(Part 2) Top products from r/Cisco

Whoa Whoa slow down there Dingleberry.

First off. Good that you are interested in IT. But IT is huge and there are so many aspects to it. I suggest starting off with something like the CompTIA A+. That will give you the base knowledge you need to know to be able to troubleshoot many everyday end user problems. By base knowledge I mean the thought process and methodology. IT isn't predictable. There are 100s if not millions of cases where following X directions is supposed to give you Y results but it doesn't because something that seems completely unrelated is causing the issue. The A+ helps put you in the correct mindset.

The CompTIA A+ you can just pick up the book for it, sit and read it. It isn't a class and is very entry level. There are classes for it but I personally advise against it. I read the book and took the test my first year in college. But I was already fixing problems on my own. It just supplemented what I knew and taught me more.

What ever anyone says about the A+ being easy is semi true. I can promise you that anyone who thinks they know their stuff does not know everything. That also includes A+ material which again is basic. Everyone who reads those books will learn something. But for seasoned people it can be boring since a lot of it is rehashed info they know from experience. The A+ is conceptual and the methods taught are not written in stone. Also the test is performing troubleshooting the ComTIA way.

For example a common troubleshooting tip for network connectivity issue such as not being able to get online is something as simple as checking to make sure the ethernet cable is plugged in. And CompTIA says that should always be the first thing you check. This is something basic that many people overlook because in my experience very rarely the issue is the cable not being plugged in.

Don't skip it. It will be your building blocks. You don't have to take the test. But it will help you get your foot in the door into a help desk position.

The Cisco Net Acad is good for getting fundamentals of networking in the Cisco world and is training toward the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). Meaning the scope is very limited. You will learn how a network works in general. Meaning the how information gets from point A to point B and theory behind why it works. But then it will take a sharp turn on to Cisco network equipment. I suggest reading a Sybex's Net+ book by Todd Lammle. The Net+ is also by CompTIA but focuses on a MUCH MUCH broader spectrum of networking and troubleshooting networks. For example, the Cisco course isn't really going to dive into this like token rings, MAUs, ALOHA, DSL, DSLAMs, Cable, and other tech. The Cisco learning path is more, here is what a network is, here is why it works, here are some general things that apply to all networks, and now let configure a Cisco switch and a Cisco router, and finally let's troubleshoot common Cisco problems that people run into.

Use the Cisco classes to build on your Net+ knowledge. I'm not saying to take the CompTIA A+ and Net+ exams, but at least study the material. Because it sounds like you aren't really sure what you want to split off to. If you go straight for the Cisco class, you will learn nothing about computers because Cisco doesn't care about what desktop/laptop/server you use for this level of information.

Being well rounded in IT is more valuable than being a specialist who only knows one thing in terms of job opportunities. But from what I've seen specialists make more money if you can find a job for that specialization.

Now to answer your 3 questions.

1. Read a Net+ book. It will teach you all the basics you need to know. There will be some overlap in the beginning but that is about it. It's better for you to have a wider range of networking knowledge than to be locked into a specific vendor from the start. You have years ahead of you to worry about vendor specialization. But Cisco currently is the defacto networking equipment. Juniper is catching up and HP and Dell offer enterprise solutions that compete with Cisco.
   
   
2. In my college it was a 4 semester class held once a week. I would talk to your community college about completion time. If you want to finish it faster, you might be best served by going to a trainer. But they are a lot more expensive and the material they will throw at you will be bigger chunks because they will expect you have some base knowledge. This is a great reason why you should read the Net+ books. It will get you familiar with general networking concepts so that when you take the class you're not sitting there with confused look on your face.
   
   
3. There really isn't a guide. The Cisco Net Acad classes follow the exam Objectives for the CCNA. For you the major Certs would be the A+, Net+ and CCNA (ICND1 and ICND2). The CCNA is a cisco certification that can be taken 2 ways. The composite CCNA exam. And the ICND1 and 2. Passing ICND1 will give you the CCENT. It's basically part one of the test and saying that you can walk into a small business and get a basic network up and running. The ICND2 is the second part and will give you the full CCNA. The composite test is both the ICND1 and 2 put together.
   
   The composite test is meant for those with experience and is generally harder because you need to know less about a lot of topics where as the ICND1 and 2 you need to know a lot about less topics. You should take the 2 test route.
   
   These are the books I read. These are also the ones I mentioned above.
   
   Sybex ComTIA A+ http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Complete-Study-Guide-Application/dp/047048649X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372738911&sr=1-3&keywords=sybex+a%2B
   
   Sybex CompTIA Net+ by Todd Lammle http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Network-Study-Authorized-Courseware/dp/1118137558/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372738836&sr=1-8&keywords=todd+lammle
   
   Start off reading these two. These will teach you everything you need to know to understand what you are getting your self into. From there you can go into specialization such as Cisco. For that I used the Wendell Odom books which are the official Cisco books. Warning, the writing is dry.
   
