Re: My story- CCIE #35355

Narbik,
I think you meant Jay!

But will take the complements!!!
But not there yet Narbik, hold those compliments for when I do pass the exam!

Regards,
John

On 5/9/12, Narbik Kocharians <narbikk_at_gmail.com> wrote:
> John,
>
> Congratulations, and i know you have worked VERY hard to get this number
> and you totally deserve it. Thanks and I appreciate that you liked the boot
> camp and the workbooks, but at the end of the day, it was all you, you
> stayed up all night, and you performed an unbelievable number of labs. I
> just did what any instructor would have done.
>
> Once again congratulations and i can't wait to read your success story
> about your Security CCIE.
>
>
> Good job mate.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, May 9, 2012 at 11:46 AM, john matijevic
> <john.matijevic_at_gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> Congradulations Alexei!!!!
>>
>>
>> Very encouraging and thanks very much for sharing your learning
>> experiences.
>>
>> I spent 3 hours last nite, just on route redistribution alone, spent a
>> lot of time, with different filtering techniques of using
>> prefix-lists, access-lists, route-maps, distribute-lists etc, to
>> control Router injection behavior. It is this level of granularity
>> that you need to pass the exam. I was trying to understand where
>> routes where coming from and where they were traversing using tools
>> such as traceroutes, route tables etc.
>>
>> To pass the exam, from my experience as I have passed lab exam before
>> back in 2004, have to spend many, many, many hours not only on Docs
>> but with configuration you have to get to the detail.
>>
>> I look forward to getting back my old number again!!! Hopefully sooner
>> rather than later.
>>
>> Again congradulations its an amazing feeling!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>> John
>>
>> On 5/9/12, Alexei Monastyrnyi <alexeim73_at_gmail.com> wrote:
>> > Great achievement and a nice number too!
>> > Congrats!
>> >
>> > A.
>> >
>> > On 5/9/2012 1:42 PM, Jay McMickle wrote:
>> >> Thanks:
>> >> I thank God.B This has been a dream of mine for 6 years, and he
>> >> solely helped me attain this! I donb t want to start a religion roll as
>> >> we
>> >> are all from different parts of the word and have different religious
>> >> backgrounds.B However, give God a year of your faith and belief and
>> >> see
>> >> if
>> >> things donb t change!
>> >> Secondly, my wife and family for dealing with me.B
>> >> Itb s been a constant 2 years of knowing that I need to get home and
>> lab.B
>> >> I
>> >> thank those that have helped me on the forums, and especially Narbik.B
>> >> He
>> >> gave me a personal relationship through my training, and even hung out
>> >> with us
>> >> until the wee morning hours during bootcamps to chat with us about
>> >> anything
>> >> and everything.B He really does care and it shows in his work.B
>> Finally,
>> >> I
>> >> thank my employer.B Without their support, I would have had to quit my
>> >> job to
>> >> get this accomplished in 2 years.
>> >>
>> >> Materials used:
>> >> Global Knowledge CIERS1
>> >> bootcamp
>> >> CCBootcamp MPLS for CCIE candidates (taken at Cisco LIVE)
>> >> INE (video
>> >> only)
>> >> IPExpert Blended Learning Solution (Vol1 and 3 only, video on demand,
>> >> audio on demand)
>> >> CCBootcamp ALM bootcamp
>> >> Narbik CIERS1 (attended twice)
>> >> bootcamp, Advanced workbook, bootcamp 4.0 workbook
>> >> B
>> >> Hardware used:
>> >> I was
>> >> using 2800/3800/3560b s hardware cabled for each vendor.
>> >> B
>> >> Products that
>> >> didnb t work:
>> >> CCBootcamp workbooks- I attended a CCB in September 2011.B The
>> >> instructor (Rahim) was great and very knowledgeable.B I attended a
>> >> bootcamp,
>> >> but quickly cancelled on day 2 due to the workbooks alone.B There were
>> >> so
>> >> many typos, that even the instructor had to work through the workbooks
>> to
>> >> find
>> >> that it mentions the wrong routers as part of the restrictions.B This
>> >> made me
>> >> start to doubt myself- not a good way to learn!B Ib m sure the owner
>> >> will
>> >> come after me again for this posting, however, he did not follow up on
>> >> his
>> >> promise to rectify the situation (by receiving a beta version of the
