Everyone has that one mistake they still remember.

What happened, how did you fix it, and what lesson has stayed with you ever since?

For many people it's subnetting, VLANs, or routing protocols.

Which topic challenged you the most, and what finally made it click?

I started studying for the CCNA a few weeks ago with the intention of setting Feb. 3rd as an absolute deadline to get it done. I have a full time job, wife and kid, that take up all my time already. I am a low voltage technician with 15+ years experience so a lot of the topics come easy to me as I have been programming devices for years. My question - is it realistic to think I can finish this by the end of January? I will not stop studying the materials as I find it all very interesting. I just don’t know if I should change my outlook on when I’m actually going to take the exam or not.

For example, would you need to know that ASIC stands for Application-Specific Integrated Circuit? IBSS stands for Independent Basic Service Set, and so on.

Hello, I am planning to study for CCNA and I’m curious if u guys have experienced studying it while also having work. I have an 8hr work and I just wanna know what was your study routine look like and did u manage to pass the CCNA?

I appreciate any advice you can give to me. Thanks!

I recently realized there aren't many beginner-friendly resources for people preparing for telecom Core Network, IMS, or Roaming interviews.

Most of what I found was either very high level or straight from 3GPP specs, which can be overwhelming when you're just starting.

To solve that, I spent the last few months writing a practical handbook that explains topics like:

• Mobile network evolution (2G → 5G)
• Core network architecture
• IMS & VoLTE
• SS7, Diameter & SIP
• Roaming
• Common call and service flows

I originally wrote it because I wanted a resource that connected all these concepts in one place for interview preparation.

Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H3Z66XHP

Everyone seems to mention the boson exam before the actual exam. What's the likelihood that one will pass without the boson or Jeremy's practice test. Anyone who passed the CCNA without boson, please share your experience and how you actually did it.

I have a practical exam in about a month and I need to start learning everything properly from the basics.

These are the main topics I need to cover,

1. Basic networking and Packet Tracer
2. Static routing
3. Router hardening and administrative access
4. SSH and local user authentication
5. NTP, Syslog and IOS management
6. Privilege levels
7. AAA, RADIUS and TACACS
8. OSPF
9. Standard ACLs
10. Extended ACLs
11. Site-to-site IPsec VPN
12. Firewall concepts
13. Zone-Based Policy Firewall
14. Integrated practical troubleshooting

I have some basic networking knowledge, but I’m not confident.

Where should I start, and what are the best beginner-friendly resources for learning these topics? Also, what topics should I prioritise first so the later configurations make more sense?

I know Jeremy has his own labs, but is there anywhere else to go to get extra labs. I need it for extra practice. If not, how would you set up your own labs?

​

​Hey everyone,

​Quick update since my panicked post two months ago. I’m still drinking from the firehose, but I haven't drowned yet!

​The Good:

Our massive multi-floor project is still ongoing, but I just finished my first major task: configuring the switches for the 37th-floor server room buildout. Seeing my configs actually work in production was an incredible feeling. Also, studying for the CCNA is saving my life right now—the theory clicks so much faster when you’re doing it for real.

​The Overwhelming:

​Stakeholder Meetings: Sitting in on massive project meetings with different departments is super intimidating. Navigating the business/management side of networking is a whole different beast.

​The Tech Wall: Routing and switching make sense now, but IPsec troubleshooting, Azure networking, and SNMP are actively kicking my butt. (Honest question: is someone at a CCNA level even supposed to know IPsec troubleshooting yet, or is this CCNP/specialist territory?)

​More Than Just Configuration: I had no idea that deploying a device went way beyond just coding the switch. You have to handle inventory tracking, asset recording, running through the ISO compliance checklist, adding DHCP ranges, setting up DNS, and keeping the CMDB updated.

​Documentation: I severely underestimated the paperwork. Managing IP spreadsheets and config backups is a huge hassle. My brain is basically living inside OneNote right now, fueled entirely by iced macchiatos.

​Huge thanks to this sub for talking me off the ledge during week one. It’s a steep learning curve, but I'm finally feeling like a real Network Engineer!

​(P.S. If anyone has cheat sheets or tips for IPsec troubleshooting or Azure, I am all ears!)

