Re: Passed SP lab!

Nice going!
Congrats on the pass! :)

On Tue, May 18, 2010 at 12:05 PM, Shawn Zandi <szmetal_at_gmail.com> wrote:

> Congratulations Swap
> Now take some rest buddy :)
>
> --
> --
> Sincerely,
> Shawn Zandi
> Network Architect and Consultant
> Cisco Certified CCIE x2 (R&S + Security)
> Juniper JNCIS x2 (ER & SEC) - Foundry/Brocade BCNE - Procurve Master ASE
> (MASE)
>
> Dubai Internet City
> web: http://www.shafagh.com
> blog: http://blog.shafagh.com
> email: shafagh_at_shafagh.com
>
>
> On Tue, May 18, 2010 at 2:59 PM, swap m <ccie19804_at_gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > hi group
> >
> > the loong frustrating SP journey has reached its destination..i passed
> > the SP lab yesterday.
> >
> > it was a bigger battle with bugs, vague wording and crappy oeqs than
> > the technology itself.
> >
> > few things i wud like to share with people preparing for sp lab -
> >
> > 1. mpls vpns -
> > ahh thts the biggest chunk in sp lab, almost everyone who failed has
> > got shocking results in vpn section. vpn constitues more than 30% of
> > the score so less score guarantees a failure.
> > understand "send-label" feature correctly, when, how , restrictions
> > etc..knwing the difference between "mpls ip" and "send-label" is
> > important. The figures shud knw wht to type the moment we see inter-as
> > and csc. Know when to use set mpls-label , and the scary things tht
> > might happen when not using it when it s a mandate.
> >
> > 2. multicast -
> > the RnS bits of multicast is the base. For MVPN/inter-as-multicast
> > understand RFC3618 for rpf check thoroughly, understand the order of
> > rpf preference. understand when to make use of bgp multicast SAFI.
> > Understand which inter-as supports inter-as multicast, and how it
> > works on a 12.2S code without the mdt safi. Look for Petr s blog on
> > mvpn, refer to my blog for some explanation too.
> > this is one of the easiest sections to score if we knw the game.
> >
> > 3. the important command "reload"! if you know its configured
> > correctly, you shudn't shy away from doing a reload.
> >
> > 4. join forums, there are some forums where nda stuff is brainstormed
> > candidly. not the right thing but it helps.
> >
> > 5. for first attempt, avoid locations like bangalore. in B'lore you'll
> > most likely get ONLY a "smile" as an answer with some ambiguous facial
> > expression and words to ur questions. Choose a location like brusells
> > etc. where u have an inhouse rack and a knowledgeable SP related
> > proctor.
> >
> > 6. avoid complex solutions, i have got real feel tht there is a high
> > possibility of marking the task incorrect if the proctor doesn't
> > understand them. its not a matter of just the output. anyways it'll
> > stay a mystery if something is marked incorrect so keep it simple.
> >
> > 7. think like a script!. take extra precautions like removing alias
> > etc...anything tht can affect an automated script shud be removed.
> > it'll hurt a lot to lose marks for such silly things so my
> > recommendation is to remove them once the lab is about to get over.
> >
> > 8. the lab will have old junk IOS codes running somewhere in the
> > corners, specifically added to give us a nasty ride via the buggy
> > road. show outputs might change after reload, so be aware for a double
> > check. if possible practice on few of them b4 the big day.
> >
> > 9. Read between the lines. Take some time out of config/keyboard, just
> > read and focus on the tasks thoroughly. try to think beyond the first
> > instinct. if it says to do something for X and Y, doing it for X,Y,Z
> > is wrong. in the verification you ll see tht you successfully did it
> > for X and Y, but might missout looking at Z. make sure Z is left as
> > it is. Cryptic but shud be comprehensible as it makes a hell lot of
> > difference to the score! This is one of the major reasons of getting
> > low score in vpn section even after having proper end to end
> > reachability.
> >
> > 10. know the silly rules. there is some fictitious cut off marks below
> > which you can't request a reread. if u still need it, u need to create
> > a lot of hell with cisco. (i managed to do it b4 ;) ). So think if
> > it s worth it, else move on.
> >
> > reference list -
> > 1. CCO
> > 2. ciscopress mpls configuration on cisco IOS - very good to start
> > with, more related to configs than concepts/theory.
> > 3. ciscopress mpls fundamentals - very good to start with, better for
> > concepts and understanding the nut bolts.
> > 4. l2 vpn architectures - this is by far the best for L2 mpls. Very
> > good for the crappy OEQs.
> > 5. ciscopress isis network desgin and Jeffdoyle's TCP/IP - covers IGP
> > including isis very well
> > 6. for ATM/FR srch CCO - it has good reference for OEqs
> >
> > My actual list is much longer, but these are good enough.
> >
> > now the lab experience -
> > lab was somewhat similar to my previous attempt. i got over within
> > 4hrs 20 mins, so i had loads of time for verification. Found few silly
> > missouts, corrected. Round1 of verification was over in around 2 hrs.
> > all 100% working. then i left the keyboard, just read the questions
> > again. thankfully all was ok. I started a second round of
> > verification, in last 15 minutes i spotted my TE tunnel was down.
> > WTFFFF! ...it was up an hour back...rechecked everythng dependent.
> > didnt dare to reload the core coz the lab was to get over soon.
> > prepared a list of clear commands related, applied, thankfully it came
> > up and stayed up. last minutes saved such important points. game over.
> > Got a pass in next 3 hrs. WOWW!
> >
> > Vincent (SP program manager) has posted that Cisco is over with
> > finalizing the content for new SP lab blueprint, it will soon be
> > declared official.
> >
> > And salute to the Lapukhovs and Scriveners who did all their IE's in
> > first attempt.
> >
> > Cheers.
> >
> > Swap
> > #19804 (SP,Sec)
>
>
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-- 
Shane Killian
083-3488041
shane_at_shanekillian.net
Blogs and organic groups at http://www.ccie.net