I'm still studying for CCNA.
Right now, I at Chapter 7 Configuring and Verifying Switch Interfaces in the Official Cert Guide CCNA 200-301 Volume 1 by Wendell Odom.
In addition to that, I have also been making my through the Packet Tracer exercises, known as Config Labs, for Chapters 6 and 7 that are available on Wendell Odom's own Cert Skills website. For the Config Labs, you can work through the exercises using a piece of paper and a pen, Cisco's Packet Tracer, or Cisco's own Cisco Modeling Labs.
Using Config Labs...
Since the Config Labs were designed to be used with just a pen or pencil and a piece of paper, most of the labs that I have worked through really don't require using Packet Tracer or Modeling Labs. So far, the Config Labs involve tasks like setting up passwords for access to the switch and inputting the commands required for setting up the switch for use. So, yes, all you really need is just a pen and a piece of paper. Plus, the Config Labs require a lot page flipping through the textbook.
Using Packet Tracer...
Since I tried working through Cisco's online class for using Packet Tracer when I was studying for CompTIA's Network+ certification, I already had Packet Tracer downloaded and installed on my computer. According to several sources on the internet, Packet Tracer is a really good tool for studying for the CCNA certification exam. The caveat with for Packet Tracer is that there are parts of the CCNA certification exam that you cannot do with Packet Tracer. That said, I do have a former co-worker at SSA who told me that he was able to pass the CCNA exam using just Packet Tracer. As a result of working through the Config Labs, I know more about Cisco's IOS that I did when I started studying for CCNA.
Thinking about using Cisco's Modeling Labs...
I must say that Cisco's Modeling Labs does look really interesting. Cisco's Modeling Labs apparently gives the user a nearly identical experience as if you had physical netowrking equipment right in front of you. Whereas Packet Tracer is a free download, a license for personal use of Cisco Modeling Labs costs $199. However, that $199 for a license from Cisco is A LOT more affordable than buying one of those CCNA exam kits that includes a router and a couple of switches among other equipment. For example, my current apartment is 550 square feet. I don't have any room in my tiny apartment to have a rack of Cisco networking equipment for learing.
Using Pearson Vue's Network Simulator Lite...
On top of that, I have been steadily working my way through the exercises available on the free version of Pearson Vue's CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator Lite, Volume 1. So far, my experience with using Pearson Vue's network simulator has been quite positive. On the labs that I have worked through, Pearson Vue guides you a helping hand by telling you what you need to type into the switch's command line interface. In other words, Pearson Vue's Network Simulator Lite focuses on learning by doing. Thus far, I would say that is probably the best way to learn how to set up a switch for use. According to the Introduction in the Official Cert Guide CCNA 200-301 Volume 1, many people have successfully passed the CCNA certification exam just using Network Simulator Lite for study.
However, there is just one caveat for using Pearson Vue's Network Simulator Lite. The caveat is that the Network Simulator Lite contains ONLY 21 labs. If you want the other 380 labs, then you will have buy the remaining labs from Pearson Vue. The list price for Network Simulator Lite is at least $150. However, Pearson Vue will cut down the price quite a bit if you use the Network Simulator Lite that comes with Official Cert Guide CCNA 200-301 Volume 1.
Final Thoughts...
For now, I will be working my way through the exercises available on Wendell Odom's CertSkills blog with Packet Tracer. Once I get through 21 free labs for Pearson Vue's Network Simulator Lite, I will probably end up purchasing the remaining labs. One thing that I recently did was search through YouTube for Packet Tracer exercises for the CCNA certification exam. I found Keith Barker's 26 video series for Packet Tracker and the CCNA certification exam. That was a really interesting find. I'm planning on watching the first video in the series as soon as I can.
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