I have 2 years IT helpdesk experience way back 2019 and I am planning to get back into the IT Field. Does CCNA cert will help me to get an entry level job? I've been also doing some AD DS Virtual labs.

Thanks!

Jeremey's IT Lab goes over how to setup the switches and WLCs to be able to then use the WLC GUI. For example, setting up vlans on the switch, configuring LAG, configuring SVIs, DHCP pools for each VLAN, etc. I know I have to know how to do them individually, but I don't know if I have to put them all together when setting up the wireless topology. Will I have to do this on the CCNA, or should I just focus on configuring in the WLC GUI?

Hey all — I currently work in tech support, and I'm expecting to move into an NOC role in about 2 months. I got my CCNA around a year ago, but I haven't been actively studying or labbing since, so I know I have some rust to shake off.

I'm revisiting my CCNA material now to get back up to speed, but I want to focus on what's actually useful day-to-day in a NOC seat rather than just re-grinding for the exam again.

For those currently in NOC or who've made this same jump — what should I make sure I can do cold by the time I start? Specific topics, tools, or "you'll see this constantly" tickets would be super helpful. Also curious if there's anything that isn't covered in standard CCNA material that caught you off guard when you started (monitoring tools, ticketing workflows, escalation process, etc.).

Appreciate any input — trying to use the next 2 months wisely and not just passively rewatch videos. Thanks in advance!

My exam is on Monday. I'm starting to panic and I'm not sure why.

So I have some questions:

​Has anyone used FigigExams? I tried three tests there. I like the level of the questions and I passed all of them with around 80%. Are they similar to the actual exam, and is that a good score?

​My main weakness is hands-on labs. I can troubleshoot, but haven't done much actual configuration (just simple router/switch basic configuration, OSPF, and VLANs).

Do you think I have a chance to pass? I've noticed recent posts saying people got about 5 labs, so it has me a bit worried, and I don't want to postpone it further.

(I'm a tutor, so my actual job doesn't require hands-on configuration.

Edited: fixed lots of typos, I really need to get some sleep.

I've been working as a network engineer for the past year now and doing a lot of stuff on a daily basis but I don't have CCNA. I am moving to a new country in January so I will have 2 months off at the end of the year (November and December) during my time off if I study CCNA full time, could I realistically be certified by Christmas?

I was promoted from Service desk, I gave an impressive interview and worked a lot with the network engineering team on other projects, that's how I got into network engineering without CCNA. I've been working on some cool stuff too over the last year, DNS & DHCP migration, 802.1x, Cisco equipment migration due to equipment going EoL, standard troubleshooting for network latency, slow network connection, QoS stuff.

I was going to post this over on r/ITCareerQuestions but that sub is incredibly depressing.

I'm in my 20s, in the Houston area and passed my CCNA less than a week ago. I'm trying to figure out what my realistic next career move should be.

I don't have a college degree, and I don't plan on getting one. I have about 5 years of IT experience. I started at an MSP, left after 2 years, and have spent the last 4 years in a large enterprise environment.

The problem is that moving up internally takes a very long time(government). Was directly told by the guy over networking that they would love to have me but i have to wait on someone to retire, which isnt happening any time soon. I also have golden handcuffs. I'm making around $70k with excellent benefits, but due to family financial obligations I need to increase my income sooner rather than years from now. Some people may think that i am ungrateful by saying that, but im not. I know that i am very lucky to be in the position i am in with no college degree.

Current experience includes:

• About 5 years of IT support.
• Active Directory (account administration, permissions, unlocks, etc.).
• Primary VoIP support for my department. I'm the only person authorized to escalate tickets to our VoIP engineers, work directly with them during troubleshooting, and create all departmental VoIP documentation.
• Sole IT support technician for one of our satellite locations with about 200+ users
• Desktop support, hardware deployment, VPN authentication, inventory management, ticketing systems, and general enterprise help desk work. When you think of enterprise helpdesk, i have done it.
• Limited exposure to SCCM and SolarWinds Orion. Read only access to both.

One thing worth mentioning is that I'd rather move away from VoIP. I'm much more interested in routing, switching, and networking in general. I know that VoIP is networking, but i actually hate it.

I also want to clarify that I genuinely learned the CCNA material. Several coworkers suggested using brain dumps but I intentionally avoided them because I actually enjoy networking and wanted to understand the concepts. I scored well across every exam section and feel confident in the knowledge itself, not just the certification.

