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What's the best way to prepare for the CCNA exam alone?

I am new to CCNA and want to learn it without joining any institute. Is this possible? And if so, what is the best way to do it? If possible, I am also willing to prepare for the CCNA exams by self-studying it.

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It is always possible to prepare for the CCNA exam by self-studying, but it will take some time to get there. As I have mentioned to many before, the best self-studying path is to take the two test option (INCD-1 and ICND-2) so you can focus your concentration and get two certifications out of it when you pass them both (CCENT and CCNA.)

You also need to get access to some equipment to learn the configuration and troubleshooting commands in the Cisco equipment. You have the option of renting online rack time from providers, buying your own equipment (expensive,) or you can purchase a simulator such as Boson NetSim, which comes with predesigned labs.

Finally, you need some good resource materials to learn the objectives of the exams. Cisco Press has some great titles and I am biased to recommend the CCNA Exam Prep 2 book since I co-authored it.

This was first published in September 2008

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