>> >> new
>> >> workbooks) and Ib m advising students away from your products as I said
>> I
>> >> would.B I have a few more examples of the bad business practices, but
>> >> I
>> >> will
>> >> spare you those details.B WORST WORKBOOKS EVER!
>> >> B
>> >> Dates:
>> >> - April 30, 2010-
>> >> Passed CCIE R&S Written
>> >> B
>> >> - May 3, 2010- Global Knowledge Bootcamp, CIERS1
>> >> (San Jose, California)
>> >> B
>> >> - July 2010- Passed CCIE Security written (Free test
>> >> at Cisco LIVE)
>> >> B
>> >> - July 2010-Dec. 2011
>> >> I was averaging 15 hours a week of
>> >> rack time over 4-5 days a week.B
>> >> B
>> >> - June 2011
>> >> I attended Narbikb s CIERS1
>> >> bootcamp.B WHOA.B Thatb s a lot to take in, but amazing training.B
>> The
>> >> man
>> >> is a walking IOS dictionary and can rattle off 7 levels deep of IOS
>> >> commands.B I learned his theory (not verbatim) that if you need a sh
>> run
>> >> or
>> >> to use a b ?b , you arenb t ready for the lab.B I carried this with me
>> >> throughout my studies after that.B Narbik taught me to look at the
>> >> requirement or question, think about what technology is at hand, and if
>> >> itb s
>> >> a global, or interface command before starting in on a solution.B
>> >> Great
>> >> advice!
>> >> B
>> >> - Nov, 2011
>> >> I attended Narbikb s CIERS1 bootcamp for the second
>> >> time. I was better prepared and did much better on my assessment labs.B
>> >> I
>> >> felt close to ready, but Narbik informed me that I wasnb t ready.B
>> >> Yet,
>> >> I
>> >> still had to make my attempt at the Lab to qualify for the Lab Safe
>> >> program.
>> >> B
>> >> - Dec. 13, 2011
>> >> My first attempt at the CCIE R&S lab.B I got a 50% (avg)
>> >> on the config section, and an 18% on troubleshooting.B I didnb t
>> >> expect
>> >> to
>> >> pass, but I was forced (so to speak) to take the lab by the end of the
>> >> year to
>> >> qualify for the b Lab Safeb program (free second attempt).
>> >>
>> >> - Dec. 15- 2011
>> >> Kicked my labbing into high gear, and focused on the technologies I
>> didnb
>> >> t
>> >> know well.B These were mainly IP Services.
>> >> B
>> >> - Dec. 20, 2011-March 20, 2012
>> >> Stepped up my lab times to 25 hours a week.B My method was this- Run
>> >> through
>> >> IPX VOL1 for the technologies I saw that I didnb t know well.B This
>> >> was
>> >> about 12 topics.B Run through IPX VOL3 Mock labs very slowly.B In
>> fact,
>> >> I
>> >> sometimes took 16-20 hours for a Mock lab because I was looking them up
>> on
>> >> the
>> >> DOCCD, and playing with different options to actually break the
>> >> solution
>> >> and
>> >> finding a second solution as an alternative.B This was a key building
>> >> block
>> >> for me.B I want through Narbikb s Adv. workbooks and Bootcamp 4.0
>> >> workbooks.B I especially liked Narbikb s workbooks for the reason for
>> >> the
>> >> solution.B If I didnb t know something in-depth, Narbikb s workbooks
>> >> were
>> >> my direct solution.B All of the vendors workbooks were still weak in
>> >> IP
>> >> Services, especially EEM an OER.B I know that Narbik, and Ib m sure
>> >> the
>> >> other vendors will as well, have updates to their workbooks as this has
>> >> been
>> >> mentioned time and time again.B I believe Brain with INE has
>> >> committed to releasing something soon.
>> >> B
>> >> - March 20-April 30, 2012
>> >> Kicked my
>> >> labbing into high gear.B My job allowed me to work from home, so I was
>> >> averaging 30 hours a week (7 days a week) without any days off from
>> >> labbing.B
>> >> Those last 5 weeks were rough!B I was staying up late at night,
>> drinking
>> >> Monster energy drinks, and chasing them with Red Bull energy drinks!B
>> Up
>> >> until midnight/1am, and getting up at 6am, taking my girls to school,
>> >> going to
>> >> the gym, and then heading back to the house to lab/work.B The last
>> >> week
>> >> before my lab, I actually took a week of vacation and turned off my
>> email
>> >> and
>> >> didnb t answer my work phone except at breaks.
>> >> B
>> >> - May 1, 2012
>> >> Passed CCIE
>> >> R&S Lab in San Jose!B Although they say to stop labbing and relax your
>> >> mind,
>> >> I don't work like that.B I labbed until midnight the night before the
>> lab
>> >> in
