From: Gobind (gobind@inbox.com)
Date: Sat Feb 02 2008 - 09:12:18 ARST
Thanks,well Scott,the drinking age in India is 18 yrs,I am really happy
that it isnt 21 like US,hehe.I knew because when i was there for my
bootcamp in US,I went to buy beers but could not buy it as I was 19 at
that time.
I can't even grab a glass of beer with you guys, if I get a chance at
Networkers in Orlando this year :( (Hope you are coming there)
P.S.:- Any tips for going towards CCIE SP?
--Gobind
CCIE # 19910
-----Original Message-----
From: smorris@ipexpert.com
Sent: Fri, 1 Feb 2008 20:08:18 -0500
To: gobind@inbox.com, ccielab@groupstudy.com, narbikk@gmail.com,
christian@subfighter.ca, darbyweaver@yahoo.com, swm@emanon.com
Subject: RE: *Huge Post*..Passed! 20 yr old CCIE # 19910
Congratulations!!! Too bad you aren't old enough to drink in
celebration!!! (Although, I must admit I have no clue what the
drinking age is on the other side of the Pond!) :) Go back and
spend some time with the girlfriend and family before taking on
another CCIE! Cheers,
Scott Morris, CCIE4 (R&S/ISP-Dial/Security/Service Provider) #4713,
JNCIE-M #153, JNCIS-ER, CISSP, et al.
CCSI/JNCI-M/JNCI-ER
VP - Technical Training - IPexpert, Inc.
IPexpert Sr. Technical Instructor
A Cisco Learning Partner - We Accept Learning Credits!
Telephone: +1.810.326.1444
Fax: +1.810.454.0130
http://www.ipexpert.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Gobind [mailto:gobind@inbox.com]
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 6:28 PM
To: Cisco certification; Narbik Kocharians; christian; Darby Weaver;
Scott Morris; Scott Morris
Cc: Brian McGahan; bdennis@internetworkexpert.com;
ccielab@groupstudy.com
Subject: *Huge Post*..Passed! 20 yr old CCIE # 19910
Importance: High
Hey Guys!
At last with the blessing of GOD, I manged to pass CCIE exam at
brussels.This was my third attempt.Yea,I am 20 but I am not boasting
but rather feeling proud for this accomplishment in the conditions I
been through while preparing.Its been a long journey.I want to say
Thanks to Brians,Darby for this tips and Scott,Narbik for their
endless help rather it be direct or indirect as most of the help and
information I got to my problems was by searching the old archives
and most of the archives were from Scott and Narbik :).Also want to
say thanks to Alexie for his posts in Netmasclass,the thing in which
I was getting which was redistribution,he pulled out a topic from
Group Study posted by Bruce from Netmasterclass way back,it was huge
post on Redistribution which really opened my mind in that particular
area.I can post that link later if someone is interested.Also want to
say thanks to Eric and Bruno,the proctors of Brussels which really
helped me(Cheers! if you are reading this post :) and to Manoj for
talking with me on phone for helping me out in my problems and
giving me tips for the Lab.
This is a Huge post.I just want to tell everyone that never ever give
up!!.Always remember:-
"Winners never Quit & Quitters never win!!"
I struggled a lot during my journey to CCIE.It took me 3 years! I
started studying for CCIE back in 2004 after passing my CCNP when I
was just 17.My career started when I was studying in 9th grade and
was working as part time in my areas's local ISP company.I use to do
installations of Modems,cables for New customers.My interest started
to grow after I saw Network Engineer f our company configuring RIP on
Router.My ambition started to grow,I wanted to be like him,sitting on
chair and configuring Network Equiptments remotely.Then I asked him
how to learn those kind of things and then he recommended me Wendel
Odom's CCNA book,that's when my career in Cisco started.I managed to
pass CCNA and started helping that same Engineer in his work of
configuring routeres and learn new things from him.Later on I managed
to pass CCNP.
My hunger for Networking started to grow,that's when I joined a big
company out of the state where I was living,which really helped me in
studying.I worked there and meanwhile started studying for CCIE in
2004.But at that time was also most worst part because when people
use to lookup at me in India(thats where I worked and grew up) they
use to mock me "17 year old kid doing CCIE?!!! HAHAHA",They use to
mock me on my back which also worked as spilling petrol in fire for
me in my studies due to which my determination grew and I wanted to
show them that I can do it.But at that time I was not upto the mark
for CCIE.I took traning in Bangalore,it was 2005 mid by then.Then I
got know about IE's Brian and I saw their sample labs and then I
realized that there was so much out there to learn.But I didnt had
that much finance to pay Brian or for my training.So I made up my
mind to work hard and collect money.After doing 9 to 5 job,I use to
Design Websites and do Web hosting for many customers.
That business really boosted my income and till the ended of 2005 and
with some financial help from my parents I planned to buy my rack and
then I posted at GS in Dec 2005 I believe for getting help for
setting up Rack,Then brian McGahan came forward to help me and I
bought full Rack of routers and CCIE End to End from Brians on which
they gave me discount after due to my financial condition.I am really
grateful for them.I started learn technologies more deeply by
studying Brian's COD and their workbook and meanwhile studying CCIE
Practical studies Vol 1 & 2(I already completed TCP/IP Vol I & II by
this time).
But finance was always problem for me,so I had to work meanwhile for
collecting money for CCIE Lab exam.But 2006 wasnt really good year
for me.Due to some personal problems at home I had to sell my rack.My
CCIE written exam was going to be expired.So I gave my written exam
again and then I needed to practise on Rack.But the Rack rentals
price for 20-30 days and training of Bangalore for CCIE turned out to
be same,HAHA,So I thought I should rather go to banglore,this way I
got rack access for 1 month physical access (My employer really
helped me and gave me leave).
