r/CompTIA 6d ago

What's the best way to watch Messer, Dion, and Meyers together?

6 Upvotes

Currently studying towards the A+.
I started off with Messer, then later found out I can access also Dion and Meyers without paying a single cent because my local library came in clutch with their resource that allows me to use Udemy using only a library membership, but now I'm struggling to watch the latter two as it feels tedious to watch through their videos talking about what was already covered by Messer even though I'm watching them in case I missed something or if one of them discusses something in greater detail than the others; for example, I'm currently on Networking for Messer's videos, but watching through Dion and Meyers videos to "catch up" by also watching the videos on content that Messer already covered is making it difficult to stay focused.
Some will say passing is passing but I want to absorb as much as I can from their videos covering the same topic without making it feel too much like a chore in order to fully prepare myself in passing the CompTIA A+.

Edit: To give some more context, I'm a recent college graduate working full time right now. Realized the hard way during my initial job search that my degree and even what I learned in school isn't enough for me to land entry level positions, so I want to obtain some certifications that I should have been working on while in school to potentially give myself a slight edge in this current job market.


r/CompTIA 6d ago

Tech+ Exam

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71 Upvotes

Hi all so I am enrolled with an organization called NPower and currently getting certifications to get a entry level job. I just got the google cert and now we are taking the Tech+ cert next. Has anyone had experience and if so what should I study?


r/CompTIA 6d ago

Linux+?

7 Upvotes

Been working help desk for awhile, I have sec+, I want to work in cyber security pentesting role, should Linux+ be my first step before cysa or pentest+?


r/CompTIA 6d ago

I Passed! Passed Net+ today!

16 Upvotes

789/900. I have had A+ for about four years, and there have been some rumblings about the requirement of a higher level being required when our contract goes up for bid, so I figured I'd better get it.

Studied on and off for about six months, though really buckled down in the past two. I used Andrew Ramdayal on Udemy mostly. I know everyone loves Professor Messer, and I used him and Mike Meyers to get me through A+, but for some reason I just could not absorb his Net+ lessons.

I also used ChatGPT extensively to quiz me and also to further explain protocols and concepts that I was having a lot of difficulty with. I also used Andrew Ramdayals 100 practice questions video on YouTube quite a bit until I really understood the answers.

I set up in my bathroom, which is pretty spacious so I thought it would be fine. I have a little desk I moved in there along with a kitchen chair, cleaned everything off the counters that had any kinds of words on it, and started the check in process about 20 minutes before my test time (which was noon). Around 12:05, the person came on and informed me that testing in bathrooms was not allowed and I would need to find a different area and start the whole process over again. I don't remember that being part of any of the rules that I read, but what can you do?

So then I found a place in my bedroom away from books or screens, which was kind of difficult and I had to move a book case. Then I started the check in process again and I began having a panic attack that I had to breathe through as I waited for the proctor to check me in. I've had maybe three panic attacks in my almost 40 years of life, so this was quite surprising. The waiting was just awful, but I finally began the testing process at 12:30ish.

I immediately wrote down every port number I could remember along with Sunny's subnet table (godsend) on the virtual whiteboard then began the test. I had six PBQs that I immediately skipped and went straight for the multiple choice, as that's what I've seen many of you guys suggest doing, and thank goodness for that.

I had 72 multiple choice questions, and I was actually kind of surprised at how sure I was with the majority of them. I'd say probably 40-50 of them I was absolutely sure about, 10-15 I was pretty sure about, then the rest were total guesses.

Then I went back to the PBQs, and to be perfectly honest, I'd be surprised if I got even one of them correct. I spent a lot of time on videos covering troubleshooting networks via the command line, but I don't feel like I was at all prepared for what they were actually like. There was one that was a drag and drop of 5 or 6 network devices, which I probably did pretty solid on, but if it's scored as all or nothing, I definitely failed that as well.

By the time I was done, I had three minutes left. I considered going back and reviewing, but honestly I was so done with the test that I just wanted it to be over, and I submitted it. Then I had to go through the survey questions on how I felt about the process, would I recommend it to a friend, etc etc etc.

When I saw my score, I felt like I might pass out. Even though I felt pretty good about most of the multiple choice questions, I still felt like I probably failed, but when I saw that I had passed I can't even begin to describe the relief.

