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August 24, 2008 by ted.
Per Cisco’s CCIE web site ::
CCIE labs changing from UniversCD to Cisco Documentation
On Sept 24 2008 CCIE labs will no longer support using the UniversCD documentation for the lab exam.All labs are migrating to Cisco Documentation only. For those scheduled to take the CCIE lab prior to Sept 24 access will still be available for UniversCD.
The Cisco Documentation pages have the same information that currently resides on UniversCD, please refer to the links on the CCIE web pages to view these pages and become familiar with the new format.
After Sept 24 2008 only the Cisco Documentation web pages will be available for CCIE labs.
Oh well, not very surprising I guess.
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August 20, 2008 by ted.
I have to really give props to IPExpert, their training materials are great. I will come out and say I have never tried any other labs besides theirs. My opinion is bias, but why shop around when you know what works.
I studied the hands-on lab part for about 6-7 months. I started around February of this year. I bought their Lab workbook and proctor guide. I did every lab at least once and read over all labs as part of my preparation.
Breakdown ::
Volume 1 labs - 20 or so smaller technology based
Volume 2 labs - 15 8 hour labs
Volume 3 labs - 10 8 hour labs with walkthrough
I didn’t have time to go over the Video bootcamp before my lab, nor did I finish the Audio bootcamp. I think the audio bootcamp is great to listen to on the way to work. Use it to fill in your gaps of time, the more exposure, the better.
-Do the labs
-Understand the labs
-Get your butt kicked by the labs
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August 20, 2008 by ted.
Last week before my lab, I attended the IPExpert R&S bootcamp in San Jose. Jared Scrivener was our instructor for the week. Days started at 9am and ran until about 5pm, at which point they provide you with a lab to do. My days were basically from 9am till about midnight. You can choose to do the lab in class or back at your hotel (if you have internet access).
I prepared for the bootcamp in such a way that I was expecting to get my butt kicked. I spent the week prior studying about 16 hours a day.
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August 19, 2008 by ted.
Just got the email! I have to catch a plane, so I will have more to say later!
Ted
Posted in Certification | Print | 16 Comments »
May 1, 2008 by ted.
I’m about 75% complete with the IPExpert workbook for R&S and I figured I would post my impressions thus far. Keep in mind, I have little to compare to, and these are purely based on my own personal experience.
To start out, I do not have access to equipment with the static configuration necessary to complete all the labs in this book. For this reason, I have gone with Proctor Labs. If you buy the IPExpert workbook and you’re looking to rent rack space, Proctor labs is the logical solution. To do the labs you need to make sure your physical topology matches the workbook. See this link for the topology I’m talking about:: Topology
You can certainly buy your own equipment, but I don’t have that luxury. I wasn’t interested in Dynamips either because I didn’t feel like improvising diagrams based on interface number differences (not to mention the lack of switching features).
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October 24, 2007 by ted.
The corner-stone –in my opinion that is– of the CCNP track is the BSCI course. It’s probably the most important and difficult material you will experience in the CCNP track. This is probably a lot of the reason for why it really hasn’t changed much at all over the years. So regarding the new CCNP changes, it’s pretty much the same as it has always been.
Take a look at the exam objectives here
Posted in Certification | Print | 3 Comments »
September 6, 2007 by ted.
Well, the easy part of my pursuit for the CCIE is complete. I passed the new 350-001 R&S written test today ($300 big-ones for this baby!). I’m really looking forward to using my IPexpert workbooks for practicing for the lab exam-or the hard part as they say. I’m hoping to take my first shot at the lab exam this year, but not sure if that’s going to happen…
The materials I used are the CCIE exam guide by Wendell Odom and Routing TCP/IP volumes I and II by Jeff Doyle. I started off reading the TCP/IP volumes, which really give you a good foundation for more then you need to know for the test. The exam guide is great at providing a good last-minute cram before the test. If you’re wondering about the IPv6 and MPLS additions to the test, the resources I used cover those topics just fine.
Posted in Certification, Cisco | Print | 3 Comments »
August 7, 2007 by ted.
After recently teaching the latest CCNP exam changes, I figured everyone could benefit in knowing any new hardware requirements. The CCNP program has changed quite a bit from the previous tests. I have taken both the old and new tests and can attest to the fact that the new CCNP changes are great. For the first part of this series, I will focus on the BCMSN (aka switching) changes. For the most part, the core competencies for this haven’t changed much at all.
Take a look at the exam objectives here
Posted in Certification, Cisco | Print | 4 Comments »
June 26, 2007 by ted.
I heard news of Cisco making changes to the CCNA program a couple months ago, but they asked to keep it private until they made the announcement.
They basically added an entry-level certification. The CCNA content will be a little different too. You should see more wireless and security topics (all good stuff)…
Links:
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May 11, 2007 by ted.
Well, I took my last test yesterday for my CCIP certification. The last test I needed was the MPLS test. I probably spent two months studying MPLS stuff. You definitely want to be able to setup MPLS environments for this test. The test networks I setup were very helpful in preparing me for the test. I’m glad I spent so much time building MPLS VPNs because it’s a core competency on the exam.
My main concentration for the rest of the year is the R&S CCIE written and Lab exam. I just got my lab workbook and proctor guide I ordered from IPexpert. After flipping through the books, I think I’ve got my work cut-out for me. These books are going to be very challenging and I can’t wait to get started. Once I get the labs knocked-out, I plan on attending the instructor-led training course they offer.
Posted in Certification, Cisco | Print | 5 Comments »