But then after reading that how people fails in GS,I was really
shocked and I made up my mind to take Bootcamp.My friend Manoj whom I
met in GS recommended me to go Cyscoexpert where Naren Mehta who is
Co-Author of Book "CCIE Routing and Switching Official Exam
Certification Guide" and bahram were giving one to one training in
US.So I decided to go there,so I started collecting money and did
various projects meanwhile and did programming/designing for
website,also hosted Live broadcsting events.At last I was ready to
go.
But before going I did Rack rentals from Chris from CiscoLabs,he gave
me Rack in damn cheap price.I am thankful to him.I took my training
in US from CyscoExpert.That training was just awesome! It really
helped me and I thought I was ready for exam and I would pass it.I
appeared for my lab on 15th may 2007 at RTP,This was my first attempt
and I failed.I was really shocked that what happened as when i came
out of the lab I thought Iwas passed.It really shook me.I did't knew
what to do.I posted my experience in Lab during then.When i returned
back to India,I met those guys again mocking at me even 2 years after
saying that I cant pass the labs.So I felt so guilty and thought I
couldnt pass it and they were right.But my parents supported and girl
friend supported me and told me to give it another try.After 1 week
time my I decided that I wont give up and booked my lab date on 5th
July,2007 in Dubai and guess what I failed again which almost made me
thing that CCIE is not meant for me and I dint even had the courage
to post in GS or appear in GS again.I was really broken in pieces and
started to think that those guys were 100% right that CCIE is
unattainable for Kid/Teenager like me and I dont deserve that.
But after 2 months I really thought that what am I doing?! Even after
doing so much I am quiting?! So finally I decided to give one more
attempt again and see my luck.I decided to take Narbik's bootcamp
under his special offer but due to some personal problems I was not
able to attend it.I decided to do Netmasterclass,Also Chris from
CiscoLabs and my old friend Manoj gave me advise to do it.So I bought
Netmaster DoIT and rented Rack from Chirs and started practicing and
whole December I practised DoIT,especially on Weekends and during
Christmas/New Year Holidays.
By this time my lab was booked on January 29th at Brussels.I went to
IE's COD again.Read the redistribution part which really sometimes
put me in trouble from Forum's of DiscussIT of Netmasterclass by
Bruce posted by Alexie,Thanks again for that!! And not to forget my
favorite post from Darby in GS with Subject "Lab Approach - Getting
Ready for the 3rd Shot at the Title" which really helped me in my 3rd
shot ;).Thanks Darby for that.I got problem in many things but it was
mostly previously discussed in GS before and was mostly answered by
Scott and Narbik,Thanks Narbik and Scott!!!
I also remember the topic "Attack by proctor" from GS which said the
Proctors esp. in Brussels do attack in rack,many CCIE candidates came
forward and said it.I was also prepared for that even i thought it
was stupid thing,thinking that maybe sometime in middle of m lab I
would get problem,hehe
So the Final day,when i entered the lab I was totally freeked out.I
calmed myself and started my lab and I finished my lab in 5.5 hours
which was really good sign for me,then i verified the solutions from
first question from Question one to last and then came out of the
Lab.I left for the airport from hotel at 5pm.
Now the **Golden Moment**.My Girl Friend called me just after 1 hr 45
mins,after my lab,exactly at 6:15 pm(as she was checking my result)
and here what she said "Sweetheart, 19910.." and she stopped.I
understood that were my digits and I was like NO WAY!,Tears came into
my eyes with happiness.I couldnt believe I passed!! Then i called my
parents and gave them the news.That was the most preciuos moment of
my life.I thanked GOD which blessed me.
As per my expeience in Lab there is nothing known as attack by
proctor in MIDDLE of LAB.And yea Bruno & Eric are not my friends and
they neither gave me Belgian Beer to say this,hehe.
The people which really helped me from Day 1 when I started preparing
for CCIE are Brians which helped me technically and also financially
when I needed help by giving me huge discounts in my bad times. GOD
Bless you. guys!
Maybe I bored you guys with my story.But I just want to tell you that
no matter how hard the time can be if you want to attain something
then go for it,no matter "Whatever it takes".Even in my case I was
being mocked due to my age or even I failed 3 attempts even my
financial condition was not good as I was not earning in $ but in
India Ruppee which really makes difference,believe me.My pay from
past 3 years and money which came from my business of Web
Designing/Programming and Broadcasting over IP,all went into this
studies.Yea I was stupid enough for this because I just had this one
aim in front of me.I took two tranings in bangalore,Rented more than
600 hours of Racktime from different vendors,mainly from
Chris,Bootcamp in US,three attempts,End to End from Brians's CCIE and
DoIT from Netmasterclass.I know it looks insane but I was crazy
enough to put my 100% efforts as well as finance in this exam as it
was my goal and also shut the f**k up of those guys who mocked at me
due to my age.They use to say that that they had 12 years of
experience(they were CCIE themself) which was nearly equivant ot my
age(I was 17 at that time).I respect that they had so much experience
and had CCIE but they did not had any right to mock at me.
But I have attained what I dreamt for even it took longer than I
expected but I attained it.
My Next Dream .... "CCIE Service Provider"..hehe.. Now I have to dig
the way of studiying for this cerfication.I am going to start
studying for it in few days time.Any advice or guidance would be
helpful :).
Thanks again to Alexie,Bahram,Brians,Bruce,Chris,Manoj(Thanks for
taking out time for solving my problems),Naren,Narbik & Scott for
their help and support in whichever way I got from them :)
--Gobind Singh Gill
CCIE # 19910
(Proudly Writing :) )
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Sat Mar 01 2008 - 16:54:47 ARST