From: Marcus Lasarko (mlasarko@baltimorecountymd.gov)
Date: Mon Apr 16 2007 - 14:11:37 ART
Just taking a quick shot at this - feeding the rumor mill :)
What if...
In the future...
To begin one would pass a written test, similar to now (we have to start somewhere). CCIE written exams would be conducted in varying climates with two 100-question parts and a break in between. Each portion of the written requires that you must score 70 or above, but average 75 or greater overall on both sections. Overall exam length would be 230 minutes. 1 minute per question, plus the 30 minutes for the break in the middle. One half of the exam would be give in a walk-in freezer, while the other half would be taken in a desert-like heat. (Use your imagination)
After passing the written beating one would submit a resume and portfolio with a minimum 5 years experience describing 5 "large/enterprise" deployments as a tech_lead/architect/PM that apply to the track you are pursuing (This concept should sound familiar to some of you out there with certain other certifications) - And Yes! This step should be a requirement for those with an existing # as that number applies to some other technology specialization, this is a new track, a new technology, and the candidate should have a minimum amount of experience with that technology for (or within) a specified period of time.
Then Cisco selects from the qualified candidates by random selection. These candidates are then interviewed by a select group of Proctors to validate their professional experience, answer questions regarding their implementation, etc... All candidates are subject to an audit of their application, but due to the nature of the new lab process the need for audits will be minimal. The fee for this interview would be $200.00 and would take approximately 2 hours, in person or via video-conference from a secured Cisco office/location using TelePresence. The candidate (or sponsor) is now ~ $500.00 invested into the program, has passed a "sincere" written exam, and spoken with Proctors to get a feel for their personality.
At this point Cisco has determined a candidate is "paper and people ready". They have passed a written and interview to confirm their experience and that they are familiar with their proposed track. Approximately 20 candidates are selected at a time. This helps with scheduling as more seats are available and none left empty, optimizing profits and increasing efficiency.
Note: There are no empty seats, aside from "no-shows". This "No show" issue is mitigated by the necessity for a candidate to check-in 36 to 48 hours prior. A candidate not registered onsite at the lab within 36 hours prior loses their seat, their $'s, and alternates are called and invited until the class is full.
Now, candidates who pass the interview/validation process are scheduled for the "lab-week". This would be 6 to 12 months prior to the actual "lab-week" starting date. This is important to allow for ample time to surgically install an NDA-enforcement microchip into the base of their skulls. A procedure that would not be irreversible, but would certainly be a "high-risk" change control to remove :) This would also be one of three primary means of identification (currently all you need is a picture_ID). This new policy would require picture_ID, biometric (retinal, fingerprint, etc...), and confirmation of the presence of the previously installed NDA-enforcement chip on lab day.
In the meantime, for the program overall, Cisco doubles available rack facilities at little cost by using confiscated and/or otherwise un-licensed hardware and increases the cost of the lab to $2500.00 for the week, double the people, double the cost, with only the need for some additional hardware/racks and a few "Associate Proctors", who could just as well be newbie CCIE's and/or other "students". Candidates are selected, fees are processed, the schedule is set.
Now we arrive at lab week. The week starts on Monday.
The candidates are given similar-difficulty labs, based on prior candidate performance, at random.
Those who score in the top half of their class on day 1 move on to day 2...
Those who score in the top half of their class on day 2 move on to day 3...
Ties are allowed - a tie score may allow one or two more to move on to the next day, but the odds of that happening the next day, mathematically, are exponentially less likely.
Note the above, the first two days, could be technology-specific. Perhaps one heavy physical-layer and core switching on ACTUAL PRODUCTION platforms (65xx, 45xx, 37xx, etc...), with little L3 required. The next day perhaps intense IGP's - core routing, all L2 done for you from the start (just do not 'break it", hint...).
Note: not as much hardware variance in day 2 hardware as day 3, SP candidates would potentially have different platforms than R&S as there could be ONS/optical, xWDM, etc...
This leaves us with only 5 candidates who are invited back on Wednesday.
They have shown their true expertise in regards to the core technologies and have outlasted their peers.
The other 15 have been "voted out", their torches flame no more, "they're fired".
<insert_your_favorite_reality_TV_catch_phrase_here>
These 5 candidates get to take a full labs the next three days.
The candidates must score above 70 on ALL labs, with an average of over 75.
This may sound like a downgrade to some, but just think about it...
88 - 91 - 67, darn -you're out on the 3rd lab even though your average was an 82.
There are no re-reads. If you want to try again you re-register.
If you re-register there is a benefit in terms of a
Those who meet the criteria above become a "MCCIE"
And we all know what "M" stands for...
Money!
...or Master,
or Multiple
or Machine,
or whatever you want it to if you can get through!
Seriously, just thinking about the possibility;
How that COULD work.
The only part that may be of issue is the NDA-chip, that could create health liabilities or other complications.
Climate control for the written would require some medical waiver, of course.
I do not see this as a problem for instructors, granted their material is original.
Those who participate cannot share their knowledge as the NDA-chip will not permit it.
Kind of like a polygraph, but looped-back to your synapse!
You could not communicate/replicate the stuff you saw if you wanted to!
If you even thought about asking question too precise to what were on your labs, what you saw...
It would give a whole new meaning to the term "migraine".
NDA-chip aside, I think the other steps are feasible.
and would certainly "harden" the certification, empower those who pass, etc...
While I believe someone *could* memorize a lab, it is doubtful they can memorize three,
And that is if they make it that far :)
Proctors would still be proctors
The candidates are still human
And we cannot cheat ourselves as humans so often are tempted to do!
In the end, CCIE / MCCIE's are truly " experienced experts"
Just day-dreaming - Happy Monday all,
~M
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Tue May 01 2007 - 08:28:36 ART