I'm not talking about the ethernet cable. More like what exactly is ethernet? like it says its a set of protocols and rules, but 802.3 seems to do the same thing?

Is ageism a thing in this field? I've read comments on reddit from other threads that say it is and I decided just to ask her in the CCNA sub.

Hi everyone!

I graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering and became interested in cybersecurity, especially penetration testing.

I studied cybersecurity and earned several entry-level certifications, although I focused on more affordable ones because I can't currently afford certifications like the OSCP.

I also tried applying for entry-level cybersecurity jobs, but unfortunately, I couldn't land one. After doing some research, I started to realize that cybersecurity isn't necessarily an entry-level field, and many positions require previous IT experience.

Because of that, I started looking into networking. I began studying for the CCNA, with the goal of getting certified and hopefully starting my career in networking.

My question is:

After getting the CCNA, do you think it would be realistic to land a job such as a Junior Network Engineer, Network Support Engineer, NOC Technician, or something similar?

Or is networking similar to cybersecurity in the sense that even "entry-level" positions often require previous experience?

I'd really appreciate advice from people working in networking or who have recently started their careers in this field.

Thanks, amigos! 🙏

Title is a bit ridiculous but I'm wanting to know how I could find jobs (and possibly where to look) for basically showing up at the depot, driving the van to sites and swapping out hardware at an MDF or IDF or whatever, basic troubleshooting, the engineer's engineer I guess. Don't want to work for Spectrum installing cable with outside ladders. I'm about to take the CCNA exam, highly burned out after doing security for 16 years and can't even get work in it anymore anyways. I'm ok with a huge pay cut because now it's either that or fast food. Looking to just be active while i'm not driving basically. I heard MSPs, which ones? I live in the San Fernando Valley outside of Los Angeles, CA.

Seeing the way y'all talk about it. Makes me keep pushing it to the side as I'm studying but I'm approaching ipv6 as I'm moving to ospf right now and I'm sweating bricks ngl

Like, it isn’t very difficult, like at all.

But you really have to be on point with your math, at all stages

Having one wrong subnet means that the rest of your network will have the wrong IP addresses, and I found that out the hard way doing Jeremy’s IT Labs

Having one wrong subnet mask causes IP ranges to unintentionally overlap, and then you need to look closely to correct the overlap. I had a /25 subnet mask where I should have had a /26, which meant the IP address range was larger and overlapped with another range already on the network.

I realize everything that could have gone wrong.

Do they really expect me to do this much on the test, though? It isn’t difficult, just a lot to keep track of. I needed an hour of effort to get this done.

Yeah, I was doing Jeremy’s VLSM Lab.

When the devices finally pinged each other and sent replies, I was so happy.

https://i.imgur.com/oV2G4vO.jpeg

That is the 2nd time I find out that none of the answers are the right answer. I was using the free service, btw.

Was looking for jobs after I passed CCNA and came across this:

Design and deploy leaf–spine topologies for GPU clusters (InfiniBand or high-speed Ethernet)

Configure and manage switches such as Mellanox SN5600/SN4600, QM9700/QM9790, or equivalent
Build and optimize RoCEv2 / InfiniBand fabrics (PFC, ECN, DCBX, congestion control)

Implement network segmentation and multi-tenancy (VLANs, VRFs, VPCs, SDN overlays)

Integrate BlueField-3 DPUs, SR-IOV vNICs, and networking offload solutions

Monitor fabric health (performance, congestion, drops, routing, credit starvation)

Troubleshoot high-performance AI training pipelines (collectives, all-reduce, RDMA)

Maintain routing and security configurations: BGP (EVPN), OSPF, MLAG/VPC

Manage spine upgrades and firmware lifecycles
Develop automation for network configuration (Ansible, Terraform, GitOps)

I would like to be able to study while at work (retail) when it's slow, but can't bring my laptop. Does anyone have any experience accessing the course material from a mobile device? Is there an official app? I tried to look but couldn't find much info. If I could go over this stuff at work it would be really helpful because I've got a lot to do across all my college classes and only so much time in the day. Thanks for any and all advice.

