CCIE Certification

[Sultan]

is there any institution which will train for CCIE completely, even if the individual has little to no hand-on experience?

is the CCIE worth it?

 

[Garion]

The CCIE test is one of the hardest in the whole industry. If you don't have any Cisco experience, you're going to have a VERY rough time. I seem to recall that the pass rate for the CCIE lab test is in the lower 40% and the average test-taker is a networker with 10+ years of experience. It's also very pricey to prepare for - A two-week CCIE lab prep class is $4,500.

There's a lot of very talented networking guys on this board (mostly in the networking forum) and I'd bet there are only 2-3 CCIE's out there. For reference, I'm not even close to the skills needed, and I've been involved in networks for about ten years.

On the flip side, if you DO get it, it's one of the most respected certs in the business. Assuming you have decent related job experience, a six figure job wouldn't be surprising.

If want to get started, go take a CCNP or CCDP class and the test. Then remember that what you learn there is aboout 5% of what you need for a CCNP, then that's about 20% of what you need for a CCIE. It's a veeeerry long haul.

- G

 

[spidey07]

There are plenty of boot camps out there.

But without years of serious hands on experience with all aspects of communication it will be next to impossible. That's why it is highly regarded, because you can't learn it in a book/class.

here's a tidbit of what the written part covers (this is extremely easy and doesn't compare to the lab that is required)

General Networking Theory
OSI Models
General Routing Concepts
Standards
Protocol Mechanics
Commands


Bridging and LAN Switching
Transparent
LAN Switching
MLS
Data Link Layer
Ethernet
Catalyst IOS Configuration Commands


IP
Addressing
Services
Applications
Transport
IPv6
Network Management


IP Routing
OSPF
BGP
EIGRP
IS-IS
Route filtering and Policy Routing
DDR
RIPv2
The use of ?show? and ?debug? commands


QoS
Traffic classification
Congestion management
Congestion avoidance

WAN
ISDN
Frame Relay
ATM
Physical Layer
Leased Line Protocols


IP Multicast
IGMP/CGMP
Addressing
Distribution Trees
PIM-SM Mechanics
Rendezvous Points
RPF


Security
Access Lists
LAN security
Device Security/Access
Spoofing


Enterprise Wireless Mobility
Standards
Hardware
SWAN
RF Troubleshooting
VoWLAN
Products

 

[Sultan]

Originally posted by: Garion
The CCIE test is one of the hardest in the whole industry. If you don't have any Cisco experience, you're going to have a VERY rough time. I seem to recall that the pass rate for the CCIE lab test is in the lower 40% and the average test-taker is a networker with 10+ years of experience. It's also very pricey to prepare for - A two-week CCIE lab prep class is $4,500.

There's a lot of very talented networking guys on this board (mostly in the networking forum) and I'd bet there are only 2-3 CCIE's out there. For reference, I'm not even close to the skills needed, and I've been involved in networks for about ten years.

On the flip side, if you DO get it, it's one of the most respected certs in the business. Assuming you have decent related job experience, a six figure job wouldn't be surprising.

If want to get started, go take a CCNP or CCDP class and the test. Then remember that what you learn there is aboout 5% of what you need for a CCNP, then that's about 20% of what you need for a CCIE. It's a veeeerry long haul.

- G

so whats the best way to go about preparing for the CCNP? Suggest a simple book, not 1000 pages long.

 

[blakeatwork]

Originally posted by: Sultan

Originally posted by: Garion
The CCIE test is one of the hardest in the whole industry. If you don't have any Cisco experience, you're going to have a VERY rough time. I seem to recall that the pass rate for the CCIE lab test is in the lower 40% and the average test-taker is a networker with 10+ years of experience. It's also very pricey to prepare for - A two-week CCIE lab prep class is $4,500.

There's a lot of very talented networking guys on this board (mostly in the networking forum) and I'd bet there are only 2-3 CCIE's out there. For reference, I'm not even close to the skills needed, and I've been involved in networks for about ten years.

On the flip side, if you DO get it, it's one of the most respected certs in the business. Assuming you have decent related job experience, a six figure job wouldn't be surprising.

If want to get started, go take a CCNP or CCDP class and the test. Then remember that what you learn there is aboout 5% of what you need for a CCNP, then that's about 20% of what you need for a CCIE. It's a veeeerry long haul.

- G

so whats the best way to go about preparing for the CCNP? Suggest a simple book, not 1000 pages long.

Well, the first question to ask is if you have any related, hands-on experience?

If not, then CCNA would be your best place to start, as you'll need the theory and practical labs in order to get the exposure you need. You don't want to have the paper, and then get out there and have no clue what you're looking at. If you want to do that, just get your MCSA, and have at it as a consultant...

