Networking Course Advice...

Quam256 · 20-11-2006, 20:48

What sort of courses ,qualifications do you need to fit and eventualy test and repair small networks.

Thanks in advance.

anduin · 20-11-2006, 21:42

Probably useful to go down the..

Comptia A+, Comptia N+ route then move on to CCNA, CCNP (cisco)

Robster · 20-11-2006, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by anduin

Comptia A+, Comptia N+ route then move on to CCNA, CCNP (cisco)

I'd go along with that. Also if you want to do those I'd recommend having a look at these guys.
http://www.jbctraining.co.uk/

I went to an open day there last year and they seemed to be really good. Their main thing is a 7 week residential course to become and IT professional, but they also do shorter courses including the Comptia and Cisco ones mentioned above.

v0id · 21-11-2006, 02:26

Ha Ha, I first read that url as JCB Training and thought, "What's driving cranes got to do with networking?"

janipewter · 21-11-2006, 05:48

CCNA is not for small networks, it's a very advanced networking course.

I'm sure there are some Microsoft certifications too, can't remember the codes though.

anduin · 21-11-2006, 10:34

Without meaning to argue with you...

The CCNA certification indicates knowledge of networking for the small-office, home-office (SOHO) market and the ability to work in small businesses or organizations whose networks have fewer than 100 nodes

Quam256 · 21-11-2006, 16:47

I have had a suggestion for a trainning company does anyone have any other's ?

21-11-2006, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quam256

What sort of courses ,qualifications do you need to fit and eventually test and repair small networks.

About 10 years worth of real life experience!!

Trust me - some stuff is easy.....but other stuff can be damm difficult!

I'd start with a basic understanding of the OSI 7 layers!

Lee

janipewter · 27-11-2006, 16:53

Quote:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is the most commonly-held Cisco certification and indicates apprentice knowledge of networking. CCNA certifies users to install, configure, and operate Cisco products.
A CCNA candidate must prove familiarity and expertise with, among other subjects, Cisco's IOS, TCP/IP, LAN and WAN technologies and management, switching and routing protocols, the OSI model, LAN troubleshooting, and be familiar with a variety of communication protocols, some Cisco-specific and some not.

Not exactly your basic stuff is it? Not to mention, I've still yet to see a 'small' network using Cisco hardware.

anduin · 29-11-2006, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by janipewter

Not exactly your basic stuff is it? Not to mention, I've still yet to see a 'small' network using Cisco hardware.

My small network at work uses cisco, i'll send you a pic

Graham M · 29-11-2006, 17:50

We have a Linksys Switch at work if that counts?

janipewter · 30-11-2006, 16:54

I thought Linksys was the home division of Cisco

If you want a good switch, get a HP Procurve. A friend of mine picked up a managed Procurve 24 port gigabit switch with 2 fibre uplinks for ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£250 the other day. It's an absolute beauty of a switch.

Druchii · 30-11-2006, 17:55

All Cisco switches in college, would explain alot as the network was built by a division of Cisco themselves for free apparantly. I don't know whether to believe that.

Gareth · 30-11-2006, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by janipewter

Quote:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is the most commonly-held Cisco certification and indicates apprentice knowledge of networking. CCNA certifies users to install, configure, and operate Cisco products.
A CCNA candidate must prove familiarity and expertise with, among other subjects, Cisco's IOS, TCP/IP, LAN and WAN technologies and management, switching and routing protocols, the OSI model, LAN troubleshooting, and be familiar with a variety of communication protocols, some Cisco-specific and some not.

Not exactly your basic stuff is it? Not to mention, I've still yet to see a 'small' network using Cisco hardware.

I'd disagree and say it is a fundamental requirement for anyone serious about becoming a network engineer.

It's the level expected for beginning network bods at my place.

Cisco do hardware for all sizes of networks... not just huge, conglomerate, multi-national, enterprise-size ones.

30-11-2006, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareth

Cisco do hardware for all sizes of networks... not just huge, conglomerate, multi-national, enterprise-size ones.

Thats true. I normally find it's the general size of the company that dictates what kit they purchase.

i.e. A small company would generally use network kit at the cheaper end of the scale - DLink or whatever, whereas a large company would have the latest network gear as the backbone of their infrastructure albeit HP, Cisco, Linksys etc.