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Cisco CCNA Exam Tutorial: A Guide To RAM, ROM, NVRAM, and Flash

When you’re getting ready to pass the CCNA exam, one of the hardest parts is keeping the internal router components straight! Learn the differences between these components from Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933.

Red Hat Linux Certification Program (Newbies)

Red Hat certifications are indisputably regarded as the best in Linux, and perhaps, according to some, in

all of IT.

Why Should You Get Microsoft and Cisco Certification?

Certifications are becoming a necessary part in the IT industry. They were established to guarantee that IT professionals followed a standard set of rules using a standard set of skills to ensure proper interaction with various areas of IT.

Free Computer Certification Practice Exam and Test Questions

The Internet has an abundance of online resources of free and pay practice exam questions about information technology computer certification.

Sharpening your Skills Through Online Computer Training

Information Technology (IT) professionals need training to keep on efficiency in their job. Normally, not only training is necessary, but constant refreshing with the latest resources is important.

Free Computer Certification Training

Computer or information technology certification training can range in expense from free to hundreds of dollars and sometimes can go into the thousands.

Test Taking Techniques to help you get certified!

As always, tests and exams will scare you when you think about getting certified. Remember that you won’t die if you flunk the test and life won’t fall apart either. Relax, prepare and give the test. Here’s how!

Online Computer Certifications

Computer certifications represent a very effective way to get to know certain technologies and help you advance in your career.

The Value of A+ Certification Training

A+ certification is a standard certification for computer technicians in IT industry. The certification is one of many administrated by The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a non-profit trade association founded in 1982...

Computer Repair Training To Become Certified Technician

With millions of computers in use around the globe, there is a huge and growing demand for computer technicians with good computer repair training. If you are one of those computer-minded folks with good dexterity and a knack for repairing things, you might be the perfect candidate for vocational training in computer repair.

Passing Cisco's CCNA and CCNP Exams: The VLAN.DAT File

CCNA and CCNP candidates are often confused about why VLANs and VTP information is still present on a switch after the configuration is erased. Learn why this happens and how to really delete VLAN information in this free tutorial from Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933.

Learning To Navigate Cisco's Online Documentation Website

Any CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE candidate better know how to get around Cisco's online documentation. Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, offers tips on doing so.

In Evaluating Computer Training Courses

Computer training courses are easy to find: a simple Google search on the internet for computer training provides numerous 'hits'. Deciding which training to take, however, is a bit more complex. When evaluating sessions such as this, several questions may come to mind. Each plays a major part in the decision making process.

How to Get Microsoft Certification Easily And Quickly

Microsoft offers a number of certification levels depending on specific areas of proficiency and nature of job. Some of the certifications pertaining to the field of networking are: Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA) Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) Each certification level has certain exams associated with it.

How To Become A CCNA

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, shows you how to create a plan for success on CCNA exam day.

Cisco CCNA Exam Tutorial: A Guide To RAM, ROM, NVRAM, and Flash

by Chris Bryant

CCNA exam success depends on knowing the details, and nowhere is this more true than knowing the various components of a Cisco router. This is also where you can quickly start drowning in acronyms! The terms "RAM" and "ROM" probably aren't new to you, but keeping up with "what goes where" with RAM, ROM, NVRAM, and Flash Memory can be quite a challenge! In this tutorial, we'll take a look at all four of these components and their contents.

ROM stands for Read-Only Memory. ROM stores the router’s bootstrap startup program, operating system software, and power-on diagnostic test programs (the POST).

Flash memory is generally referred to as “flash” The Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS) images are held here. Flash is erasable and reprogrammable ROM. Flash memory content is retained by the router on power-down or reload.

RAM is short for Random-Access Memory. RAM on a Cisco router stores operational information such as routing tables and the running configuration file. RAM contents are lost when the router is powered down or reloaded.

NVRAM is non-volatile RAM. By "non-volatile", we mean that the contents of NVRAM are not lost when the router is powered down or reloaded. Where RAM holds the running configuration file, NVRAM holds the startup configuration file. If NVRAM is empty when the router reloads, you will be prompted to enter setup mode.

Success on the CCNA exam depends on keeping these terms straight and knowing their contents. Know the contents of each, pay special attention to what is lost on a reload and what is not, and you're on your way to CCNA exam success!

Author Information:

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages.

For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” and “How To Pass The CCNP”, visit the website and download your free copies. You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam questions every day! Get your CCNA study guide with The Bryant Advantage!

Article Source: Article99.com

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Red Hat Linux Certification Program (Newbies)

by Lindsay-Paul

The Red Hat Certification Program is Red Hat's professional certification

program for Red Hat and general Linux related skills such as system

administration on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Red Hat certifications are

indisputably regarded as the best in Linux, and perhaps, according to some, in

all of IT. The tests are hands-on and involve troubleshooting, installation, and

system administration.

There are no multiple-choice questions, and everything is done on a live system.

Often there is more than one way to configure a service or troubleshoot a

problem, and the exam focuses on the end results, not the process that was taken

to achieve that result. The most common and well-known Red Hat certification is

the Red Hat Certified Engineer.

About Red Hat Certifications

1. Red Hat

Certified Technician (RHCT) The entry-level RHCT certification focuses on

single-system administration. RHCT is the best first step in establishing Linux

credentials and is an ideal initial certification for those transitioning from

non-UNIX®/ Linux environments.

2. Red Hat Certified

Engineer (RHCE) program expands the RHCT with a focus on services and security.

RHCE is called the crown jewel of Linux certifications, independent

surveys have ranked the RHCE program #1 in all of IT.

3. Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) requires an additional five endorsements

to the RHCE that adds an enterprise-level focus. From clustering to deploying

systems, these five exams ensure the student can deploy systems at the

Enterprise level. Red Hat offers a four-day class for each course that can

include the exam on the fifth day.

4. Red Hat Certified Security Specialist (RHCSS). This certification includes

two endorsement exams from the RHCA plus an SELinux exam. It has been offered

since 2005-10-13.

Choosing the right certification depends on your background and goals. Whether

you have advanced, minimal, or no UNIX or Linux experience whatsoever, Red Hat

Training has a training and certification path that is right for you.

Benefits of becoming Red Hat Certified

* Confidence and competence: RHCEs report greater confidence in their skills

and better success at building and managing Linux servers. The actual quality of

their work and their professionalism improve. They are better at performing

their jobs for their employers, can take on more challenging assignments, and

they receive recognition for this.

* Career results: RHCEs interviewed also report one or more of the following

within 90 days of earning the RHCE certificate: a new job, a raise, a promotion,

increased responsibility, assignment to lead or supervisory role, increased

recognition and/or prestige among colleagues.

* Benefits provided directly by Red Hat: Verification services for all

certificate holders are provided at Certification Central. RHCEs have exclusive

access to RHCE Connection, a special site for RHCEs to receive special offers,

discounts and benefits, as well as technical updates and access to resources.

Certain other discretionary benefits of certification, such as partner programs

between Red Hat and the company at which you may be employed, may require you to

maintain certification on the most recent major release or otherwise on a more

frequent basis than Red Hat GLS stated policy for individuals.

* Hard dollars: RHCE earn more because of their RHCE, as shown by two recent

independent surveys: Computer Reseller News, and Certification Magazine.

Red Hat Exam Structure

Red Hat Courses Covering These Skills

* RH033 Red Hat Linux Essentials covers prerequisite skills, with the exception

of TCP/IP fundamentals. The Network Essentials series covers TCP/IP fundamentals

* RH133 Red Hat Linux System Administration covers RHCT-level skills.

* RH253 Red Hat Linux Networking Services and Security covers RHCE-specific

skills in networking services and security. Attendees should attend RH133 first.

* Red Hat RHCE Fast Track Course condenses material from RH133 and RH253. Only

experienced Linux and UNIX system administrators with background in networking

services should attend.

