Passed the CCDA!
Feels good to knock out another certification and within only two months. This one wasn't terribly difficult as long as you read the study guide carefully. Have a look at the test blueprint. I plan on continuing down the design path to help diversify my networking knowledge from lower level network engineering to higher level network design stuff.
While I'm waiting on the new CCDP material though, I plan on knocking out the BGP test for the CCIP track.
CCNP Progress: Passed the 642-821!
So I passed another CCNP exam today! Three down, one left to go. This one was far easier than the routing and switching exams. The shear amount of content those exams had was, in a word, overwhelming. I wonder if it's intended to weed out the slackers so only the truly dedicated persevere. The BCRAN tests your knowledge of a variety of different remote access technologies, from ISDN BRI/PRI (yes it's still around), to Frame Relay (yes, it's still around), to DSL, Cable Modem, and Satellite. You're required to learn and apply backup strategies so if your main link dies or becomes saturated, you have a means to back it up. You have to know the intricacies of several different queuing and compression strategies so you can optimize WAN capacity. Finally, you have to learn several ways of securing remote access, using such things as AAA and IPSec. Since this exam is retired, you have to be a Networking Academy student to take it, however, it still counts towards a CCNP. All in all, a fairly difficult exam, but certainly passable with the right amount of study and hands-on time. Onward to the last exam, the CIT!
Updated the lab
I've updated my Cisco lab a bit. Today I added both ISDN BRI and PRI interfaces, completing my WAN setup. I can now fully do all the labs for the BCRAN test. Check it out here:
And if you want to go to the extreme, check out Scott Morris's lab here. No, I'm not going to go that wild with it. I use my equipment for the sole purpose of passing Cisco certification tests. Scott uses his for that as well as consulting and developing CCIE study labs.
CCNP Progress: Passed the 642-801!!
So, I finally passed another CCNP test! I actually took this test back in September and failed it by just a few questions. I've been extremely busy with other stuff since then, but found time here and there to study and fill in my knowledge gaps. The book that pushed me over the passing edge is none other than Routing TCP/IP, Volume I. I felt that this test was very difficult (I did fail it the first time after all). You're expected to know 7 routing protocols faily intimately, subnetting, VLSM, controlling routing updates, redistribution, and on. It seemed like once I finished learning the last routing protocol, I forgot the first one. Jeff Doyle's book certainly helped since it put everything into perspective and was very approachable. Highly recommended, even if you just use it as a desk reference. Well, onward to BCRAN and CIT!
Yes, I realize that the BCRAN and CIT are expired, but I'm a Cisco Networking Academy student and am able to take them through the end of this year.
CCNP Progress: Passed the 642-811!!
As some of you may know, I have my CCNA and am actively pursuing the CCNP. I'll be posting progress updates periodically.
Today I passed the 642-811, also known as the Switching exam (or BCMSN). This test validates your ability to create and implement enterprised switched networks. While this may sound simple, it involves a lot of concepts and technologies. You're tested on all flavors of the Spanning Tree Protocol, the Enterprise Composite Model, Multicasting, gateway redundancy, switch security, and much more. To see a listing of topics on the exam, go here:
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/current_exams/642-811.html
Onward to the BSCI!
LFS: Finally!
I finally finished building my LFS system and it's great!
For those who don't know, LFS means Linux From Scratch. Basically, you put together a Linux system from nothing but source code. It's both challenging and entertaining (well, if you like Linux that is). It's also a very good way to learn how Linux works and what a typical system is composed of.
My next project is to put this puppy on a bootable CD...
Happy New Year!
Hope New Year's day is going well for everyone. I'm converting my file server to a newer OS, so wish me luck!