From: ccie2be (ccie2be@nyc.rr.com)
Date: Wed Mar 12 2003 - 17:37:27 GMT-3
Hi Wayne,
I've decided to purchase practice labs to help me in the final phase of my
lab preparations. I've been following the discussions on group study of the
offerings from the various vendors, HelloComputers, ccbootcamp and IPExpert.
Since I'm considering IPExpert, maybe you can help better understand your
offering.
First of all, I'm wondering how many of the practice labs I can work (or
can't work) on my home lab.
Currently, my lab consists of the following equipment:
1 2509 terminal server
1 2520 used as a Frame Relay switch
2 2503's for ISDN stuff
1 BLink ISDN simulator
1 Cat 5000 with 24 10mb ports
8 2501's with most running version 12.1
Notably missing from this list is any voice capability, Fast Ethernet, ATM
or 3550's.
Given that the core topics make up about 60 or 70 percent of the exam, I'm
mostly interested in practicing those topics. So, I'm wondering how many of
the practice labs can I complete with the equipment I currently have.
Something else I wondering about is where you are in your product cycle.
Version 3.1 is your current offering. When was that released? And have all
the "typo's" and other mistakes been corrected at this point? What happens
if you release an update or new version in the next few months? Are updates
or new versions included with the purchase of your current product? If
there is a charge, will it be fairly small, say under $50 or would I have to
shell out another $500 to get it?
You also mentioned that you're adding several new 3550 scenarios. Could you
talk more about that? Have they been added yet to your current offering,
version 3.1 or are they to be included in a new release? And, could you also
talk about what capabilities of the 3550 they cover? (At this point, I
suspect that configuring the 3550 is my weakest area.)
Lastly, what are your suggestions regarding getting hands-on practice for
those technologies which I can't do with the equipment I currently own. I
know IPExpert offers "E-Scenarios" but I don't know much more than that.
Thank you in advance,
Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: "IPexpert, Inc." <groupstudy@ipexpert.net>
To: "Jake Reynolds" <JREYNOLDS@uscentral.org>
Cc: <brian@ipexpert.net>; "ccie2be" <ccie2be@nyc.rr.com>; "Group Study"
<ccielab@groupstudy.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 1:27 PM
Subject: Re: the IPExpert endorsement posted by cebuano
>
> Jake,
>
> Hello - I noticed a posting you had on groupstudy (Actually it was
> forwarded to me by one of my instructors). I'd like to see if I can
assist
> in resolving the issues / comments you mentioned (below):
>
> 1. Poor quality binding. It will fall apart on you.
> 2. Horribly inaccurate solutions.
> 3. The topology is the same on every lab. (This may be a disadvantage
> in that you get used to the same type of connectivity. It just
> depends on how quick you are to pick up new topologies. It is
> nice not to have to recable every 8 hours or so.)
>
> Regarding issue #1 - I believe you're talking about our first print of
> 3.0 - is that correct? I agree that this was a problem - and it's been
> resolved in our 3.1 prints with reinforced binding and better quality of
> paper and vinyl covers / backing. (This was an issue that was brought upon
> by our printers and the physical thickness of the workbook - they've since
> them been replaced.)
>
> #2 was also addressed in our 3.1 version. As you may have heard or
seen,
> our 2.x to 3.x was a completely rewritten product. We updated ALL content
> (not just revisions) to accommodate for the new changes in the CCIE lab
> exam. We were under extreme pressure from our customers to get the
product
> out to market quickly - so a large amount of the content did not get
> "double verified" (this was my fault). Our 3.1 version was released
> several months later which consisted on additional 3550 scenarios and
fixes
> to technical scenarios and solutions.
>
> #3. You're correct here - we try to modify (occasionally) the logical
> layout in the frame cloud, but for the most part our topology remains the
> same. This was done so our customers wouldn't have to re-cable or modify
> their racks - and so our racks could remain intact.
>
> I really appreciate your comments - At IPexpert we're always trying to
> improve the quality of our products and ensure that our customers are
> satisfied. For the most part - our customers seem to be very satisfied -
> our success stories has increased dramatically, in fact - we're receiving
> (on the average) of 3 to 5 success stories a week! I do understand the
> different people have different opinions, suggestions and preferences - so
> I completely understand your comments. If you have any additional
comments
> or suggestions, please let me know by contacting me direct at 866.225.8064
> or via email at wayne@ipexpert.net.
>
> P.S. - Although you gave us a positive review on our e-Scenarios - I
> thought you might be happy to know that we're adding several new Cat 3550
> scenarios and will be updating ALL e-Scenarios to a new V2 format!
>
> Thanks! - We Truly Appreciate Your Business!
>
> Wayne A. Lawson II
> Founder, CEO & Technical Instructor - IPexpert, Inc.
> CCIE # 5244, Cisco CCNA & CCDA,
> Nortel NCSE, MCSE, CNE, CNX Ethernet
> Mailto: Wayne@IPexpert.NET
> Toll Free: 866.225.8064
> Outside U.S. & Canada: 312.321.6924
> Fax: 312.321.6925
> Mobile: 810.434.4801
> URL: http://www.IPexpert.NET &
> http://www.CertificationTalk.com
>
>
> Jake Reynolds writes:
>
> > I would recommend it but I haven't passed the lab yet. My second
> > attempt is Thursday so I'll let you all know if it did the trick. I've
> > used CCBootcamp's labs and IPExpert's. A couple of disadvantages of
> > the IPExpert labs:
> >
> > 1. Poor quality binding. It will fall apart on you.
> > 2. Horribly inaccurate solutions.
> > 3. The topology is the same on every lab. (This may be a disadvantage
> > in that you get used to the same type of connectivity. It just depends
> > on how quick you are to pick up new topologies. It is nice not to have
> > to recable every 8 hours or so.)
> >
> > The scenarios seem pretty good all in all. I do wish there was more
> > CAT3550 stuff in there. It's plain scary how much those devices will
> > do when you think about the lab.
> >
> > Jake Reynolds
> > Systems Engineer - Information Systems
> > MCSE NT4 & W2K, CCNA, CCNP, A+
> >
> > US Central Credit Union
> > 9701 Renner Blvd.
> > Lenexa, KS 66219
> >
> > Office- 913.227.6122
> > Cell- 816.305.6785
> >
> > jreynolds@uscentral.org
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ccie2be [mailto:ccie2be@nyc.rr.com]
> > Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 7:24 AM
> > To: Group Study
> > Subject: the IPExpert endorsement posted by cebuano
> >
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > After seeing the endorsement of IPExpert's R&S workbook, I'm wondering
> > what others have to say about it and whether it's worth the cost.
> >
> > And, of course, I'm also wondering for which type of ccie candidate is
> > this product most suitable. (I'm very strong on the theory stuff but
> > I don't have extensive hands-on experience. I have a good lab but it
> > doesn't include any 3550's, ATM or voice. I've been using Solie's
> > book, the CCIE Lab Practice Kit, and some old ccbootcamp labs for
> > practice)
> >
> > I just looked at their website and saw they were asking $499.00 + s/h
> > but I didn't see anything saying if that's the 50% off price or the
> > price before the 50% discount.
> >
> > So, what do you IPExpert users think about me forking over the bucks
> > for their R&S Workbook product?
> >
> > Strongly recommend - bite the bullet and don't think about the cost?
> >
> > Recommend but wouldn't call it a must have?
> >
> > Better to spend the money on 3550's or 2600's with voice modules?
> >
> > I appreciate all the feedback I can get on this. Thanks kindly,
> >
> > Jim
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Sat Apr 05 2003 - 08:51:38 GMT-3