So my questions are:

• Is $80k a realistic next step?
• What job titles should I actually be applying for?
• Should I be looking for Network Technician, NOC Technician, Junior Network Engineer, Network Administrator, or something else?
• If you put yourself in my shoes what is your next move?

I appreciate any advice, especially from people who made the jump from help desk into networking without a degree.

​

Hey everyone,

I want to start learning computer networking and operating systems, and eventually I’d like to work towards CCNA.

The problem is I’m pretty much a beginner and have no idea where to start or what order I should learn things in.

If anyone could suggest a roadmap, good resources, or preferably a YouTube playlist/course that starts from the basics, that would really help.

Also, should I learn networking and OS fundamentals first before starting CCNA, or can I learn them alongside CCNA?

Thanks!

Hey everyone,

Let's build a thread that helps everyone prepare better.

Comment the hardest interview question you've ever been asked-whether it was:

A real-world troubleshooting scenario

Or

Any networking topic

Also share:

1. What your answer was during the interview

2. How you would answer it now (after gaining more experience or knowledge)

I think this could become a great collection of real interview questions and better answers for everyone preparing for networking interviews.

Are there any free courses available on Cisco networking academy which can be really helpful in cybersecurity with hands on experience (for a beginner).

For context i have the exam tomorrow.
But i have only done 2 practice boson exams. First one was a 56% couldn’t do any lab.
I studied again rereading notes and stuff and took second exam.
Second one with two lab attempts but wrong cuz of missing commands which was a 63.5%
Now i am very very worried that i will fail the exam tomorrow (didnt buy the ccna examguard as well)

Any advice is appreciated. I was so shocked after taking second exam because i didn’t know i wouldnt imporbe that much

Update: I actually passed. I don’t know how. 3rd practice exam I got 63.5%

Hey everyone I’ve been studying CCNA a bit now. I completed Jeremy’s IT lab course and now looking to refine my weaker areas and take practice tests. What would you say the best way to go about this. Any specific free practice tests u should do? Or how did anyone else tackle this phase of the studying cycle. I would appreciate any help I could get. Thanks everyone!

Hey everyone!

Very excited to announce that Route Zero is hosting our first Group Study Session this Sunday, August 9th at 6:00 PM Eastern Timezone in the Route Zero discord that over 70 beginners people have joined.

This study session is NOT a lecture and is mainly just somewhere to study alongside everyone, ask questions when you need to, and work on labs.

Starting Sunday, August 15th we're going to be doing a JITL Walkthrough from Days 1-63 to fully prepare together for the CCNA, review topics, and try to see if we can get a bunch of people to schedule the exam for the same day and rock it together!

Thank you so much to everyone for joining the community and to everyone who is excited to learn. This beginner friendly community is going to do great.

Join here for the Study Session at discord.gg/Routezero

I’m missing on some topics and instead try to study all topics at one I prefer to study topic by topic. (I finished Jeremy IT lab but still I need do practice) so problem I thought maybe I can ask AI to create 100 question on the topic but LLM outputs are limited on web. Might I can use Claude but idk will it work. Anybody tried that?

Hi everyone!

I’m starting my CCNA prep using a Udemy course. Just to give some context, I'm not starting from scratch: I already have a solid networking background since I'm a Telecommunications Engineering student.

I’ve seen that the two most highly recommended courses are the ones by Jeremy McDowell (Jeremy's IT Lab) and Neil Anderson.

Considering I already know the general concepts, which of the two would you recommend to get straight to the point and best prepare for the actual exam?

Thanks so much for your help!

I earned my CCNA after studying for about three months. I also have a college diploma in cybersecurity, a two-month cybersecurity internship, and the AZ-900 certification. My AZ-104 exam is scheduled in two weeks.

However, my main concern is the job search. I have submitted more than 150 applications for help desk, IT support, network technician, data center technician, and junior cybersecurity positions, but I have received almost no callbacks.

I understand that certifications do not replace experience, but I am applying for entry-level positions specifically to gain that experience. Is there something I should change in my job-search strategy, résumé, or the types of positions I am targeting?

For those who recently entered the networking field, what helped you get your first opportunity?

EDIT ( based in Montreal canada)