From: Bert Kellerman (bertke@xxxxxxxxxxx)
Date: Sun Dec 03 2000 - 09:17:22 GMT-3
Passed the lab in RTP last Thursday on the first attempt. This email
describes some of my tips to pass.
First I would like to mention something I heard while in RTP. I
overheard the fact that there is alot of cheating going on in certain
lab locations. When I heard this I literally got sick to my stomach.
Let's all do our part to put a stop to this by reporting those involved
and at a minimum, respect the NDA. One of the most rewarding things in
life is hard work...let's keep the CCIE that way.
Read the RFCs
This is often overlooked but I believe it is very important to gaining
a good base of knowledge. After I read a little about the Cisco
implementation of the technology I would go fetch the RFC and hammer it
out. You might not *need* to do this but I personally wouldn't let
myself become a CCIE without having an intricate understanding of how a
protocol works. You will feel alot more confident about the technology
and hey, it makes you a better person too. :)
Read the ENTIRE IOS Configuration Guide
Let me say that again...Read the ENTIRE IOS Configuration Guide! This
is the very crucial step of the process and I don't just mean
referencing it. You need to read it from start to finish. For example
I would read a few pages of 'OSPF Design Guide', then read the RFC, then
finish the Design Guide. After this I would read the OSPF part of the
IOS Configuration Guide from start to finish. While you are reading the
guide, implement each feature you read about on your lab network! I
think alot of ppl think "Hey I passed the written I have my base of
knowledge, all I need to do is practice on the equipment" WRONG! I did
put in a shitload of time on the gear but I did even more reading to
prepare for a technology in the lab.
Practice very complex scenarios in a lab environment!
This is a plug for www.fatkid.com and www.ccbootcamp.com. If you don't
have a complete home lab you need to give Derek and Marc some of your
money, it is well worth it. Practice on lab gear is mandatory.
Groupstudy:
Use this list wisely. When a question is asked on the list, try to
research the situation and recreate it in your lab. This will prepare
you more than you could imagine.
Finally, the last 2 weeks before the lab, CRAM!
I heard this from another guy after he passed and I also can't stress
this enough. For me, the last month before the lab, I spent 10 hours in
the lab each day/7 days a week. I really was so scared of failure that
this wasn't even an option. Of course the day before and the days of
the lab you need to relax, watch a movie or something. I know this
will be close to impossible for some of you, and I have the utmost
respect for those of you doing this with a family. This time in the lab
kept everything fresh in my mind but it also got me very psyched up! By
the time I got to RTP I felt so confident and focused I knew I would
pass. This brings me up to my last point: You must make yourself a
CCIE before you step foot into the lab.
Thanks:
Ramil Gruella for letting me come up to his lab and study as well and
keeping me on track.
Raul Fernandez for shacking me up in RTP and for being so damn positive
and accommodating.
Val Pavlichenko(my ECP1 Instructor) at MentorTech for reminding me that
I really don't know that much compared to him.
This list:
Aaron, Sam, Justin, Simon, John, Mark, Scott, Steve, Paul, etc. You
guys rock! If you are ever in Louisville, KY hit me up for a cold one
anytime!
Now, time for ISP/Dial!
-- Bert
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Thu Jun 13 2002 - 08:25:58 GMT-3