CCENT ICND1 Review

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Time

I studied two hours everyday for two weeks. I took Cisco 1 - 2 classes at Lakeland Community College.

Materials

1. Boson Practice Exam
2. Cisco Labs
3. Cisco ICND1 Syllabus
4. Youtube

Positives

Studying for the CCENT filled gaps in my knowledge base. I was doing switchport modes wrong. I know end-devices are switchport mode access now. I figured out how to calculate wildcard submasks. All I knew how to do was 0.0.0.255. I didn't know what full or half duplex was. My subnetting skills were rocky. Cisco labs don't do a good job at explaining concepts. The lab sheet will say "do X command". The Boson practice exam will explain concepts much better. "Oh thats why were doing that" is the feeling you'll get.

Regrets

I wish I would've took the CCENT over winter break after Cisco 2 was finished. Oh well.

Tips

I used this to generate a subnet problem: https://www.lammle.com/ip-subnet-practice-page/
And this to validate answers: https://www.calculator.net/ip-subnet-calculator.html

I calculated network mask, broadcast mask, number of hosts, number of usable hosts, number of subnets, subnet mask, and wildcard mask. This is the most math I've used in over a year. I forgot how to divide on paper!

I'm a binary person and this method is easier for me. Dan has good youtube videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFN9TNSPVj4
Use the Sunny table if your nervous and can't remember anything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecCuyq-Wprc . I found the Sunny table doesn't help me below /24.

Opinion of Exam Toughness

The ICND1 was harder than a MTA but easier than a Salesforce exam. I was a bit worried mid point. You'll get a lot of questions like "Here are 6 checkboxes. Pick 2 of them". I loved the simulation questions! I nailed those. The drag and drop + checkboxes can be tricky if your unsure about 2 options.

Next Steps

I'm taking the ICND2 on Wednesday May 8th, a day before the Cisco 4 Final. I have went MIA in Cisco 4. We have 4 weeks left and I have done 0%. I'm going to complete all the Cisco 4 labs/quizzes while simultaneously passing my CCNA. This timeline gives me two weeks to learn Cisco 3 and two weeks to learn Cisco 4. Wish me luck.

Why I picked 2 Exams vs 1 Big CCNA Exam?

Getting 2 certifications looks cooler than getting 1. I'll be taking the Composite CCNA exam in three years anyway. You have to retake the CCNA every three years to maintain your certification. You can't go back to take the ICND1.

Study Music:

Complaining Mike Xavier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCJuQ9-kr64
Going Veela: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCyr8RW1fjs

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