Back in the day when I started studying for my Cisco certifications (around 17 years ago), I remember that the only options available to study for the exams were the following:
- CiscoPress Books (plus some other authors): I remember that if you could sit down and study the whole 600-pages official Cisco Press book for each exam, then you could pass (provided you also had some practical experience as well). That was the way I passed all of my exams. The advantage of studying the whole book was that you actually learned the networking principles and concepts which stick with you for ever.
- Instructor led training classes: That option was very expensive and required that you attended a 5-day class for each exam.
There were no online training courses and other options like today. Also, fortunately there were no brain-dumps like today which you simply read a few hundred questions and take the exam without actually learning anything.
Nowadays, online video training is quite popular. With online video training, it is like attending an instructor-led training class, only much cheaper and on your own pace.
Udemy is the best online training portal which offers thousands of training courses in video format.
I have collected some free Udemy Cisco courses which you can just register in and take without paying anything. Here we go:
NOTE: The last one (number 10) in the list below is one of the best free Cisco trainings.
Free Cisco Training Courses
1) Free CCNP SWITCH Video Boot Camp: HSRP And Security
Master the Hot Standby Routing Protocol (HSRP) And Cisco Switch Security Fundamentals With Chris Bryant — Free!
REGISTER HERE
Instructor: Chris Bryant
Content: 13 lectures, 2 hours
Course Description:
You’ll prepare for CCNP SWITCH exam success and real-world networking mastery with this free course from Chris Bryant. First, we’ll spend over an hour working with the Hot Standby Routing Protocol (HSRP) on live Cisco routers, and then it’s on to tackle important Cisco switching security fundamentals. You get over 90 minutes of ad-free CCNP SWITCH training at absolutely no cost.
2) Cisco LABs with Advanced GNS3 Features
How to emulate Cisco routers and switches with IOU, Juniper and ASA devices in GNS3 plus 3 complex practical scenarios.
REGISTER HERE
Instructor: Patris Koushesh
Content: 9 lectures, 2 hours
Course Description:
This course will show you how to use GNS3 for emulating:
1- Cisco routers and switches via IOU
2- Juniper devices
3- ASA firewalls
3) Cisco Network CCNA IPv6
Cisco Network CCNA IPv6 Course: IPv6 Addressing on Enterprise and Service Provider Networks
REGISTER HERE
Instructor: Sam Fitzgerald
Content: 8 lectures, 1 hour
Course Description:
Quickly Learn Everything You Need To Know About How To Configure IPv6 Addressing and Basic Connectivity on an Enterprise or Service Provider Network.
4) Cisco CCNA in 60 Days – Preview
Pass Your Cisco CCNA in 60 Days.
REGISTER HERE
Instructor: Paul Browning
Content: 19 lectures, 4 hours
Course Description:
Over 90% of people who embark towards the Cisco CCNA qualification quit.
Most quit because they become overwhelmed with the sheer volume of subjects they need to master and how much time to dedicate to each one. After helping well over 4000 students with my classroom and online courses I finally discovered the missing piece of the study jigsaw.
Cisco CCNA in 60 days tells you what to study every day. It includes exams, revision time and lots of hands on lab time and in this free taster you can try out this revolutionary study method for yourself.
5) Introduction to the World of Cisco for complete beginners
Learning a Cisco certification can boost your IT career. Learn how to start and if it is worth it.
REGISTER HERE
Instructor: Marious Kuriata
Content: 15 lectures, 2 hours
Course Description:
Cisco devices are the one of the most widely used networking equipment in the world today. Learn why it is like that and if certificates are worth getting.
You feel you need to refresh some topics before joining full CCNA training? Or maybe you just wanna spend 60 minutes and learn the fundamentals of Cisco devices? You are in the right place!
- Overview of Cisco solutions
- Introduction to Cisco routers and switches
- Cisco firewalls
- What is an RJ45 cable?
- Simple network diagram
- Is it worth taking CCNA if you do not work with Cisco?
