Watch out for lower quality instructional sources!
My experience with CCENT was horrible. I took a course at my online University that was supposedly geared toward prepping students for the CCENT. My University provided links to 4 or 5 FREE but LOW QUALITY "learning resources." On top of that, we were encouraged to call or email our instructors with any questions. What a waste of time! It turns out that simple Google searches or digging into Wendell Odom's Cert Guide was much faster and more effective. After spinning my wheels for far too long I connected with other self-learners online to discuss more effective learning tools/methods. It turns out I should never have confused myself with any of the 4 or 5 University recommended sources. For me learning Cisco was less about the time or money spent, and more about starting with the right learning tools. How you start makes all the difference. My Cisco learning began in earnest when I started reading the Odom book. Topics that I'd previously learned incorrectly took more time to unlearn, but the things I was exposed to for the first time in the Odom text MADE SENSE THE FIRST TIME!
My recommendations for self-learners just starting out.
1. Watch videos.
I like DansCourses.com for free or Jeremy Cioara's CBTNuggets if you can spend some money. I used both.
2. Learn to subnet early on, and practice intermittently through the rest of your studying.
3. Practice at the command line - A Lot! Either - buy yourself used routers and switches, use GNS3, or use Packet Tracer to do the things you see in the videos.
4. Read a good book to reinforce your weaker areas of knowledge.
Finally, I'd emphasize you should get really comfortable subnetting. A test taker could waste tons of time on the exam and make himself unnecessarily nervous if he's not comfortable working with subnetting. However it works for you, do it, and keep doing it till you are fast. You'll start to see patterns and get really good at counting in increments of 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, and 2. For me, I chose to skip the Odom method of subnetting with magic numbers and 5 chapters of explanation. Instead, I just got real comfortable with the binary. Whenever I was too tired for new and unfamiliar concepts I'd do a few minutes of subnet practice. Try http://www.subnetting.net or http://www.subnettingquestions.com/. Hammer on 'em till you no longer need to think about it!
I am currently studying for ICND2 and having a much better time this time around. And guess what? -The ICND2 topic called "Route Summarization" is no-sweat if you already know how to subnet.
Watch out for lower quality instructional sources!
My experience with CCENT was horrible. I took a course at my online University that was supposedly geared toward prepping students for the CCENT. My University provided links to 4 or 5 FREE but LOW QUALITY "learning resources." On top of that, we were encouraged to call or email our instructors with any questions. What a waste of time! It turns out that simple Google searches or digging into Wendell Odom's Cert Guide was much faster and more effective. After spinning my wheels for far too long I connected with other self-learners online to discuss more effective learning tools/methods. It turns out I should never have confused myself with any of the 4 or 5 University recommended sources. For me learning Cisco was less about the time or money spent, and more about starting with the right learning tools. How you start makes all the difference. My Cisco learning began in earnest when I started reading the Odom book. Topics that I'd previously learned incorrectly took more time to unlearn, but the things I was exposed to for the first time in the Odom text MADE SENSE THE FIRST TIME!
My recommendations for self-learners just starting out.
1. Watch videos.
I like DansCourses.com for free or Jeremy Cioara's CBTNuggets if you can spend some money. I used both.
2. Learn to subnet early on, and practice intermittently through the rest of your studying.
3. Practice at the command line - A Lot! Either - buy yourself used routers and switches, use GNS3, or use Packet Tracer to do the things you see in the videos.
4. Read a good book to reinforce your weaker areas of knowledge.
Finally, I'd emphasize you should get really comfortable subnetting. A test taker could waste tons of time on the exam and make himself unnecessarily nervous if he's not comfortable working with subnetting. However it works for you, do it, and keep doing it till you are fast. You'll start to see patterns and get really good at counting in increments of 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, and 2. For me, I chose to skip the Odom method of subnetting with magic numbers and 5 chapters of explanation. Instead, I just got real comfortable with the binary. Whenever I was too tired for new and unfamiliar concepts I'd do a few minutes of subnet practice. Try http://www.subnetting.net or http://www.subnettingquestions.com/. Hammer on 'em till you no longer need to think about it!
I am currently studying for ICND2 and having a much better time this time around. And guess what? -The ICND2 topic called "Route Summarization" is no-sweat if you already know how to subnet.