CCIE SPV3 Written Scheduled Next Month

Cisco has announced the new version for CCIE SP v3 with alot of new contents and hardware, Although i had completely prepared for V2 but then i decided to go for v3 as it was more interesting and up-to-dated, quite silly decision but this is what I am :)

Lets review the new version through my eyes ;)

Hardware:

• Cisco XR12000 Series Routers (IOS XR 3.9.1)
• Cisco 7200/7600 Series equivalent Routers (IOS 12.2-33 SR)
• Cisco ME3400E Series Switches (IOS 12.2-54 SE)

I just loved these changes specially with the introduction of XR as it was a must update, to mark a true SP engineer one must be good in XR and must have deep understanding of its architecture.

Practicing on XR12000 would be tough for people, but if you are good on 7200/7600 architecture and technologies, i dont think it would be tough to configure same feature on XR. (After all you will always have access to DOC-CD)

Metro switches are just another update in the topology,  with the introduction of ME3600X and ME3800X Cisco is increasing their portfolia in the Metro Access networks, and as SP engineer one must have good understanding of these switches as well. (Configuring ME isnt any new thing though, its same 12.2 IOS)


Exam Topics:

Content is the most interesting part of this exam with alot of new features to configure which is really exciting, specially VPLS, MPLS TE P2MP, mLDP, BGP PIC, XR SDR, GRE L2VPN, and many more.

Cisco has provided hell long list of topics for V3, but i believe they can't test you on all topics, but its good to have a focus and list to prepare for the exams.

I have tried to compile a complete checklist for the exam in the pdf format which is downloadable from the link below:
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-11611

It will provide a great help for preparing the written Exam.

How to Prepare for CCIE R&S PART2

Let’s assume you have passed the CCNP, and have met the basic criteria of  good foundation of knowledge and practical grasp mentioned in my last post.

Before going in more detail please note that CCIE is not only content oriented paper, its strictly a technology oriented paper where your understanding of technology, analytical thinking, and your versatility in huge list of topics is tested in practical scenarios.

That's why most of the people reach at the CCIE (Written) Level with the help of some shortcuts but then they fall flat at this level and enter into a kind of dead lock, where going back to basics becomes ego problem and going ahead extremely hard.

CCIE R&S has two parts:

1. Written
2. Lab

One must pass written exam before registering the LAB, today we will cover the written paper, how to study, which books are recommended and what to study.

CCIE R&S (Written):

Written part of the CCIE is quite boring and lengthy but please notes that it’s very very important phase.

It will provide a strong foundation to your concepts and understanding, and strong grip on most of the topics.

 If you have studied well in your CCNP preparations then going through these topics won’t be very difficult for you. To start preparation of CCIE Written exam, you must download the Written Exam Topics from Cisco Website from the following link:

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-4374

Official Books List:

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-4601

I know the List of Books is quite long, but let me tell you that you cannot study complete CCIE from one book, that's why CISCO has shared the list of topics and expect the candidates to study topic wise.

You can also find the online study resources from the following link:
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/ccie/rs/online_resources.html

And for Video Trainings, you can also buy Internetworkexpert's CCIE R&S Written Videos/Class on Demand Videos or IPEXPERT CCIE R&S Class on demand DVDs.

You need to take print of Written Exam topics and read them topic by topic from the mentioned above Books/Online Resources/Videos. Once you feel confident that you have covered most of the topics, you can register your Written Exam from VUE's Website.

To Be Continued....

How to Prepare for CCIE R&S PART1

It's been a long time since i wrote any blog, may be i was too busy or lazy but i wanted to write this blog specially after answering so many queries regarding "How to prepare for CCIE".

This time I have made up my mind and will write all of my Algorithms of preparing CCIE exam and my CCIE-SP preparation updates.

For last few weeks i have been very busy studying my CCIE SPv3, as my target is the Beta Exam which will start on 18th Feb, 2011. But i will try to finish this post as soon as possible.

I will start with "Preparing CCIE R&S" method which i followed after reading lots of blogs, guides, videos and earned my CCIE R&S, and currently preparing for my CCIE SPv3.


How to Prepare for CCIE R&S:

First of all i will recommend everyone to start your career with CCNA as it is the foundation of Cisco Data Networking, and spend more and more time on Cisco Packet Tracer- try to understand the basic concepts and try to design your own topologies and implement different technologies.

Working on Packet Tracer/Real Devices and implementing complex topologies will clear most of the basic concepts for you, and will also improve your Design understanding of Data Networking, which is very very important.

Once you achieve the CCNA Level, start your career towards CCNP. It will introduce you to more advanced topics and complex topologies which will further improve your understanding and approach.

CCNP is a major step towards CCIE, if you did not earn it with pure concepts and understanding then going for CCIE would be very tough for you, its better to take enough time and practice to master most of its contents and Lab requirements.

Try to familiarize yourself with GNS3/Packet Tracer/Real Labs, at CCNP level you must be now an expert of implementing different technologies and understanding most of the technologies featured in CISCO IOS.

Once you finish the CCNP, take a leave, enjoy and try to refresh your brain because you are going to start a tough journey of CCIE :)



To Be Continued.....