Certifications

Lesley Longhurst

13 Dec 2016 13 Dec '16

7:32 a.m.

Hi all, As an all-purpose leading network bod for my company, what's a good certification strategy? I deal with a wide range of stuff from local LANs to international backbones, and it's high time I got myself a piece of paper to "prove" that I know some stuff. Is CCNA still a good starting point? Lesley Longhurst Opus International Consultants Ltd, 33 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand PO Box 30 845, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand +64 4 471 7002 +64 21 244 3718 lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nzmailto:lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nz www.opus.co.nzhttp://www.opus.co.nz/

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Nathan Ward

13 Dec 13 Dec

8:35 a.m.

...

On 14/12/2016, at 3:32 PM, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

Hi all, As an all-purpose leading network bod for my company, what’s a good certification strategy? I deal with a wide range of stuff from local LANs to international backbones, and it’s high time I got myself a piece of paper to “prove” that I know some stuff.

Is CCNA still a good starting point?

Hi, I put no stock in certifications. Some hold different views, but, I don’t care for them. Some of the people at the top of my internal “do not hire” list for lack of skill are CCIE holders. While certainly not the rule, JNCIE tends to indicate a better quality of skill, and I understand the process to get it is a lot harder. Anyway, the only value, in my view, is getting better discounts from vendors if you’re a reseller. Given that, go down whatever certification track works best for your vendor to get and retain the partner status for your company. -- Nathan Ward

Criggie

8:53 a.m.

Lesley Longhurst wrote:

...

As an all-purpose leading network bod for my company, what's a good certification strategy? I deal with a wide range of stuff from local LANs to international backbones, and it's high time I got myself a piece of paper to "prove" that I know some stuff. Is CCNA still a good starting point?

Here's a starter for you... http://criggie.org.nz/crap/ccfa.png If you can slip CCFA into a conversation with a straight face, even better. Personally, the only place I ever worked that cared about paper was a high school because they got additional funding for each uni graduate employed whether it was useful or not. -- Criggie http://criggie.org.nz/

Chris O'Donoghue

9:04 a.m.

Lesley Longhurst

9:22 a.m.

I probably should have provided a bit more context. I’ve been “in the industry” since 1985 and I know just how little a piece of paper is ACTUALLY worth in relation to real experience. I’ve recently had a change of job title, and the new one has the N word in it. And although I have been doing network stuff off and on for decades, I’m on a learning curve. I’ve picked up a lot of info on the run, but I recognise that there are some gaps in my knowledge. I’m looking for the most sensible path to fill those gaps, and “I’m going for certs” is one way to justify training expenditure. I work for a company of 3000+ people located in various countries, and I’m the one global “resource” for our networks. I need to know a lot of stuff. From: Chris O'Donoghue [mailto:chris(a)tasman.net] Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 5:05 p.m. To: Lesley Longhurst Cc: Nznog Subject: Re: [nznog] Certifications I think it depends on your career track. If you intend being a network admin for a normal company then common certifications help. If you want to work with a network company it matters much less. However, overseas, if you don't have a reputation, then certification will help. Chris On 14/12/2016 15:32, Lesley Longhurst mailto:Lesley.Longhurst(a)opus.co.nz> wrote: Hi all, As an all-purpose leading network bod for my company, what’s a good certification strategy? I deal with a wide range of stuff from local LANs to international backbones, and it’s high time I got myself a piece of paper to “prove” that I know some stuff. Is CCNA still a good starting point? Lesley Longhurst Opus International Consultants Ltd, 33 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand PO Box 30 845, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand +64 4 471 7002 +64 21 244 3718 lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nzmailto:lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nz www.opus.co.nzhttp://www.opus.co.nz/

Dave Mill

9:57 a.m.

I found going down the Juniper service provider track to JNCIP-SP to be pretty useful and it filled some gaps in my knowledge. Certs don't provide real world experience, but they do prove that you have pretty broad knowledge on your chosen certification path. Cheers Dave On Wed, Dec 14, 2016 at 5:22 PM, Lesley Longhurst < Lesley.Longhurst(a)opus.co.nz> wrote:

...