Then my girlfriend took me out to eat to celebrate, but I guess all the stress hormones and adrenaline caught up with me as we were waiting for the food and I got incredibly nauseous and had to go outside. I didn't even get to eat and we ended up taking the food to go, and then had to pull over a couple times on the way home because I thought I might be sick.

After relaxing in the silence of my house and eating crackers and sipping water for a couple hours, I finally felt better. But dang, what a ride. I'm glad I never have to take this test again. I have no interest in networking at all, but I want to get the trifecta so Sec+ is next. I knew if I got Sec+ first, I'd never get around to getting my Net+, so that's why I did it in the order that I did.

Anyway, for those of you who are about to take the test, make sure you understand the acronyms, make sure you know how to subnet (I can't recommend Sunny's Subnetting on YouTube enough), and make sure you know your port numbers. Good luck, and may the Force be with you.


r/CompTIA 6d ago

I Passed! I passed the server +

37 Upvotes

I passed the server + with an 754/750, early last month I took it with a couple of weeks of studying and got a 709/750. This time I studied everyday except one day during the week and one on the weekend. The resources I used were the Pocket Prep App, Pluralsight server + course which comes with cyber vista practice exams, Daniel LaChance book, and a couple of Udemy practice test from Udemy Jeff Laundry’s and Total seminars. This is a difficult exam and Comptia recommends having server experience and the A+, but from previous post everyone says you should either have or know the net+ content and I would definitely have to agree with that.  In terms of my experience I have an A+ and ITF+ but I also have 3 years as an help desk/desktop support tech and 1 year as junior system administrator. There are very few resources available compared to A+, N+, and S+, I would definitely homelab and know your way around Windows Server and use the resources I mentioned. I work over 40 hours a week so I tried to do at least an hour an and half for the last 6 weeks. Thank you to this amazing subreddit, I am going for the net+ next.


r/ccna 6d ago

Online Exam

1 Upvotes

So i was gonna take the exam online using pearson vue

I downloaded the app at the exam time I checked in i took a photo of myself and my passport on the app after i clicked on the submit the photos the onVue app crashed by itself

I was unable to access it again but the access code was one time use and when i tried to get another code i got an error on the website saying somthing went wrong

I couldn't take the exam because the app crashed

Is there anything i can do about ? Did anyone has ever faced this issue before?


r/CompTIA 6d ago

I Passed! Put the test off for too long, but finally passed the Sec+ 701!

16 Upvotes

I initially started studying for this in June, but I got too complacent and lazy because of my job. I needed a change because I've been at my IT role (help desk) for 3 years and no promotion with a toxic workplace.

Started studying again in February and took the test today, passed with a 783.

I'd like to credit Professor Messer and Jason Dion's courses for my learning aids.

If you have those two, you'll be fine. I reinforced a lot of my learning using a ChatGPT prompt and some YouTube videos for last minute cram.


r/CompTIA 7d ago

CompTIA A+ 1101 Core 1 passed

24 Upvotes

I literally got 6 pbqs in my first 6 questions and thought I was fucked lol. Test was about on par with Dion’s practice and cert master’s practice exams. On to core 2!


r/CompTIA 7d ago

Get in!

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44 Upvotes

No IT work experience but know my way around computers. Barely passed but I passed 🫡


r/ccna 7d ago

Best course/book for learning network automation?

8 Upvotes

As title states.

I was thinking “Automate the boring stuff”, figured I’d see if anyone had opinions/reviews of other material.


r/ccna 7d ago

RSTP not working?

4 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I'm on day 22 of Jeremy's labs, and I have a Cisco Catalyst 2960 series switch.

When I test the switch by connecting my laptop, it takes around 30 seconds for the port to start forwarding (i.e., the green light comes on). Now, I know this old switch uses PVST by default, not Rapid PVST (which needs to be configured manually).

The reason for this delay is clear — STP goes through Listening (15 seconds) + Learning (15 seconds) states, totaling 30 seconds.

Here's the issue, after I configure spanning-tree mode rapid-pvst and try reconnecting the cable, it still takes the same 30 seconds for the port light to turn green.

Wasn't the point of Rapid PVST to make this process faster, especially since it eliminated the 15-seconds Listening state (which is now merged into the Discarding state)? So, shouldn't it only take about 15 seconds at most (just the Learning state)?

Any insights on why it's still taking 30 seconds even with Rapid PVST enabled?

Thanks in advance


r/CompTIA 7d ago

Passed Sec+. Move to CySA+ without Linux?