   Cisco ICND 1 100-101 by Wendell Odom. http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-CCENT-ICND1-100-101-Official/dp/1587143852/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372739094&sr=1-2&keywords=wendell+odom+icnd1
   
   Cisco ICND 2 640-802 http://www.amazon.com/ICND2-Official-Certification-640-816-640-802/dp/158720181X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372739138&sr=1-4&keywords=wendell+odom+icnd2
   
   NOTE: I did not see the ICND 2 book by Wendell and Odom for the new exam objectives that will take effect later this year. So the first ICND 1 book will be valid for the new test. The second book will not be but it would not hurt you to read it until Wendell and Odom come out with an updated ICND 2 book.
   
   I've also heard good things about the Todd Lammle CCNA book but I do not see one for the newer exam objectives.

If you are going to pursue the single CCNA test, you should definitely get Tod Lammle's CCNA Study guide. He writes some of the best books for self study.

http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Certified-Network-Associate-640-802/dp/0470901071/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

If you are going to pursue the 2 test route for CCNA, here are the books to get.

ICND 1

http://www.amazon.com/CCENT-Certified-Networking-Technician-640-822/dp/0470247029/ref=pd_sim_b4

ICND 2

http://www.amazon.com/ICND2-Official-Certification-640-816-640-802/dp/158720181X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c

If you can, sign up for the Cisco Net Academy, it's a great course.

OP, if you live in a decent sized city and you are a go getter, it won't be hard to make a decent living doing IT in a short period of time.

Everyone else is giving you technical advice. I'm going to give you job hunting advice that will work in any field you are in.

1. Buy this book: Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 3.0: How to Stand Out from the Crowd and Tap Into the Hidden Job Market using Social Media and 999 other Tactics Today http://www.amazon.com/Guerrilla-Marketing-Job-Hunters-3-0/dp/1118019091
   
2. Read you local business journal religiously http://www.bizjournals.com/
   
3. Research the companies in your local chamber of commerce.
   
4. Get on LinkedIn and buy a few books on how to use it effectively. - http://www.amazon.com/Windmill-Networking-Understanding-Step---Step/dp/1439247056/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372618760&sr=1-1
   
5. Learn how to do informational interviews - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informational_interview
   
6. Go to the Cisco Users Group in your city if there is one - make your own business cards and network effectively.
   
   You will make strong connections and find a job that much quicker.

I found this book an excellent intro to QoS

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1119109108/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile

It's not vendor specific. QoS fundamentals are pretty much Universal, the concepts of classification, policing, marking, queuing, scheduling.

I found it really useful to learn to think in vendor neutral terms first, then map the vendor implementation details onto that model.

Cisco Console cables are for wussies. :) I'm on mobile so I'll have to circle back around to post the link, but I mapped the pinout for a RJ45 to DB9 adapter. Pick up something like this: StarTech.com - Serial adapter - DB-9 (F) - RJ-45 (F) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IRQA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Bfevxb4ZWT81V and follow the pinout, all you need is a straight through ethernet cable and you're in business.

Welcome. Regex(Regular Expressions) allows you to parse text more efficiently. Mastering Regular Expressions is what you need to look into.

I took the first test, and it was a complete breeze. I read the Todd Lammle book, but honestly I didn't have to.

If you work Nexus often, it is a breeze.

I plan to take the second exam sometime next week, and I've been reading the Cisco guide book to NX-OS.

Todd Lammles books do a great job.
ICND2 200-105 Study Guide

Aaron and Vivek's books are both great depending on what you're trying to understand.

This book has been amazing for me!

I believe a null modem is what you're looking for. They can be found on Amazon.ca. It is probably easiest to just buy a new usb-serial adapter. Here is the amazon link:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00006B8BJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496365247&sr=8-1&pi=SL75_QL70&keywords=Null+modem

The book Inside Cisco IOS Software Architecture might help with some of this.

Currently, 3-4 on weekdays and 8-10 on weekends.

[I recommend this book to most:](
http://www.amazon.com/Your-CCIE-Success-Strategy-Non-Technical/dp/1470103168/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413126365&sr=8-1&keywords=ccie+lab+success+strategy)--It answers most if not all questions one might have about the life preparations required.

Sign up for the cisco security bulletins and bug updates for the gear that you work with.


Read Network Warrior by Gary Donahue: https://www.amazon.com/Network-Warrior-Everything-Need-Wasnt/dp/1449387861

Buy 101 labs for CCNA might be a little outdated but it helped me

101 Labs for the Cisco CCNA Exam https://www.amazon.com/dp/154810485X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MAdRBbSQ04DX4

I just purchased this, though I haven't had a chance to read it, yet:

http://www.amazon.com/Deploying-Unified-Contact-Center-Express/dp/1329184629?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide, Release 7.0 - it's only a 28MB PDF ;)

I found this on Amazon which may be more digestable: Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals

I normally refer to the configuration guide as needed, I learned most of my wireless stuff the hard way.

EDIT: If you do find books on the subject, make sure you check the versions covered. There are significant differences between 4, 5, 6, and 7, to the point where some major features are completely missing or moved. Also, if you're using anything below 7 then you're going to have a bad time.