I agree with Spidey07... I looked at the Cert track (currently taking the CCNA, my Cert Exam is in January), and my instructor mentioned that about 3-5% of all CCNA grads become CCIE's. Not easy to get at all. And even with the hands-on from CCNA, and the field experience, CCNP isn't a cakewalk either.

Definitely do yourself the favour of having some experience in the enterprise, which is what you should be aiming at with Cisco.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Sultan

Originally posted by: Garion
The CCIE test is one of the hardest in the whole industry. If you don't have any Cisco experience, you're going to have a VERY rough time. I seem to recall that the pass rate for the CCIE lab test is in the lower 40% and the average test-taker is a networker with 10+ years of experience. It's also very pricey to prepare for - A two-week CCIE lab prep class is $4,500.

There's a lot of very talented networking guys on this board (mostly in the networking forum) and I'd bet there are only 2-3 CCIE's out there. For reference, I'm not even close to the skills needed, and I've been involved in networks for about ten years.

On the flip side, if you DO get it, it's one of the most respected certs in the business. Assuming you have decent related job experience, a six figure job wouldn't be surprising.

If want to get started, go take a CCNP or CCDP class and the test. Then remember that what you learn there is aboout 5% of what you need for a CCNP, then that's about 20% of what you need for a CCIE. It's a veeeerry long haul.

- G

so whats the best way to go about preparing for the CCNP? Suggest a simple book, not 1000 pages long.

ccnp requires about 4 books, each with about 300 pages. There are 4 exams. It would be very difficult to pass CCNP test without some hands-on experience.

 

[ScottMac]

The last time I checked, the CCIE Lab pass-rate is ~5% or less (overall).

Visit the Cisco NetPro forum (www.cisco.com)|certifications and training. There are lots of (already asked and answered) questions about the various certs, study material, and test experiences.

FWIW

Scott

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: blakeatwork

Originally posted by: Sultan
so whats the best way to go about preparing for the CCNP? Suggest a simple book, not 1000 pages long.

Well, the first question to ask is if you have any related, hands-on experience?

If not, then CCNA would be your best place to start...

CCNA is the only place to start, it's a prereq for CCNP and higher.

 

[ScottMac]

The only certification exam for CCIE is the Lab. The only pre-req for the Lab is the CCIE written.

There are no other requirements (other than the finances) for the CCIE test(s).

(For the record, I agree, CCNA and/or CCDA to start towards anything else)

.02

Scott

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: ScottMac
The only certification exam for CCIE is the Lab. The only pre-req for the Lab is the CCIE written.

There are no other requirements (other than the finances) for the CCIE test(s).

(For the record, I agree, CCNA and/or CCDA to start towards anything else)

.02

Scott

heh, yep. CCNA/CCNP are not pre-reqs for the CCIE tests (written and lab)

Pass the lab, you're a CCIE. The only pre-req for the lab is the CCIE written.

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: ScottMac
The only certification exam for CCIE is the Lab. The only pre-req for the Lab is the CCIE written.

There are no other requirements (other than the finances) for the CCIE test(s).

(For the record, I agree, CCNA and/or CCDA to start towards anything else)

.02

Scott

heh, yep. CCNA/CCNP are not pre-reqs for the CCIE tests (written and lab)

Pass the lab, you're a CCIE. The only pre-req for the lab is the CCIE written.

Yeah I realize that. I meant that CCNA is a requirement for for higher level exams like NP, IP, SP, etc.

I have had too many beers tonight! :beer:

 

[Deleted member 139972]

Hahaha.. Good luck.. If you get CCIE, people will bow before you and offer you plates of twinkies with *extra* cream..

Seriously, it's REALLY hard to get.

 

[ScottMac]

Nah .... the more of 'em you get, the easier they are to pass. Get the R&S first, then the Security, then Voice, then Carrier ....

If you've seen one CCIE test, you've pretty much seen 'em all....

They are not that technically challenging ... the acutal network they have you set up is just plain stupid.

The trick is that there's a lot to do, and a very small time to do it. To increase the stress level, you will get instructions to NOT perform some task the "usual" way (and they don't hint as to how they want it done ... just "don't use XXXXX").

So, in addition to knowing the technology, you have to know it well enough to zip right through it (minimal use of the provided reference material), and know how to do most things several different ways ... and know 'em well enough to figure out which would be most appropriate as a second (or third) choice.

AND document the heck out of it, AND ask the proctors a few appropriate questions.

See? No problem.

Meecha at the Lab .....


Scott