cisco WHAT???

[kaytee576]

I am so sorry if I have put this in the wrong place as I dont know what it is I am not sure where it should be :(

What is CISCO? My fiance is going to a residential college to do this...

Cisco Networking Academy
IT Essentials I: PC Hardware and Softwarelearn the functions of hardware and software, assemble and install operating systems and software applications.
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)acquire the knowledge, skills and expertise of Cisco Networking, Switching and Installation. A modular course, broken into four semesters. The course is based around the Cisco Certified Network Associate programme guidelines

CompTIA Certification Programme
CompTIA A+learn the functions of hardware and software including Identification of major desktop components and interfaces

I know it sounds daft but this is all letters to me :( anychance you could explain in a easy way for this dumb blond to understand? thanks xx

[Met44]

"Cisco Systems, Inc." (called Cisco - the letters do not stand for anything) is a company which manufacturers devices for computer networks. An example of a device they make is a "DSL router" if you have one of those at home to connect to the Internet. If you have a dial-up Internet connection, you probably have a "modem" that you plug your computer into; a router is kind of like that.

The CCNA certification is one of many certifications that Cisco offers to certify knowledge of a wide range of basic concepts and functions of computer networking technology, and the ability to use the devices that Cisco makes. It is a good entry-level certification for finding a job that troubleshoots computer networks. A simple definition of a computer network is anything that lets your computer transfer information to another computer. The Internet is one big computer network. If you have a dial-up or DSL Internet connection at your home, you have your very own, very small computer network, because you use it to transfer information to and from the Internet. :)

CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) is another organization which explicitly offers certifications in a wide variety of areas. The CompTIA A+ certification (the A+ does not stand for anything) is an entry-level certification for people who want to work in repairing computers.

So it looks like your fiance is studying to become a computer and/or network technician. These people fix computers when they do not work correctly. Or have you ever not been able to browse web sites from home or work? A network technician fixes these types of problems.

You can read more about cisco here:

http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/company_overview.html (About Cisco)

After the first paragraph they start getting pretty technical, but the first is a good overview.

Here is information about CompTIA, on their own website:

http://www.comptia.org/about/default.aspx (About CompTIA)

You can also read about an average computer/network support job on the US Dept. of Labor's website, here:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos268.htm (About IT support jobs)

(IT stands for Information Technology.)

You should also talk to your fiance about this; let him know you're interested in what he's doing. I'm sure he'll be able to answer specific questions you have, too.

[Met44]

I should also mention that these courses can be VERY taxing, even for people that already have some background in networking or computer repair. Cisco especially drives to build a very strong knowledge of even the most subtle points in network communications. These classes are not for the faint of heart, but if your fiance devotes himself to it, it is totally do-able even if he doesn't have a background in either field.

I'm just trying to explain that it is important to be understanding of his situation - the classes, knowledge, and the certifications are probably very important to your fiance :)

[kaytee576]

Ahh THANKS SO MUCH my fiance really wants to better himself and make a better future for us, he found that the only way to really get good qualifications in the area we live is to go to a residential college many miles away from us leaving me behind for six months maybe longer and only returning at weekends, i am finding this hard to deal with but I know he wants to do what is best for us.
I am so pleased you explained this to me/us as he hasnt really a clue either as to what all of the things meant.
He really wants to do well with this and I am sure he will, it is great that he now will not see all these words purely as letters! thanks! xx

[Met44]

When did he begin going to college for this? Pursuing those certifications and the knowledge they represent is definitely a great way to build a career in IT. Good on him for doing what is best. As he gets closer to his certification testing, the following site can be a great asset for testing knowledge and asking questions about those certs and many others:

http://www.techexams.net/