Introducing the free study guide for Cisco’s CCENT certification. Here you will find plenty of exam oriented study material for an objectives based learning experience. These objectives are copied directly from Cisco’s website and can be viewed in greater detail here. I will try my best to break down every single objective but you will still need additional training.

The best resources for the CCENT/CCNA are Todd Lammle’s CCNA study guide sixth edition, CCNA Exam Cram, CCENT ExamCram. The CBT Nuggets video series is also recommended, and once you are familiar with networking you should go to Ebay or Ciscoland.net and purchase REAL equipment. 

Table of contents:

Describe the operation of data networks.

Implement a small switched network

Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP services to meet network requirements for a small branch office

Implement a small routed network

Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks required for a WLAN

Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats

Implement and verify WAN links

Make sure to read the books described above and to get as much study material as possible. I will try to make this information as accessible as possible so look in the top left corner of every page for a link back to the introduction.

A Cisco CCENT blog brought to you by GeekCerts. Providing free online technical training resources that help beginners and experts obtain their technical certifications.

The path to certification is pretty straightforward. In order to become a CCNA, you have a choice of taking a single exam or a two-test option.  If you are new to networking, then I would advise against the single exam as it is in-depth, fast-paced, and has a high fail rate. The upside is that you get a CCNA from taking one exam.  The easier way to get a CCNA is by taking two tests, ICND1 and  ICND2. The great thing about this approach is that it takes the exam material from the one test option and chops it in half. If you’re new to networking, it’s a lot easier to study the basics and take the ICND1 before moving on to the ICND2, which covers more advanced topics.

Exams

Single exam: 640-802 - 90 minutes (45-55 questions)

Costs $250 and passing gets you a CCNA certification.

Two-tests option:  ICND1 640-822 &  ICND2 640-816 - 90 minutes (45-50 questions)

Costs $125 each, and you earn a CCENT for passing the first exam, then a CCNA for passing both of them.

The types of questions you will encounter are multiple-choice single-answer, multiple-choice multiple-answer, drag & drop, simlets, and simulations. To get familiar with these types of questions visit Cisco’s online simulator.

Annoyed with Origianal Spam Content

Perhaps you’re a blogger like myself and very committed to delivering quality content.  You’ve undoubtedly Googled your topic to see your Google placement.  It’s also highly probable that About.com has been in the top 3 search results with sub par information. I’m sure for you as a blogger this does generate a large amount of frustration, I know it does for me. My question is for you bloggers and web ninja’s out there.  How do you defeat this monster call About.com and improve your SEO?

Look at some of my posts, you’ll notice that they are of much higher quality than the About page for IT Project+

About.com’s IT Project+ Page
Note: I’ve chaned the links on the “See More About” section to avoid back lighting to their sub par site.

See More About:

• project management
• project+
• study guides
• book reviews

The Bottom Line

This book will prepare you for the IT Project+ exam and hopefully teach you a thing or two about project management.

Pros

• Does an excellent job of covering exam objectives.
• Excellent CD-ROM.
• Understandable, real-world IT scenarios.

Cons

• Sometimes difficult to follow due to diligent adherence to the order of exam objectives.

Description

• Covers all Project+ exam objectives and provides real-world scenarios and a project case study.
• Includes an assessment test and chapter review questions.
• Also includes a 50-question practice exam in the book, and an additional 50-question exam on CD-ROM.

Guide Review - IT Project+ Study Guide
The topic is very subjective and the exam is vendor-neutral. These two factors put together create a gray area that this author must try to fill in to create a cohesive, understandable, and not too dull guide to project management. William Heldman does an admirable job of all three. Speaking from extensive experience in PM, he not only points out how to run a successful project but explains why many projects fail. He also follows, almost to a fault, the Project+ exam objectives. While this make sense for a study guide, it also creates a level of discontinuity. You may have to flip around a bit as you study to ensure you can distinguish the difference between the exam objectives and the subjectiveness of the author’s writing. He is fond of pointing out his opinion on various subjects and uses “I” more frequently than is typical in a manual of this type. But, then again, project management is a people-oriented subject and it is often helpful to learn from another’s experience. Overall, this is a useful guide for getting the Project+ certification, especially if you take advantage of the numerous practice questions. The CD-ROM provides some very helpful study tools, in typical Sybex fashion. The material is solid, if a bit rambling, and the book will certainly give you an excellent post-exam PM reference tool.

You can view the about.com Project+ review by clicking here.

Their Apparent Goal

About.com is a site setup to simply generate revenue by advertisement and provides no real useful information.  RSS feed sites get a lot of flack but at least they generally link to blogs and often blog authors write with passion about their subject and provide helpful content. About.com in my view is worse than the RSS spam sites and posts original spam content.

