From: Chris Jackson (cjackson69@xxxxxxxx)
Date: Mon Oct 02 2000 - 20:59:59 GMT-3
Well,
Looks like it is my turn for the "I made it" post. I was awarded #6256
on
Sept 29th in RTP. This has definitely been a difficult road, but it is
possible. I started working with Cisco products back in March of 99. I spent
2 weeks in Germany studying for the CCNA, and passed that exam the end of
march (99). After a few days of feeling good about my accomplishment, I
realized I didn't really know anything about routers. Certifications like
the CCNA/CCNP/MCSE/ECT are great to see what knowledge a potential candidate
has been exposed too, but it does not necessarily mean they can do the job.
This was painfully obvious as I was working for a reseller that believed
that the old trial by fire method of training was the best (and cheapest)
way for an engineer to learn. Needless to say they wouldn't send me to
training classes, so it was up to me to train myself.
I have always been a self learner, and I have a very good memory. This
is
evident in the fact that I achieved my MCSE back in 1998 is 2 1/2 Months and
my CNE is 3 weeks (2 tests a week!). I had a lot of experience in the NOS
world, and felt that I understood networking. Boy was I wrong. Microsoft
does not teach you networking! Novell does a little, but just enough to be
dangerous. Cisco on the other hand has devised some very tough tests, and I
worked through the CCDA and CCNP/CCDP from Aug -Dec of 99. I have read (more
than a few times) just about every book Cisco press has sold. These books
helped me to pass the CCNP/CCDP and strengthened my understanding of
networking. I feel that the Lower Certs are a great way to train yourself
for the CCIE exam, because from what I hear the fundamentals are what end up
killing people on the lab. It is great if you know how to configure dlsw+
till you are blue in the face, but without a solid core IP understanding,
you won't know what to do if things go wrong! After the CCNP/CCDP I thought
I would wait a while before going for the CCIE written. I assumed that it
would be harder than the Foundation of Routing and Switching, and I felt
that I just wasn't ready. I studied the Internetworking Technologies book,
and the Doyle book. Theses gave me what I needed to pass the Written on the
first try. I actually thought it was easier than the FRS exam. Since I never
went to any Cisco training classes I can't say if they would have helped,
but I am sure they won't hurt (anywhere but the wallet. Lets see $50 book or
$2000 class. Easy!)
With the written out of the way, It was time to study for the Lab. I
already had a few routers, but I decided that if I was going to pass this
thing I need a decent Home Lab. Coming from the cheap reseller that I did, I
received no assistance from them in the way of equipment. I combed E-Bay
every day, and found some really good deals. I bought an ISDN Demonstrator
from Teltone (great ISDN simulator!!!!) and managed to get 8 routers and a
cat 5000. I purchased the Bootcamp labs and started hitting the rack hard as
soon as I had what I needed. The Bootcamp labs are great, but don't think
that they will spoon feed the CCIE lab to you. You simply MUST use them as a
frame work to develop more complex simulations. They will however help you
with some very valuable core knowledge and help you with speed. This is
CRITICAL in the lab. You will not have time to search for basic topics.
There will be at least 10/15 % worth of stuff you never even though they
could form questions out of! I spent roughly 20 Hours a week doing labs and
20 hours studying. I started full force in April of this year. Luckily I had
decided to ditch the cheap reseller I was working for and moved to a company
that supported my quest. I promptly signed up for Caslows ECP1 course and
went to it in July. If you take this course, make sure you study for it as
if it were a mini lab. you want be at a very high level of knowledge and
speed so that you can utilize this class to work on your week points. Bruce
does not teach all of the classes, but there is another excellent instructor
(Fred Ingham) that is just as good. All in all this class was good, but it
IS NOT ENOUGH to pass the lab. Don't thing that you can take this class and
get your number. It really does take blood sweat and tears.
My first attempt went pretty well. I felt very well prepared and was no
t
overly concerned with passing first shot. It is highly unlikely that you
will pass first time. Accept it and use your first attempt to see where you
are in your studies. Make it a goal to see day two, and if you happen to
pass then great! You should have bought a lottery ticket that day too! I
made it to day two on my first attempt and was stopped cold by my lack of
knowledge on catalyst switches. I am a very strong router guy and made the
mistake of not looking at EVERYTHING. People will tell you that everything
is fair game, and after your first attempt you will realize that is exactly
the case. Study the documentation. It will be there during the lab and it is
your friend.
After failing on day two I went back to the Hotel (it was around 2 o'cl
ock
and I had just eaten my $500 meal) and called to schedule my next attempt.
Someone above was looking out for me because I got a date of Sept 28/29 (my
1st Lab was 23/24 of August!). I really believe that this was key to passing
the second time. It is hard as hell to keep studying so hard for 3-4 months
between attempts. Cisco need to figure something out to help with the retake
problem! Anyway I nailed both Day one and Day two. I only missed a few
points here and there. The best advice I can give anyone is to make sure
that you do not make any major changes close to quitting time. you will not
have enough time to see if your changes wreak havoc on your network. The
last couple hours of day1 need to be for checking your work. Silly mistakes
cost points (all or nothing you know!).
Hope I haven't bored you too much. Your mileage may very, but I can assure
you it will feel like Christmas when they give you that little yellow slip
of paper with your very own number on it.
"You are no longer just a name, now you are a number"
Good luck all, and don't give up!
Chris Jackson
CCIE #6256
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