The RHCT exam is a subset of the

RHCE exam, and is organized as follows:

* Troubleshooting and System Maintenance — 1 hour

* Installation and Configuration — 2 hours

* In order to earn RHCT, one must successfully complete all the requirements in

Troubleshooting and System Maintenance, and must achieve a score of 70 or higher

on Installation and Configuration.

For RHCE exams given on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 and higher, the exam is

organized as follows:

* Troubleshooting and System Maintenance — 2.5 hours

* Installation and Configuration — 3.0 hours

* In order to earn RHCE, one must successfully complete all the RHCT-level

Troubleshooting and System Maintenance requirements, and successfully complete

enough additional RHCE items to earn a score of 80 or higher overall on the

section. In addition, one must score 70 or higher on the RHCT items of

Installation and Configuration, and 70 or higher on the RHCE components of that

section. at testkingdom.com I have found the best Red Hat Exams Training.

Hi I’m educated in the U.S.A. with working experienced for 18 years in multinational companies, As an IT Manager and IT Instructor, about 5 yeas ago I started a study solution business and bootcamp in US, and now I have launched testkingdom.com over here we provide complete solutions for IT exams study material we also provide trainings and consultancy to Corporate and individual Student

Article Source: ArticleRich.com

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Why Should You Get Microsoft and Cisco Certification?

by M. Aslam

I must say if a job is worth doing then its worth doing well to get a computer certification. Unless you are completely confident in your full understanding of all aspects of the world of PCs, you should take the chance and register for one of the training programs. These programs are developing such as to help you more.

These certifications will generally train you in the areas of "computer architecture, memory, modems, printers, hard disk setup and operating system optimization."

These certifications consist of two usual Exams. If you're interested in information technology and are considering your possibility as a computer service technician, these entry-level certification could be perfect for you. Some certifications are for beginners, some are for experts. Understanding where you fit into that spectrum will help you determine which certifications are appropriate for you.

You do not need high level certification in order to obtain an entry-level job. What you do need in addition to the crest that you picked up are a professional resume, good cover letter, interview skills, a desire to learn, and a personality that makes companies want to hire you. Your first job will likely be at a helpdesk, working in a Tec support call center, contract work through a temp agency, etc. but you must have to go through any kind of certification before getting a job for your own convenience.

About the Author:

Learn more about CCNA Security, CCNA Voice and CCNA Wireless .

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

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Free Computer Certification Practice Exam and Test Questions

by Bill Naugle

The Internet has an abundance of online resources of free and pay practice exam questions about information technology computer certification. There are many companies with high visibility websites that offer free practice exam and test questions to show that they are concerned about giving you some certification training. The practice exam questions that are more relevant to the actual certification exam will require a purchase. These websites are hoping that you will like the free practice test questions so you will want to purchase the detail ones that give you an explanation of the answer.

What are the advantages of purchasing computer certification practice test questions over the free practice exam questions that are available? Free practice exam questions can be helpful for those want to save on your expenses. Free practice exam questions are usually the basics of information technology. The real in-depth material of computer technology will have to be purchased. The best practice exam questions usually come at a moderate price.

Where does a student who is preparing for an IT certification exam find practice exam questions that are similar or practically identical to the real certification exam? Can there possibly be a place for a person to find practice test question on computer certification that would be just like the ones on the actual exam? What would you look for in finding the best and most applicable practice exam questions about the actual certification exam? I would look for a place that had up to date practice exam question. Microsoft and others are constantly changing the test questions on the certification exam. All software companies have updates to there system, so the test questions should change also.

A student who had practice exam questions pertaining to the field of technology that they were studying that were almost identical to the original certification exam, wouldn’t they be better prepared for the final certification exam? Knowing what is on the final certification exam can build your confidence and ability to pass it. I would say that there are very few places where you could find practice exam questions that would be the same as the actual certification exam and have the price be reasonable.

Is it possible to find a Website or book that tells you how to pass your information technology certification exam? Who would have information on the best practice exam questions that would be closest to the actual certification exam? Knowing what a certification test looks like and how to prepare for it would be very beneficial. Practice exam questions can tell you what material you should be studying for the final certification exam. No one can memorize all of the material related to a field of IT certification. Practice exam questions are very important to use in preparing for your certification exam.

Getting some advice from someone who has gone through the whole experience of receiving his or her information technology certification would greatly help. Someone who has not only a success story to tell you about when passing a certification exam but also can tell of a failure in order for you to better learn from their mistake. They probably could tell you where you could get the best computer training and find the best practice exam questions that would be the closest to the actual certification exam at a good price.

Does anybody really know how to use practice exam questions to prepare for a computer certification exam? How do you study practice questions for an IT certification exam? Most practice exam questions purchased will be 300 or more and there are only about 60 questions on the actual certification exam. Is it possible to memorize all 300 questions to be completely prepared to take your certification exam? Some certification practice questions come in a package of about 700 questions and only 100 actual questions on the exam. Do you really need to memorize the practice test questions or is there another way? I bet someone on the Internet has the information that you are looking for.

About the Author:

Bill Naugle has two Information Technology Certifications. Microsoft (MCDST) and CIW Server Administrator Certification. Expert by self-study in SEO with proven success. Theology Instructor of the Bible. Qualified Home Internet Business Entrepreneur with marketing achievement. Writer of many articles, books and ebooks that has produced many sales. http://billnaugle.blogspot.com/

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

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Sharpening your Skills Through Online Computer Training

by Ian Traynor

Information Technology (IT) professionals need training to keep on efficiency in their job. Normally, not only training is necessary, but constant refreshing with the latest resources is important. With the ever-expanding world of computers this can not be over-stated or overemphasize. Just as other professionals in other fields run into with a quandary with time constraints, so do IT professionals.

There are numerous IT pro's look online for their computer training; whether it be for an advance skill or a new one. The method of obtaining this new or upgraded skill online is a pretty effortless procedure. A Google search for online computer training in the preferred field will return various results. Computer training institutions have long recognized the need for online training. In the beginning online computer training was a niche market filled by few institutions, but as the demand grew so did the number of these service providers.

Prior to registering for an online computer training course, due diligence on the part of the prospective student should be accomplished. A quick check of the credentials of one of these institutions is relatively simple. A Google search for accredited online computer training schools will provide a good and viable foundation. While this may seem to be a sound move, there are those who have failed to thoroughly explore this area. These persons have been duped, or even completely scammed out of their education dollars by less than highly regarded 'learning' institutions. Luckily, these days there are checks and balances in place for reducing the possibilities of hoax. In some cases, monetary institutions and government lenders need testimony of accreditation before releasing funds to any learning institution. Even more firm requirements are placed on online 'learning' institution

Some of these online computer training schools claim to teach in two weeks what normally requires a month to accomplish. They assure twenty-four hour support through 800 numbers an email. In this manner they provide computer training mentorship with a skilled IT professional. As in many other endeavors, the value of this has a straight relationship to what you put into it.

Whether you are looking to for a new certification or to upgrade, it is a fairly easy task to complete through online computer training. These online courses are often planned to provide the student the opportunity for self-paced instruction. The self-paced portion of instruction has more than helped in the growth in popularity of such online computer training pursuits. Normally, through self-paced instruction a minimal time is required for completion as opposed to a maximum. What this means is that to obtain 14 hours training in a requisite skill; the student is prevented from completing it in anything less than 14 hours, thus maintaining the integrity of the certification. One more feature of this kind of training is in progress tracking. The student's progress is saved along with other pertinent data. In that manner, the student may stop at any given point and pick-up where they left off from later on.

All tolled, whether sharpening a skill or obtaining a new skill through online computer training is a viable and relatively simple process.

About the Author:

Ian Traynor has been involved with computers since the 1980s. Since then, he has continually been involved in computer training, both receiving training and delivering training. He has brought together a collection of his articles on computer training in one of his websites: Computer Training Secrets:

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

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Free Computer Certification Training
By Bill Naugle

Computer or information technology certification training can range in expense from free to hundreds of dollars and sometimes can go into the thousands. Students of information technology and computer repair want the best achievable IT certification training available at the lowest possible cost. Price is important but they do not want to sacrifice on the quality of computer certification training.