I probably should have provided a bit more context.

I’ve been “in the industry” since 1985 and I know just how little a piece of paper is ACTUALLY worth in relation to real experience. I’ve recently had a change of job title, and the new one has the N word in it. And although I have been doing network stuff off and on for decades, I’m on a learning curve. I’ve picked up a lot of info on the run, but I recognise that there are some gaps in my knowledge.

I’m looking for the most sensible path to fill those gaps, and “I’m going for certs” is one way to justify training expenditure.

I work for a company of 3000+ people located in various countries, and I’m the one global “resource” for our networks. I need to know a lot of stuff.

*From:* Chris O'Donoghue [mailto:chris(a)tasman.net] *Sent:* Wednesday, 14 December 2016 5:05 p.m. *To:* Lesley Longhurst *Cc:* Nznog *Subject:* Re: [nznog] Certifications

I think it depends on your career track.

If you intend being a network admin for a normal company then common certifications help. If you want to work with a network company it matters much less.

However, overseas, if you don't have a reputation, then certification will help.

Chris

On 14/12/2016 15:32, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

Hi all,

As an all-purpose leading network bod for my company, what’s a good certification strategy? I deal with a wide range of stuff from local LANs to international backbones, and it’s high time I got myself a piece of paper to “prove” that I know some stuff.

Is CCNA still a good starting point?

*Lesley Longhurst*

Opus International Consultants Ltd, 33 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand

PO Box 30 845, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand

+64 4 471 7002 <+64%204-471%207002> +64 21 244 3718 <+64%2021%20244%203718> lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nz

www.opus.co.nz

_______________________________________________ NZNOG mailing list NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nz https://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/nznog

Nathan Ward

10:03 a.m.

...

On 14/12/2016, at 5:22 PM, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

I probably should have provided a bit more context.

I’ve been “in the industry” since 1985 and I know just how little a piece of paper is ACTUALLY worth in relation to real experience. I’ve recently had a change of job title, and the new one has the N word in it. And although I have been doing network stuff off and on for decades, I’m on a learning curve. I’ve picked up a lot of info on the run, but I recognise that there are some gaps in my knowledge.

I’m looking for the most sensible path to fill those gaps, and “I’m going for certs” is one way to justify training expenditure.

I work for a company of 3000+ people located in various countries, and I’m the one global “resource” for our networks. I need to know a lot of stuff.

OK.. If you’re looking to learn then probably check out Juniper stuff then, it seems to be a bit more focussed on making sure you can practically do things, or perhaps there’s non-vendor certification training you can do? -- Nathan Ward

Joel Wirāmu Pauling

2:44 p.m.

Echoing what others have said. Depending on the router vendor you work most with - sometimes some of the more advanced platform bits are useful. Like the Juniper path the Nokia[sic Alacatel-Lucent] SRA - Service router associate path is similarly useful; IF you work with the 7xxx series a lot. Also they will give you credit for Juniper/Cisco 100/200 level stuff you might have done previously. Personally like others I put no stock in Cert's - I've done a chunk of the courseware for said SRA and some other vendors bits, but you wouldn't find me ever sitting an exam or committing to a track. Also some of the Redhat training is very good as well, if you work with OVS/Linux routing and Virtualisation they have some good content, and their trainers are generally very good in my experience. Disclaimer I work for Nokia, but my observations are my own. On 14 December 2016 at 18:03, Nathan Ward wrote:

...

On 14/12/2016, at 5:22 PM, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

I probably should have provided a bit more context.

I’ve been “in the industry” since 1985 and I know just how little a piece of paper is ACTUALLY worth in relation to real experience. I’ve recently had a change of job title, and the new one has the N word in it. And although I have been doing network stuff off and on for decades, I’m on a learning curve. I’ve picked up a lot of info on the run, but I recognise that there are some gaps in my knowledge.

I’m looking for the most sensible path to fill those gaps, and “I’m going for certs” is one way to justify training expenditure.

I work for a company of 3000+ people located in various countries, and I’m the one global “resource” for our networks. I need to know a lot of stuff.

