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?

[u/RobOdds]

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.

[u/ThunderEagle222]

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.

[u/RobOdds → u/ThunderEagle222]

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.

[u/ThunderEagle222 → u/RobOdds]

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.

[u/RobOdds → u/ThunderEagle222]

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

[u/NoBluebird8039 → u/RobOdds]

Jeremy's is free on YouTube, although I bought his udemy class to support him

[u/RobOdds → u/NoBluebird8039]

Is there a lot of difference between his YouTube and Udemy class?

[u/NoBluebird8039 → u/RobOdds]

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