What does free online information technology computer certification training offer that would be beneficial for the student who plans on passing there IT certification exam on the first attempt? Free computer certification training can only take you so far. You will learn the basics but you will not know enough to pass a certification exam. Many Websites will give you free training in order to draw you in, so you will purchase some training material (study guides, online tutoring and practice exam questions).

Will paying the high dollar for your online or classroom information technology computer certification training better prepare you for your final exam? You can find enough information and computer certification on the Internet that will fully prepare you for your final certification exam, if you really know what to look for. It is sometimes helpful to get advice from someone who has taken an IT certification exam. You will have to spend some money in order to be fully prepared for your certification exam.

After you have completed your information technology certification training will you be totally prepared to pass your IT certification exam? You can be trained very well in computer repair or windows operating systems and yet not be able to pass your certification exam. Classroom and online practice exam questions will not be able to adequately prepare you for a certification exam, unless you are studying the actual certification exam. A IT certification exam is different from all other exams and without information technology computer certification Exam training you will not be fully prepared to pass your certification exam.

Is there such a thing as information technology computer certification Exam preparation and training on how to pass an IT certification Exam? There are very few resources available online or classroom in which you will be able to find the appropriate certification exam training. Knowing how to take a test and apply the learning that you have acquired is an art that can be learned also. Information technology computer certification exam taking requires skills that you can easily pick-up by using the right exam training material.

Are all computer certification exam materials and tutoring the same? Some materials and training can be out dated. Microsoft and other information technology certification exams are constantly being updated with new questions and material on there final exams. Microsoft and other information technology companies are always updating their system to make better improvements. These companies need to be on top of the industry with new technology. Exam training also needs new industry material and exam questions in order to keep up with Information technology companies like Microsoft.

How to pass your information technology certification exam? This is the question all computer students should be asking. Having the training and skills about computers and information technology is good for the knowledge. Receiving your information technology certification exam training will benefit you more because you will be prepared to pass your certification exam. Your knowledge will not get you the job. Receiving your certification can give you a high paying position.

About the Author:

Bill Naugle has been writing articles, press releases and ebooks to help webmasters achieve success with information technology certification, Internet business and search engine rankings. He has written on many subjects. http://www.lulu.com/content/1198023

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

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Test Taking Techniques to help you get certified!

By janga dghh

Before The Test

What constitutes effective preparation? Most importantly, it doesn't begin the night before the exam. Pull an all-nighter and your mind may be stuffed with facts, but they will be shrouded in a fatigue- induced fog. When the fog dissipates, the facts are likely to go with it.

The first step is to find out as much as possible about the format and content of the exam. Questions to answer include:

* What will you be expected to know?

* Which question format will be utilized--multiple choice, essay questions, or true-false? Currently most computer certification tests are multiple choice.

* How long will you have to complete the test?

* Will you be able to return to questions later if you skip over them?

* Will points be subtracted for wrong answers?

You should be able to obtain the answers to most of these questions from your certification sponsor, instructor, and/or testing center.

Then review the material that you've identified as likely to be on

the test. Try to guess what questions will appear on the test and practice answering them. You can practice by reciting aloud, creating written or recorded self-tests, or using commercially available self-testing software and certification preparation guides. If you belong to a study group, quiz each other and discuss your answers.

Pay special attention to vocabulary and terminology words. Make certain you know exactly what they mean. If you don't understand a question, you won't be able to answer it. Develop an overall test strategy, depending on the type of exam. The following advice focuses on multiple-choice exams, the most common format of current certification test questions. These exams, count an unanswered question the same way as an incorrect answer. If you won't be penalized for wrong answers (as opposed to skipping the question entirely) then it pays to guess when you don't know the correct answer.

On many exams you will be able to mark questions to return to later. When this is the case, be sure to MARK the questions or you will NOT be able to return to them. Answer the questions you're certain of first, marking the more challenging ones, and then return to the marked questions when you’ve finished the easy ones. This strategy enables you to answer a larger percentage of the questions and to answer the easiest ones right away.

The night before, do a brief review and remind yourself that you've prepared and are as ready as you're going to be. Don't stress yourself out pouring over your notes again and

again. Instead, spend the evening in some pleasant, relaxing way, then get a good night's sleep so you'll be rested and ready to excel.

The Day Of The Test

Ah! The big day is here! Don’t panic! On the day of the test, allow yourself plenty of time to arrive at the test site. Would you rather arrive at the last minute, adrenaline pumping from the stress of too many red lights, or ten or fifteen minutes early, time you can easily fill with a final review of your note cards or trip to the restroom?

Make certain to bring several forms of identification, including a photo ID, and, of course, if you haven’t already provided it, payment.

If you feel tense or anxious, apply a few relaxation techniques. One of the most basic is breathing. Take a deep breath, filling not just your chest, but every nook and cranny of your insides all the way down to your abdomen. Inhale from your navel, like a baby does. Exhale slowly, and feel your muscles relaxing as you your breath carries the tension out of your body. Repeat the breathing several times.

When the test begins, follow your preplanned strategy.

* If the test format is suitable, remember to go through and answer the easy questions first.

* Pay close attention to instructions. Are you supposed to select just one answer or all answers that apply?

* Read each question carefully, and twice. It's easy to misread a question and end up with the wrong answer as a result. It's also a waste and something you can avoid.

* Be alert for modifiers like always, never, not, and except that can radically affect the meaning of the question.

* Mentally answer the question before reading the answer choices. Then look for the choice that most accurately reflects your answer. This can spare you unnecessary confusion created by the test itself.

* If you don't know the answer, make an educated guess

* If you finish before the time limit, and the software permits it (which isn’t always the case) go back over the test and verify your answers. But don't change an answer unless you have good reason to believe it's wrong. Research indicates that when in doubt, our first guess is usually our best.

If other people are taking the exam at the same time, don't pay any attention to when they finish. Just because others are done before you doesn't mean that they will end up with a better score. Correspondingly, if you finish first, it doesn't mean you must have missed something. Take your time, keeping an eye on the exam clock if there's a time limit, and concentrate on regurgitating what you've learned. If you've prepared using effective techniques, such as the ones detailed in this chapter, you have nothing to worry about.

Making an Educated Guess

If you find yourself facing a question you just don't know the answer to, consider guessing. If there are four possible choices, you automatically have a 25 percent chance of randomly selecting the correct answer. Apply some guessing techniques, and the odds shoot upward in your favor.

Successful guessing relies heavily on the process of elimination. For that reason, the first step is to eliminate any choices that are clearly wrong. If you have four answers to choose from, and you can discard two of them as incorrect, you've gone from a one in four chance of picking the right answer to a one in two chance.

Unless your exam format allows more than one answer choice for each question "all of the above" is basically equivalent to "more than one of the above." If "all of the above" is an option, and you can see at least two correct answers, then choose it.

Sometimes you'll find that, in the course of presenting the question and answers, one test item will provide hints that can help you answer another. Be alert for these and use them when you find them.

Many test-taking experts advise that if you have no idea which choice is correct, and "all of the above" is an option, you should choose "all of the above." By the same token, if you can't decide between two similar answers, choose the one that gives the most complete information.

Hope these tips and guidelines will help you prepare for IT certifications with ease and confidence and that you will sail through the test. Happy learning!

About CertMagic.com :

Founded in 2004, CertMagic.com is one of the global leaders in IT certification preparation and IT skill assessment. Over the last 3 years, it has contributed to the success of over 500,000 IT professionals from over 120 countries. Committed to deliver high quality products and value to its customers, CertMagic.com offers Unconditional 150% Test Pass Guarantee on all of its IT certification preparation products.

