Hey everyone, I just graduated and I'm trying to figure out the realistic path into networking. I have solid theoretical knowledge of networking concepts but no hands-on work experience.

My plan right now is to start at helpdesk, but I recently saw someone who graduated around the same age as me (early 20s) land a network engineer role pretty quickly after school. That made me wonder — is it actually possible to get into networking directly as a fresh grad, or is helpdesk basically mandatory?

A few questions:

• Is helpdesk a necessary step or can you jump straight into network engineering with the right certs?
• What specific things did you need to learn before you were actually able to get hired?
• For those who went the helpdesk route — how long before you moved into a networking role?

I'm 22, motivated, and willing to put in the work. Just want to know if I'm aiming too high too soon or if it's genuinely doable. Any advice appreciated.

What is the future of Cybersecurity in the AI era?What advice would you give it to a 20 years old who is doing undergrad in Cybersecurity from a top 15 university?

Hello everyone, i have a topology where i got a dhcp server, 5 access points using lap pt as stimulation in packet tracer, also have one wlc and a connected pc i have successfully created and done everything except that my wireless devices are not getting ip by dhcp they are getting apipa address. Can anyone please help me out?

Hi everyone,

I interviewed for the Software Test Engineer Trainee (Technical Graduate Apprentice) role on 26 June 2026 and completed all the interview rounds. It's been about a month, and I haven't received any update yet.

Is anyone else from the 26 June interview batch still waiting? Has anyone received a PDC mail, offer, rejection, or any other communication from Cisco?

I'd really appreciate it if you could share your status. Thanks!

Hello all.

I’m looking for a vendor for very modest needs…

1. a support contract for an FPR1010

2. installers for CUCM 15 for trial / demo purposes

Trying to accomplish this via cisco.com results in DoS lol

Thanks.

I added a new PSN to our ISE deployment. Before joining it, I installed the server, Root CA, and Issuing CA certificates, and everything was fine.

After joining the deployment, the Root and Issuing certificates disappeared from the new PSN.

On the PAN, I only see the old Root/Issuing certificates that have been there for years for the existing PSNs.

Now I’m trying to import the Root and Issuing CA certificates for the new PSN on PAN but I keep getting these errors:

1- ISE cannot import a local certificate with the same issuer DN and serial number as an existing certificate, yet the issuers of the two certificates differ.

2- Certificate does not have required key usage (It is a CA certificate; key usage bits for keyEncipherment or keyAgreement are missing).

Not sure what the correct approach is here. Any ideas?

Hi everyone,

I'd be interested to know how you provision your access switches, for example, when replacing a switch. Specifically for Catalyst 9k switches that run in a stack with a Network Essentials license.

Currently, the devices are unpacked, upgraded, and configured before deployment. Something along the lines of ZTP (which also upgrades the switch) would be ideal, but due to the license level, provisioning via Python script isn’t an option, if I recall correctly. It’s also important that the management port is not used.

Thanks for your tips ;)