OK..

If you’re looking to learn then probably check out Juniper stuff then, it seems to be a bit more focussed on making sure you can practically do things, or perhaps there’s non-vendor certification training you can do?

-- Nathan Ward

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Bill Walker

11:18 a.m.

I would suggest you stop looking at certifications and look at which courses cover your gaps. Sent from my Motorola mr1

...

On 14/12/2016, at 5:22 PM, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

I probably should have provided a bit more context.

I’ve been “in the industry” since 1985 and I know just how little a piece of paper is ACTUALLY worth in relation to real experience. I’ve recently had a change of job title, and the new one has the N word in it. And although I have been doing network stuff off and on for decades, I’m on a learning curve. I’ve picked up a lot of info on the run, but I recognise that there are some gaps in my knowledge.

I’m looking for the most sensible path to fill those gaps, and “I’m going for certs” is one way to justify training expenditure.

I work for a company of 3000+ people located in various countries, and I’m the one global “resource” for our networks. I need to know a lot of stuff.

From: Chris O'Donoghue [mailto:chris(a)tasman.net] Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 5:05 p.m. To: Lesley Longhurst Cc: Nznog Subject: Re: [nznog] Certifications

I think it depends on your career track.

If you intend being a network admin for a normal company then common certifications help. If you want to work with a network company it matters much less.

However, overseas, if you don't have a reputation, then certification will help.

Chris

On 14/12/2016 15:32, Lesley Longhurst wrote: Hi all,

As an all-purpose leading network bod for my company, what’s a good certification strategy? I deal with a wide range of stuff from local LANs to international backbones, and it’s high time I got myself a piece of paper to “prove” that I know some stuff.

Is CCNA still a good starting point?

Lesley Longhurst

Opus International Consultants Ltd, 33 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand

PO Box 30 845, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand

+64 4 471 7002 +64 21 244 3718 lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nz

www.opus.co.nz

_______________________________________________ NZNOG mailing list NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nz https://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/nznog

Lesley Longhurst

14 Dec 14 Dec

1:55 a.m.

Fair point. How do suggest I identify the gaps? They are “unknown unknowns”. From: Bill Walker [mailto:bill(a)wjw.nz] Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 7:19 p.m. To: Lesley Longhurst Cc: Nznog Subject: Re: [nznog] Certifications I would suggest you stop looking at certifications and look at which courses cover your gaps. Sent from my Motorola mr1 On 14/12/2016, at 5:22 PM, Lesley Longhurst mailto:Lesley.Longhurst(a)opus.co.nz> wrote: I probably should have provided a bit more context. I’ve been “in the industry” since 1985 and I know just how little a piece of paper is ACTUALLY worth in relation to real experience. I’ve recently had a change of job title, and the new one has the N word in it. And although I have been doing network stuff off and on for decades, I’m on a learning curve. I’ve picked up a lot of info on the run, but I recognise that there are some gaps in my knowledge. I’m looking for the most sensible path to fill those gaps, and “I’m going for certs” is one way to justify training expenditure. I work for a company of 3000+ people located in various countries, and I’m the one global “resource” for our networks. I need to know a lot of stuff. From: Chris O'Donoghue [mailto:chris(a)tasman.net] Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 5:05 p.m. To: Lesley Longhurst mailto:Lesley.Longhurst(a)opus.co.nz> Cc: Nznog mailto:nznog(a)list.waikato.ac.nz> Subject: Re: [nznog] Certifications I think it depends on your career track. If you intend being a network admin for a normal company then common certifications help. If you want to work with a network company it matters much less. However, overseas, if you don't have a reputation, then certification will help. Chris On 14/12/2016 15:32, Lesley Longhurst mailto:Lesley.Longhurst(a)opus.co.nz> wrote: Hi all, As an all-purpose leading network bod for my company, what’s a good certification strategy? I deal with a wide range of stuff from local LANs to international backbones, and it’s high time I got myself a piece of paper to “prove” that I know some stuff. Is CCNA still a good starting point? Lesley Longhurst Opus International Consultants Ltd, 33 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand PO Box 30 845, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand +64 4 471 7002 +64 21 244 3718 lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nzmailto:lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nz www.opus.co.nzhttp://www.opus.co.nz/ _______________________________________________ NZNOG mailing list NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nzmailto:NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nz https://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/nznog https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__list.waikato.ac.nz_mailman_listinfo_nznog&d=DgMFaQ&c=AgHBXVkk0bblyDQ8JQu5Fw&r=GS7biAPGdTTqvAMKqzfBnFsfnGjxHBRLZXbQjbnE0zk&m=VHYSemH5MdvCgEl-3J0mFpAvjCodYqR_ODDMp_cKw34&s=T9t8ehUBa9b8x4L1opLpilmCvGdU14png_KQbBN3Bwg&e=