Article Source: Free-Articles-Zone.com

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Online Computer Certifications

By Steve Gargin

Computer certifications represent a very effective way to get to know certain technologies and help you advance in your career. The good thing is that certification courses take much less time than complete a university degree and at the end, such computer certifications might even turn out to be more valuable on the job market, because they prove that you posses excellent knowledge in a very strict and well defined field, which could be programming, networking or web design. All these factors make computer certification the perfect option for people who want more education, but don't want to spend 4 years at a university studying all types of subjects that are not even merely related to what they are planning to work.

Generally, we can say that there are five types of computer certificates and they are: Microsoft; Oracle Database; Cisco Networking; Web Development; PC Service and Support (both hardware and software).

Microsoft is the leader in the world of IT solutions, hence the demand for skilled professionals with a Microsoft certification is quite high, so if you have one, your chances of getting a job like that are extremely good. Because when you are certified, it shows you have went through some of the most demanding and comprehensive training available. The MS certificates are further divided into Microsoft Windows Certified Professional, Microsoft Windows Systems Engineer, Microsoft Windows Networking Professional, Microsoft Windows Professional Engineer.

Especially attractive are the Cisco and Oracle certifications, because the demand for such professionals is extremely high as are the salaries in this sector. Those two companies are as you probably know, the leading providers of database and networking solutions, respectively. The high demand is explained by the Internet boom, which causes networks to expand even further every day, and databases too.

The Web Development types of certifications are intended for people who want to get involved in the production of websites. Those certificates are further divided into - E-Commerce Specialist, Client/Server Web Development, Web Design Specialist.

The PC Service and Support certificates are designed for people who want to learn how to install and set-up computer hardware, Operating Systems and troubleshoot typical problems related with those hardware and software components.

The best part of it all is that computer certifications can be obtained online. All that is requires is a computer with Internet connection, self-discipline and desire to learn. With an online computer certification, the distance, time and financial constraints are irrelevant.

Steve Gargin owns and operates http://www.computer-network-certifications.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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The Value of A+ Certification Training

By Natalie Aranda

A+ training is the proof that you have received the adequate knowledge in computer hardware and operating systems. A+ certification confirms the knowledge of performing basic computer tasks, such as assemble a computer, install different operating systems and applications, and troubleshooting of computer hardware and operating systems.

Being an entry level computer training, A+ training and A+ certification do not require a determined scholarship to apply or a qualified job in the IT industry. Not all companies haring computer technicians will require A+ training or A+ certification, it will definitely highlight your resume and stand yourselves out from the rest of job applications.

The values of A+ training, for many organizations however, is that it provided a standard and effective way for other IT professionals to master the knowledge of computer necessary to be productive in IT industry whether they’re Web developers, or database administrators. For IT professionals other than computer technicians, the value and purpose of A+ training is not about to gain a certification, instead it’s about the understanding of basic computer knowledge. For instance, a software engineer would be troubleshooting in a few minutes rather than waiting for a computer technician for hours for the help. Some study has shown that general computer training, such as A+ certification training, does significantly improve the productivity of overall performance in an organization. In fact, anyone who is enrolled in computer training may benefit from the knowledge acquired with A+ training or getting an A+ certification even just for personal use or to aid an developer.

A+ training and A+ certification also offer the opportunity to people who do not meet the prerequisites of other certifications. The cost for A+ certification is about $150, cheaper compared with other compTIA certifications or IT certifications. People too young or those who have a limited budget or limited time to attend a college may benefit of A+ certifications. Whether you need a full-time or part-time job, or just get some computer training, this opportunity is for you and the certification is available either through land-based or online courses.

CompTIA also provides other IT professional certifications for the IT industry. A+ is an entry level one, and more advanced certifications includes Network+, Security+, Server+, and Linux+ certifications.

Natalie Aranda writes on technology and training. A+ certification is a standard certification for computer technicians in IT industry. A+ certification is one of many administrated by CompTIA - The Computing Technology Industry Association a non-profit trade association founded in 1982. A+ training is the proof that you have received the adequate knowledge in computer hardware and operating systems. A+ training confirms the knowledge of performing basic computer tasks, such as assemble a computer, install different operating systems and applications, and troubleshooting of computer hardware and operating systems.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Computer Repair Training To Become Certified Technician

By Michael Bustamante

The ultimate goal is to become certified in computer repair so that you will qualify for gainful employment as an expert computer technician. Look to trade schools, community colleges, technical schools, and vocational schools to offer the best computer repair training. In less than two years, you can gain a vocational certificate or Associate degree that will convince any employer of your professional competency.

Computer repair training can include a number of interesting subjects, but in general you will learn to install, repair, and maintain computers of all types. Your computer repair course will have you tinkering with a variety of electrical devices and computers, including those found in homes, businesses, and government agencies. An education in computer repair will delve deeply into the various aspects of computer technology, and may even cover radar systems, televisions, industrial and medical equipment, and telecommunications systems.

Check with several computer repair schools to be sure the one you choose will be able to meet your professional goals. Once you have graduated and become a certified computer repair technician, you may choose to enter into an apprenticeship to gain the hands-on, practical experience you will need for a career in computer repair. Depending on the extent of your computer repair training and the nature of the specific computer technician position, you can soon be earning an annual salary of $36,000 or more.

If you think a career in computer technology is for you, check out schools providing Computer Repair Training at SchoolsGalore.com. You could soon be on your way to becoming certified in computer repair.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Notice to Publishers: Please feel free to use this article in your Ezine or on your Website; however, ALL links must remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. Find Computer Repair Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools, and Computer Repair Training at SchoolsGalore.com, your resource for higher education.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Passing Cisco's CCNA and CCNP Exams: The VLAN.DAT File
by Chris Bryant

CCNA and CCNP candidates who have their own Cisco home labs often email me about an odd situation that occurs when they erase a switch's configuration. Their startup configuration is gone, as they expect, but the VLAN and VTP information is still there!

Sounds strange, doesn't it? Let's look at an example. On SW1, we run show vlan brief and see in this abbreviated output that there are three additional vlans in use:

SW1#show vlan br

10 VLAN0010 active

20 VLAN0020 active

30 VLAN0030 active

We want to totally erase the router's startup configuration, so we use the write erase command, confirm it, and reload without saving the running config:

SW1#write erase

Erasing the nvram filesystem will remove all configuration files! Continue? [confirm]

[OK]

Erase of nvram: complete

00:06:00: %SYS-7-NV_BLOCK_INIT: Initalized the geometry of nvram

SW1#reload

System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: n

Proceed with reload? [confirm]

The router reloads, and after exiting setup mode, we run show vlan brief again. And even though the startup configuration was erased, the vlans are still there!

Switch#show vlan br

10 VLAN0010 active

20 VLAN0020 active

30 VLAN0030 active

The reason is that this vlan and VTP information is actually kept in the VLAN.DAT file in Flash memory, and the contents of Flash are kept on a reload. The file has to be deleted manually.

There's a little trick to deleting this file. The switch will prompt you twice to ask if you really want to get rid of this file. Don't type "y" or "yes"; just accept the defaults by hitting the return key. If you type "y", the router attempts to delete a file named "y", as shown here:

Switch#delete vlan.dat

Delete filename [vlan.dat]? y

Delete flash:y? [confirm]

%Error deleting flash:y (No such file or directory)

Switch#delete vlan.dat

Delete filename [vlan.dat]?

Delete flash:vlan.dat? [confirm]

Switch#

The best way to prepare for CCNA and CCNP exam success is by working on real Cisco equipment, and by performing lab tasks over and over. Repetition is the mother of skill, and by truly erasing your VLAN and VTP information by deleting the vlan.dat file from Flash, you'll be building your Cisco skills to the point where your CCNA and CCNP exam success is a certainty.

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of FREE CCNA & CCNP tutorials. For a FREE copy of my latest e-books, "How To Pass The CCNA" or "How To Pass The CCNP", request one at chris@thebryantadvantage.com !

Article Source: BylamoArticles.com

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Learning To Navigate Cisco's Online Documentation Website

by Chris Bryant

When studying for your Cisco CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE exam, you've got a powerful online weapon at your disposal. It's Cisco Connection Documentation, found at www.cisco.com/univercd. This site contains product, code, and protocol documentation for all Cisco products.

