CCNP

Dude---you know that you only have a year to pass the lab after the written, right? I think...

BTW, congrats on passing! When did you pass?

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Cisco IOS Software, C2600 Software (C2600-ADVENTERPRISEK9-M), Version 12.4(25c), RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1523-2010 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Thu 11-Feb-1539 23:02 by ßµ®†Šß€€Š

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 12.2(7r) [ÝØÝØMØÑ], RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Edge uptime is 469¼  

Thanks! Written was July 29th, written was not tough. But I have looked at a couple mock labs and.....DAMN! Really weird stuff in their. Kind of a lot Hardware specific stuff too. I'll post a pic of my lab Soon. But yeah the one year limitation is only a problem if you slow down in studying. I am estimating about 8 months of HC studying. It's amazing the stuff that they stuff into this lab. I'm sure cluebird is in the same boat.

Burt are you planning to attempt?  

CCNP

I thought it was 18 months to at least make an attempt.  And an attempt would extend it like another 6 months.
 

It's something along those lines. I'm not to worried about it, But i think 18 months is right.

CCNP

Whatever...

lol

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Cisco IOS Software, C2600 Software (C2600-ADVENTERPRISEK9-M), Version 12.4(25c), RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1523-2010 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Thu 11-Feb-1539 23:02 by ßµ®†Šß€€Š

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 12.2(7r) [ÝØÝØMØÑ], RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Edge uptime is 469¼  

I'm unlucky enough to not live anywhere near a CCIE Lab test center... I might do the written exam soon enough, but the lab will be a costly venture. My plan is to diversify a bit though, as kind of a deep versus wide thing. Might do the voice track or something.

CCNP, CCDP

Neither do i but im in the u.s. Nearest one to me is NC.

CCNP

Nearest to me is probabl whatever one's closest in the north eastern US. Boston or New York, probably. I might do it as part of some super nerdy road trip or something.

CCNP, CCDP

Same in Boston, Nearest one to us is North Carolina For the lab, and there are like 50 places in MA or NY to take the Written.

CCNP

Last time I checked on CCIE, and I'll be honest, it's been a while, you could only take the lab in North Carolina (somewhere near or in Raleigh) or at Cisco Headquarters in San Jose.

Someone got newer information than that?

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer

To all,

It is 18 months, if you want to read more -

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/ccie/exam/index.html

Here are the CCIE "regular" Lab Test centers, seems in April Cisco held the CCIE lab at many other locations around the world, you can read more at the link above

Bangalore, India
 Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider
 
Beijing, PRC
 Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider
 
Brussels, Belgium
 Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, Storage Networking, Voice, Wireless
 
Dubai, UAE
 Routing and Switching, Security
 
Hong Kong, PRC
 Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider
 
RTP, North Carolina USA
 Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, Voice
 
San Jose, USA
 Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, Storage Networking, Voice, Wireless
 
Sao Paulo, Brazil
 Routing and Switching, Service Provider
 
Sydney, Australia
 Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, Storage Networking, Voice, Wireless
 
Tokyo, Japan
 Routing and Switching, Security  
 

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

OoO! Sydney! Yeah it will cost me 2700$ to take it in NC. Whoop whoop.

CCNP

Grr... I'm nowhere near any. It would be a definite plane trip, or wait for Cisco to come to little Atlantic Canada...

CCNP, CCDP