Tools to learn?

[macten]

I'm currently studying a CCENT book and I work in a pretty relaxed environment where I troubleshoot computers on our network. About 100 PC's, 2 servers. I have a pretty solid understanding of how things work, just trying to learn the details and more advanced topics. Wanted to know what I could do at home as well to practice that's not extremely costly to increase my learning. I've got a 2 laptops, 2 netgear wifi routers one not being used, the other one I have set up for two wireless networks, a private and guest. Working on building a good desktop which I hope to have done within a few months. Any suggestions/ideas on setting these machines up in a way that would make me think and increase my knowledge, in more detail, on setting a network up?

 

[unoriginal1]

I would try posting your question at Techexams.net they are geared around studying for certs and have some extremely knowledgeable members when it comes to studying for certs etc. Not knocking on Tom's there are plenty of quality individuals here but there are also a lot of gaming enthusiasts more geared around A+ type stuff. I'd also try to get your hands on a couple of cisco switches/routers to add to your home lab since that is going to be what your studying for.. as you already know. Cisco is unlike any other company.... I think they personally love to make things more difficult then they should 😛.

 

[macten]

I would try posting your question at Techexams.net they are geared around studying for certs and have some extremely knowledgeable members when it comes to studying for certs etc. Not knocking on Tom's there are plenty of quality individuals here but there are also a lot of gaming enthusiasts more geared around A+ type stuff. I'd also try to get your hands on a couple of cisco switches/routers to add to your home lab since that is going to be what your studying for.. as you already know. Cisco is unlike any other company.... I think they personally love to make things more difficult then they should 😛.

Thank you, I think I've found my answer there after digging through the stickies on their forums. I always thought Cisco routers were going to be way out of budget for me. But it seems they have a pretty neat little setup that doesn't look too terribly expensive.

 

[unoriginal1]

I would try posting your question at Techexams.net they are geared around studying for certs and have some extremely knowledgeable members when it comes to studying for certs etc. Not knocking on Tom's there are plenty of quality individuals here but there are also a lot of gaming enthusiasts more geared around A+ type stuff. I'd also try to get your hands on a couple of cisco switches/routers to add to your home lab since that is going to be what your studying for.. as you already know. Cisco is unlike any other company.... I think they personally love to make things more difficult then they should 😛.

Thank you, I think I've found my answer there after digging through the stickies on their forums. I always thought Cisco routers were going to be way out of budget for me. But it seems they have a pretty neat little setup that doesn't look too terribly expensive.

Ya, there are some affordable ones that you can pick up used on ebay. A bit outdated but will be sufficient to get the knowledge. Glad that you found what you were looking for. I'm in the exact same position you are, basically im an assistant to the network admin in a mid sized business (about 250ish pcs) and getting ready to start studying for my ccna (when i get motivated lol) so ive been checking into the same.

Good luck on your studies and test!