RE: PASSED!!!!! CCIE #27910

Congratulations Nathan.

Regards,
 
Tyson Scott - CCIE #13513 R&S, Security, and SP
Managing Partner / Sr. Instructor - IPexpert, Inc.
Mailto: tscott_at_ipexpert.com

-----Original Message-----
From: nobody_at_groupstudy.com [mailto:nobody_at_groupstudy.com] On Behalf Of
Nathan Richie
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 1:18 AM
To: ccielab_at_groupstudy.com
Subject: PASSED!!!!! CCIE #27910

What a great feeling! First off, I would like to thank Jesus Christ, my
Lord
& Savior! Secondly I dedicate this to my sister, I love & miss you Beck.

There is a long list of people that I would like to thank. My wife & kids
for
allowing me to put life on hold and pursue this dream for the last 2 years.
To Scott Morris, not only for sharing all his knowledge but also for always
answering my emails, no matter how stupid some of them were. To Anthony
Sequeira at INE for all your help on developing my lab strategy. To Wayne
Lawson (Semper Fi) and Marko at IP Expert. To my employer, Boice.net.

I started this journey just under 2 years ago with the goal of passing this
lab. I attended 2 INE bootcamps in 2009 both taught by Scott Morris &
Anthony
Sequeria. I am fortunate to have an employer that knows the value and
provided me with a full rack of gear in order to enhance my studies. I have
met some great people along this journey, some that I am sure will be life
long friends. Ryan, Gary, Malik, Andrew, Sal, Kevin, Mike, Hurbert, Ian,
Greg, Max - just to name a few.

So as far as how I got here, I would offer the following:

* INE Workbooks, volume 1,2, & 3

* Learn EVERY technology. Do not think "I won't see that" or "I
will
just bypass if I see that". That is a sure fire way that you will see it on
the real lab!

* Develop your strategy and perfect it. I had mapped it all out
before I walked into the lab yesterday. I knew where I wanted to be at each
hour of the day in terms of points and sections completed on the exam.

* I know we have all heard it a thousand times, but that is because
it
is true. Read the entire exam before you ever start typing the first
command.
I allotted 15 minutes to read and do a quick diagram at the beginning of the
configuration section.

* As you read the exam, consider how the different technologies
interact and develop your strategy. For instance, I was able to complete
tasks in 2 sections at the same time that netted me 10 points in less than
10
minutes. I was also able to avoid some pitfalls by completing some tasks
further down the exam early on, eliminating rework later in the day.

* Find some study partners and get together regularly. With Webex
or
other online tools, this makes it easy. As iron sharpens iron, so one man
sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

I will close by saying, NEVER GIVE UP. If you want this, then dedicate
yourself and resources to achieving it. You only fail if you quit. I have
attempted the lab on more than one occasion, but guess what - I am a CCIE!
Life is going to happen no matter what. During this time, I have had 2
deaths
in my immediate family in the weeks leading up to 2 of my labs, I have added
another child to my family, I have worked crazy hours, dealt with car
problems, home problems, etc. and on top of that I have failed this lab
before. I know how easy it would have been to give up, but I also now know
how great it feels to pass and become the world's newest CCIE!

Regards,

Nathan Richie

Blogs and organic groups at http://www.ccie.net
Received on Wed Jan 12 2011 - 13:18:14 ART