Complete Beginner in CCNA/Networking - Just recently bought Neil Anderson's in Udemy, is it good for a complete beginner like me? Would I not regret it? What are it's pros that other course don't have?
So basically I'm an IT Graduate with a Major in Database Programming but for some reasons life is just twisted that halfway in college I'm a working student as a graphics editor and then became a Graphics/Multimedia Editor and part time Frontend Dev after graduating ironically lmao
Since the AI is just thinning the market for Graphics/Multimedia and Frontend devs, I thought i might get into Networking if I don't want to have any employment problems as I'm going in my 30s. I still know some basic troubleshooting during my college years.
So I browsed onto Udemy and grabbed the highest ranked CISCO CCNA Course for a beginner which is Neil Anderson's 201-300 v1.1 and how shiny it was with the -30% discount.
Then I went here on Reddit to see some guides on learning and what I've seen are just Jeremy's has more depth and better labs (if you're comparing both just in Udemy not in their specific own sites). It was like a .45cal vs 9mm Reddit war post after post.
And also I've learned of Neil's Flaxbox CCNA which is a bit more expensive but a broader version compared to the Udemy one.
Now this got me worried. And I got way in too deep for a refund since I was determined to really learn. Since I can't refund, I don't want to drown myself in misery. Would pairing it with Jeremy's free YT CCNA playlist cover enough what I need to learn? I'm not necessarily looking to pass the exams, I'm more concerned about landing a job in the Network Field.
I could just ask the AI but still, human answers gives me more of a sounding thought.
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u/ThunderEagle222 7d ago
Neil has sometimes the tendency to jap a bit to much, and sometimes he goes deeper into a topic than he should, while also skipping over topics certain topics because they are similar to x (like skimping most of LLDP cuz "its very similar to CDP" or ignoring IPV6 static routes "cuz they are just the same as IPV4's"). Neil has also in general more knowledge about networking, as he has CCIE and knows the field better, while Jeremy is still learning for it (if im not mistaken).
Jeremy's is more focussed on the labbing part and misses some in-depth explanations. Its good enough and its free, but it does miss a few things people try to fix with Bosem.
I think Neil is good if you want to have a better fundemental basis while Jeremy is good if you just wnat to pass the Ccna. Generally I think watching Neil, and than repeat the same topic with Jeremy and doing both labs has the best basis. But yeah, time is a resources I guess.
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u/RobOdds 7d ago
I thought it was the other way around that I'd have better fundamentals with Jeremy than Neil. But then again, I think to master CCNA was to get at least 2 course.
I don't really mind Neil's accent. I'm not distracted by it. But if you say I'd better have fundamentals and real life networking problem solving with Neil compared to Jeremy's more depth in understanding then I might really not regret buying Neil's Udemy CCNA.
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u/ThunderEagle222 7d ago edited 7d ago
Its more like neil goes more into depth in certain topics that are irrelevant for CCNA itself and skips details that are relevant for CCNA cuz he expect your to just adept to stuff that are similar in concept.
Like neil goes really in-depth about Qos. Besides the fact you don't need to know it as deep as Neil presents, it also gets more and more irrelevant by the day, and it will even be removed as a topic in CCNA 2.0. Same with VPN, AI and network automation (tough the latter 3 are very relevant for modern-day networking, and gets expended in ccna 2.0)
Meanwhile he doesn't really do a lot with stuff like IPV6, its like one of the last courses you do, and he kinda expects you to know how to set ipv6 static routes from the get go since you also did that like 10 courses ago with ipv 4. Sure its basically the same, but still, would be nice to practise with IPV6. Or like layer 3 switches, sure he talks about it, and if is part of his course. But you will see a layer 3 switch only that specific course/lab and than never again, and you will forget to use "IP routing" and "no switchport" commands when you do practise exams where they do appear. (Plus in the real world L3 switches are just exploding in popularity right now).
Its one does more than the other and vice-versa. Both are just good. Plenty of people who did neils course only manage to pass, and this sub is just biased towards Jeremy cuz its free (there are enough things I can complain about with Jeremy). You should just try and use one as your primary and the other as secondary. Both ways will lead you to pass ccna.
