From: Scott M Vermillion (scott_ccie_list@it-ag.com)
Date: Tue Nov 04 2008 - 03:13:55 ARST
QoS is as "down-in-the-weeds" as any networking concept/topic gets, IMHO.
Problem is that it's so complex in its actual implementation, that we have
to resort to talk of non-existent "buckets" and so forth. Thus, if you
don't have a *very solid* command of the theory that lies beneath the
surface, absolutely no amount of lab time will get you over the hump. It's
simply one of those aspects of the CCIE that demand both hard-core book time
and hard-core lab time, period without exception.
I can't imagine having stepped into the lab without a couple of good
cover-to-cover reads of "Cisco QoS Exam Certification Guide" (now in second
edition by Wendell Odom). The graphics are as good as any that have ever
been rendered in support of complex technical theory. Naturally you also
need your fair share of time on the CLI following this (or some equivalent)
read. But just trying to somehow muscle your way through QoS sans the
investment in theory is quite a long-shot in my view. You're almost certain
to be thrown by the devil in the details of the task language in all but the
simplest of cases.
Incidentally, if you just can't, for whatever reason, bring yourself to
invest the time or the cash in this book, Cisco's documentation of QoS is
also worthy of its share of your lab prep investment. Something like this,
at a very brief 32 pages, could keep you busy for hours on end:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/internetworking/technology/handbook/QoS.html
But for every one thing you learn from the above, you'd learn a hundred from
the book (and subsequent lab time).
Finally, I'd like to suggest "Inside Cisco IOS Software Architecture" as an
"if you can possibly find the time" book to consider. I don't think I got
around to reading it until after the lab, but it does help to tie together
some things and to demystify some of the more abstract concepts. Not
strictly speaking necessary by any stretch of the imagination, but I can
certainly see where some of the insight on offer would build confidence
heading into the lab.
Come to think of it, I might just hit both of the above recommended texts in
the coming handful of weeks...
-----Original Message-----
From: nobody@groupstudy.com [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On Behalf Of
Administrator
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 8:01 AM
To: ccielab@groupstudy.com
Subject: QOS Advice
Hi there, I am looking for advice and I feel this is the best place for it.
I am horrible with QOS, it is a weakness that I have always had. I feel
like
I may always have it. In my daily job I use QOS everyday, but use
Packeteers
instead of the CISCO CLI. What is the best way to approach QOS in order to
really learn it. Should I take a global knowledge course, or the CCIE 360,
or
CCIE 2.0, or what.
I am looking at getting my R&S, have tried and failed it a couple of times.
My big weakeness is QOS and more and more, I really want to nail QOS. I
just
dont know how to go about it anymore. I am sort of a lab rat, I dont know
that I can read a book and snap my fingers and have it all. I just dont
seem
to retain things from a book alone. I need something dynamic. I dont know
what I need actually. I know I need to learn QOS and I have been at this so
long, that I have become frustrated lost when it comes how to learn again !!
I am really energized about the CCIE 2.0 because I think it may do what I
need, and target my weakness.
I would like to hear what the group says.
Thanks for the help.
Blogs and organic groups at http://www.ccie.net
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