The content provided concerning the Sybex book is written like the author took 10 minutes to review it and then went to work.  I’d recommend avoiding About.com as your source of useful information, you can do better with a strong keyword search with Google.

GeekCerts, your free online technical training resources for helping beginners and experts obtain their technical certifications.

All information is provided freely and GeekCerts does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of any information is not responsible for any errors or omissions or the results obtained from the use of such information.

http://www.ccnablog.com/

Currently I’m working on the Free CompTIA Project+ Study Guide.  Due to the extensive amount of work that goes into every post for a free study guide I can only focus on one at a time.  Until the CompTIA Project+ Blog is complete the CCNA section will remain inactive.  However, I have been crawling the internet and have found a wonderful blog that contains a ton of useful information.  Check out the link: http://www.ccnablog.com/

The Cisco CCNA Study Blog will be my next project so don’t forget to bookmark GeekCerts.com as we will have an the most in depth free Cisco CCNA body of knowledge available on the internet.

Currently I’m working on creating the CompTIA Project+ Study Guide.  If you are interested in helping contribute to GeekCerts Cisco section please let me know.

I’m seeking someone who has a desire to teach, excellent writing skills, and who has a love of technology.  Duties will include:

• Reading Training Material
• Attending Training Boot Camps
• Review Commercial Training Material

If you would like to participate in this just leave me a comment as to why you feel you’d be a good match.

Thank you,
Eric Hazen

Part of GeekCerts CCNA Study Blog

Course Overview

• Gathering Project Information
• Establishing Project Requirements
• Possessing Multiple Personas
• No Other Choices?
• How to Interview Management
• How to Interview Stakeholders
• Identifying Project Needs
• How to Create Reasonable Expectations
• How to Create a Project Charter
• Project Charter Elements
• How to Establish a Completion Date

Course Objective
Read chapter 1 and review information noted bellow.

Gathering Project Information
“Project management is the ability to administer a series of chronological tasks resulting in a desired goal.”

“A project, technically, is a temporary endeavor to create a unique product or service. Projects are an undertaking outside of the normal operations of an entity.”

“The organization that completes the project work is called the performing organization.”

“The goal of project management is not technology for technology’s sake, but rather a movement toward things like improved customer service, enhanced product quality, and increased profitability.” See figure 1-1

Establishing Project Requirements
“Before the actual project work can begin, the project manager must establish the project requirements with the project stakeholders.”
Stakeholders - Any individuals, groups, or communities that have a vested interest in the outcome of the project.

Your job is to deliver the product/service/support the stakeholders envision. There is absolutely no way you can walk into a meeting with a preconceived solution and achieve success. You must interview the stakeholders to gain a clear vision of what they want and need. Click Here to view a funny little comic strip most project managers have seen but that holds a profound truth concerning project that fail to communicate customers needs accurately.

“Clarity is paramount. When the decision has been handed down that your company will be implementing some new technology, and you’ll be leading the way, you need a clear, thorough understanding of the project’s purpose. Ambiguous projects are a waste of time, talent, and money.”

• Gain clarity by interviewing stakeholders.
• Understand what results will signal the projects end.
• Establish a clear start and end date.
• Establish a path for success by gaining a clear picture of the end result and don’t imbark on a project that is a half baked wish list.

Ask yourself these questions before you start a project

1. Does the project have an exact result?
2. Are there industry or government sanctions/regulations to consider?
3. Does the project have a reasonable deadline?
4. Is the project sponsor someone who has the authority to christen the project?
5. Does the project have a financial commitment?
6. Is someone else doing this already?

Possessing Multiple Personas
There is a lot of information concerning how a project manager should think. Review it and let me know if you agree with the personality the project manager should have. Are there any other questions a project manager should consider?

No Other Choices?
“At the start of a project, in its very genesis, ensure that the proposed technology is the correct technology…You’ll need to create a list of questions and then find the appropriate technology that offers the needed solution,works with your current systems, and fits within your budget. Having the right technology to begin with ensures success at the project’s end.”

How to Interview Management
“You need a strong commitment from from management to the project. You need to share management’s vision of how the end results will benefit the company.”

“When you approach management to find out why the project needs to happen you aren’t questioning their decision making ability. You are, however, questioning what their vision is for the project.”

While working for Precision Estimating I ran into a situation where a manager said he wanted to implement a proprietary website portal technology. This technology was very expensive and and so I interviewed him and discovered his goal was to create an internal searchable body of knowledge. I proposed MediaWiki which was later implemented and met all established requirements. Your goal has to be what is the desired results of the project and after you understand this you can have success.

When talking with management keep it in their language. Don’t get into the technical aspect of what needs to be implemented but keep it where they’re at: speed, profit, accessibility, etc.

