A few years ago, I started studying for a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) qualification. I got up to the third module as I recall, and dropped out. I was studying at my workplace (we happen to also teach it), so my work day basically started at 08:30, I’d finish at 17:00, then go round to the CCNA lab and work in there until 21:00. As it was during term time, it meant I was going to and from work in the dark, and during winter I was having to de-ice the car in the morning, AND evening before I came home.
The long hours were killing me, and the air-conditioning in the classrooms didn’t help; I’d often fall asleep during the lessons. You try reading about EIGRP after a full day of doing other busy work whilst slumped in a chair, without falling asleep. The class was twice a week – doesn’t seem that bad, but it throws the whole week into disarray. Eventually, I gave up, and felt much better for it.
Recently, I’ve been looking after a Cisco Call Manager installation, and all its related paraphernalia. I’ve had great fun doing it, but I’ve certainly discovered holes in my knowledge as I’ve been working through it. I’ve been hitting more complex issues of late, and although I’ve often solved them, it may have taken longer than I’d have liked as I was sometimes fumbling around trying to find the method, before I found the answer.
I decided I had to do something about it, and I think I’m going to start studying for the CCNA again. I’m not going to do it at work, however. I can’t be bothered with the long days and all the other messing about with my evenings. A better option (I think) is for me to self-study at home. I’ve got the CCNA books, and there’s a wealth of information online. After a bit of digging on eBay, I managed to find a self-study lab, which includes four routers, plus two switches, and all the necessary cables to plug it in. All for the princely sum of £302, and that included a £1 donation to Cancer Research I added during checkout.
If I work through an hour or two when I feel like it, I’ll probably get through it pretty quickly. Far better than sitting staring at Facebook, or looking up obscure topics on Wikipedia. Once I finish the CCNA, I can move to the CCNA Voice (mostly an introduction to Call Manager), then onto the CCVP (Cisco Certified Voice Professional), with just a few little upgrades to the routers. Who knows, I could go completely mad and go for the top level Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) qualification.
Just got to do the CCNA first. Oh, and actually finish it this time.
