C++ or Cisco routing?

[Meresgi]

So trying to decide on a class to take along with my Active Directory and Network Hardening courses next semester and the only 2 I can fit in are either intro to C++ or Cisco Routing course.

I took C++ about 5 years ago or so, so I remember a little about it but not enough where i'm comfortable with the language. I've also fucked around with Cisco firewalls and routers through CLI but never been taught anything about them, just learned on my own and very limited knowledge.

Hopeful career path is working in the IT field and networking, degree will be Network Engineering (I have a few security classes as well due to some schedule crap), but the head of our college lab told me I should try to get some programming under my belt as well because employers basically want you to know everything nowadays.

Any opinions?

[Patriarch]

Cisco

imo CCNA/CCNP/CCIE programs will provide more opportunities in your future IT career, when compared to programming.

/e especially if you are looking into network engineering, cisco hands down

programming never hurts, but I took 2 c++ courses in college and I have yet to ever use it

[Meresgi]

Yeah I figured, plus I think I can learn C++ on my own easier then Cisco, as I need the actual devices to practice cisco effectively.

[Patriarch]

Yeah I figured, plus I think I can learn C++ on my own easier then Cisco, as I need the actual devices to practice cisco effectively.

valid point. And if you truly have the intent of learning C, you can pick it up in your spare time using online guides

[Meresgi]

Actual found this, which was interesting and I might have to mess around with it.

http://www.gns3.net/

http://altbiz.wordpress.com/2010/02/...nd-virtualbox/

[hey]

If you're not planning to be a programmer i wouldn't really worry about that. It certainly never hurts to learn a bit, but you're not going to use it on your job, and unless you really master it you'll probably never even be in a situation where a job is easier to do by writing your own program than using something else.

[Timwakefield]

Yeah I figured, plus I think I can learn C++ on my own easier then Cisco, as I need the actual devices to practice cisco effectively.

This. From a pure learning experience, being hands on with devices will provide a far more memorable experience. If you have any familiarity with programming languages and a little bit of a base in C++ you won't need much more unless you're really leaning toward that field.

Cisco offers simulators and actually a really decent database of knowledge/testing/practice for CCNA/CCNP/CCIE but I found I learned those things much faster in a classroom.

[Racey]

I'd be more inclined to hire a CCNA or someone with Cisco network experience over C++ for any entry level Networking / IT spot. Personally the CCENT and CCNA have done more me professionally as far as job offers and raises go. Bottom line from a sys admin perspective. Cisco routing knowledge and proficiency will always trump programming language. Unless I'm looking for a straight up code monkey for a specific purpose. Hope that helps.

[Aevis]

Timwakefield already said it: The little C++ you'd learn doesn't get you into better Jobs than what you could learn by yourself. Real programmer jobs require an entire different background. BCS or equivalent practical experience as minimum requirement is pretty much a given.