What are /r/ccnp's favorite Products & Services?

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I agree with /u/FantaFriday - book your exam near the end of this year, and start studying for an hour or two every day. I highly recommend giving /u/Wax_Trax's "On Learning: Creating Meaningful Flash Cards" blog post (as well as the rest of his On Learning series) a read, then follow through with it and create some flash cards using your tool of choice.

Creating flash cards is a great way to help retain knowledge, but you must review them on a daily basis! Anki is a great tool for efficiently memorizing terms and concepts, I recommend giving it a try.

You're going have to wait, just bad timing on when to start. They are barely shipping out the new Cisco Press Books which tend to have a lot of errors at first. If you look at the errata of the old CCNP Route Book, it's huge. Also, there isn't really any third party content out yet for the new CCNP. CBTNuggets just finished the Route videos today for the new CCNP, it's still in the uncompleted section but it's only missing that first intro video. Also, the CCNP videos CBTNuggets had for the old test were lacking hugely in material needed. INE had way more information in their videos but are longer and more stale. On top of that, I don't think INE has released the videos for the new CCNP either. So really all there is available is the first edition Cisco Press books and the Route videos on CBTNuggets at this time. Non Cisco Books take a while to come out, so that's going to be awhile. I'd just recommend you wait.

Working with switches in GNS3 will cost you the same as working with routers in GNS3: Nothing

It's been 3yrs since I sat NP Switch, but I think the only thing the IOU images wouldn't do was PVLANs. Someone who has used them more recently may have better info.

There are some apps out there to help with focusing as well.

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I use Forest ( https://www.forestapp.cc/ - added bonus of helping environmnet) on my phone when studying, it basically locks the phone so stops me from messaging/social media/whatever else. I use this as a timer too, so as others have said maybe a 20-30 minute period with a small break.

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Another idea is to maybe record all your study times, or topics you've covered. Sometimes seeing the progress you are making can really help drive you to do more.

Yes, the Lammle book is good as is the Cisco FTD book.

Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) (Networking Technology: Security) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1587144808/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_afeUFb26S4FS5

https://www.amazon.com/Enterprise-Wireless-Implementation-300-425-Official/dp/0136600956/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=barton+jerome+wireless&qid=1593712599&sr=8-1

So you can do subnetting in your sleep, configure and troubleshoot OSPF & or EIGRP, know about HSRP, port-channels, VLans, and trunks, static routing, inter-vlan routing and ACLs? You know about broadcast domains and layer 2 security? You know how a switch operates differently than a hub? How a switch builds a mac table, cut threw vs store and forward?

I don't intend for any of that to come off as condescending but that is the type of material you come into contact with for the ICND1.

If any of that is unfamiliar then start at ICND1 and start with this book.

There is definitely an official study Guide for the SCOR. Not sure what country you're in but here's an Amazon US link to the book. Although as a heads up, most people who've passed the CCNP SCOR say the OCG is "close to worthless", which is highly disappointing. The CCNP Security is seriously lacking good study materials, apparently.

Either this which is what I have:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184892933687?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=CdZN_TYyT5W&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=an-n0fdXQx2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Or this which is what I had and returned for the server listed above (much cheaper):

Dell PowerEdge R620 Server... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RJT19GS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Pm me if you want to know more and I can even help you set them up with eve running on them and ready to go.

No, thank you! And yes, it's free. It's actually an app, here's the site to download it: https://www.notion.so/. You can also download it on Android and sync your notes to your phone.

I haven't passed yet, but my plan is: 1. 31 days before your CCNP/CCIE Enterprise exam (to get overview) 2 KW Udemy course (because I like to mix medias) 3. Try 1 Boson Exsim to see where I'm at 4. OCG 5. Boson and white pages to fill gaps

I'm labbimg along the journey with 101network exercises. https://www.amazon.com.au/101-Labs-Enterprise-Hands-350-401-ebook/dp/B08DHMMMGV

I would recommend this book.

Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD): Configuration and Troubleshooting Best Practices for the Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW), Next-Generation ... (AMP) (Networking Technology: Security) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1587144808/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_4VMCC36MZF2MGQ7P8NE5

Source: I passed the exam : )

I recently purchased a new laptop and could not for the life of me get GNS3 to run. However, using this particular version of VMWare (12.5.5), things suddenly started to work. Might be worth a try in case it saves you the headaches I had haha.

https://filehippo.com/download_vmware-workstation-player/74326/ (I bookmarked this link in case I ever needed a reinstall)

I've not got as far as running the tshoot lab! I have built quite a large OSPF topology though with various area types and not faced any issues. Maybe try a small set up using QEMU or dynamips images to check it's not config?

A bit of a long shot but, I came across this as well. Are you using NAT?

https://www.gns3.com/qa/iou-routers-eigrp-ospf-both-flap

https://www.gns3.com/qa/no-console-output-qemu

"I had a console connection issue with ASAv 9.6.1 and 9.7.1. Console was dead and i spent hours looking for any information related to my problem. I was able to open console to QEMU IOU L3/2 and cisco 3725 router image without any troubles. GNS is running on Windows 10 i7 system with VMware Workstation 12. GNS3 VM started just fine, picking up address from my DHCP server and GNS3 was able to connect to it and upload all my ASAv images. I was also able to start ASA, at list topology summary indicator was green, which meant what machine is up and running, but no console connection.** Turn out it was my free AVG Antivirus**. Somehow it was blocking connection to ASA. Even after i whitelisted dynamips.exe as "GNS Doctor" suggested and turned it OFF, AVG was still doing something weird to block ports that ASAs uses to listen for VNC connection requests or vice versa. I had to uninstall it completely. Once AVG uninstalled, everything started to work."

This link helped me fix my configs when testing NAT64. I suspect if you put in a "nat64 v4v6 ... " for the return traffic then it'll work. That's what worked for me anyway.

https://www.gns3.com/discussions/nat64-configuration-for-connecti

www.examguides.com has a good outline of what to learn. I failed the switch my first time as well, needed more practice with VACLs, the 5 flavors of STP, and all of the different "-guard" / UDLD scenarios they throw at you. I second the cert guide, as well as Chris Bryant's CCNP series on udemy.com. Usually not more than $15, though I have had people tell me he doesn't cover a few things as in-depth as necessary. Jeremy Cioara is amazing at making videos engaging, however, i feel like he spends too much time on his allegories. I found myself remembering his anecotes moreso than the course material come test time. Chris Bryant does not have that problem.

I've used real networking equpiment as my lab for a while. eBay is good for finding old, flushed networking equipment. You don't need to get a ton of practice in with things like 10Gb Fiber ($$$$$$$$) so as long as you can grab something with a working flash and find some deprecated cisco IOSs to install. Fast Ethernet is fine for the sake of theory; remember to double check your interface types on the test simlets though :).

Check with your school or if you have a tech job, they might offer reimbursements for passed tests.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0136906435/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_T0C80QMYD7MPZ1DF0GZT here is the link bare in mind I am in Canada. You maybe able to get it cheaper from Cisco if they have any deals going on.

Not exactly a pass-fail question but didn't want to submit a new post just to ask a quick question.

Is this the correct OCG for CCNP ENCOR?

https://www.amazon.com/Enterprise-ENCOR-350-401-Official-Guide/dp/1587145235

Reviews just seem all over the place saying its full of errors. Just want to make sure I am studying the right material and not getting things wrong because of typos or misinformation.

