From: Andrew Richter (arichter@cisco.com)
Date: Mon Jun 09 2003 - 23:34:26 GMT-3
It is finally my turn to post the "I passed" message, though a bit after the
fact.
After a long road and uncountable hours I passed in San Jose on 5/27 on my
3rd try. In some respects it seems strange to post this message as it is
actually the first time I've posted to GroupStudy, though I've been a lurker
for many months. I just want to write to pass along many over-due thank
you's and to share what I found to be helpful in my preparation in the hopes
it may be of some help to others.
First - read read read. I started this process with 5 books and found I
really needed little else for the "fundamentals" other than the occasional
search through CCO. These are the same ones we see posted here often :
Doyle Vol. 1&2, Parkhurst OSPF and BGP Command References, and Halabi
Architectures. Understanding the theory of how it works before moving to
the hands-on really made it all gel for me.
Second - The purchase of hardware is inevitable so be ready to do it. There
are certain ways I found to cut down the costs; know there will some
technologies you won't have and you will need to find other ways to get the
practice if you don't work with them regularly. I didn't have ATM or ISDN.
Find rack time through rentals, or if you work for a Cisco Reseller, ask
your Channel SE about ASET time. When buying 2500's, get Token Ring instead
of Ethernet where ever possible. This saved me enough money to get an
additional router. Get your hands on a good set of labs even if they are
older ones with TR and CatOS. Use these to hammer away on the fundamentals
as well as the intricacies of Layer 2, IGP's and BGP. This will make your
time spent in a classroom/bootcamp environment worth all the more (See
Fourth Item)
Third - GroupStudy and especially the archives are an invaluable resource.
When I had questions, instead of immediately posting I went to the Archives
first. I found either workable solutions or DocCD references to everything
I was stuck with. Often times the same question had been asked multiple
times. I feel it is important to approach GroupStudy with the attitude that
this will help me find the way to the answer for myself, not a means of
getting the command line I hope I can memorize in case it's in the Lab.
Fourth - CyscoExpert. I went to Chicago to work with CyscoExpert on the
recommendation of a co-worker after he attended. I don't know any other way
to describe Brian, Bahram, Naren, Tom, Peter, and Mitch except as the best
learning experience I've ever had, technical or otherwise. Their
individual-focused format was perfect for how I learn new topics and
reinforce existing knowledge. Each one approaches the material in a
slightly different way, so on any topic, no matter how you learn, the light
bulb will light up. The scenarios are the most challenging ones I've come
across anywhere and they ABSOLUTLY prepare you for the real Lab. They help
you find the areas where you need extra work, as well as challenge what you
think you already know. This is where the rubber from the countless hours
of reading and home-rack-time really meet the road. When I walked into
Building C on the 27th and read through the exam, the first thought I had
was "This is doable".
Thanks go out to (in no particular order after the first one)
Christina - The non-stop one-woman cheering section (and caffeine
supplier) - Love You
The crew at 2750 - for putting up with the late nights, frustration, and
stress
CyscoExpert - Can't say thanks enough
Bacho Gagua - Your time and assistance made a huge impact - now it's your
turn
Cary Anderson - The encouragement and push helped keep me going. Time to
open the bottle.
Eric Foster - You've been an incredible help from the very beginning of this
journey. See you on stage.
All the posters on GroupStudy that have built an amazing repository of
knowledge not equaled anywhere.
-Andrew Richter
#11740
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