RE: *Huge Post*..Passed! 20 yr old CCIE # 19910

From: Gobind (gobind@inbox.com)
Date: Sat Feb 02 2008 - 13:55:13 ARST


I have already read :-

1.Definitive MPLS Network Designs
2.MPLS and VPN Architecture Vol 1 & 2
3. BGP Design and Implementation

Now looking to buying workbooks and start practise and meanwhile read
books side by side,so checking out different vendors.I found that SP has
advance level of topics in R&S like BGP and additional protocols like
MPLS.

Gobind

  -----Original Message-----
  From: smorris@ipexpert.com
  Sent: Sat, 2 Feb 2008 10:12:13 -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

  There are ways around that part. :) And yes, I'll be at
  Networkers in Orlando! With the SP, you'll find a lot of the basics
  coming back, but a different focus as you are using a lot more BGP
  than in the R&S labs. But take each technology, play with it in
  depth, then start adding things together! It's a process. Any of
  these tests are! There are some decent Cisco Press books on MPLS
  fundamentals and design. Check 'em out. Scott

  --------------------------------------------------------------------

  From: Gobind [mailto:gobind@inbox.com]
  Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 6:12 AM
  To: smorris@ipexpert.com; 'Cisco certification'; 'Narbik Kocharians';
  'christian'; 'Darby Weaver'; 'Scott Morris'
  Cc: 'Brian McGahan'; bdennis@internetworkexpert.com;
  ccielab@groupstudy.com
  Subject: RE: *Huge Post*..Passed! 20 yr old CCIE # 19910
  Importance: High

  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!

    smorris@ipexpert.com

    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 :) )



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