Many exam candidates really don't start using this powerful tool until they're studying for their more advanced exams. However, it's important for CCNAs, CCNPs, and candidates for these certifications to learn their way around this site. It comes in handy for finding default values that Cisco really enjoys asking about on exams, and the protocol documentation found there can help you study as well.

The site can be a little overwhelming for newcomers, but it's actually easy to navigate. On the site's homepage, you're presented with a list of products and several drop-down menus. To get started, I suggest you choose "Cisco IOS Software" in the top-right drop-down menu, and select a code version. 12.2 is a good one to start with. From there, select the IOS Release 12.2 Configuration Guide and Command References.

You're then presented with a list of technologies, and each has a Configuration Guide and a Command Reference. If you're studying Interior Gateway Protocols at this point (such as OSPF, RIP, and EIGRP), select "IP Configuration Guide" and then "IP Routing Protocols".

You then have the official Cisco documentation on how to configure RIP, IGRP, OSPF, EIGRP, ISIS, and BGP. Reading this documentation is invaluable. Many study guides skip the details to give you an overview of the protocol. This documentation doesn't skip anything. The documentation shows how and when to use any command for that protocol. There are also real-world examples and notes on when to use each command. I've always learned something new when reading the online Cisco documentation.

You can then back out and go through the same steps for the Command Reference. For those studying for Cisco exams, this section will quickly answer any question you have about a command's syntax or default values. Instead of trying to remember which book you saw a value in, just zoom out to this site and you'll have your answer in seconds. Real-world examples of command usage are prevalent as well.

As with anything, the more you use the online Cisco documentation, the better you get at it. The Configuration Guide for the various Cisco switches give you a great picture of how switches work. I highly recommend reading at least one of their switches' config guides.

Beyond any exam value the online Cisco documentation gives you, it serves another valuable purpose. The more you use it now, and the more comfortable you get with it, the better you'll be with it when the day comes that you need it on the job. And trust me - that day will come!

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of FREE CCNA & CCNP tutorials. For a FREE copy of "How To Pass The CCNA", request one at chris@thebryantadvantage.com !

Article Source: BylamoArticles.com

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In Evaluating Computer Training Courses

by Garry Connolly

The most commonly asked questions include, but are not limited to the following:

What is the method of course material delivery? It has long been accepted by education professionals that there are three methods of human learning: visual, audio, and physical. Audio: the student learns by hearing. Visual: the student learns by reading or other visual cues. Physical: the student learns by doing. There are those however who learn by a combination of two or more of these. Online business and non-business training courses offer all three. The students learning style plays a large role in determining which kind of information to be involved in.

Time considerations: how much time is necessary to devote to practical completion? Is information such as this particular training available 24 hours? Is there an instructor available to answer any questions the student may have? Oftentimes students who are studying these details are doing so beyond time constraints of work. Military members are especially subject to time constraints with deployments and duty schedules playing a major role in making this decision. Time considerations are also a consideration for potential students who do shift-work or are on a rotating schedule.

Self-paced instruction or scheduled: self-paced instruction is especially attractive to students who are unavailable to attend scheduled classes. Self-paced allows computer training courses to be completed at the students convenience, yet requires self-discipline.

Location: is the data in question available online or will the student be required to attend formal classroom instruction? Depending on the students work schedule or other personal considerations, online computer training may be the best option. Opportunities abound for hands-on instructor led instruction if location is not a factor. A potential problem with a formal classroom training environment is seating availability. Having online study methods available alleviates this potential problem.

Financial: What arrangements can be made towards financing this learning curve? The majority of educational programs are eligible for government funded grants provided they meet certain requirements. Will the method inquestion require a down payment and offer monthly payments? Are there other payment options available? Some employers even offer tuition assistance depending upon what type of methods are chosen.

Certification: What certifications can be attained through this particular study method? Knowing the relevance of information being taught is of high importance. After all a student wanting to learn a Microsoft application would want to learn about the most current program available.

Other evaluations or course reputation: What have previous student experiences been? Knowing what past students experiences with the personal computer study method is invaluable. Did they find it challenging? Were they satisfied with the material presented? The lack of this information is often a deterrent. Along with this, is the student provided with an opportunity upon completion to provide an evaluation? In other words, opinions count in evaluating computer training courses as with any other training.

Finding the answers to these questions will provide the prospective student with the tools to make rapid advances in fast paced learning in this or any field.

Garry Connolly has been a Self Development enthusiast for a good number of years. He has been propelled by a variety of strategies throughout his life.

Discover how many persons have learned to relax at: A Way Of Life University

Article Source: BylamoArticles.com

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How to Get Microsoft Certification Easily And Quickly
by jay zhou

Introduction to Microsoft Certifications

Certifications are a necessity these days, to tell the good from the bad at the start itself. However, the test does not stop there; it only means you have a chance at the job and not the job itself. Microsoft has gone to great lengths to ensure a certified engineer is tested academically on all aspects of an enterprise network, if he claims to be a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. Microsoft offers a number of certification levels depending on specific areas of proficiency and nature of job. Some of the certifications pertaining to the field of networking are: Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA) Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) Each certification level has certain exams associated with it. You can decide the appropriate level of the certification exam based on your experience, skills, and interests.

Why Microsoft Certification?

Consider a bunch of prospective employees who knew the technology well, and you possessed the certification too along with the required experience, it is your guess as well as mine as to who will land up with the job. Yes, Microsoft certification is a basis for streamlining recruitment process. A pass that could help you gain an entry to the organization, well at least the interview if not the job itself!

For whom are these certifications meant?

If your line of job falls within the provided list, then the exam/certification is for you: System administrator Network engineers Systems engineers Training – Network MIS Enterprise administrator Web administrators

What comprises MCSE 2003 Certification track?

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) candidates on the Microsoft Win-dows Server 2003 track are required to pass following 6 core exams and 1 elective exam: Core Exams: Networking (4 Exams Required) 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment. 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure. 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infra-structure. 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure. Core Exam: Client Operating System (1 Exam Required) 70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows® XP Professional. 70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional. Core Exam: Design (1 Exam Required) 70-297: Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure (Note: May be used as Design requirement or elective, but not both). 70-298: Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network (Note: May be used as Design requirement or elective, but not both).

Passing Score

Beginning with the release of the Microsoft Windows Server 2003–related exams, Microsoft provides numerical scores on exams. The new scale requires a minimum passing score of 700 on all exams. The maximum score on the exams will vary de-pending on the complexity of the skills being measured. You can check out these de-tails on Microsoft web site to update yourself for any changes.

About the exams itself

There are seven exams in all to pass and can be tedious with the varying question patterns, scenarios etc. Unless you have poured in hours of preparation and turned in every page of every book possible you would not get a passing score in all the seven exams at one go. Knowing something about the Exam Model will help you. Most of the questions in the exam are multiple choices. The questions require the "best" answer from several close responses. Some questions may present an implementation scenario, requirements, and a proposed solution and then ask if the solution meets all of the requirements or combinations of the primary and secondary requirements. Microsoft has introduced some testing innovations for the certification exams like Hot Area, Active Screen, Drag-and-Drop, Case Study-based Test Demo, Exams with Simulations. NOTE: Exams 70-297 and 70-298 may each count once as either core design exam or elective exam.

Resources The best way to success is hands-on, hands-on and more hands-on. But then again, you would not lose if you tried a Sybex series preparation book, or MSDN site itself for the knowledge base, case study and so on. Read as many white papers as you can on all Microsoft technologies; it is the best way to understand a technology from the basics. Lastly do not appear for the exam before trying your hands on a good exam simulator, especially if your money and time are precious to you. Be Warned! Studying or cramming will no longer do. These exams now carry simulation-based questions. If you were till now being questioned on the concept of Disk administrator utility, you may now be asked to actually use it in the exam. There-fore, your only choice is not only be aware of all the administrative and maintenance toll in Windows 2003 but also be good at it!