>> >> my hotel, and labbed for an hour that morning.B This is partially
>> becuase
>> >> my
>> >> mind was conditioned to do that (lab late), and I wanted my mind alert
>> >> and
>> >> fingers ready that morning for the lab.B I didn't feel it was proper
>> >> to
>> >> show
>> >> up and not have the mentality for the wording of the lab.B *NOTE* You
>> >> could
>> >> have cut the tension with a knife in the waiting area prior to the lab
>> at
>> >> Cisco's San Jose's office.B I couldn't help but crack jokes!B
>> >> Probably
>> >> my
>> >> way of dealing with nervous situations.B Also, it took 10 hours for my
>> >> email
>> >> that I passed!B AHHHHH!B Why was it that when I failed I knew in 2
>> >> hours?B
>> >> Needless to say, I got zero sleep that night!
>> >>
>> >> *My tips to success*
>> >> When you
>> >> lab up, take your time to learn a technology.B When you learn it, go
>> >> to
>> >> a
>> >> different vendor and work their technology based labs.B Go through
>> them,
>> >> fix
>> >> it, and break it.B Get fancy with it and find another way to do it
>> >> (because
>> >> there is always another way and you might get a restriction that will
>> >> throw
>> >> you for a loop).
>> >> B
>> >> Preferred vendors (there is no single vendor), and why-
>> >> Narbik-Workbooks are in different degrees of difficulty, they build
>> >> upon
>> >> each
>> >> other, and have a VERY detailed explaination to learn from.B After
>> paying
>> >> for
>> >> his bootcamp and attending, you can re-take the bootcamps if seats are
>> >> available for free.B With the amount of information delivered, I
>> >> highly
>> >> recommend taking it at least twice!
>> >> B
>> >> IPExpert- VERY hard, right out of the
>> >> box!B But, their BLS has videob s that help understand how, but not
>> >> why.B
>> >> Itb s up to you to learn the technology prior to working their labs.B
>> >> The
>> >> VOD is a b death by slideshowb that didnb t help me at all.B I did
>> >> thoroughly enjoy their video on demand.B I have a lengthy drive to
>> >> work
>> >> each
>> >> day, and these came in handy to some extent.B But, once I found myself
>> >> solid
>> >> on a technology, and I was done with Narbikb s workbooks, this is where
>> I
>> >> went.B This is for the advanced student that feels they are ready, but
>> in
>> >> my
>> >> opinion, not a learning tool.
>> >> B
>> >> INE- Their all access pass is great, and
>> >> offers you discounted rates on their CCIE workbooks.B Their videob s
>> are
>> >> REALLY good.B For a lot of candidates, INE is a good choice as their
>> >> hardware
>> >> is 1800/2600 model routers and less of a financial impact.
>> >> B
>> >> Cisco 360- I
>> >> donb t care for the workbooks, but their assessment labs are good to
>> >> get
>> >> a
>> >> feel of the lab interface, and gives you an idea via a score of where
>> you
>> >> are.B If you can score high on these labs, you will do good on the
>> >> labs.B
>> >> But, I saw technologies on the lab that I did not get tested on within
>> >> the
>> >> Assessment labs.
>> >> B
>> >> I hope this helps you.B Now, onto CCIE Security!B
>> >> Re-cabling my racks now for IPExpert and Narbik's layouts.B ;)B
>> >> B
>> >> God
>> >> Bless.
>> >>
>> >> Regards,
>> >> Jay McMickle-B CCIE #35355
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Blogs and organic groups at http://www.ccie.net
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________________________________
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>> >
>> >
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>> >
>> > _______________________________________________________________________
>> > Subscription information may be found at:
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>>
>>
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>>
>> _______________________________________________________________________
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>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> *Narbik Kocharians
> *CCSI#30832, CCIE# 12410 (R&S, SP, Security)
> *www.MicronicsTraining.com* <http://www.micronicstraining.com/>
> Sr. Technical Instructor
> YES! We take Cisco Learning Credits!
> A Cisco Learning Partner

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Received on Wed May 09 2012 - 13:01:33 ART