On Aug 21, 2009, at 10:28 PM, Matt Lawrence wrote: > On Fri, 21 Aug 2009, Jim Hickstein wrote: > >> About "bookish", he probably has a point, though it can hardly be >> otherwise. I >> myself recently took and passed CCNA. (I don't know what's in >> CISSP, but CCNA I >> can fairly judge.) Some of it was quite product-specific -- What >> does this >> amber LED mean on this or that Cisco model? -- as opposed to being >> about the >> technology (IP over Ethernet), but for a Cisco-brand exam I didn't >> think it was >> excessive. And if you own that model, you really might need to >> know that the >> amber LED on that switch means "evacuate the building". :-) > > I'm also considering going after a CCNA. Not that I want to go > become a > network admin, but so I will have some proof that I have entry-level > to > intermediate knowledge of Cisco equipment. Not that I'm an expert, > but > someone who understands the lingo and can communicate very effectively > with some of the senior network admins. Of course, it the senior > network > folks are in the habit of "blowing smoke", then it could be a negative > thing for getting hired.
I got a CCNA about 10 years ago. Helpful, but it was mostly to get some official exposure to running cisco gear. I was in a role that didn't have any exposure, and thus, I couldn't claim any knowledge in that area. If you are familiar w/ some technology, and haven't done the work on the job, it might be a nice way to satisfy the "Cisco knowledge a plus" clause in an ad. It brings it onto the resume in an official capacity. That's likely more relevant to a jack of all trades in a mid level or junior level, though. When you get to senior, it's not going to be very helpful. I'd expect a senior to be able to pick up almost anything with a bit of time. But good framework certs can be good, and it's sounding like the consensus on this one is that CISSP is not a bad thing for what you're trying to do. Good luck! Matthew Matthew Barr [email protected] cell: 646-765-6878 _______________________________________________ Discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lopsa.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/discuss This list provided by the League of Professional System Administrators http://lopsa.org/
