The CCNA modified my life. This isn’t exaggeration or hyperbole. It began yet again in 2001, correct ideal right here in Ottawa, copyright. I was instructing highschool pc science (Seen Essential!) and net structure (Macromedia!) when Cisco Networking Academy approached our faculty board to view if we might be concerned about getting a member of their fledgling software.
I realized nothing at all about networking then, having said that the individuals at Cisco Networking Academy outlined that they could ship me to lessons to get taught and get paid one thing often known as the CCNA. Little did I do know that this dedication would start off an unbelievable journey with Cisco.
Cisco 2500 series router
Cisco 2500 Assortment Router*
I was despatched again to high school to Learn the way routers and switches do the job, the way to terminate Ethernet cables, the best way to subnet, and what ISDN and Overall body Relay were used for. To organize for CCNA certification, I understand Cisco Push guides, reviewed the Networking Academy’s CCNA content material content, took utilize tests, and built labs on 2501 routers and 1924 switches the varsity had acquired. (No, Packet Tracer wasn’t spherical again then!)
I lastly took the CCNA evaluation in 2002. I was anxious, having said that I felt equipped to attempt my luck. Like plenty of you starting your CCNA journey, this was my initially time using a certification evaluation.
The assessment had countless inquiries to reply in these types of a brief time period—a number of-alternative, lab simulations, drag-and-drops—it experienced all of it. And there was no once again button! Immediately after I Last of all clicked “Complete Evaluation” and discovered 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 increase to get a Cisco Accredited Academy Trainer (CCAI), entitled to get started on out instructing my highschool college students about Cisco networking. This was indicates larger than instructing them Seen Elementary!
That just one resolve all over again in 2001 opened so many doorways for me. A number of many years afterwards, I grew to be a Cisco Accredited Courses Teacher (CCSI) licensed to offer CCNA and CCNP coaching by using a Cisco Finding out Affiliate.
About the past handful of decades, I’ve offered at many Cisco conferences and achieved Distinguished Speaker standing all through numerous Cisco https://dailyhealthinsight.com/ Reside events in Melbourne, Amsterdam, and Las Vegas.
I’m now a Cisco Press writer, I’ve helped create Cisco program content material materials like Employing Cisco Business Outstanding Routing and Companies (ENARSI) and Employing Cisco SD-WAN Alternatives (ENSDWI), and I function for Cisco as an teacher and lead content material advocate in Researching & Certifications.
I by no means can have predicted the impact that decision in 2001 would've on my long run, on the other hand I do are aware that I’m not by yourself. Countless Other individuals have competent the ability of a Cisco certification, with the CCNA standing the check of your time considering the fact that its start larger than twenty years prior to now.
This delivers us to the most recent iteration of this foundational networking certification: the two hundred-301 CCNA v1.one evaluation exchange. It’s heading to arrive on August 20, 2024, marking the first transform to your evaluation in four yrs.