I don't think there's any OCGs, so you'll have to use other text books. I would recommend this one: https://www.amazon.com/Firepower-Threat-Defense-Networking-Technology/dp/1587144808/ref=sr\_1\_3?dchild=1&keywords=cisco+firepower&qid=1625092519&sr=8-3

I'm lucky that my employer is providing what looks like a very expensive instructor led course for ENCOR, which hasn't started yet. My outside materials plan is to buy the official cert guide book and Cisco Modeling Labs Personal and probably nothing else other than making my own flash cards and "cheat sheets" for study time.

https://www.amazon.com/Enterprise-ENCOR-350-401-Official-Guide/dp/1587145235 https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/cisco-modeling-labs-personal/cisco-cml-personal

I'm in the same boat. I passed the SCOR exam and will most likely go to the NGFW/Firepower cert as the concentration and was looking for some suggestions for study material.

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Looks like the Lammle book is the one so far.

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There is another one on the way, but not due out until March 20w21

https://www.amazon.ca/Security-Cisco-Firepower-300-710-Official/dp/0136589707

I have not studied for this test but I know Todd Lammle has a book:

https://www.amazon.com/CCIE-CCNP-Security-SNCF-300-710/dp/B086Y2YWFF/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_1/147-2300955-8370116?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B086Y2YWFF&pd_rd_r=a5942167-b030-4f8a-b116-9a0a2f496d21&pd_rd_w=17Tku&pd_rd_wg=TB6jz&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=7CM1GTQX8P1QT7C6NW7K&psc=1&refRID=7CM1GTQX8P1QT7C6NW7K

As someone who's made this mistake before, GET A BETTER MICROPHONE.

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Microphone-ZAFFIRO-Omnidirectional-Recording-Podcasting/dp/B081R45D2X/

$23, clips to your shirt, and your audio quality is 100% better.

I was able to get Ben Piper's CCNP Enterprise book free from my local library. I've been reading through that and using the OCG guide as a secondary source if I need more info or clarification.

https://smile.amazon.com/CCNP-Enterprise-Certification-Study-Guide-ebook-dp-B086Q68T8L/dp/B086Q68T8L/

Ensp and Huawei certification program HCIP. Idea of BGP same different configuration only. Materials and Ensp is free from Huawei website. I buy this book but did not take labs.

Practical BGP Lab for Huawei routers

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Cisco materials are better when you need to learn theory and concepts. To lab try Huawei.

This is the lab kit i ordered from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SYLP5C0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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The pictures shown are outdated....i got newer models as it mentions in the description. Really a joy configuring this equipment. Zero issues and allows you to complete every command needed for ENARSI knowledge.

>Bridging the Gap between CCNP and CCIE

I personally have not (yet) read it but it has good reviews here and on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/CCIE-Routing-Switching-v5-1-Foundations/dp/1587144727

I power my lab on/off remotely with this: ezOutlet2 - Internet Enabled IP Remote Power Switch with Reboot (AC Power/Single Outlet/iOS/Android/Cloud/Web Controllable) - Newest Model https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0792S1DGZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_k5WyCb95Z75E3

configure a port forward on your home router to get to your console server remotely. Then you can hit all your console lines from there.

OCG = Official Cert Guide: https://www.amazon.com/CWNA-Certified-Wireless-Administrator-Official/dp/111812779X

Other than that, check out Cisco's test review guides; they have one for each test: http://www.ciscopress.com/store/ccnp-wireless-642-732-cuwss-quick-reference-9781587143106

And as always, you'll want real-world deployment experience or LOTS of labbing!

Hopefully Cisco publishes OCG's for the NP eventually...

This?

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https://www.amazon.com/Routing-Switching-Bundle-300-101-Paperback/dp/9332559643/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1539894687&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=ccnp+three+book+combo

I found this book phenomenally helpful for labs. Not to mention I only had a very rudimentary understanding of MPLS before reading it. I'd have paid a considerable amount more than a tenner for it, considering the amount of useful info.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MPLS-Cisco-Networks-Multiprotocol-Switching/dp/1499369778/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540805630&sr=8-1&keywords=mpls

Currently reading through Chris Bryant's study guide. Haven't taken the exam yet so I can't vouch for how much it covers but its an easy read and is nice for understanding big picture concepts. Doesn't go crazy in depth. I definitely would not recommend it as your only study book.