How to Interview Stakeholders
“Any project that has an impact on users needs to be discussed with them.”

Focus Groups: “A focus group allows you to take a sampling from each affected department, present the project to them, and then listen to their input. You nee to explain how the proposed technology will be better than the current, how it will solve problems, and, if necessary, why the decision is being made to change.”

Intranet Site: “An effective form of communication because users have the opportunity to share their opinions and have some say on your project.”

I’ve used intranet sites with success several times when implementing web based solutions. After I have a solution at alpha or beta test level I add forums for users to leave their input directly on the pages.

Delphi Technique: “The participants and their comment are annonymous. The users are allowed to freely comment on the technology, their concerns, and desires for the requirements. All of the comments are then shared with all of the participants, and they can agree or discount them based on their opinions and experience. Because the process is anonymous, there is no fear of retribution.”

Identifying Project Needs
“Vision, in project management terms, is the ability to clearly see the intangible and recognize the actions required to get there. One of your jobs is to develop, nurse, and transfer the vision to everyone on your team. The project manger, however, cannot have a clear vision of the project if the project needs are never clearly established.”

How to Create Reasonable Expectations
See Book

How to Create a Project Charter
“A project charter is similar to the goal, but more official, more detailed, and in line with your company’s vision and goals. obviously, a project can step from a broad, general description of an IT implementation. A goal narrows the description and sets a deadline. A project charter formalizes the goals and serves as a map to the destination. Above all, however, a project charter formally authorizes the project.
Not only does a charter clearly define the project, its attributes, and its end results, it also identifies the project authorities. The project authorities are usually the project sponsor, the project manager, and the team leaders (if necessary), and the charter specifies the role and contact information for each.”

The Project Charter Establishes

• Authorization for the project
• Defines the business need in full
• Identifies the sponsor of the project
• Identifies the project manager
• Makes the project manager accountable for the project
• Assigns authority to the project manager on behalf of the project sponsors

Additional Links
How to Write a Project Charter - by ProjectMGT.com
Template for the Project Charter - by Stanford University
How to Write a Project Chater - by eHow.com

Project Charter Elements
See Book and additional links above.

How to Establish a Completion Date
See Book

Project Charter Examples
I’m looking for some good links to online examples of project charters. If you know of one please let me know. Until then review the one in the book.

Summary
You’ve read what I consider to be the highlights from Chapter 1 along with some of my thoughts. You’ll notice that the primary concept is establishing vision and understanding of the projects results. The second most important point is understanding how to write a project charter. Please be sure to obtain a copy of IT Project Management to deepen your understanding of the covered topics.

Resource Links

• IT Project Management: On Track from Start to Finish, Second Edition
• The Project Cartoon

How To Get Into IT Project Management

If you’re looking at project management either as a career path or as part of your existing job then you need to start learning the fundamentals of project management. This entire blog is dedicated to helping learn the fundamental principles while prepping you to obtain a Project Management Certification.

As a guide I’ll be directing you to helpful resources and breaking up reading assignments from IT Project Management: On Track from Start to Finish, Second Edition by Joseph Phillips. As this will be the primary resource I use to instruct you I recommend you obtain a copy. If you buy it use the link above you’ll also help support me with providing these free resources.

Updates will happen weekly so check by soon for assigned reading and discussion from Chapter 1.

A CompTIA Project+ blog brought to you by GeekCerts. Providing free online technical training resources that help beginners and experts obtain their technical certifications.

This is a free online training resource to help you obtain the CompTIA Project+ Certification. Here you’ll find resources for:

Free IT Project Management Resources, CompTIA Project+ Certification, IT Project Management, Project Management Training, Project Management Steps, Project Management Links, Project Management Templates, Project Management Software, Project Management Tools, Project Management Reviews, Project Management Podcast, Project Management Blogs, Project Management Life Cycles, Project Management Books, and other helpful resources.

Although this blog is intended to help you obtain free CompTIA Project+ training I will be including commercial resources if I find them valuable. View this site as the road map I’ve used to obtain my CompTIA Project+ Certification.

So what is the CompTIA Porject+ Certification? Here is a quick summary I’ve pulled off CompTIA’s website.

“CompTIA Project+ is a globally recognized project management certification that provides validation of fundamental project management skills. It covers the entire project life cycle from initiation and planning through execution, acceptance, support and closure. Unlike some project management certifications, CompTIA Project+ can be acquired in a quick and cost-effective manner. There are no prerequisites, and candidates are not required to submit an application or complete additional hours of continuing education.

CompTIA Project+ gives project managers the skills necessary to complete projects on time and within budget, and creates a common project management language among project team members.”

A CompTIA Project+ blog brought to you by GeekCerts. Providing free online technical training resources that help beginners and experts obtain their technical certifications.