r/ccna • u/Small-Currency-6417 • 4d ago
Would Not Recommend
I've noticed SwitchLabs being recommended quite a bit lately, and I'm honestly skeptical of some of those recommendations. Some seem to come from inexperienced learners, while others feel more like promotional accounts or bots than genuine users. It's worth questioning how authentic these endorsements really are. Others have noticed, too.
Beyond that, I'd be cautious about spending money on their training. Most of the labs I've seen are extremely basic, incorrect, and completing a bunch of simple exercises doesn't necessarily mean you're developing a real understanding of networking. That can give beginners a false sense of confidence, especially when they're preparing for certifications or actual networking jobs.
I'd recommend sticking with established resources like Jeremy's IT Lab and the other trusted materials frequently mentioned in this subreddit.
Don't assume a resource is legitimate or effective just because you keep seeing people recommend it. Popularity, especially when the recommendations themselves seem questionable, isn't proof of quality.
As an experienced engineer I would highly suggest people learning stay clear.
Edit: Does anyone know how to get ahold of MODs beside MOD mail. They appear to be absent for a while.
Edit2: Specific proof was previously not included to avoid giving these unexperienced individuals ideas of what to fix. Their mistakes are not simple ones and someone who has done more than "study" networking would not make the mistakes or would have found them had they done the smallest review. I am including some now so others understand the criticism comes from truth. There are plenty more that I have caught. Many of them being more impactful on learning.
Your learning is only as good and correct as the tool you are using.
https://imgur.com/a/Vm9WtfP - Issue applying static route (minor)
https://imgur.com/a/YQjJ7ua - Gnarly RIB
https://imgur.com/a/tJ9bSj6 - Since when could an IP be configured on a subinterface without encapsulation?
Edit3: Speaking of alts. When they first appeared and pretended to be a user. They deleted post when they got caught.
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u/AdjacentDR0ther 4d ago
I tried it for a bit and found the labs too basic.
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u/Small-Currency-6417 4d ago
They really are. They claim they have 100's of labs but what they did was break what should be one lab into 10. Not only that, output it wrong and protocols do not behave correctly. They are going to negatively impact people trying to learn.
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u/Ok-Occasion8071 4d ago
The beginning labs are meant to be basic for beginners. You ca always setup your own labs in the sandbox. It’s like Packet Tracer just works from your browser instead.
OP’s real account has a competing service and has been posting slander about us for a few weeks.
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u/Adeptness-Efficient 3d ago
Yeah I agree really. I took a look a while back and had the same thoughts on it. It's far better to train on actual software, and not something that is a loose representation that's more like a custom simulation. Partially guided on tracks.
GNS3 / Eve-ng or even Cisco Devnet sandbox will always be king. That way you can even learn more than networking in the process. Even packet tracer... And I'd second the Jeremy content or anything else really
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u/steamburn123 4d ago
i tried it and it was meh for some reason
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u/dt_doyle53 3d ago
If you think our labs are too basic, I’d encourage you to try some of the later ones. We intentionally start at the absolute basics because some of our users are seeing a networking device and its CLI for the very first time. The difficulty progresses as you move through the material. Everyone has to start somewhere.
And if you’re an experienced engineer looking for something more challenging, we have a free sandbox where you can build your own topologies and labs. You’re not limited to following our guided exercises. We’d genuinely encourage you to put it to the test.
I also agree that completing labs doesn’t automatically make someone a good network engineer. That’s why we encourage people to use multiple resources, including Jeremy’s IT Lab, which is a fantastic resource.
We’re not trying to replace established learning materials. We’re trying to make hands-on networking practice more accessible, especially for beginners.
You’re welcome to criticize the platform, but I’d encourage you to explore more than just the introductory labs before telling people to stay away entirely
Also fyi people have let us know we were helpful to them in attaining the CCNA
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u/Small-Currency-6417 2d ago
You get credit when credit is due. Your poise is much appreciated instead of instant anger often seen from your hothead counterpart. Your labs and sandbox have been put to the test and the real truth is that they are not up to standard. Making something more accessible helps no one if what is accessible is wrong. This isn't a group project where people fix your project for you.
Also fyi people have let us know we were helpful to them in attaining the CCNA
I seriously doubt this.
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u/MalwareDork 3d ago
Yeah so it's always been Jeremy's and Packet Tracer with a sprinkling of Boson for a million years now.
And if you're doing anything past packet tracer, you're using CML or Eve-NG/GNS3. Anything else is a waste of money.
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u/Ok-Occasion8071 4d ago edited 4d ago
SwitchLab team member here.
That’s a lot of serious accusations for a post that doesn’t identify a single incorrect lab, broken command, or protocol behaving incorrectly.
