CCNA Cert.

[Vehtemas]

It's never too late!

As for subnetting, after a few methods I have found this to be the best:

167.12.155.16 /20 ...find the subnet.

first:
/20 = 255.255.240.0 ...how? each octet is 255 so we count the bits:
255 = 11111111 in binary
254 = 11111110
240 = 11111100
...and so on...
we now know that 11111111.11111111.11111100.00000000 is 255.255.240.0, just add up the 1s to get the /20.

Now we can go further;
circle the .155 and the .240
Our 'magic' number is 256 when subnetting so, subtract 240 from 256 = 16
16 into 155 (the 3rd octet of the IP) without going over is 144.

The answer is 167.12.144.0

Holy crap I haven't done Subnetting in a loong time (back in High School I did two years of it but never tested for it...).

I have been thinking of getting into IT certs again, and have printed out the A+ manual to read and pass, then I plan on doing the same thing with Net+ and finally move back into the CCNA.

The only hard part is that I have no money to take a class so I can't play with a router, granted I am thinking of trying to get a job at a local internet company and trying to get them to pay for it

 

[9to5cynic]

Holy crap I haven't done Subnetting in a loong time (back in High School I did two years of it but never tested for it...).

I have been thinking of getting into IT certs again, and have printed out the A+ manual to read and pass, then I plan on doing the same thing with Net+ and finally move back into the CCNA.

The only hard part is that I have no money to take a class so I can't play with a router, granted I am thinking of trying to get a job at a local internet company and trying to get them to pay for it

You could try packet tracer. It's through cisco, so you may need a cisco account, not sure.

Or (I believe) GNS3 or something like that. They are network (router/switch) simulators. I think GNS3 needs the IOS images though......?

Try to get packet tracer. It's top notch.

 

[andruoid]

Try to get packet tracer. It's top notch.

Yes, PT is a far more robust app and uses a fraction of the RAM and CPU power the GN3 uses. Also, trying to find a decent IOS image for GN3 is difficult and actually considered pirating.

 

[Vehtemas]

You could try packet tracer. It's through cisco, so you may need a cisco account, not sure.

Or (I believe) GNS3 or something like that. They are network (router/switch) simulators. I think GNS3 needs the IOS images though......?

Try to get packet tracer. It's top notch.

Yes, PT is a far more robust app and uses a fraction of the RAM and CPU power the GN3 uses. Also, trying to find a decent IOS image for GN3 is difficult and actually considered pirating.

Thanks for the info!!!

I know that virutalization exists, however, I do know that working on the actual hardware is always best.

 

[momoceio]

Don't place too much value on certs because they don't really get you anywhere...IT jobs want experience. That being said, I suppose if it comes down to two candidates with similar experience and only one has a cert then maybe it'll help. I had my CCNA and CCNP (both now expired) and they didn't really do much. The Cisco Network Academy courses are pretty good though and I learned a lot that I still use in my day to day job activities. Don't forget that they expire every 3 years and the exam usually changes every few years as well.

 

[andruoid]

Don't place too much value on certs because they don't really get you anywhere...IT jobs want experience. That being said, I suppose if it comes down to two candidates with similar experience and only one has a cert then maybe it'll help.

Overall I disagree.

The part I agree with you is it all depends on which certification you hold. If its just some private college's 'diploma' or a community centers certificate then yes, those don't hold water.

However, a CCNA, JNCIA (or other equivalent) is recognized globally. CompTIA's Network+ and Security+ are also worth while though a little redundant if you have, for example, a CCNA. Either route you take, they prove to the employer you know what you are doing to obtains those certs. They also show you are dedicated and capable of learning.

Ask yourself will being certified hinder employment? No. You even said yourself that an employer would probably take a certified candidate over someone with just work experience. 80 to 90% of the Network Engineering want ads I have seen over the past year say "certification _______ needed". (not wanted, needed.)

As for myself, I had to get some schooling behind me. I have about 6-7 years IT experience however, the last time I was in IT was 7 years ago I tried getting a job before applying at a school, not one reply.

 

[9to5cynic]

Don't place too much value on certs because they don't really get you anywhere...IT jobs want experience. That being said, I suppose if it comes down to two candidates with similar experience and only one has a cert then maybe it'll help. I had my CCNA and CCNP (both now expired) and they didn't really do much. The Cisco Network Academy courses are pretty good though and I learned a lot that I still use in my day to day job activities. Don't forget that they expire every 3 years and the exam usually changes every few years as well.

It sucks they expire so soon, but you can, for example, take the CCNA, and before it expires take the CCNP, and before that expires take another own, I believe the CCIE is one, they have certs for everything. Wireless, VOIP, you name it.

But I do kind of agree with you. I'm sure that if you have 0 certs, but a ton of experience and knew your stuff, they'd hire you in a heart beat.

 

[JRich8389]

Yeah, I completely agree with momceio. I have my CCNA right now but it expires in ~6 months. I know plenty of people in my job in the Marine Corps that get out and get hired on with no certs just because they have 5 years experience working in depth with cisco equipment.

Certs are nice when you're first learning but after you get the cert its all hands on experience from there.

 

[Rob928]

Certs are nice when you're first learning but after you get the cert its all hands on experience from there.

Couldn't of said it any better. I have CCNA and CCNP and without them I wouldn't of got the jobs I did at the start of my career, but now feel they don't get enough attention because people notice your degree first and always becomes the talking point.

 

[JRich8389]

I understand that Rob, I've had a few friends get out and get passed up by some joe schmoe with a 4 year degree even though we have 5 years working experience and at least a cert or two.

Personally, I'd rather take my chances with the guy that's be actually DOING the job rather than learning about how to do it.