Hey all,
Just thought I'd point out that an '05 Yellow Z appears on the home page of Cisco Systems, the world's largest maker of computer network components. It's a link to a video about how Nissan (in it's merger with Renault) is using Cisco technology to move forward after a period of tough times. Some decent shots of the Z in the vid.

http://www.cisco.com

Or, if they've changed the page by the time you read this, click...

Here

 

Score one for the Z33!

 

hell yeah!!!! I work there AND I have a yellow Z.....this is good karma

 

Damn Dave, did you have any influence on this? Why not the pics of your car with the TK kit instead

 

Wow... have tough times and then buy some of the most overpriced routing equipment on the market.

Smart.

 

Let me guess, you'd recommend they run their core on Linux boxes running Zebra and a bunch of 3COM hubs.

I won't argue that Cisco is expensive and that there is competitive, less costly equipment available, but for the most part, when you want world class support, full-featured software and stable, reliable hardware, Cisco is a very safe bet. As a network engineer who supports networks ranging from a couple of boxes in a single data-center to ones that span multiple continents, I can say that the Cisco networks are pleasure to work on.

Anyway, the point of the post wasn't about this, it was about the fact that our Z is made the front page of a web-site that gets probably more than a million hits a day. Still pretty cool.

 

I am studying right now to get my CCNA, I can't wait!!!

 

I'll be taking my CCIE Lab this summer. Not looking forward to it one bit

 

CISSP, in less than 2 weeks... damn, what am I doing here, I should be studying!

*poof-gone*

 

Never buy NEW Cisco stuff, always buy used or open box stuff.

CaptinB

 

just be careful with used stuff because you can't buy service for them and you can't return them so it's a questionable proposition at best. In addition, if you call tech support on them they can't help you unless you pay up front by the hour.

 

Yep, my CCIE Lab is all used stuff, and I have a customer or two that use ebay'd equipment. It's a real pain in the @$$ because we have no vendor support on their gear so certain troubleshooting is almost impossible, like getting PIX crashinfo files interpreted (the online interpreter tools don't work for PIX yet.) You get what you pay for...

 

I still got a ways to go tho before I get my CCNA..
Wish they offered it during the summer aswell.

 

Don't let the CCNA scare you. That test should take about two weeks of evening study to prepare for. One thing I will say is that you need to know and understand the OSI model very well and you should understand subnetting, subnet masks and wildcard masking. These things will extend into about 75% of the principles you are tested on in the CCNA.

Good luck!

 

I know the OSI model and how to subnet, but we havnt learned about wildcard masking or anything like that yet. This Dec. will complete my first semester of the course.
I took the 1st and 2nd semester in highschool a few years ago, but my teacher didnt teach very much so I decided to take them again to get a better understanding.

 

Are you using Cisco Learning Institute or another training provider? If you you're using CLI, they are one of my customers!

It's good that you're taking formal training. You will walk away with a much better understanding of networking, but I think these places tend to inflate the difficulty of exams like the CCNA to justify multiple semesters to get you ready to pass. When I took the exam, I spent 100 bucks or something on RouterSim software and a study guide or two. Two or three weeks later, I was a CCNA. I had just started working in the field at the time, so I had a little more background than some, and that probably helped.

Keep in mind that while it's better than nothing, many employers don't place alot of value in the CCNA certification because it is relatively simple to get. I'm not knocking the cert or the effort it takes to get it, it's simply a sign of the times. Here in the DC area, even the CCIE is greeted with "CCIE huh? That's great, but what have you actually done?" A drastic change from even just a few years ago. Experience really is key. Are you in a tech position now?

 

I am taking the cisco learning program through Nashville State Tech. I am going for my CCNA and after that my CCNP. I am also taking courses about network security, windows server, Unix, and other courses that are required.

I currently do not have a tech position, but I am trying to get a part-time job with HCA for some experience.

 

Sounds like a good plan. Folks who understand multiple technologies are a benefit to many companies, particularly small to mid-size companies that don't have the budget for a person or multiple people per discipline.

The "foot in the door" job is the hardest to come by. After that, the progression becomes quite natural. How's the IT Job market there in Nashville?

 

Damn Computer Nerds..

 

Its pretty good, from what I hear most businesses are always looking for people. My school also helps the people that graduate from the cisco program find a job.