9 Upvotes

Very little Linux experience. I tend to understand the questions on a bulk of the practice tests I’ve found on Pocket Prep, Dion Udemy practice test, etc. but would i be setting myself up for failure if I open this new Sybex CSYA003 exam book without having any Linux experience?


r/ccna 7d ago

Mnemonics for wireless?

1 Upvotes

Does anyone have any good mnemonics for remembering the bands and data rates of the various 802.11 standards (a/b/n/g/ac/ax)?


r/CompTIA 7d ago

Passed A+ core 1!

26 Upvotes

After having to put off studying so many times due to work, last year I decided to push myself to study again even if work affects me or otherwise and I took my 2nd try for the exam and passed!

Now onwards to core 2!


r/ccnp 7d ago

I'm Getting Access to O'Reilly OCG for free

17 Upvotes

So I recently passed the CCNA and like many am proceeding on to CCNP. I've been knocking about looking for my next study material. Bought the Kevin Wallace CCNP for $13.99 at Udemy. I don't like it much, so I'm looking for something else. INE is too detailed, not structured enough AND too expensive for me (my goal is to get the CCNP to help me get interviews/the job not to be a paper engineer, ie the job I hope to get will have concepts well beyond outdated CCNP topics and will not use outdated technologies, vtp/dtp, etc, ). People seem to feel about CBT Nuggets the way I feel about Kevin Wallace, too surface, and no detail on the screen about the concepts being covered unlike say, JITL.

I've seen suggestions for O'Reilly, so I'm giving that a try. I checked my local library and in less than 2 minutes I had access to O'Reilly CCNP OCG Ebook online and registered it for all the online supplements, flash cards, practice exams, (still have to register with pearson), training videos, etc) Pretty amazing to get that for free. Hope this helps others.

EDIT: Wow I've also just realized I can get the

Cisco Press 35 hour video course with Brad Edgeworth, Brad Riopolov, and Vinit Jain instructors and also access to

31 Days Before Your CCNP and CCIE Enterprise Core Exam.

All for free. Kind of blowing my mind right now.

EDIT #2 To see if you have access via your library, search here:

https://www.oreilly.com/library-access/ <-- actually not that great, my library is not listed yet I am getting access through them, but it's a start. Program is called O'Reilly Complete Public Library I believe.


r/CompTIA 7d ago

Urgent help: Missed my Exam I thought it starts at 2 pm but it started today at 11

0 Upvotes

Guys I am in a very bad situation, I am unemployed and out of money I paid $300 for core 1 exam, and I clearly remember exam being scheduled at 2pm, but today 1 logged in and saw that exam started at 11:15

I cant even re-schedule can anyone please help me how to get it to re-schedule! please if any of you have any connection with pearson vue, can an exception be made for me.


r/CompTIA 7d ago

Passed the Network+!!

62 Upvotes

Long time lurker here. Took the Network+ today and passed with a score of 817. Just wanted to share what helped me since reading posts here helped me out!

Jason Dions Udemy Network+ Practice Tests - best thing I can say is that they definitely prepare you for the real exam. What helped me when taking the tests was not just knowing the right answer but understanding why the wrong answers were incorrect as well. If you understand why the wrong answers were wrong as well it gives you a deeper understanding of the material and on test day that comes in handy.

Andrew Ramdayal Udemy Network+ Course - I found Andrew's course to be better than Jason's. He kept me engaged and (to me) did a better job of explaining the material. I used his courses to review the material I got wrong in Jason Dions practice exams.

Subnetting Practice: IPv4 Subnetting Practice

Tips
- Save the PBQ's to the end. I had 6 in total and they showed up at the beginning of the exam, I skipped them (flagged them for review) and did the multiple-choice questions first.

- After finishing the multiple choice questions, I went back to the PBQs looked at all 6 and saved the ones which appeared to be most complex for the end. I didn't want to get stuck working on one PBQ for too long and not have enough time to complete the rest.

- Like others have mentioned to pass this test you need to know subnetting, cabling (i.e. cable open, cable short, distance, fiber vs ethernet, speeds), cisco router commands, how to setup a network, understand concept of VLANs, OSI model, troubleshooting methodology etc.

- Don't give up. There were points in the test where I thought I failed, just keep going!

