Hey there. I'm knightx09. I'm newish to networking. Looking to connect with others and learn more. Cheers!

I’m getting ready to take the CCNA and would love to hear from anyone who’s recently passed it! Any study resources you found especially helpful, or specific topics to pay extra attention to? I’m using the official Cisco guides, but wondering if there are any other tools or practice labs worth exploring. Thanks for any advice!

This is a reminder about the importance of maintaining the integrity of your networking certifications. Using or sharing "brain dumps" – unauthorized exam questions and answers – is not only unethical but also a violation of certification exam policies. Here's why we ask that all members avoid brain dumps and report any such material if encountered:
What Are "Brain Dumps"?
Brain dumps are collections of real exam questions and answers that are illegally shared with the public. While they may seem like a quick and easy way to pass your certification exams, using these materials carries serious consequences.
Why You Should Avoid Brain Dumps:

1. Unethical and Unfair: Brain dumps undermine the purpose of certification by giving some candidates an unfair advantage, which devalues the certification for everyone.
   
2. Violation of Exam Policies: Most certification providers, such as Cisco, CompTIA, Juniper, and others, have strict rules against the use of brain dumps. Using them can lead to immediate disqualification, permanent ban from future exams, and even revocation of any previously earned certifications.
   
3. Lack of Real Knowledge: Certification exams are designed to test your skills and knowledge. Relying on brain dumps means you aren’t actually learning the material, which can harm your career in the long run.
   
4. Risk of Legal Action: Some certification authorities have taken legal action against individuals and companies distributing brain dumps. You don’t want to be involved in such legal trouble.
   

• Use Official Study Guides: Stick to official certification guides, vendor-provided resources, and trusted third-party materials that focus on real-world knowledge.
  
• Practice Labs and Simulations: Build a home lab or use virtual tools to practice and get hands-on experience. This is the best way to truly understand the networking concepts being tested.
  
• Join Study Groups: Use this board to connect with others preparing for certifications. Share resources, study tips, and ask questions, but keep it clean and legal.
  

• Do Not Engage: Avoid downloading or using any suspicious material that claims to be real exam questions.
  
• Report the Post: If you see someone sharing brain dumps or asking for them, report the post immediately so moderators can take appropriate action.
  

We want to remind everyone to be cautious when exploring job listings posted on our Careers Board. Unfortunately, scam job listings have become more common across various platforms, and it’s important to remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to these scams.
How to Identify Scam Job Listings:

• Too Good to Be True: If a job offers exceptionally high pay for minimal work or unrealistic benefits, it’s a red flag.
  
• Unclear or Vague Job Descriptions: Legitimate companies provide detailed descriptions of what the role entails, required qualifications, and expectations.
  
• No Interview Process: Beware of jobs that offer employment without a proper interview or verification process.
  
• Unprofessional Communication: Look out for poor grammar, spelling mistakes, and unprofessional communication from supposed employers.
  
• Request for Personal Information or Money: Legitimate companies will never ask for personal details like your social security number, bank account information, or payments before hiring.
  

1. Do Not Engage: If you suspect a listing is a scam, do not respond or provide any personal information.
   
2. Report the Post: Use the report function on the forum to notify our moderators about the suspicious listing. We will investigate and take the necessary actions.
   
3. Share Your Experience: If you’ve been contacted by a suspicious employer, share your experience with the community so others can be cautious.
   

Hello! Welcome to networkforums.net. I'm the site admin and I created networkforums.net to connect with other people who like networking.
I have always liked networking since I was in high school a long time ago. I got lucky that my school had a Cisco networking program and I enrolled in the class and absolutely loved it. Throughout my career, I've worked for SMB and a major US ISP. Now, I work in IaaS doing systems and networking. It's safe to say, I love networking. I'm not an "expert" but I believe that you can always learn something new. I don't know everything!
Anyways, welcome!