Nullrouter.com the blog

Saw the announcement on Internetwork Expert’s (INE) twitter account.

Here is the link:

http://blog.internetworkexpert.com/2009/12/17/ine-self-paced-student-passes-version-4-rs/

Good to see someone finally make the mark!

OK here’s a little update.

I ended up taking a little break from CCIE SP study because… let’s be honest CCIE R&S ate up almost two years of my life, not to mention CCNA/CCNP before hand, so I’ve been wanting to live a little.

However, I’ve had the need to pick up some Juniper skills for a few up coming jobs in the real world. Some of the higher ups where I work are feeling a little anti Cisco at the moment, so are pushing out some Juniper gear instead, which is fine compared, to some of the schlock they pushed from other vendors that have just been complete fail, where money talked and bullshit literally walked (no names here ). 

So over the last few months I’ve been reading some Juniper material, and finally took the plunge and hit out the M/T track for the JNCIS. Which I’ve found to be much more interesting than the ER arm… If you’re already got a CCNP or CCIE under the belt and some real world experience with Juniper this shouldn’t be a hard slog Juniper make free in PDF format all their M/T track out of print JNCIA/S/P/E  Sybex material free to download from their site. I’d recommend reading these. The ER/EX material is available through their fast track program.

My only criticism is the actual test isn’t that much of a experience compared to Cisco Professional series exams for CCxP. The feeling is almost a throw back to the old CompTIA’s (Network+/A+ etc) style format.

I’d probably like to follow through with the JNCIP/E exams afterwards, but Juniper’s Lab availability isn’t anywhere near Cisco CCIE lab availability, with locations, they only set a specific day at a specific world wide location. They’d probably most likely involve international flights to do them in Singapore at this rate, but the pay off for having them might not be all that much.

Still waiting for my CCIE to start paying off $$ wise.

Also I’ve notied the JNCIS-M JN0-303 is due for an update in April 2010.

I’ve been reading Doyle’s TCP/IP Vol II. covering the Integrated IS-IS chapters which we all skipped when preparing for our CCIE Routing and Switching! :p

Anyone out there, know of some good IS-IS resources out there on the net? So I’ve I’ve gotten the impression, while there’s a lot of technical know how behind it, the Cisco implementation of it doesn’t support many of the features (no virtual links, etc). Correct me if I”m wrong

Cisco IOS and IS-IS

IS-IS on Wikipedia

After reading this thread on on techexams.net regarding mind maps by CCIE15672. I’ve done up the CCIE Service provider written and lab blueprints in FreeMind to use a basis for study notes and to map my progress. I haven’t used mind maps for study previously, but has there is a set framework for the CCIE, I’m giving it a try this time.

I’ll upload the basic mindmaps for both blueprints shortly, for anyone who wants to also try mindmaps for study.

*Edit WP doesn’t like the *.mm extension for freemind files as attachments, work around soonish. Will also update for the INE SP Extended Lab Blueprint.

I have the following titles which I intend on using for the Service Provider studies:

I’ve decided my next move certification/study wise will be CCIE Service Provider. I’ve previously been deciding where to go next, such as getting into security, or service provider. I’ve decided on Service Provider, because it has some cool technologies involved which I didn’t get around to during R&S.

At the moment, I’m aiming towards completing the written portion here at the moment, not sure when I’d look at doing the Lab exam, because I intend on doing this one at a slower pace as I want to have a little more social life now, and will use it to get a recertification tick in the box for my existing CCIE :p .

Just did an upgrade of the WordPress engine.

I decided on aiming for the CCIE R&S shortly after completing my CCxP exams in 2006/07, however had the initial thought, while doing my CCNA way back in 2003. Basically I found while doing my CCNP studies, despite being an enriching and enjoyable experience (labbing, reading, applying in the real world), not many people were all that interested or not willing to differentiate between a CCNP or CCNA when it came to job responsibilities and remuneration. Perhaps this is because they may have been burnt by someone who may have taken ’shortcuts’ or not quite what they claimed to be.
I’ll admit I’ve met some people like this myself, and it is a little disheartening, when you’ve put in a lot of effort. Yes, they don’t last long and are found out rather quickly, but it was seriously getting time to separate the wheat from the chaff.

I had completed my R&S written exam (350-001) in the middle of May 2008. I mainly used most of the Tech Library I had built up over the years of Cisco Press and O’Reilly books (including Routing TCP/IP Vol 1 & 2), as well as the CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide 3.0 recently updated. The written didn’t contain anything too difficult or unseen before, while doing my previous certifications or on the job experience. The amount of questions did press me for time; I wouldn’t expect anyone to fly through these, regardless of the difficulty.

From here, I spent the next 9 months preparing for the Lab, going through a popular vendor’s workbooks and video/audio classes to practice out configurations, blueprint topic technology behaviour (this includes the caveats), and completing tasks under pressure. I think most other CCIEs have all been here, therefore wont expand on this.

It took me two lab attempts to get over the line, which I’m rather happy with, as I’ve read some horror stories about some candidates getting into 6+ attempts. Both of my labs were fairly straight forward with what they asked for, and to be honest there was nothing difficult about them, as you really should be familiar with the CORE of the blue print topics (L2 Switching and FR topics, IGPs and EGPs), and know where to find everything else in the DOC-CD. Based off my first attempt result, I felt I only missed out but a few points, by violating a requirement, as I was able to verify 90% of my configurations. After getting my first result, I wasn’t crushed, but more psyched up to get back to the LAB again . I can see why you barred for 30 days before able to attempt the lab exam again for the same track.

I gave myself 8 weeks off before going back, and didn’t really do much revision during this time either. I only need to keep the grey matter warm, but not burn out on 24 hour revision or labing, as I had already done this. Plus my day to day job is 100 percent networking, so I wasn’t completely cold.

Day of the second attempt arrives; I’m back at the lab, powering my way through the tasks getting the important tasks out of the way by lunch time. This gives the remainder of the day, to verify and nut out the remainder tasks with the DocCD. I left feeling pretty confident this time round.

The following day I get my score report and the all important numbers!! PARTY TIME! Just as well, with the CCIE R&S 4.0 change announcement at the time.
For those wondering… I did have to do the Open Ended Questions format during each attempt. My advice to those still panicking about them is to not worry ‘too much’. They are simple and I’d expect a CCIE candidate to be able to answer them, you MAY get a curve ball in the batch though, so prepare for it.

I’m now deciding where to go from here, as CCIE Security and Service Provider do interest me, but I’m not sure if I want to commit the same amount of time I did with R&S on another CCIE, as I DO WANT A SOCIAL LIFE!! I may just go back to learning networking tech that just interests me at a slower place, without sticking to a blueprint or exam topic list.

I for one welcome our new overlords of normality

Just a brief update to state I completed the CCIE R&S lab sucessfully a little over a week ago. Too busy enjoying life at the moment to post a lengthy experience post… I promise there’ll be one shortly.

Yes I’m still alive and still battling for the CCIE. Hoping to have it done before the changes come in for CCIE 4.0.

I do like what’s on offer for the new 4.0 changes with the troubleshooting sections being introduced.