Graham Brown

2:13 a.m.

Hi Lesley, I've read with great interest the varying comments that have been put forward on this topic, and I agree, in part with the majority of them. Here are my thoughts... If you want to ensure that you have a solid foundation in networking general principles, then I would recommend the study path of the Cisco CCNA - they teach you a lot more than Cisco-specific elements, such as subnetting and it ensures that you have a solid base covered. The Juniper foundation level certification, does not go over any of this, they assume that this has been squared away and go straight into the protocols, the configuration and subsequent troubleshooting of. If you are predominantly working on one vendors equipment, then I would head down their specific track, to become familiar with all of the features and gotchas they have. For example, if you are mainly on M, MX, PTX and T, then the SP track (like Dave) is for you, if it's EX and SRX, then ENT. Same with Cisco, ISR vs ASR, Nexus vs ... As Nathan and others have said, once you are known and have the experience to back you up, then certs become nothing more than an indication that you have achieved XYZ - I work for a vendor partner, so these are mandatory. Other employers base their engineering tiers based on 'A', 'S', 'P' and E certification achievements. Again, like Nathan I have encountered 'Expert' level engineers that could not troubleshoot themselves out of a wet paper bag, nor explain what a VLAN is or RFC1918 - a cert is only an indication of skills or experience, certainly not to be taken as proof of anything more than that. Good luck on your certification path! Graham On 15 December 2016 at 09:55, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

...

Fair point.

How do suggest I identify the gaps? They are “unknown unknowns”.

*From:* Bill Walker [mailto:bill(a)wjw.nz] *Sent:* Wednesday, 14 December 2016 7:19 p.m.

*To:* Lesley Longhurst *Cc:* Nznog *Subject:* Re: [nznog] Certifications

I would suggest you stop looking at certifications and look at which courses cover your gaps.

Sent from my Motorola mr1

On 14/12/2016, at 5:22 PM, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

I probably should have provided a bit more context.

I’ve been “in the industry” since 1985 and I know just how little a piece of paper is ACTUALLY worth in relation to real experience. I’ve recently had a change of job title, and the new one has the N word in it. And although I have been doing network stuff off and on for decades, I’m on a learning curve. I’ve picked up a lot of info on the run, but I recognise that there are some gaps in my knowledge.

I’m looking for the most sensible path to fill those gaps, and “I’m going for certs” is one way to justify training expenditure.

I work for a company of 3000+ people located in various countries, and I’m the one global “resource” for our networks. I need to know a lot of stuff.

*From:* Chris O'Donoghue [mailto:chris(a)tasman.net ] *Sent:* Wednesday, 14 December 2016 5:05 p.m. *To:* Lesley Longhurst *Cc:* Nznog *Subject:* Re: [nznog] Certifications

I think it depends on your career track.

If you intend being a network admin for a normal company then common certifications help. If you want to work with a network company it matters much less.

However, overseas, if you don't have a reputation, then certification will help.

Chris

On 14/12/2016 15:32, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

Hi all,

As an all-purpose leading network bod for my company, what’s a good certification strategy? I deal with a wide range of stuff from local LANs to international backbones, and it’s high time I got myself a piece of paper to “prove” that I know some stuff.

Is CCNA still a good starting point?

