[johnson636]

Currently I'm studying to become an electronic tech. but I like working with computers. I often get asked a number of computer questions; some I have the knowledge to answer and the others, well I just post on various forums to get the answers. I'm very interested in learning a little networking and would like your opinions on the Cisco Networking program. I'd like to be able to troubleshoot a network (assign and change IPs, add different equiptment to a network, etc.) Last week I was asked to check out a problem with a printed; I was told that the printer wouldn't print. Turned out there was nothing wrong with the printer, the printer wasn't receiving the info that was being sent to it due to the network crashed and was reset. I assumed the printer needed to be assigned a new ip address, but I was unable to help due to the lack of knowledge of networking.

Would I have to take up the entire Cisco course, or are there specific areas of the Cisco course that I can take and still obtain the knowledge that I've spoken of?

[Deman]

I can only speak about the Cisco CCNA certification (because it's what i've done myself) but I can give you an overview of what it entails. It involves 4 semesters, each semeseter focuses on a particular area
CCNA 1, Theory, the groundwork; you learn about cables, horizontal and vertical cabling, network troubleshooting steps, OSI 7 layer model, number systems, subnetting, routing vs routed protocols etc and of course diagnosing network problems

CCNA 2, Routing, goes into routing on a more practical basis starting you off with the basics RIP and IGRP
CCNA 3, Advanced Routing and Switching, moves into your more advanced routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP), the different types of switching technologies, broadcast storms (and how to prevent them. i.e. STP), VLANs. Not to mention variable length subnet masking

CCNA 4, Moves into WANs and the different types of WAN technologies available xDSL, Cable, ATM, ISDN, Frame Relay, as well as learning about DHCP and NAT/PAT. Finishing off with an Introduction to network administration

Naturally you're learning to use Cisco equipment but because protocols are protocols and there is plenty of foundation knowledge in the course you can apply it to working with other brands of routers and switches
And of course, when doing the tests "the right answer is the Cisco answer" I.e. the one they recommend
BTW you do have to complete CCNA 1, before you're eligible to take CCNA 2 etc