The CCNA modified my life. This isn’t exaggeration or hyperbole. It began yet again in 2001, proper appropriate in this article in Ottawa, copyright. I used to be instructing highschool Laptop science (Visible Basic!) and Web style (Macromedia!) when Cisco Networking Academy approached our college board to check out if we could be worried about becoming a member of their fledgling method.
I knew nothing at all about networking then, having said that the individuals at Cisco Networking Academy outlined that they could ship me to lessons for being taught and gain another thing called the CCNA. Very little did I do know this dedication would get started an unbelievable journey with Cisco.
Cisco 2500 collection router
Cisco 2500 Collection Router*
I used to be despatched once again to highschool to Discover how routers and switches function, the best way to terminate Ethernet cables, just how to subnet, and what ISDN and Body Relay had been employed for. To arrange for CCNA certification, I find out Cisco Press publications, reviewed the Networking Academy’s CCNA information material, took use examinations, and produced labs on 2501 routers and 1924 switches the varsity experienced bought. (No, Packet Tracer wasn’t round yet again then!)
I at last took the CCNA examination in 2002. I used to be nervous, even so I felt equipped to attempt my luck. Like lots of you starting your CCNA journey, this was my 1st time having a certification assessment.
The examination had numerous inquiries to reply in these a quick period of time—numerous-selection, lab simulations, drag-and-drops—it experienced all of it. And there was no yet again button! Just after I lastly clicked “Finish Examination” and seen the “Congratulations” concept, I utilized to be amazed, thrilled, and so very pleased.
Passing the CCNA and the Networking Academy teacher coaching meant I would expand to get a Cisco Accredited Academy Trainer (CCAI), https://dailyhealthinsight.com/ entitled to get started on out instructing my highschool college students about Cisco networking. This was indicates larger than instructing them Noticeable Elementary!
That just one perseverance all over again in 2001 opened lots of doorways for me. A number of many years later, I grew to become a Cisco Licensed Plans Instructor (CCSI) certified to supply CCNA and CCNP coaching using a Cisco Finding out Affiliate.
In excess of the preceding number of yrs, I’ve made available at lots of Cisco conferences and obtained Distinguished Speaker standing all over many Cisco Reside occasions in Melbourne, Amsterdam, and Las Vegas.
I’m now a Cisco Push author, I’ve served establish Cisco system content material material like Employing Cisco Business Excellent Routing and Suppliers (ENARSI) and Employing Cisco SD-WAN Alternatives (ENSDWI), and I perform for Cisco as an Instructor and lead content substance advocate in Finding out & Certifications.
I on no account could possibly have predicted the affect that decision in 2001 might have on my potential, nonetheless I do understand that I’m not on your own. A lot of Other people have experienced the ability of a Cisco certification, While using the CCNA standing the Look at of your time due to the fact its start increased than 20 years prior to now.
This brings us to the most recent iteration of the foundational networking certification: the two hundred-301 CCNA v1.1 examination change. It’s going to reach on August twenty, 2024, marking the key change to the assessment in four several years.