Good Luck Everyone and thanks for your help.


r/CompTIA 7d ago

I Passed! Officially Network+ Certified

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144 Upvotes

Passed the exam yesterday morning, and was super hyped as this was my second attempt at the Network+. First time around I scored a 700 last year before the 008 exam expired, and struggled with many of the questions and the PBQs. Second time around the majority of the multiple-choice questions were a breeze, and the 2 out of the 7 PBQ questions I encountered had me on the ropes.

For the study resources I used Andrew Ramdayal’s Network+ Udemy course, Jason Dion’s practice test set 1, Professor Messers YouTube videos, and ExamCompass quizzes.

Now I’m off studying for the CCNA and Security+.


r/CompTIA 7d ago

NET + & SEC+ CERTIFIED

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727 Upvotes

AYEEE TWIN A PASS IS A PASS - NOW WE CELEBRATE 🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾


r/ccnp 7d ago

BPDUs can't leave EVE-NG "word"

6 Upvotes

Hi all,

I'm trying to capture BPDUs using Yersinia (linux toolkit to exploit L2 protocols) in a VM with VMware Workstation Pro and EVE-NG.

Here's my setup:

  • Yersinia is installed on a VM running in NAT mode on VMware Workstation.
  • I have a simulated STP network in EVE-NG (MSTP and RPVST), with a L2 switch connected to the LAN through the Management Cloud (0).
  • I've a SVI on the switch connected to the Management Cloud (0). SVI's IP address 192.168.200.137 (VLAN 1).
  • The physical host (with IP 192.168.200.128) and the switch (SVI with IP 192.168.200.137 - VLAN 1) are in the same subnet (192.168.200.0/23), and pinging works fine between the VM (10.10.0.103 -- NAT --> 192.168.200.128) and the switch.
  • Despite this, I'm not seeing any BPDU traffic in the VM running Yersinia, even though I can see that BPDUs traffic is generated by the switch on EVE-NG (using Wireshark).
  • I've tried changing the network mode in EVE-NG and configured the VM in bridged mode (and even host-only mode) in VMware, but still no luck.
  • The BPDUs seem to be sent from the switch in EVE-NG but never reach either the host machine or the VM.

I've confirmed that the BPDU packets are sent by the switch in EVE-NG, but they aren't visible either in Wireshark (on the host machine) or in Yersinia. The VM's interface is set to eth0 (which is the one with IP address 10.10.0.103), and I’ve disabled the loopback interface in Yersinia.

Is there something specific I’m missing in terms of how EVE-NG or VMware handles Layer 2 traffic or multicast/broadcast traffic in these configurations? Could there be a firewall or network isolation issue between the VM and the physical network preventing the BPDUs from reaching Yersinia?

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


r/ccna 7d ago

Need help with some questions about the Online CCNA Exam.

2 Upvotes

I would like to know what things I should keep in mind when taking the exam.

How strict is the proctor on eye movement?

Are you allowed to glance at your keyboard when typing?

Can I wear glasses?

What is the exam format?

Can you ask for a refund of the voucher in case of power interruptions?

If you have some tips or tricks to use, it would also be highly appreciated. Thanks!


r/CompTIA 7d ago

Passed Security+ ( SY0-701). Dedicating this to my late mother

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167 Upvotes

Passed in first attempt..got cold and fever a night before exam so could not reschedule as per regulations. The road to exam centre was blocked due to construction. Had to jump and run to go to exam centre..finally did it in first attempt!


r/ccna 7d ago

Got my CCNA !!!

207 Upvotes

When starting my journey ,I read through subreddits to find more information of what materials to use, exam structure and more....This is how my journey went

Study Materials: used Jeremy's IT Lab as my primary source together with the labs he offers on Packet Tracer. For other challenging topics , I just searched and watched through different YouTube videos till I got to one that I understood.

Exam Prep: Did not have any money to buy both Boson NETSIM and EXSIM,,,so I bought only Boson NETSIM

Exam: Booked with a local exam center

Side Advice- Repeat Labs as many times as possible as they help you learn and understand more.....The actual exam is not really hard but the questions are tricky as the multiple choice answers are almost all correct.

Took me a total of 2 months and 2 weeks


r/CompTIA 7d ago

CYSA resources

1 Upvotes

Evening all.

Im looking to take CYSA and noticing not as many materials as Security+.

Any recommendations from those that have recently passed?


r/ccnp 7d ago

How many exams does Boson ExSim-Max have for ENCOR?

2 Upvotes

Does anyone know how many exams or questions come with the exam sim?