Basic Networking education

[NightShift]

Hi,

In the New Year I’m looking at starting up a small business to provide basic voice solutions to businesses. While my understanding of the voice aspect of what I want to do is pretty solid, im lacking in the network side of things. I understand the basics and the theory but don’t have much practical experience.

Essentially, the maximum I will be looking to do myself is connect two separate sites together using network equipment as well as setup QoS and separate VLANS. In order to learn how to do this I took a look at what courses were available. The CCNA seems to be the most appropriately aligned course for me to do and start with, but I am looking at self-studying it and building my own lab consisting of a couple of routers and switches.

In terms of what I want to be able to do, will the CCNA be sufficient? Appreciate the feedback.

Cheers

 

[ponder]

CCNA should meet your needs but your lack of experience is a problem and CCNA does not give you experience.

You don't really need to buy hardware, you can use simulators that run IOS.

 

[Treschen]

Well i am half way towards getting my CCNA, I suggest only get familiar with CCNA if you are going to use cisco routers, switches or ip phones, you use a switch to create seperate vlans either a vlan or voice lan, if you connect two sites together it will be a breeze provided you have line between them pm me if you need more assistance.

 

[syntax]

Well i am half way towards getting my CCNA, I suggest only get familiar with CCNA if you are going to use cisco routers, switches or ip phones, you use a switch to create seperate vlans either a vlan or voice lan, if you connect two sites together it will be a breeze provided you have line between them pm me if you need more assistance.

I disagree. The CCNA track might focus on cisco proprietary stuff, but it has solid backgrounds in general networking principles. I found it far more comprehensive than something like an N+.

 

[gregmcc]

I disagree. The CCNA track might focus on cisco proprietary stuff, but it has solid backgrounds in general networking principles. I found it far more comprehensive than something like an N+.

+1

The core networking principles it covers is not just for the Cisco stuff. Sure they do cover a lot of proprietary stuff but it will give you a good basic understanding of networking and is well worth doing.

 

[TheGuy]

I disagree. The CCNA track might focus on cisco proprietary stuff, but it has solid backgrounds in general networking principles. I found it far more comprehensive than something like an N+.

But CCNA doesn't teach how to do proper Qos for Voice solutions.

 

[syntax]

But CCNA doesn't teach how to do proper Qos for Voice solutions.

And where in my post did i mention that it did?
My post was addressing an earlier mention that the ccna is only useful if you are using cisco equipment?

Besides, you would be hard pressed to find a cert that teaches you basic networking principles and also includes QOS on voice. This is also usually dependent on the hardware/software you are using.

 

[TheGuy]

And where in my post did i mention that it did?
My post was addressing an earlier mention that the ccna is only useful if you are using cisco equipment?

Besides, you would be hard pressed to find a cert that teaches you basic networking principles and also includes QOS on voice. This is also usually dependent on the hardware/software you are using.

Wasn't directed at you more to the OP explaining that doing your CCNA will not give the right experience to design networks for Voice Solutions.

 

[Nod]

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