*Lesley Longhurst*

Opus International Consultants Ltd, 33 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand

PO Box 30 845, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand

+64 4 471 7002 <+64%204-471%207002> +64 21 244 3718 <+64%2021%20244%203718> lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nz

www.opus.co.nz

_______________________________________________ NZNOG mailing list NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nz https://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/nznog https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__list.waikato.ac.nz_mailman_listinfo_nznog&d=DgMFaQ&c=AgHBXVkk0bblyDQ8JQu5Fw&r=GS7biAPGdTTqvAMKqzfBnFsfnGjxHBRLZXbQjbnE0zk&m=VHYSemH5MdvCgEl-3J0mFpAvjCodYqR_ODDMp_cKw34&s=T9t8ehUBa9b8x4L1opLpilmCvGdU14png_KQbBN3Bwg&e=

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Lesley Longhurst

2:30 a.m.

Thanks Graham, that is a very thoughtful and useful piece of feedback. And thanks to everyone else who has answered – it’s all useful. I’ve also had a recommendation to aim for CCDP – this makes sense to me, as I’m on the “customer” side of the fence and need to be able to assess offerings from various vendors using a variety of technologies. I think what I’m probably going to do is sign up for IT Pro TV and start by working through their CCNA materials, with a longer-term view of heading towards CCDP or similar. From: gbrown.kiwi(a)gmail.com [mailto:gbrown.kiwi(a)gmail.com] On Behalf Of Graham Brown Sent: Thursday, 15 December 2016 10:14 a.m. To: Lesley Longhurst Cc: Bill Walker ; Nznog Subject: Re: [nznog] Certifications Hi Lesley, I've read with great interest the varying comments that have been put forward on this topic, and I agree, in part with the majority of them. Here are my thoughts... If you want to ensure that you have a solid foundation in networking general principles, then I would recommend the study path of the Cisco CCNA - they teach you a lot more than Cisco-specific elements, such as subnetting and it ensures that you have a solid base covered. The Juniper foundation level certification, does not go over any of this, they assume that this has been squared away and go straight into the protocols, the configuration and subsequent troubleshooting of. If you are predominantly working on one vendors equipment, then I would head down their specific track, to become familiar with all of the features and gotchas they have. For example, if you are mainly on M, MX, PTX and T, then the SP track (like Dave) is for you, if it's EX and SRX, then ENT. Same with Cisco, ISR vs ASR, Nexus vs ... As Nathan and others have said, once you are known and have the experience to back you up, then certs become nothing more than an indication that you have achieved XYZ - I work for a vendor partner, so these are mandatory. Other employers base their engineering tiers based on 'A', 'S', 'P' and E certification achievements. Again, like Nathan I have encountered 'Expert' level engineers that could not troubleshoot themselves out of a wet paper bag, nor explain what a VLAN is or RFC1918 - a cert is only an indication of skills or experience, certainly not to be taken as proof of anything more than that. Good luck on your certification path! Graham On 15 December 2016 at 09:55, Lesley Longhurst mailto:Lesley.Longhurst(a)opus.co.nz> wrote: Fair point. How do suggest I identify the gaps? They are “unknown unknowns”. From: Bill Walker [mailto:bill(a)wjw.nzmailto:bill(a)wjw.nz] Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 7:19 p.m. To: Lesley Longhurst mailto:Lesley.Longhurst(a)opus.co.nz> Cc: Nznog mailto:nznog(a)list.waikato.ac.nz> Subject: Re: [nznog] Certifications I would suggest you stop looking at certifications and look at which courses cover your gaps. Sent from my Motorola mr1 On 14/12/2016, at 5:22 PM, Lesley Longhurst mailto:Lesley.Longhurst(a)opus.co.nz> wrote: I probably should have provided a bit more context. I’ve been “in the industry” since 1985 and I know just how little a piece of paper is ACTUALLY worth in relation to real experience. I’ve recently had a change of job title, and the new one has the N word in it. And although I have been doing network stuff off and on for decades, I’m on a learning curve. I’ve picked up a lot of info on the run, but I recognise that there are some gaps in my knowledge. I’m looking for the most sensible path to fill those gaps, and “I’m going for certs” is one way to justify training expenditure. I work for a company of 3000+ people located in various countries, and I’m the one global “resource” for our networks. I need to know a lot of stuff. From: Chris O'Donoghue [mailto:chris(a)tasman.net] Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 5:05 p.m. To: Lesley Longhurst mailto:Lesley.Longhurst(a)opus.co.nz> Cc: Nznog mailto:nznog(a)list.waikato.ac.nz> Subject: Re: [nznog] Certifications I think it depends on your career track. If you intend being a network admin for a normal company then common certifications help. If you want to work with a network company it matters much less. However, overseas, if you don't have a reputation, then certification will help. Chris On 14/12/2016 15:32, Lesley Longhurst mailto:Lesley.Longhurst(a)opus.co.nz> wrote: Hi all, As an all-purpose leading network bod for my company, what’s a good certification strategy? I deal with a wide range of stuff from local LANs to international backbones, and it’s high time I got myself a piece of paper to “prove” that I know some stuff. Is CCNA still a good starting point? Lesley Longhurst Opus International Consultants Ltd, 33 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand PO Box 30 845, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand +64 4 471 7002tel:+64%204-471%207002 +64 21 244 3718tel:+64%2021%20244%203718 lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nzmailto:lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nz www.opus.co.nzhttp://www.opus.co.nz/ _______________________________________________ NZNOG mailing list NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nzmailto:NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nz https://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/nznog https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__list.waikato.ac.nz_mailman_listinfo_nznog&d=DgMFaQ&c=AgHBXVkk0bblyDQ8JQu5Fw&r=GS7biAPGdTTqvAMKqzfBnFsfnGjxHBRLZXbQjbnE0zk&m=VHYSemH5MdvCgEl-3J0mFpAvjCodYqR_ODDMp_cKw34&s=T9t8ehUBa9b8x4L1opLpilmCvGdU14png_KQbBN3Bwg&e= _______________________________________________ NZNOG mailing list NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nzmailto:NZNOG(a)list.waikato.ac.nz https://list.waikato.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/nznog https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__list.waikato.ac.nz_mailman_listinfo_nznog&d=DgMFaQ&c=AgHBXVkk0bblyDQ8JQu5Fw&r=GS7biAPGdTTqvAMKqzfBnFsfnGjxHBRLZXbQjbnE0zk&m=005KHEHk3ERKfRRlO6ziL-dhlOMcD-jhY3hKAk1_xok&s=yDKhGuRUL3E4BdAT57EPt-cwuQx6mSYerGtDY31nrlk&e=