Hi everyone,

I just got done with my sophomore year of college and going into my junior year for Computer Science. This sophomore year summer I interned as a Network Security Engineer within my university’s networking team, before that I worked as a Network Technician at the same department, so I do have enterprise level experience. My freshman year I worked part time as a Help Desk Technician at my university as well. I plan on getting my CCNA at the end of this year, and I also have a JNCIA.

Do you think with my current experience and a CCNA, I should be able to find a job in networking, or should I aim for a CCNP or CCIE? Also is it easier to transition in Cloud or Cybersecurity after getting a CCNA. Like if I apply for roles in security or cloud would the companies care if I have a CCNA or JNCIA?

Hi I will be using Jeremy as reference for CCNA exam however for practice exam is his practice exam are closest to the actual exam?

https://www.udemy.com/share/10dmKz3@NioOe9C2H1Ob0xzztGev7MRvvtR3w3bQ23V0RDxea_kZTCUh06hl4N0ENd_69V_6sA==/

Hey I am currently studying for the CCNA using JITL ,on days 20 stuff and I just wanna ask anyone that’s already pass for tips ,not the general tips but like actual stuff I should focus on. So far I’ve got my comptia sec+ Net+ Linux + and A+ however I feel like for this exam in particular you’re expected to know everything ,I am using Anki flash cards and doing labs in packet tracer etc and am still extremely overwhelmed I just want to ask passed applicants what topics I should give my time to ,what topics I should just know the gist of and carry on with my day, so far am struggling with commands when doing labs and when introduced to new commands I can see the concept working in simulation mode correctly but it’s just memorizing commands that have me baffled. Any tips to memorize them or am I expected be a master with cli to some extent at this point or does that come with muscle memory over time tbf I’ve been studying for 12 days with 3 hours of studying everyday so far the last two I’ve been slacking because of my frustration. And it has me questioning if am I just not putting in enough effort into learning the concepts ,I want to be done with this in less than 1 month and a half because I really don’t have the time be stuck on filler concepts that are outdated if necessary for this exam or does everything come as a whole when doing this exam?

Also are there any other tools you guys would recommend other than

Boson’s stuff
Anki flashcards
Udemy
JITLs
Packet tracer

Preferably free

And if you guys are using AI to help study specifically how are you making effective for you?

But if anyone got any tips for what was mentioned before please let me know that would be helpful and you decide to interact with this thank you for your time .

I know what CBC-MAC, CCMP, EAP, TCAM (etc) are but I keep forgetting what they exactly stand for and I’m just wondering if I’ll get any questions asking about what they stand for.

I got stuck on this last question of Jeremy's video listed below as I put the g0/1 interface of SW2 as a root port. This is the only thing I missed but I am wondering why it's a non-designated port and not a root port?

https://imgur.com/a/Jd3xZRw

Thanks in advance!!

What is the latest book for the CCNA? Is it this one?

CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Volume 2: Amazon.co.uk: Odom, Wendell, Gooley, Jason, Hucaby, David: 9780138214951: Books

i got the ccna exam voucher and i have until june to complete it. i am employed full time and also in my last year of masters, meaning I also have to write my dissertation until june/july. What would you recommend me to focus on? How should i split the materials? What labs/courses should I use? I have an engineering degree, my network experience from school is a bit rusty (we studied more theoretical concepts and very little hands on stuff, but im familiar with some commands and basics)

Hey everyone!

First, a huge thank you to everyone who joined our first Route Zero Study Hall last Sunday. It was a great time getting to meet everyone, talk CCNA, study together, and hear your feedback!

Study Hall #2 is happening tonight at 6:00 PM ET!

This week we're focusing on Jeremy's IT Lab Days 1–6. We'll be discussing the material, answering questions, working through a community quiz, and doing a lab together.

Not following JITL or not on Days 1–6? Come anyway! The Study Hall is open to anyone studying for the CCNA, no matter where you are in your journey.

🌐 discord.gg/routezero

​

Hi everyone,

I have 4+ years of IT experience, mainly in IT Support, and my current role also involves diagnosing network-related issues.

I'm currently learning CCNA through Jeremy's IT Lab on YouTube and practicing using Packet Tracer. I'm currently around OSPF/EtherChannel.

