Finally, PT is more than adequate for the CCNA exam where it is included in certification lab guides and courses. Host icons have a desktop folder for Windows command line and web browser. Click on a network device, select CLI folder and start your configuration or run operational commands. It is designed to be an almost intuitive simulation tool. You could learn basic PT usage in 30 minutes or less.
PT simulator is as easy as clicking on a file and starting your lab. For the purposes of CCNA training, you will spend most of your time with existing labs that are already developed.
The important thing is getting the software installed. Note that you will also be enrolled in an introductory course that you can finish at your leisure.
Register with Cisco Networking Academy and download the software.
PT runs as a Windows application with an easy install in minutes. In fact, it is endorsed by Cisco Networking Academy, so why would it not serve well for CCNA study?Īs mentioned, Packet Tracer is free and based on a simulator training platform. Students have been using PT as their training platform for years and passed the exam. There are some slight differences but nothing that would affect your training for the CCNA exam. You can get real-world experience with the same Cisco IOS software and CLI that physical equipment use. This effectively has opened up network training to millions of students with a first class simulation platform. Previously, only registered paid students were permitted access to PT for training purposes.
Packet Tracer (PT)Ĭisco decided to make Packet Tracer free to all prospective students with nothing more than registration at Cisco Networking Academy. The advantage of emulators is that some additional configuration commands are supported that are based on actual network traffic. Whether it is a simulator or emulator, you can add hosts and servers to create a lab topology similar to any real-world network. Each network device is connected to create a lab topology within the virtual application. It is equivalent to removing IOS software images from your physical network devices and bundling them into virtual images. By contrast, emulators provide a virtualized network environment with hosts, devices and real connections running within a virtual machine (VM). The simulator is an application that only models network devices and associated connections. The distinction at the CCNA level however is not that important at all. There is a distinction between a simulator and emulator when discussing lab training solutions. There is a CCNA rating assigned to each platform and a comparison table as well. The primary metrics used for comparison here are cost, platform, features, usage, and ease of installation. The following training platforms comprise the best options available for CCNA students.
That will also help with managing your study review before the exam. Streamline your study plan to align 100% with the new CCNA curriculum. The best strategy and key to passing your CCNA certification is the right information instead of more information. OSPFv2 is the only dynamic routing protocol however you should know all routing protocols within the context of route selection (administrative distance). There is no troubleshooting and noticeably less configuration topics that are mentioned in the new curriculum. The purpose of operational commands is to verify the running status of network devices and connectivity.ĬCNA is now a foundational certification for all higher level certifications (CCNP, CCIE etc.) so it is now much less specialized than the previous exam. There are however questions that require knowledge of protocol configuration and operational commands. The new exam has changed significantly and lab simulations are no longer on the exam. Candidates with experience have passed CCNA with well-designed practice tests only. It is true that experience plays a significant part in any certification exam. It is important to dispel the marketing hype and confusion that often surrounds CCNA lab training. CCNA 200-301: What Does It Really Require? This article will discuss all lab training solutions and select CCNA best-in-class.
The best lab training platform should provide a balance of features, functionality, ease of use and cost. It is often used in conjunction with a study guide or course. Lab training is a learn by doing approach for real-world experience with configuration of network topologies. So where do you start and what lab training platform works best for CCNA? Cisco CCNA is a foundational networking certification that requires knowledge of IOS configuration of multiple protocols. Selecting the proper lab training platform is fundamental to preparing for CCNA certification.