Professionals benefiting from Microsoft Certifications

The Microsoft Certifications cater to the following audience: Network administrators Network engineers Systems engineers Security analysts Mail server administrators Operating system administrators Web server administrators Manager of information systems

Pre-Requisite Experience (Recommended) for Microsoft Certifications

To pursue MCSE Certifications you should have at least 1 year of experience in Implementing and administering a network operating system in environments with 200 to 26,000 supported users in approximately 5 to 150 physical locations. Implementing network services and applications such as file and print services, database services, messaging services, proxy server or firewall services, dial-in server services, and Web hosting. Implementing and administering a desktop operating system. Designing a network infrastructure.

We offer you a one-stop solution to help you pass exams and get Microsoft certifications in the shortest amount of time. The solutions are provided by our professional technicians with extensive testing experience. We can help you pass the exams without you spending much time and money to prepare for the weird exams. Also, we have fully trained advisors ready to help you make the best decision for you! We are looking forward to being able to help with your enquiry and advise you on your career goals! We will refund any payment that you make, should you for any reason fail an exam. The refund is an unconditional total refund of any moneys paid, plus a free exam voucher. This is a simple and unbeatable guarantee.

Our exam advisors are ready to assist you to get MCSE, MCSA, MCITP in 7 days

Article Source: Article99.com

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How To Become A CCNA
by Chris Bryant

Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to pursue your Cisco Certified Network Associate certification. Whether you’re just getting started, or you’ve been reading and working on the certification already, you’ll be glad to know that you are already 90% of the way there.

Why? You showed up.

The majority of people who are “thinking” about going after their CCNA, sadly, will never follow through. They might look through a book at the bookstore or visit a certification-based website on occasion, but that’s it. They have no plan for success, and therefore the success will not happen.

Those who do pursue the CCNA the right way, with the right plan, are creating the foundation for unlimited success in the IT field.

How do I know that? I’m living proof. I picked up my first Cisco book six years ago. I had been doing some basic network installations and helpdesk work, but I didn’t really know a subnet from a hole in the ground. (And the explanations of subnetting that were around then didn’t exactly help.) I earned my CCNA, worked my way through the CCNP, and later made the decision to tackle the world’s most difficult IT certification, the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification.

On February 26, 2004, in Raleigh, North Carolina, I passed the CCIE R&S Lab. Since then, I’ve started a highly successful Cisco training company, The Bryant Advantage, and a successful consulting business as well.

I’m telling you this not to impress you, but to show you what is possible. Not easy, but possible. One reason I do so well with my books and classes is that I remember what it’s like to get started with your Cisco studies. I’m not one of these people who acts like they were born with all this knowledge. I know what it’s like to look at a chapter in a CCNA book and wonder if you can learn all this stuff and pass the exams.

I did, and you can.

Just as important as you earning a passing grade on the CCNA exam is the fact that the work you do in studying for the CCNA is the most important study you’ll ever do.

There’s a reason I use a pyramid as my company’s symbol learning any skill is much like building a pyramid. When you look at an ancient Egyptian pyramid, where do we tend to look? At the peak. That’s natural. But what is the most important part of the pyramid?

The foundation.

Pyramids built thousands of years ago are still standing not because they have a great peak, but because they have a great foundation.

It’s this foundation of Cisco knowledge that you are building when you study for the CCNA. Perhaps you don’t want to go after the CCIE now, but the day may come that you do go after it. It’s also my experience that 90 – 95% of CCNAs pursue the CCNP. The CCNAs who have a solid foundation of networking knowledge are the ones who get it.

The CCNP exam that trips up most candidates is the troubleshooting exam. Look at it this way: How can you troubleshooting anything if you don’t know the basics of how it works?

You can’t. So keep in mind that while you’re going after the CCNA, you’re building your professional future.

To build this future, you need a plan. That’s what this ebook is all about. By following the steps I outline here, you will greatly maximize your chances not only of passing the CCNA, but excelling on exam day, on the job, and in your future certification endeavors.

Starting On Your CCNA Success Path

First, you need to decide to succeed.

Too many Cisco certification candidates take a hesitant, “maybe I’ll fail” approach to their study. You must eliminate this attitude and replace it with a “I have passed” approach. Act as though you have already passed, and your passing score on exam day is a foregone conclusion.

I spend 15 – 45 minutes a day writing down my goals for the day, the month, and the year. I have found that writing down my goals cements them in my mind, and your mind is the world’s most powerful computer. By reminding yourself on a daily basis that you are going to pass the exam, you actually program your mind for success.

I would like to recommend a book and website that will help you in setting your goals and achieving them. One is “Goals!” by Brian Tracy. Brian’s website, www.briantracy.com , has been very helpful in helping me achieve my goals, and it can do the same for you. You can also find this book on amazon.com.

This is an unpaid recommendation. J If you’re not writing your goals down on a daily basis, you’re missing out on a great method of accelerating your life and your career. It takes 15 minutes a day, and it’s the best investment you’ll ever make.

Decide On The Two-Exam Path Or The One-Exam Path

It’s early in the process, but you’ve got an important decision to make. Do you want to take the single CCNA composite exam, or take the two-exam path?

The two-exam path consists of the Introduction To Cisco Networking Technologies exam and the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices exam. You can also take the single CCNA exam.

I tell my students that the path they choose should reflect their level of experience. There is a good amount of overlap between the Intro and ICND material the real difference between the two exams is the depth to which you’ll be questioned on various topics.

For example, you will see questions on Frame Relay on both exams, and some binary math / subnetting questions as well. The questions on the ICND exam will be harder and demand a better level of understanding than the Intro questions will.

The Intro exam material includes some Ethernet and TCP/IP basics, and cabling information. If you’re familiar with how Ethernet works, and you know your Ethernet cabling types and effective differences, you probably want to go straight for the CCNA composite exam. If you’re a newcomer to the field, or not familiar with TCP/IP and cable types, I recommend you take the Intro exam and then the ICND exam.

Developing Your Study Plan

Now that you’ve made your decision as to the two-exam vs. one-exam approach, you’re ready for the most important part of the entire CCNA process: Developing your study plan.

That’s right, this is the most important part of your CCNA chase. Without this study plan, your study will be unstructured, random, and most likely unsuccessful.

There are several steps involved in developing a successful study plan. Let’s examine them one at a time:

Schedule your exam NOW.

Okay, Chris has lost his mind. J Why should I schedule my exam now? I haven’t started studying yet!

From experience, I can tell you that this technique works. People complain about timetables and deadlines, but the truth is that people do their best work with a deadline.

I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard this:

“I’ll schedule my exam when I’m ready.”

You know when “ready” is? For many people, NEVER. I know someone who’s been preparing for their CCNA for years – literally! He’s going to schedule that exam when he’s ready. He’s been getting ready for years!

By scheduling your exam now, you give yourself a mental deadline. You’ll be surprised at how focused your mind becomes when you know the date of your exam before you start. I have used this technique for my CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE exams. It will work for you!

We all have times of the day that we’re mentally sharper than others. I personally am a “morning person”, so I always schedule my exams for first thing in the morning. If you’re stronger in the afternoon, schedule an afternoon exam.

Schedule Your Study Time, And Track It.

Ever hear someone describe their study time like this?

“I don’t know why I haven’t passed the CCNA exam. I’ve been studying for four months!”

Do not make the mistake of measuring your study time in months.

What does it mean when someone says they’ve been studying for “months”, anyway? I hear that all the time, and it doesn’t mean anything. It’s a totally inaccurate way of measuring how much studying you’ve done, and it’s also a good way of fooling yourself as to how much work you’ve actually put in.

Consider this example: Sam studies 90 minutes a day, six days a week. His study time is uninterrupted and quiet. Sam does this for eight weeks.

Bill studies 45 minutes a day, six days a week. His study consists of opening his study guide in front of the TV, and taking phone calls while he thumbs through the pages. Bill does this for twelve weeks.