I'm about to take Switch in a few weeks and have used a bunch of different materials. I would definitely recommend the OCG and Chris Bryant. Those two resources give you a ton of information but explain them in different fashions. I would also recommend The CCNP Portable Command Guide. It shows you how to configure anything you could think of. https://www.amazon.com/Routing-Switching-Portable-Command-Guide/dp/1587144344/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487718761&sr=8-1&keywords=ccnp+portable+command+guide

That's why you read the CCIE R&S Guide as a supplemental material. It does not have to be the latest (I have this for example) and greatest and you don't have to stress over it and cram. You just read with great thrill and play around with the ideas you learn in GNS3. Much better way to learn than cram some specific per exam books and be constantly stressed about getting it all. I mean, of course read those books too, but better read something more and know that you are overstocked than try to make it with absolute minimum. After all, let me ask you a question. What to you think of a person who only does the bare minimum? I thought you wanted to express yourself...

CCNP Route Simplified. It hasn't been updated for Version 2 of the exam, but for $10 you can get it on Kindle. The paperback version is like $70, but it's 1000 pages long (it does contain labs). In any case it's still a very good read for EIGRP, OSPF, and BGP. I found the writing style easy to read, in a similar fashion to Lammle.

https://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Route-Simplified-William-Browning/dp/0955781574

Yeah that's more than fine then. The only metric that really matters is RAM, and just quantity, not speed. You can get a cheap 4 port NIC and then connect to your physical switches. VIRL/GNS3 have the router portion of virtualization working 100%, but not the switching. I would recommend a combination of virtual routers and physical switches.

STP Algorithm

1. Select a root bridge
2. select a lowest cost path to the root bridge
3. disable all other root paths

each case has a way to deal with ties.

I strongly recommend you buy a copy of Radia Perlman's "Interconnections: Bridges, Routers, Switches, and Internetworking Protocols" and read the sections where the person who wrote the STP standard explains her work. I found it to be the clearest explanation of the protocol I have read and studied to date.

My apologies. I have used mainly packet tracer and some GNS3 when I did my CCNA. I am wanting physical equipment now for some hands on experience. Would you recommend either of these kits that I found?

http://www.amazon.com/300-101-300-115-300-135-Routing-Switching/dp/B00SA7XKZC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459284628&sr=8-1&keywords=ccnp+lab

http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Massive-CCNA2-5-200-101-100-101/dp/B00OEY2PWO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1459284628&sr=8-3&keywords=ccnp+lab

I'm usb to console... Bout one of these and it's badass!

USB RJ45 Cisco Console Cable FTDI Windows 8 7 MAC Linux RS232 12FT EXTRA LONG! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RY3ELKG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_qbjYwb7J29KVC

Watch, learn, implement and repeat. Read books like all of the main ones, e.g TCP/IP Illustrated when you come to books , there is no limit. I am a poor reader but i wish one day i will be okay. And yeah Go through Blueprint + cisco docs + Maybe INE tutorials as well + Be expect on blueprint if you really want to nail the exam and want to be real professional.

I am trying to read and digest since two or three months but i still sucks (like 1/5 :( ) Good Luck friend.

Thank you!

Chris Bryant on Udemy

http://www.ciscopress.com/store/ccnp-routing-and-switching-v2.0-official-cert-guide-9781587206634

and http://www.amazon.com/Routing-TCP-Volume-2nd-Edition/dp/1587052024

Thanks! Used the below for study:

Chris Bryant on Udemy http://www.ciscopress.com/store/ccnp-routing-and-switching-v2.0-official-cert-guide-9781587206634 and http://www.amazon.com/Routing-TCP-Volume-2nd-Edition/dp/1587052024

I'd say...zero BGP.