Jay Daley

2:25 a.m.

Lesley

...

On 15/12/2016, at 9:55 AM, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

Fair point.

How do suggest I identify the gaps? They are “unknown unknowns”.

If you’ve been in the industry since '85 then it sounds as if you’re as old as me and probably part of the same generation who read stuff written on paper and bound into books - in that case try the very old but utterly indispensable "Interconnections: Bridges, Routers, Switches, and Internetworking Protocols" by Radia Perlman and skip the chapters on IPX and Appletalk. https://www.amazon.com/Interconnections-Bridges-Switches-Internetworking-Pro... cheers Jay -- Jay Daley Chief Executive NZRS Ltd desk: +64 4 931 6977 mobile: +64 21 678840 linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jaydaley

Bill Walker

2:41 a.m.

Usually the gaps are identified when I am explaining to other staff how things work. Or when we are planning a new deployment. If you don't have those options available too you, something like the CCNA courseware would be a good start. On 2016-12-15 09:55, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

...

Fair point.

How do suggest I identify the gaps? They are “unknown unknowns”.

FROM: Bill Walker [mailto:bill(a)wjw.nz] SENT: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 7:19 p.m. TO: Lesley Longhurst CC: Nznog SUBJECT: Re: [nznog] Certifications

I would suggest you stop looking at certifications and look at which courses cover your gaps.

Sent from my Motorola mr1

On 14/12/2016, at 5:22 PM, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

...
I probably should have provided a bit more context.