Over eight weeks, Sam will put in 72 hours of solid study.

Over twelve weeks, Bill will put in 54 hours of subpar study.

Yet Bill will say, “I’ve studied for three months!”

Instead of doing what Bill did, do what Sam did. Make a commitment to study “x” minutes a day, stick to it, make sure your study is uninterrupted, and track your study time. You’re much better off to get six hours of quality study time a week than to get 10 hours of constantly interrupted time.

You can track your time using Excel, or even Notepad. Every day, write down how much time you spent studying and the topic(s) you studied. You have to write this down. Not only will you have an accurate picture of how much study you’re actually putting in, you’ll be able to make sure that you’ve spent adequate time on every exam topic.

Would you make an appointment with a client, or another professional like a doctor, and then just not show up? Of course not. That would be incredibly unprofessional.

Consider your study time an appointment with yourself. Just as you would not be late or skip an appointment with someone else, do not skip this appointment with yourself.

Keep Your Goals Away From The Trolls

If you let your friends and coworkers know you’re pursuing certification, hopefully they will be supportive. Sadly, thought, some of them won’t be.

I’m reminded of a person I worked with five years ago who walked by my cube one day and saw a Cisco certification book on my desk. She then spent ten minutes telling me why certifications stink, anybody can get them, there’s a nine-year-old in Missouri that has an MCSE, blah, blah, blah….

What was really interesting is that while she would tell anyone who would listen that anyone could get a certification, she herself did not have one.

There were two reasons that she spent so much time badmouthing my certification pursuits. First, she was threatened by my ambition. Second, she wasn’t doing anything with her career and her time, and therefore she didn’t want anyone else doing anything, either.

I’m telling you this because these people are everywhere. I don’t care what Internet forum you go to, or what certification you’re going after, when you declare your intentions, there will be some people who feel it’s their duty to tell you that you’re wasting your time.

Keep your goals away from these trolls. Do not spend time with these people, whether it’s in person or on the ‘Net. You’re not going to change their mind, and you must NOT let them change yours. Professional computer certifications, particularly Cisco certifications, are definitely worth pursuing. Again, I’m living proof. I now own my own training company, write my own Cisco certification books, and own a successful consulting business. If I had listened to that troll, I wouldn’t have accomplished any of this.

Carrying Out Your Study Plan

You’ve scheduled your exam you’ve created a document to track your study time you’ve planned exactly when you’re going to study. Now the plan must be carried out, without exception.

What exceptions do I mean? Cell phones. Televisions. IPods. Significant others. The list can go on and on.

It’s one thing to have a plan, and an important thing now you’ve got to make sure you carry it out to its fullest potential. That’s easy to say until you’re studying and a friend calls, or you remember that TV show you wanted to watch is on tonight, or you start surfing the Web for Cisco information and end up playing a game.

You MUST make these small sacrifices in order to achieve your main goal, the CCNA. To paraphrase the Marine Corps slogan, the pain of missing a TV show is VERY temporary, but the pride of passing your CCNA with flying colors is forever.

TV will be there when you’re done studying. Your significant other will be there when you’re done studying. And believe it or not, people once existed without cell phones. J Turn the phone off. Turn your instant messenger service off. Turn your text pager off. Despite what we think, the world can do without communicating with us for 90 minutes. Remember, it’s better to have 90 minutes of great study than 180 minutes of constantly interrupted study.

How To Spend Your Study Time

CCNA candidates generally spend their time split between book study, practice exams, and lab time on real Cisco equipment. The best study is done by a combination of these, not by overly relying on one. Let’s take a look at each method.

Book study – I’ve never understood why some people (usually the trolls we were talking about earlier) talk about book study like it’s a bad thing. “You can’t learn about technology from books.” What a load of manure. You have to learn the theory before you can understand how a router or switch operates. The best way to learn the theory is to read a good book.

At the CCNA level, you doubtless know that you have dozens of choices when it comes to books. Some of the better-known books really do gloss over some important topics, such as binary math and subnetting. Make sure to pick a book or books that go beyond just explaining the theory and that give you a lot of explanation of router configs and real-world examples as well. My Study Guide and Lab Workbook is one such book the Cisco Press ICND book by Wendell Odom is another.

Practice Exams: Practice exams are good in moderation, but don’t use them as your main focus of study. Occasionally, I’m asked for study tips by candidates who have taken the exam a few times and not passed yet. I ask them what they’re doing to prepare, and they give a list of companies they bought practice exams from. (You see a lot of this on Internet forums as well.)

Don’t fall into this trap. Practice exams are fine if used as a readiness check, but some candidates just take them over and over again, which renders them basically useless.

On top of that, some of them cost hundreds of dollars. That’s money you’d be much better off spending on Cisco equipment to practice on.

Again, I’m not against practice exams as a supplement to your studies. Just don’t make them the main focus of your study. Taking practice exams over and over and hoping the exam will be just like the practice exam is a recipe for disaster. As I tell my students, when you’re in front of a rack of routers and switches during a job interview (or at 2AM when you’ve been called in to fix a problem), the correct answer is not “D”. You’ve got to know what to do.

And how do you learn these skills? Funny you should ask. J

Lab Time On Real Cisco Equipment. Again, speaking from experience: This is the most important part of getting your CCNA, succeeding on the job, and going on to get your CCNP.

Getting hands-on experience is critical to developing your networking skills, especially your troubleshooting skills. Although simulators are better than they used to be, they’re still not Cisco routers, and they never will be.

You do your best learning not only when you’re configuring your routers, but when you screw something up.

That’s so important, I want to repeat it – loudly:

You do your best learning when you screw something up.

Why? Because then you have to fix it that’s how you develop your troubleshooting skills. You can read about all the debug and show commands in the world, but you don’t really understand how they work until you’re figuring out why your Frame Relay connection isn’t working, or your RIP configuration isn’t working.

This is true at every level of the Cisco Learning Pyramid. I can show you the show ip protocols output or what you get when you run debug ip rip, and you might remember it for a little while. But when you use it to troubleshoot a lab configuration, you WILL remember it.

Putting your own practice lab together will also help get you over what I call “simulator question anxiety”. If you spend any time on CCNA Internet forums, you’ll see discussion after discussion about these exam questions. To a certain point, this discussion is justified. The simulator questions carry more weight on your exam than any other question while you can earn partial credit on them, you’ve got to get them right or you will most likely fail the exam.

There’s no reason to be anxious about them if you’re prepared. You don’t want to be the person who walks into the testing room that’s scared to have to create a VLAN or an access list you want to be the person who walks into the testing room confident of their ability to perform any CCNA task. The best way to be that confident is to know you’ve done it – on real Cisco equipment.

There are several vendors that sell routers and switches on ebay most of them sell CCNA and CCNP kits that include all the cables and transceivers that you’ll need as well. (And how is a simulator going to help you learn about cables and transceivers?) Keep in mind that you can always sell the equipment after you’re done with the CCNA, or you can add a little equipment to it to go after your CCNP.

If you’re confused about what equipment you need for a CCNA lab, you’re not alone. I wrote an article about this that’s posted on www.thebryantadvantage.com that many candidates have found helpful.

Whichever of these methods you use (and I hope you’ll use all of them), make sure to keep them in balance with each other. Don’t depend too much on just one.

On the topic of learning how to troubleshoot… as you run labs on your Cisco equipment, you’ll run into questions or problems that you don’t know the answer to yet. Get used to using Google (or your favorite search engine) to find the answer to these problems.

There’s nothing wrong with asking questions of someone else if you’re not able to find the answer yourself. Trying to find the answer yourself is another important troubleshooting skill you need to start developing today. Don’t be one of these people who posts a simple question on a forum without trying to find the answer yourself. Besides, you get more satisfaction and build more confidence when you determine the answer yourself. J

The Big Day Approaches….