- A quiz to help you decide if you are ready for full CCNA training
Introduction to Cisco for complete beginners!
6) Understanding Cisco Certifications (Easy Steps)
This is the way you will get the right path for your Cisco Certification
Instructor: Andre Iacono
Content: 11 lectures, 2 hours
Course Description:
Are you considering joining the Cisco career but do not know where to start? Here you will find the answer!
Cisco Career Certifications are a type of IT professional certifications created by Cisco Systems for their products. The certification breaks down into five levels: Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, and Architect along with targeted certifications for Specialist and Technician. These can divide into nine different subject tracks depending on the certification level: Routing & Switching, Design, Security, Service Provider, Service Provider Operations, Data Center, Voice, Wireless and Video.
Cisco certifications career is the most famous in the world, and therefore it is very important to understand all the paths and certifications that exist.
7) Cisco Careers: Want to Earn 100K+ as a Cisco Engineer?
Get the inside scoop that no institution or class will teach
Instructor: Terry Kim
Content: 9 lectures, 1 hour
Course Description:
Feeling overwhelmed in jumpstarting your Cisco IT career? No worries.. I’ve got you covered.
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to become a successful Cisco IT engineer step by step, this mini course covers everything you need to get you started on the right path. It’s intended for people that want to become a network or systems engineer with a special focus on Cisco technologies.
In a nutshell, this is “How To Become a Cisco Engineer 101”. Get all the real insights, strategies, and tips to map out your career.
8) Cisco CCNA Network Fundamentals Chapter 1
This is a course to get started with Network Fundamentals. Come and learn, start from the very beginning.
REGISTER HERE
Instructor: Kiel Martin
Content: 8 lectures, 3 hours
Course Description:
This is where is all begins. What is a network is where is all starts. From there we immediately go into the basics that is needed to build your foundation of Networking. This is Part 1 of a series of 4 course that I will be providing for Network Fundamentals.
Here you will learn about the basics of what a Network is, what devices we will be using, and the ability to see Networking in a different manner. We learn about symbols and watch how those symbols allows us to build Networks with drawing. You will learn where a router and a switch fits in the Network. You will also learn about crossover cables and what pins are used to transmit and receive.
9) Cisco CCNA Spanning Tree Basics
This is a course that will start from the very beginning of spanning tree and you will walk away with how it begins.
REGISTER HERE
Instructor: Kiel Martin
Content: 6 lectures, 2 hours
Course Description:
You heard the words Spanning Tree, now it is time to understand what it is all about. We start with the very beginning, discussing how L3 uses a mechanism to prevent loops. We quickly find out that L2 does not have this mechanism and why Spanning Tree is needed. Then we enter the world of Spanning Tree. Exploring how spanning tree forms it topology and the election processes.
From there we enter into a step by step process, understanding how Spanning Tree starts to build its own topology. We learn about the Root Bridge, Root Ports, Designated Ports, Blocking ports, and so on.
If you want to really understand Spanning Tree, this is where you begin. I assure you that after you watch this 2.5hr lecture and take the 5 quizes, you will have a solid Spanning Tree Basics foundation.
This was a class that I ran and recorded. I took that footage and edited just for Udemy students. Please let me know how you like this course, for there is more to come.
10) CCNA Security 2015 Free Video Boot Camp: CCP And More!
See and Master Cisco Configuration Professional In Action — And Get Ready For CCNA Security Exam Success At Zero Cost!
REGISTER HERE
Instructor: Chris Bryant
Content: 19 lectures, 2 hours
Course Description:
Here’s a free Video Boot Camp course of your CCNA Security studies – and a great way to learn all about Cisco Configuration Professional while making sure you see every free CCNA Security video I put on my YouTube channel!
In this course, I’ll introduce you to CCP and teach you how to install it, all the prerequisites (including one most books leave out), and I’ll give you a guided tour of this important program.
Take this course and prepare for your CCNA Security Certification!