I’ve been “in the industry” since 1985 and I know just how little a piece of paper is ACTUALLY worth in relation to real experience. I’ve recently had a change of job title, and the new one has the N word in it. And although I have been doing network stuff off and on for decades, I’m on a learning curve. I’ve picked up a lot of info on the run, but I recognise that there are some gaps in my knowledge.

I’m looking for the most sensible path to fill those gaps, and “I’m going for certs” is one way to justify training expenditure.

I work for a company of 3000+ people located in various countries, and I’m the one global “resource” for our networks. I need to know a lot of stuff.

FROM: Chris O'Donoghue [mailto:chris(a)tasman.net] SENT: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 5:05 p.m. TO: Lesley Longhurst CC: Nznog SUBJECT: Re: [nznog] Certifications

I think it depends on your career track.

If you intend being a network admin for a normal company then common certifications help. If you want to work with a network company it matters much less.

However, overseas, if you don't have a reputation, then certification will help.

Chris

On 14/12/2016 15:32, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

...
Hi all,

As an all-purpose leading network bod for my company, what’s a good certification strategy? I deal with a wide range of stuff from local LANs to international backbones, and it’s high time I got myself a piece of paper to “prove” that I know some stuff.

Is CCNA still a good starting point?

LESLEY LONGHURST

Opus International Consultants Ltd, 33 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand

PO Box 30 845, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand

+64 4 471 7002 +64 21 244 3718 lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nz

www.opus.co.nz [1]

...
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Dave Mill

2:59 a.m.

When doing some Juniper certs the course contents/index was the most useful thing to establish gaps. It also helped deem what time to spend on different sections. For me I spent a long time on my bad subjects (Multicast, ISIS) and did very little study on things like OSPF, BGP and MPLS. On Thu, Dec 15, 2016 at 10:41 AM, Bill Walker wrote:

...

Usually the gaps are identified when I am explaining to other staff how things work.

Or when we are planning a new deployment.

If you don't have those options available too you, something like the CCNA courseware would be a good start.

On 2016-12-15 09:55, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

...
Fair point.

How do suggest I identify the gaps? They are “unknown unknowns”.

FROM: Bill Walker [mailto:bill(a)wjw.nz] SENT: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 7:19 p.m. TO: Lesley Longhurst CC: Nznog SUBJECT: Re: [nznog] Certifications

I would suggest you stop looking at certifications and look at which courses cover your gaps.

Sent from my Motorola mr1

On 14/12/2016, at 5:22 PM, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

I probably should have provided a bit more context.

...
I’ve been “in the industry” since 1985 and I know just how little a piece of paper is ACTUALLY worth in relation to real experience. I’ve recently had a change of job title, and the new one has the N word in it. And although I have been doing network stuff off and on for decades, I’m on a learning curve. I’ve picked up a lot of info on the run, but I recognise that there are some gaps in my knowledge.

I’m looking for the most sensible path to fill those gaps, and “I’m going for certs” is one way to justify training expenditure.

I work for a company of 3000+ people located in various countries, and I’m the one global “resource” for our networks. I need to know a lot of stuff.

FROM: Chris O'Donoghue [mailto:chris(a)tasman.net] SENT: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 5:05 p.m. TO: Lesley Longhurst CC: Nznog SUBJECT: Re: [nznog] Certifications

I think it depends on your career track.

If you intend being a network admin for a normal company then common certifications help. If you want to work with a network company it matters much less.

However, overseas, if you don't have a reputation, then certification will help.

Chris

On 14/12/2016 15:32, Lesley Longhurst wrote:

Hi all,

...
As an all-purpose leading network bod for my company, what’s a good certification strategy? I deal with a wide range of stuff from local LANs to international backbones, and it’s high time I got myself a piece of paper to “prove” that I know some stuff.

Is CCNA still a good starting point?

LESLEY LONGHURST

Opus International Consultants Ltd, 33 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand

PO Box 30 845, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand

+64 4 471 7002 +64 21 244 3718 lesley.longhurst(a)opus.co.nz

www.opus.co.nz [1]

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