From: Ahsan Mohiuddin (ahsan.mohiuddin@gmail.com)
Date: Tue Dec 30 2008 - 23:42:52 ARST
Hello Folks,
I passed my R&S Lab exam on Tuesday Dec 23, 2008. It was my 2nd attempt. I
had passed my written in April 2007, also in 2nd attempt!
'The Journey' started in Jan 2003. It was a long road and a rough ride,
sometimes side-tracked by other priorities or commitments. But I finally
reached there.
Some of the resources that I used during the course of my study are as
follows:
*Routing TCP/IP Vol.1 2nd Ed. (Jeff Doyle)* - I read it from page 1 to page
page 801 (last page), except Integrated IS-IS. I used to highlight a lot of
text. During the next 3 years, I read all that highlighted text dozens of
times over (typically these were the "Case Studies"). Caution! due to
overuse, your book might begin to look like a scrapbook. Actually, I used
two copies of the same book; one was 1st Ed (God rest its soul) and my
current copy is 2nd Edition. Some of the stuff, for example OSPF Message
formats and other such great depths of Routing theory can be safely skipped.
Well, thats what I did.
*Routing TCP/IP Vol.2 (Jeff Doyle)* - I read chapters 2 & 3 in their
entirety. Again, the "Case Studies" were subjected to highlighting,
underlining, encircling and every other tweak possible to make the text
stand out. I did NOT do natting, multicast or anything else from this book.
But these two books proved invaluable in laying the foundation for skill
level that is required for building Core Reachability in the real exam.
*Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN) (David Hucaby)* - This
book I also read from cover-cover. This book was my only resource on Layer-2
switching until, ironically, I flunked my first lab attempt. Thereafter I
added Cisco Doc CD as another resource to my pool. Excellent book, highly
recommend.
*CCIE Official Exam Certification Guide (Wendell Odom)* - Read only the
sections not covered by the books listed above. I recommend it only for the
written exam, as it gives you a bird's eye view of the course outline you
are trying to cover. Otherwise it has certain flaws in the way the
information is presented. As a reader you feel that you are going around in
circles instead of being presented with a straightfoward Cause n Effect
picture. Summary address calculation is explained in a horrible way. So
instead, I would recommend this groupstudy link for figuring out summary
addresses: http://www.groupstudy.com/archives/ccielab/200708/msg01716.html
*Internetwork Expert's Class on Demand* - I used this resource
enthusiastically at first but after a few months, my interest began to wane.
I realized that I cannot sit back and take notes for long hours. So, I would
recommend this resource only to those who are very good at listening to
lectures and taking notes.
*Internetwork Expert's Workbook Vol.2* - Although I did not purchase this
workbook but I did get to work on a few labs presented therein. Recommend
highly.
*Narbik Kocharin's Advanced Tech Workbook* - Its an invaluable resource. The
great thing about this book is, it does not let you get bored. As soon as
you feel there is more explanation requird, you find it. Very concise.
Absolute must-have.
*The Key to CCIE* - After having failed the lab on my first attempt in May
this year, I sat down and reviewed my strategy from A to Z. After spending
many days on this analysis, I realized that if I go into the lab worried
about the financial mess I am going to be in if I fail the lab, I am going
to fail the lab. So, for my 2nd attempt, I planned ahead, asked one friend
for a loan of USD 1400, and asked two more friends to keep a loan of USD
1400 each on standby. Thereupon I went into the lab and came out victorious.
So for me, the key to ccie is this ---> if you are going to sit the lab but
cannot foresee how you are going to provide financing for the next 2
attempts, forget about ccie. Call it a psyche game because that is what it
is.
Thanks to all those who contribute on this group, and special thanks to the
admin who is running this wonderful free-for-all resource.
Everyone, have a Happy Holiday Season!!
Kind regards,
Syed Ahsan Mohiuddin
CCIE# 23061
Blogs and organic groups at http://www.ccie.net
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