A competent and professional consultant (vs a salesperson) will cover in some detail your current experience level and abilities. This is paramount to establishing your study start-point. If you've got any real-world experience or certification, it may be that your starting point of study is very different to someone completely new. Always consider starting with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. This can help whip your basic knowledge into shape and make the learning curve a much easier going.

It's not uncommon for companies to offer inclusive exam guarantees - they always involve paying for the exam fees up-front, at the very beginning of your studies. Before you jump at this so-called guarantee, be aware of the facts:

Certainly it isn't free - you're still footing the bill for it - the price has simply been included in the whole thing. Those who take exams one at a time, paying for them just before taking them are far more likely to pass first time. They are mindful of what they've paid and so are more inclined to be up to the task.

Find the best exam deal or offer available when you take the exam, and keep hold of your own money. You also get more choice of where you do your exams - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on exams when you didn't need to? Big margins are made by companies charging all their exam fees up-front - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. In addition to this, many exam guarantees are worthless. Most companies won't be prepared to pay for you to re-take until you're able to demonstrate an excellent mock pass rate.

Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on 'Exam Guarantees' is remiss - when hard work, commitment and the right preparation via exam simulations is what will really guarantee success.

Fundamentally, the backbone of Cisco technologies are their routers, data-switches & controllers. Information can move around a 'network ' because of these Cisco tools. PC's require an operating system to connect up within their network, but also the 'hardware' has its very own 'system' that needs to be set-up and maintained. For a network to run efficiently there needs to be on-going trouble-shooting, with frequent reprogramming & reconfiguring. With the move to complete system-integration of voice and data in modern corporate offices (as well as military & other circumstances), Cisco is at the pinnacle of most modern communications.

There is a range of certification tracks to go onto after completing your 'CCNA'. Specialized fields that include security, or Wireless Technology could be looked into, or maybe the 'CCNP' (Cisco Certified Networking Professional) which is more advanced. The step-up from the CCNA to 'CCNP' is rather big, so its advisable to focus on completing your 'CCNA' first. It is advisable to have 2 yrs of industry experience together with your 'CCNA' ahead of progressing on to the 'CCNP' certification. If however you have already been in the industry for a while, & have already gained a accreditation that is equivalent to the CCNA (e.g. whilst in the armed forces) you may be able to move directly onto CCNP. The bottom line is that if you're starting in it, no employer will expect you to have got to such a high level of qualification, & could quite rightly question your real understanding, if you've not even worked in a CCNA job first.

Some training companies will only provide basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); It's rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover. some companies only provide email support (slow), and telephone support is usually to a call-centre who will take the information and email an instructor - who'll call back sometime over the next 1-3 days, when it suits them. This is all next to useless if you're lost and confused and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.

The most successful trainers incorporate three or four individual support centres from around the world. They use an online interactive interface to join them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, there is always help at hand, without any contact issues or hassle. Look for a trainer that gives this level of learning support. Only true live 24x7 round-the-clock support provides the necessary backup.

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