The CCNA modified my daily life. This isn’t exaggeration or hyperbole. It started all over again in 2001, appropriate ideal right here in Ottawa, copyright. I was instructing highschool Computer system science (Noticeable Elementary!) and Web design and style (Macromedia!) when Cisco Networking Academy approached our school board to see if we could be worried about turning into a member of their fledgling method.
I knew nothing at all about networking then, on the other hand the individuals at Cisco Networking Academy outlined that they could ship me to classes to become taught and receive another thing known as the CCNA. Tiny did I do know this resolve would start an unbelievable journey with Cisco.
Cisco 2500 sequence router
Cisco 2500 Selection Router*
I was despatched again to high school to Learn the way routers and switches do the job, the way in which to terminate Ethernet cables, the best way to subnet, and what ISDN and Overall body Relay were used for. To prepare for CCNA certification, I understand Cisco Push books, reviewed the Networking Academy’s CCNA content material content, took implement tests, and constructed labs on 2501 routers and 1924 switches the varsity had acquired. (No, Packet Tracer wasn’t spherical all over again then!)
I finally took the CCNA examination in 2002. I used to be anxious, having said that I felt able to aim my luck. Like a lot of you beginning your CCNA journey, this was my to start with time taking a certification evaluation.
The evaluation experienced a great number of inquiries to reply in these types of a brief time frame—a number of-alternative, lab simulations, drag-and-drops—it experienced all of it. And there was no again button! Following I Finally clicked “End Evaluation” and recognized the “Congratulations” information, I utilized to be amazed, thrilled, and so proud.
Passing the CCNA and also the Networking Academy Instructor coaching meant I would increase being a Cisco Accredited Academy Trainer (CCAI), entitled to start out instructing my highschool school college students about Cisco networking. This was implies increased than instructing them Seen Elementary!
That just one resolve all over again in 2001 opened so many doorways for me. Numerous many years later, I grew to become a Cisco Certified Plans Instructor (CCSI) certified to supply CCNA and CCNP coaching by using a Cisco Finding out Affiliate.
In excess of the past number of yrs, I’ve available at lots of Cisco conferences and obtained Distinguished Speaker standing throughout a number of Cisco Reside occasions in Melbourne, Amsterdam, and Las Vegas.
I’m now a Cisco Press author, I’ve served establish Cisco course content material like Implementing Cisco Enterprise Superior Routing and Providers (ENARSI) and Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Options (ENSDWI), And that i do the https://dailyhealthinsight.com/ job for Cisco being an Trainer and guide information substance advocate in Finding out & Certifications.
I on no account could possibly have predicted the affect that call in 2001 might have on my long term, nevertheless I do understand that I’m not alone. A lot of others have skilled the flexibility of the Cisco certification, With all the CCNA standing the Check out of your time because its launch greater than twenty years in the past.
This brings us to the most recent iteration of this foundational networking certification: the 200-301 CCNA v1.1 examination change. It’s going to arrive on August 20, 2024, marking the main modify on the evaluation in four a long time.