On Fri, Apr 02, 2004 at 10:58:49AM +0100, Craig wrote:
Yep, that's the one. I was planning to do one this September. However, it is all self taught like you said (Using Internet + Cisco routers at CCN). The funding fee for a year course is actually around £1000. Remember that's a YEAR. And you get to spend a friday at the college learning (which you've already stated below).
I was told by the head of the computing centre that the price for the course will drop to £350 by autumn as it has been recognised by the LSC as a accredited qualification, (or something similar I don't recall the exact details) I would speak to them nearer the time if I were you as I have had so many stories I honestly don't think they know :)
Sean Mac who was one of my lecturers when I was on a course at CCN said you can learn at home as well.. But Cisco routers are costly right? (Unless I can go trawling on ebay). Just seems that probably 50% of the money is going to the lecturers saying a lot of rubbish? ;)
Old routers like the 2501 usually sell for less than 100 quid on ebay (especially low spec models which is all you need) and the same for old Catalyst switches. I just did a quick search on Ebay and turned this up http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3088531236&cate... which suggests the prices if you don't want to wait and shop around, of course when you have finished your study you can sell off the kit again on Ebay to some other person who wants to study CCNA.
Ok, you don't get to play with all the latest kit but the Cisco books I bought myself recently come with the simulators so I am pretty sure that you could get everything for quite cheap if you were determined (and if CCN are going to charge ~£1000 then that would buy lots of Cisco kit :)) The only other thing you want to look out for is that things like X.25 cables and AUI dongles can be a bit pricey (well, not hugely so but could add upto 20% onto the price of your home made lab) so try to make sure you get them included when you buy routers etc.
Adam