As exam day nears, you know you are on your way to success because you have already completed these steps:

1. You decided to succeed.
2. You decided on your exam path.
3. You scheduled your exam.
4. You created your study plan.
5. You tracked your UNINTERRUPTED study time.
6. You kept your goals away from negative influences.
7. You balanced your study between books, practice exams, flash cards, and lab time.

At this point, many CCNA candidates are panicking. They start “cramming”, hoping they can jam all that information into their heads in the last minute.

This is a study technique that needs to be left behind when you leave high school. Cramming for exams is for teenagers. You’re a professional, in a professional field. You do not cram, because you don’t have to. You made a plan and stuck to it.

Now as we approach exam day, use these techniques to maximize your effort.

First, get lots of rest. LOTS of rest. A well-rested candidate is a successful candidate.

Second, if you are not familiar with the location of the testing center, drive to it several days before the exam. The last thing you want to do is drive around like a mad person the day of your exam, trying to find the testing center. (Or, as happened to a friend of mine that the testing center had moved to the other side of town!)

If you have a morning appointment, make sure you allow for rush hour traffic patterns. There’s one testing center in my city that takes 15 minutes for me to get to, except for one hour in the morning – if I go then, it takes 40 minutes. Allow for rush hour !

Do NOT rely on MapQuest or any other “driving directions” website the morning of the exam. They’ve been known to be wrong. (Trust me on this.) Call the center and ask for directions. Many testing centers have directions to the center on their website, but it’s always best to call.

Mentally rehearse your success. See yourself passing the exam, because that is exactly what you are going to do.

Finally, take a practice exam the same way you’ll take the real exam. Time yourself, use a pen and paper, and use only 40 – 50 questions.

(By the way – there is no scientific calculator available to Cisco certification candidates in the exam room. You have to know how to perform conversions involving hexadecimal, decimal, and binary numbers. Get as much practice on this as you can. My website has a free hexadecimal conversion tutorial and 20 free questions and answers to practice with.)

The Day Of The Exam

Today, all the planning and work you’ve done for your CCNA exam pays off. You wake up confident and ready to go, because you’ve followed these steps and you know passing the exam is a foregone conclusion.

There are still things you can do to maximize your chances of success!

Show up on time. Yes, I know everyone says that. The testing center wants you there 30 minutes early. So why do so many candidates show up late, or in a rush? Again, if you have a morning exam appointment, make sure to allow for rush hour traffic.
Use the headphones. Most candidates in the room with you understand that they should be quiet. Sadly, not all of them do. Smacking gum, mumbling to themselves (loud enough for you to hear, though), and other little noises can really get on your nerves in what is already a pressure situation. In one particular testing center I use, the door to the testing room has one setting: "Slam".

Luckily, that center also has a headset hanging at every testing station. Call ahead to see if yours does. Some centers have them but don't leave them at the testing stations. Wearing headphones during the exam is a great way to increase your powers of concentration. They allow you to block out all noise and annoyances, and do what you came to do -- pass the exam.

Prepare for the "WHAT??" question. No matter how well-prepared you are, there may be one question on any Cisco exam that just stuns you. It might be off-topic, in your opinion it may be a question that would take 10 of your remaining 15 minutes to answer it might be a question that you don't even know how to begin answering. I have talked with Cisco exam candidates who got to such a question and were obviously so thrown off that they didn't do well on any of the remaining questions, either.

There is only one thing to do in this situation: shrug it off. Compare yourself to a major-league pitcher. If he gives up a home run, he can't dwell on it he's got to face another batter. Cornerbacks in football face the same problem if they give up a long TD pass, they can't spend the next 20 minutes thinking about it. They have to shrug it off and be ready for the next play.

Don't worry about getting a perfect score on the exam. Your concern is passing. If you get a question that seems ridiculous, unsolvable, or out of place, forget about it. It's done. Move on to the next question and nail it.

Finish with a flourish. Ten questions from the end of your exam, take a 15-to-30 second break. You can't walk around the testing room, but you can stand and stretch. By this point in the exam, candidates tend to be a little mentally tired. Maybe you're still thinking about the "WHAT??" question. Don't worry about the questions you've already answered -- they're done. Take a deep breath, remember why you're there -- to pass this exam -- and sit back down and nail the last ten questions to the wall.

There is one final piece of advice I’d like to give you for exam day:

BE AGGRESSIVE.

You’re in that testing room for one reason: to PASS.

Occasionally I hear someone say that they’re taking an exam “just to see what it’s like”. That’s not a winning attitude. You’re not there to see what it’s like you’re there to pass so you don’t have to see it again.

Would you work on a router or switch with the attitude of “let’s just see what happens”? Not on my network. And not on anybody else’s, hopefully. J Go in the testing room with an aggressive attitude. You’ve planned you’ve studied you’ve sacrificed. You’re ready to seize your destiny and pass the exam.

We play the game to win the game.

We take the exam to pass the exam.

And from someone who’s been there – there is no feeling in the world like seeing “PASS” on that computer screen!

Some Final Exam Tidbits

For many of you, this may be your first Cisco certification exam. Here are a few tips that all candidates should find helpful, especially first-timers.

· Make sure to bring your wallet or purse. You cannot take the exam without proper identification. You’ll probably be asked for two forms of ID, one of which must be a picture ID.

Most testing centers hand you a dry erase board and a marker. Make sure that the marker has a fine point when you’re answering subnetting questions or performing a hexadecimal-to-binary conversion, that will come in handy.

· Despite the best efforts of VUE and Prometric, some testing center rooms are afterthoughts. I strongly advise that if you’re taking your exam at a technical school, ask to see the testing room BEFORE you sign up for the exam. If it looks like a converted broom closet, it probably is. Those rooms also tend to be right next to classrooms, which can result in distracting noise during your exam.

· If your testing center specializes in giving computer-based exams rather than classes, you’re probably in good shape. Again, feel free to drop by the testing center before your exam to take a peek at the testing room. Most testing rooms have a window that employees use to keep an eye on testers, and you should be able to take a peek through the window.

· When you go in, you’ll be asked to enter your social security number as your testing ID. Once you do that, the exam engine starts running. However, this doesn’t mean the test starts.

· When you take a Cisco exam, you’ll first be presented with a survey. The survey consists of 10 – 20 questions asking about your background, preparation methods, and comfort level with different technologies. This is a good time to catch your breath before starting the exam. The survey will only take about five minutes, and this time does not count against your exam time.

· You’ll then be presented with an exam tutorial, showing you how to answer the different types of questions Cisco may ask. While most of these questions types are common sense (multiple choice, single answer, fill-in-the-blank), I strongly urge you to pay special attention to the router simulator question tutorial.

· The simulator questions carry more weight than the other questions indeed, it’s almost impossible to pass the CCNA exams if you totally miss the simulator questions. While the interface for these exams is intuitive, sometimes students who fail their exam complain that they were not given enough information to answer the question. The real problem is that they didn’t look in the right place for that information. It’s not hidden, but spend a few minutes with the tutorial and do not go forward until you’re comfortable with the simulator interface.

· Finally, the exam starts! Remember, you’re not being asked anything you don’t know. If you have prepared correctly with the right tools, you’ll have a passing grade on your screen before you know it.

· Speaking of that grade, you’ll be presented with it about five seconds after you answer the final question. Cisco exams no longer allow CCNA and CCNP candidates to go back once a question is answered, so be prepared for that.

The Cisco certification program has made tremendous professional success possible for me. That success is waiting for you. By following the plan I’ve laid out for you in this ebook, you can begin creating the foundation for an incredible future.

To your success,

Chris Bryant
CCIE™ #12933

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, the home of the world's clearest, most concise, most comprehensive CCNA Study Guide available today. He offers free CCNA, CCNP, and Home Lab Setup Tutorials on the website, as well as online boot camps, video training, and binary/subnetting help. Join the revolution against overpriced and incomplete CCNA and CCNP study guides - visit www.thebryantadvantage.com today!

Article Source: Article99.com

	Copyright © 2009, 2010 Breden Technical Resources, Inc. All rights reserved.

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