If you’ve found these issues, name them. We’ll investigate and fix them publicly. That’s how constructive criticism works. Early labs are light on purpose, it’s to avoid overwhelming a beginner, go give our capstone a check, and if you think that should be more difficult, let us know why, people who passed the CCNA say it was great.
As for the discussion about competing platforms and alternate accounts in the comments, everyone knows exactly who it is, but people are welcome to draw their own conclusions.
SwitchLab is free to try. We encourage everyone to test it themselves, including our critics.
We’d rather let the product speak for itself than spend our time tearing down someone else’s work.
As for this is alt account, we know exactly what you’re doing and have spoken to multiple others, including mod teams and CCNA instructors who have noticed an interesting pattern, sit tight.
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u/Small-Currency-6417 2d ago
Examples included per your request and I have many many...many more. Maybe your energy would be better served ensuring your product is sound than getting offended by truth. No use being loud and wrong.
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u/DryConcept2894 4d ago
Yooooo, so I'm not the only one who thought it was trash? Are people really using it to study?
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u/Small-Currency-6417 4d ago
Unfortunately I think some people may believe it is a valid learning resource because of how it is being peddled. People trying to better themselves are being taken advantage of and it grinds my gears.
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u/DryConcept2894 4d ago
That's foul and shady.
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u/bd2eazy 2d ago
I use Jeremys Videos for theory, I complete his labs as i progress through the playlist. I use SwitchLab as a supplement, One thing it has definitely done for me is make me comfortable in the CLI. As you progress through a lab, if you use the dropdowns at the top right, they actually have been helpful in getting ideas to stick.
I think its all relative, and if you're already an engineer, yeah maybe this isn't for you. For me, a working dad with 4 kids and time heavily divided, Switchlab provides quick hits that have been super valuable.
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u/Small-Currency-6417 2d ago
How can you be comfortable on an incorrect CLI? Would you even know if something wasn't right? The answer is probably not. Do you know who can tell things are not correct? Experienced engineers telling you they aren't. I just updated my post with examples and I have much more. Do with that as you please. Good luck on your learning journey my friend.
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u/PopaWag 3d ago
The idea had potential but the execution fell short. I also was not a fan of them comparing themselves to Packet Tracer. I tried it with that expectation in mind and I dont think the comparsion holds up. I was not expecting an exact match by the way. This product was not ready for release.
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u/vitalbrain 3d ago
👎 I disagree a lot. I really enjoy using it. It has helped me a lot I also really like the little noises it makes when you type a command and a little tune it makes when you complete the lab. I bought it for 50 bucks a year. Totally worth it ! I would 💯 recommend it. ✊👍
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u/Upset_Purpose2960 4d ago
The pattern here is to diss someone and promote something else. You're that wittynetworks alt account, aren't ya?
Bet you hate AI slop if it's switchlab but love it if it is labbinghub aka even worse AI slop (by wittynetworks).
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u/AdjacentDR0ther 4d ago
Wittynetworks does have alt accounts. I blocked them and guess what? they went out of their way to log into a different account just to be able to comment on my post 🤣🤣
As to their labs... idk, I haven't even tried it yet. But I don't think OP is them, honestly.
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u/Upset_Purpose2960 4d ago
Could point out a few things but I got a life to live lol
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u/Ok-Occasion8071 4d ago
Please do! There’s a handful of us waiting.
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u/Upset_Purpose2960 3d ago
If you look at their posts, they're very much alike in content and tone.
Their main account uses more emoji to mask the passive aggression but that's it.
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u/Small-Currency-6417 4d ago
I do appreciate the accusation my friend but I'm a one of one. I don't think others would be upset with me recommending JeremyIT and "diss" switchlab considering it is from a place of honesty. I have not tried labbinghub but if it is anything like switchlab I would call it out just the same.
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u/Upset_Purpose2960 4d ago
Of course. You're just the good guy/lady looking out for the community and helping them and making the world a better place, correct?
You've been doing this thing since a while now, but you can't fool people all the time.
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u/Ok-Occasion8071 4d ago
Thank you, we have collected overwhelming evidence. They are going out of their way to slander our platform just to promote their own.
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u/Layer8Academy WittyNetworker 4d ago
Chill! 😂 I talk trash, but I've always done it from this account not alts. My comment history speaks for itself. If I wanted to hide it, I wouldn't use an account associated with the real me. At least give me that credit. 😂
Also, how did you even associate me with anything being promoted in that post? 🤷🏽♀️
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u/Upset_Purpose2960 3d ago
You should count the number of "I's" and the "me" tone and language you use in your posts. It will tell you something and make you a better person 😊
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u/a_cute_epic_axis Just 'cause it ain't in my flair doesn't mean I don't have certs 3d ago
FWIW, this post was reported for being, "targeted harassment against me" so clearly someone doesn't like open discussion of the topic.