I just started in this field a year and a half ago, with almost zero
networking knowledge, so I'll let you know how I went about it.
Initially, I started reading two different books: Network Essentials for
Dummies, and the LAN Times Guide to Wide Area Networking. Those REALLY
helped familiarize me with the types of protocols I'd be working with. I
didn't really understand much about them yet, but I was just that much
closer. Then I purchased Introduction to Cisco Router Configuration from
Ciscopress, along with the Syngress CCNA study guide and the Sybex CCNA
study guide.
By the time I finished reading all of these, I had a much clearer picture of
WAN and LAN networking. Sure, most of it was Cisco specific, but my goal
from the beginning was to learn and understand the topic, not just know
enough to get by. Some people study with the sole intention of being
certified. That was not my intention, although getting certified was a
personal goal. My main desire was just to learn how to do the job well and
I studied anything that helped me along that route.
I now have the CCNA and CCDA certs and am working on the CCNP and CCDP.
I'll stick with cisco certs for now due to limited time, but I study
anything that helps me understand the topic better whether it's
cisco-specific or not. There is an amazing amount of educational
information on the web, on www.cisco.com as well as others. If you like to
read, you'll never run out of good material! Your education is as diverse
as you make it.
Now reading: BGP4 - Interdomain Routing in the Internet (Awesome book, and
non-cisco-specific)
On deck on the bookshelf: Routing TCP/IP (okay, I already started it.
it's too good to leave on the shelf <g>)
> If you were a teacher what is the first thing you would have your student
study in order to excel in the field, a vet networker said to me that a good
networker does not look at things through Cisco eyes because it leaves you
close minded, he said yes learn Cisco but have a fundemental generic
understanding of networking in general, things such as cabeling, signaling,
FDDI, Token Ring, Ethernet because then when you move on to WAN you will
appreiciate better what layer 1 is doing.
>
> The reason I ask is because I am not in a rush to get certified, if I am
going to do this I am going to do it right, therefore I ask the TRUE vets
their suggestions on where to begin building a foundation
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>
> Stephen
>
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