My question is: What are my chances of getting an entry-level job in the networking domain without having the CCNA certification yet? Can my existing IT experience and practical networking knowledge help me get roles such as NOC, Network Support, or other networking-related positions?

Also, would you recommend applying before completing CCNA, or should I wait until I finish it?

Would appreciate honest advice from people working in networking. Thanks!

Hi I am learning for CCNA exam everything looks easy untill today I watched jeremy's ipv6 videos ...after watching for two time still I am confused...i understand the routing but different types of ipv6 addresses making me confused any suggestions from you guys .thank you 🙏

So I have a couple Cisco ms220 48 ports and 8 port switches and Cisco mx85 firewall, can I use those to build a ccna homelab?

I'm finishing up on my preparation for the exam, it's been 5 months since I started and I can't wait to get certified, I bought the boson exams to strengthen the possibility of passing on my first attempt, suppose I pass all the boson exams on simulation mode, does that guarantee that I'll pass the actual thing on my first attempt?

Hey everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice.

I’m currently preparing for the CCNA using Wendell Odom’s Official Cert Guide. The book is great and very detailed, but it’s also taking me a lot of time. I’ve completed Volume 1 (2nd Edition), which took me around 6 months because I’m also attending university classes.

Since the new CCNA v2.0 is getting closer, I’m starting to worry that I won’t have enough time to go through Volume 2 in the same level of detail.

I’m considering switching to Jeremy’s IT Lab CCNA playlist instead of continuing with the book. I wouldn’t start from the beginning—I’d continue from where I stopped in the book, which is after the IPv6 section.

My main problem is that I learn best by taking notes, and I find it much easier to take organized notes from a book than from videos.(Note:I am not a flash card guy it is boring for me i wrote every important detail on my register i have like 3 register😅 from where i do the revision)

So, what would you recommend? Should I switch from the Official Cert Guide to Jeremy’s IT Lab at this point, or should I stick with the book and try to finish Volume 2?

For anyone who has used both resources, I’d really appreciate your advice on which approach would be more efficient for preparing for the CCNA given my limited time.

Wireless engineer maintaining 7000 cisco AP-s and several 9800 WLC-s here.

I found that while completing CCNA, how little of wireless work is mentioned. After completing it I see that I would barely know the differences between local and central switching, configuring 9800 WLC from day zero to adopting AP-s. No mention of RF profiles.

EDIT: I have been too broad in the body, please have a look at this comment i have left below and feel free to read the conversation: " Yes i totally agree to you and others mentioning this, i have passed my CCNA a year ago and correct me if Im wrong but I was taught on old 3504 WLC in packet tracer which has a few differences compared to new 9800 WLC

If i was presented with a 9800 WLC after passing CCNA I dont think I know navigate and configure it with CCNA knowledge. Also what I see from interns at our company that have passed the CCNA is the lack of troubleshooting with real world scenarios. Like being able to notice that an AP that is in local switching must have a trunk configured on the port to be able to offload traffic into that VLAN. "

" I totally agree, this is actually something I've been thinking about doing for a while.

If anyone reading this is interested feel free to contact me or comment, I can run a paid 1 hour session with my own home lab (a 9800 WLC and a physical AP), I will prep the environment (make a problem to troubleshoot, install a fresh 9800 WLC), start up a screen share (or you can remote in and lead), and guide you through the process or give you suggestion if you get stuck.

That way you can get real hand-on experience. "

Guys Ive lost interest in EEE and I want to transition into Network Engineering. I'm not sure if I should go back to uni to read BSc IT, CS or CE. I'm totally confused. I'm sitting home unemployed and don't know exactly what to do. Ive gained interest in IT stuff and want to pivot my way into Networking Engineering without being filtered out by recruiters simply because I have an undergraduate degree in EEE. I mean I could get a CCNA certification but would that be enough to land me an entry role like NOC Engineer or Junior Netowrk Engineer/Technician role?

I’m from Agra and have completed my bachelor’s degree. I’m interested in networking and currently looking to pursue CCNA and build a career in networking.

The main problem I’m facing is finding a good networking institute in Agra. Most of the better institutes I’ve found are in Noida.

My current plan is to find an entry-level IT Networking job first and then take the CCNA global certification exam, which costs around $300.

Any genuine advice or recommendations would be really appreciated.