From: Tim Ross (ross2k@pclv.com)
Date: Thu Jun 12 2003 - 15:15:10 GMT-3
Andrew,
Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Tim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Richter" <arichter@cisco.com>
To: "Groupstudy" <ccielab@groupstudy.com>
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 7:34 PM
Subject: CCIE #11740
> 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
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Fri Jul 04 2003 - 11:10:57 GMT-3