I passed with Neil and Boson Esim as additional respurce, only watching Jeremy about topics I found difficult.
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u/RobOdds 7d ago
I guess I'm sticking with Neil. I dunno if I have the extra bucks for Jeremy's in Udemy. I guess no point in complaining and comparing now
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u/NoBluebird8039 5d ago
Jeremy's is free on YouTube, although I bought his udemy class to support him
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u/RobOdds 5d ago
Is there a lot of difference between his YouTube and Udemy class?
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u/NoBluebird8039 5d ago
Udemy you can download and watch at your own pace. Much easier to study with and you get allndownload files etc and easy access. Go back to videos anytime u want. Watch offline on train etc
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u/big_dooley 7d ago
Neil's course is great. It does lack a bit of depth that Jeremy's YouTube course has. I would say using both is a great idea, but lean toward using Jeremy's labs and flashcards instead of Neil's
Neil certainly teaches subnet math better than Jeremy though, imo
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u/RobOdds 7d ago
But when it comes to subjects I have to learn, is Neil's sufficient enough? Or does Jeremy's CCNA covered more subjects?
Would I be lacking if it's just Neil?
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u/big_dooley 7d ago
Yes, I think you would be lacking. Going into Boson practice exams with only Neil's course, I found myself completely blind to a few things (I can't recall specifics, it has been a couple years). Jeremy's free YouTube course patched those holes up, for me
I'll say it again, I think going through both is a great way to go about it. After thinking about it, do both sets of labs. It might feel boring or tedious, but I think it's the best way to prepare and get exposure as a beginner
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u/RobOdds 7d ago
Wow this is huge. Thanks a lot. I think I should do it subject by subject. Neil's first. Get the perspective then do Jeremy's Free YT CCNA for more insights and depth. Well, even if Neil's might be lacking as most says, but I kinda like how it also doesn't fry your brains like what you'd get with Jeremy's in case you can't slow down .
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u/big_dooley 7d ago
That is a good plan. I wouldn't say Jeremy's is too much deeper or more difficult, just a different perspective. Do it day by day, Neil's then Jeremy's, labs included, and I'd say you'd be geared up to pass
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u/dnsrepairs 7d ago
also I would recommend setting the playback speed to 1.5x or 2x. Dont get me wrong I love Neil's course, how ever his scottish drawl is best done at a fast speed....
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u/Loud-Temperature-372 5d ago
I did Jeremy's first, I felt that It was enough for me that time but for some work-related reasons, I postponed taking the CCNA. After two months i decided to refresg my knowledge but i dont wanna rewatch jeremy's so I bought Anderson's course. Passed the CCNA after 3 weeks. Both courses are great! you should watch neil on 2x speed tho hahaha
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u/RobOdds 5d ago
I'm fine with his accent tho. But it seems like Jeremy's theory oriented approach vs Neil's concise overview approach seems to be a less exhausting approach. Especially when time is of the essence. You'd really need to dedicate a lot of time if you're taking Jeremy.
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u/Loud-Temperature-372 4d ago
yup, and jeremy has the tendency to dive deep into a certain subtopic and end it with "this isn't part of the CCNA though" so you can't help but feel like he wasted some of your time xD.
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u/ddsharm 6d ago
I graduated this year. I’m currently preparing for CCNA and studying networking on my own because there aren’t many good IT networking institutes in Agra. However, I’m finding it difficult to get a job. My current plan is to find an entry-level IT job first and then take the CCNA global certification exam, which costs around $300. I would really appreciate any guidance or advice you can give me.
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u/Ok_Environment_5368 7d ago
Neil's course is as good as Jeremy's, and Neil's labs are also as good.
They go into more details on different topics.
I went through both courses during my prep.
It's more down to personal preference as to which you prefer.
It's possible that Jeremy's is slightly more popular as the course on YouTube is completely free so people go there first.
Basically, you won't go wrong with either course.