From: Anthony Sequeira (terry.francona@gmail.com)
Date: Wed Jan 11 2006 - 11:17:41 GMT-3
Hi Thomwin!
I teach CiscoWorks, the CCNP track, QoS, and INTRO/ICND for KnowledgeNet.
Thanks for noticing and I am glad to hear you enjoyed the QoS
presentation. I know enough to be dangerous now I think.
On 1/10/06, Thomwin Chen <thomwin_chen@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi Anthony,
>
> Congratulations !!
>
> just curious, i have a membership in KnowledgeNet.
> and one of the mentor name is also Anthony Sequeira.
> He explained QoS very well.
> is that you ?
>
> thanks
>
> Rgds,
> Thomwin
>
>
> Anthony Sequeira <terry.francona@gmail.com> wrote:
> I began seriously studying for the CCIE-R/S in the summer of 2004. I
> had completed my CCNP a year earlier and was starting to pile up more
> and more hands-on router time, so I figured I had to be close. Boy was
> I wrong.
>
> I had two "old school", two-day format CCIEs tell me what to expect on
> the lab and give me a rough outline of how to attack it. My company
> then volunteered to pay for my first and last attempt at the lab.
> Armed with this I took my first attempt in January of 2005.
>
> FIRST ATTEMPT
> This was the most disastrous attempt of them all. Rather inexplicably,
> I become so nervous the night before that I sleep for 2 hours total. I
> do not function well on little sleep, and this proves to magnify my
> lack of preparedness dramatically. The proctor calls time while I am
> in the BGP section! I do not attempt about 35 points of the lab.
> Swell!
>
> FINDING INTERNETWORK EXPERT
> I quickly realize that I need a lot of help to actually have a chance
> to pass such a test. Thanks to Group Study I quickly find
> Internetwork Expert. I examine their free workbook lab sample and I am
> stunned at the excellent representation of the lab that it presents. I
> immediately purchase the Volume 1 workbook and begin renting rack time
> from them and my favorite rack rental vendor racktimerentals.com.
>
> SECOND ATTEMPT
> In June of 2005 I feel ready for another go at it. I had worked on my
> approach to the lab a bit using the various checklists that float
> around on Group Study and I had really increased my hours of
> hands-on thanks to the workbook and hours of rental racks.
>
> During this attempt I meet Tim from Group Study at RTP. We have kept
> in touch ever since, and I begin to realize the importance of becoming
> more involved with Group Study and extending study relationships as
> much as possible beyond the group.
>
> I complete the last task of the lab as the proctor calls time. I feel
> convinced that I have passed. I am stunned to receive my failing mark
> and learn that I scored poorly even on sections where I thought I did
> well.
>
> MORE HELP FROM INTERNETWORK EXPERT
> It is clear to me that the workbook is not enough for me as far as
> Internetwork Expert products go. I quickly purchase the COD series and
> begin to really learn the technologies more deeply and most
> importantly learn how to verify and troubleshoot my work more
> effectively.
>
> I also do a Mock Lab. I score a 63. Brian McGahan indicates I better
> tread lightly regarding scheduling another attempt. I tell him he is
> crazy and that his Mock Lab is just too hard.
>
> THIRD ATTEMPT
> In September of 2005 I try again, ignoring some key advice from
> Internetwork Expert. Sure enough I score about a 65 eerily similar
> to my performance on the Mock Lab.
>
> I realize one of my main problems on this attempt. I am SLOW
> painfully SLOW at making configurations. I really need to work on my
> speed.
>
> FORTH ATTEMPT
> November 2005. I am now completely addicted to trying to pass the lab
> regardless of what others are telling me. I have tried two more Mock
> Labs from IE I have not passed them and sure enough I fail to
> pass the actual lab once again. This time, I run out of time again! It
> seems like I am working backwards.
>
> DROP EVERYTHING
> After the forth failure I decide that enough is enough. It is time for
> me to drop everything else that I enjoy writing, poker, flying,
> playing music, etc and focus 100% on passing the lab. Thanks to Group
> Study I meet another CCIE candidate, Jerry Hulbert of Fluke Networks.
> He is right where I am in preparation it seems and is able to help me
> dramatically through lab strategy discussions and practice methods.
>
> I also become addicted to Group Study. Helping others whenever I can
> and reaping the rewards of assistance from such greats on this list as
> Scott Morris and Chris Lewis.
>
> CHECKiT LABS
> Because of my poorly thought through study approach, I realize that I
> have not made the most of Internetwork Expert's materials. In not
> taking their advice in how to use the workbooks and Mock Labs I have
> become fairly good at completing their labs, and fairly bad at
> approaching the actual exam. I decide to mix it up as I prep for my
> (hopefully) final attempt. I speak with India Teller at NetMasterClass
> and end up (per her advice) completing three of the CHECKiT labs from
> NetMasterClass. These labs are absurdly difficult. I mean ABSURDLY.
> They really test my approach and abilities. I finally score in the mid
> 70s on one and I feel pretty darn ready for the real animal. Funny to
> think that I never pass any Mock Lab from any vendor.
>
> FINAL (FIFTH) ATTEMPT
> On January 5, 2006 I pass the lab. During the entire lab session all I
> can think of is THIS IS IT YOU ARE CRUSHING THIS. Apparently, this
> was not far from the truth. For the first time ever I finish early
> go back and find some errors, fix them, and feel pretty darn solid
> after the exam.
>
> TIPS FOR PASSING
> 1. Listen to what people like the Brians and India tell you to do.
> They know. Trust me. This journey would have been cheaper, less
> painful, and more rewarding if I had trusted Brian and Brian out of
> the gate.
> 2. Whatever vendor you pick and like me you should consider using
> multiple vendors make sure you are getting the most from their
> products. They can help you to do that and so can Group Study.
> 3. During the lab exam, re-diagram even if there is only a slight
> chance the new diagram can help you. I tended to quickly diagram just
> about every task.
> 4. During the lab exam, use a TCL script for reachability testing
> after your IGPs are complete. Then use a TCL script again before you
> finish the lab. Make sure you leave time for troubleshooting problems
> you may discover after the second TCL test.
> 5. Master use of the DOC-CD.
> 6. As Internetwork Expert taught me verify everything that you can
> before you move on.
> 7. As NetMasterClass taught me know to spot the issues. Is the task
> really as simple as it sounds or are there hidden pitfalls?
> 8. Try the different proctors at your facility with your questions.
> Some seem more helpful than others.
> 9. Stay positive and relaxed through the entire process. I had to turn
> to the writings of Dr. Wayne W. Dyer for help in this area.
>
> I will maintain my Group Study subscription and I will be one of those
> that is here to help you whenever I can. I hope to chat with you soon.
>
> Anthony Sequeira
> CCIE #15626
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> Subscription information may be found at:
> http://www.groupstudy.com/list/CCIELab.html
>
>
>
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