Experiences and advice appreciated.
Cheers.
i started a cisco and msn course in 2008, the training company (connectivity) went into liquidation, vanished on us when we turned up one day and took our money and left us all in the lurch. never got money back and owed banks lots. really messed my career up
I’m starting one in Jan. I know it has no relation to your question, but expect a similar thread from me around Feb time 
I was about to start one when I realised I didn’t like IT as a career.
I’ve got a **** load of books, routers and switches that I never used too.
They’re a little old and dont support inter-VLAN routing but if anyone has a use for them I could sort something out.
It depends what you want from it.
If you want to get into IT, CCNA is a good proof that you have a sound understanding of computer networks and protocols, but if it is not your first job with hands on network work experience then I wouldn’t bother.
On the other hand if thinking of it as a career and to be become a full time network engineer, then aim for at least CCNP and do CCNA as a prerequisite of it. Stick to Routing & Switching route, possible consider the Voice path if you are into it, the rest if it is just a waste of time and money.
I’ve done it,Was a while back now and I work mainly with voip nowadays which is an area not a lot of network engineers go into. From what I’ve heard from engineers who’ve recently completed it’s a lot easier to do the two part exam with the first exam mainly concentrating on subnetting and the TCP/OSI model. The second exam is more to do with configuring switches and routers. If your in N London I know a good trainer who is cheap and runs week long boot camps. One thing to think about is the change from IPV4 to 6 which is coming and I should imagine they will start covering it in the exams so some of your text books may be out of date.
Good Luck with whatever you do
Cheers for the comments
this will help you http://www.gns3.net/
I did the CCNA back in 2007.
Pawel has already laid it out, I would only do the CCNA if you plan to do the CCNP or if you combine it with an MCSE or MCITP. CCNA is a good course, if you have no knowledge of networking its certainly a great place to start.
I did mine with Westminster University, better than those rip off merchant who promise you employment after you complete it etc…