Should I go for my CCIE? *update--- I'm going for it!*

[Buddhist]

I posted this in off topic...but then after realizing only two people have responded...i've decided to post it in networking where it belongs.

I've had about four months cisco experience now and have finished my ccna/ccda and three of the five exams needed to acheive ccnp/ccdp. I have already scheduled the last two for next week. (CID & CIT) I'm not going to be working until the end of august...so now here's my question...

should i go for the CCIE?

I understand this stuff quite well and i have plenty of time to monkey around on basic equipment (catalyst 1900,2900,5000 switches / 1000, 1700, 2500, 2600 and maybe 3600 routers) but none of the real super high end stuff. Although i suppose i could rent or buy online lab time if needed. (I also have a friend who has access to some hardcore stuff. 6500's, 8500's etc.) I realize the test is supposed to be super difficult as well as very expensive, but i can afford to retake the test if i have to. However, i've also heard you've got to wait upto six months if you fail before the second day of the hands on lab. (This would considerably set me back naturally.)

What do people think? Anyone acheived their CCIE out here on anandtech? Would it be possible for me to pass without having two years or a year of work experience? Any advice for me if you have passed your CCIE? Am i being preposterous for even considering the CCIE exam without lots of work experience? Any opinions, both positive and negative, of a constructive nature will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

*update*

I've decided to go for it!
I'm going to work at the same time however to see if i can get the necessary work experience.
The most motivating factor for me was this cisco number of CCIE's in the world

I plan to work in Japan so this would be fantastic.
Any advice further given would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

-M.T.O

 

[purplehayes]

Since I've never touched a Cisco product in my life, so I can't really give you any input from that side of it, but from a certification stand point, I'd do it. If I had the time and money and the experience, I'd jump on that in a heart beat. Expecially if you understand what you're doing. You'd be l33t! [sp?]

PH

 

[Buddhist]

I'm l33t now!


not.
hehe

yeah thats what i'm leaning towards as well...thanks for your opinion from an outside point of view purple!


-M.T.O

 

[Garion]

CCNA = 1st grade
CCNP = High School
CCIE = Gradulate school + residency in brain surgery.

For reference..

MCP = kindergarden
MCSE = 8th grade

Seriously.. It's a tough, nasty cert. If you don't have the hardware available (including ATM, voice over IP, dial-in, etc.) you're not going to have much luck.

Also.. Test costs $1500 just to take it and there's an 85% failure rate. It's only given in 3-4 cities in the US.

If really want another cisco cert, take the CCNP and go from there. If you can pass all of those, THEN think about the CCIE.

- G

 

[Dark]

Budhist: How much time between your CCNA and your CCNP?

 

[DaejangNim]

if you know the stuff, go for it ^^
and does n e 1 know how much the CCNA costs to take?

 

[spidey07]

The written test is pretty tough. Given that you only have 4 months experience it might be real hard for you because alot of the Qs are old-school. there are tons of questions about token ring and DLSw and bridging. The CCNP and CCDP are good places to start and give you a broad background.

The lab is just plain brutal. Unless you are confident you know the basics of networking like the back of your hand (you got 6 routers...run 5 different routing protocols and redistribute between all of them and avoid any feedback loops including the three OSPF areas using 4 different network types..you have 15 minutes to complete) keep studying and practicin. The configs might not get you but it is the troubleshooting that will. I've known many very bright people to fail miserably on the lab two or three times in a row.

As much as I think I know about networking I am not ready for the lab. Mine is scheduled for october, been studying for about 1 year now on CCIE alone.

who knows, take the test and find out!!!!

cheers,
spidey

 

[Buddhist]

Garion
"If really want another cisco cert, take the CCNP and go from there. If you can pass all of those, THEN think about the CCIE."
As of this wednesday i will have my CCNP. This next monday i'll have the CCDP. (Had to change schedule around a bit)



dark
"Budhist: How much time between your CCNA and your CCNP?"
Well actually i took the todd lamlee globalnet training camp in both ccna and ccnp so it worked out great for me. The time between both was...lets see CCNA was in march 17-24th, CCNP was May 14-25th.

DaejangNim
"and does n e 1 know how much the CCNA costs to take?"
yes. It costs $100 dollars.

Spidey
"run 5 different routing protocols (easy) and redistribute between all (okay...harder but do able) of them and avoid any feedback loops (would take time but can do) including the three OSPF areas using 4 different network types(eeeeek)..you have 15 minutes to complete(WTF?!?! No way!))"

The above is definately do able but within fifteen minutes?!?! like you stated i could see how the troubleshooting aspect could kill you. Is it really that limited in time?

Keep those opinions comming! I really appreciate it! Anyone also recommend a particular CCIE track? Routing/Switching or Security? Communications and Services?!?!

-M.T.O

 

[L3Guy]

Committed Study for a goal as difficult as CCIE is very rewarding.
It will make your a better engineer. 90% or more of you're study can be done on
2500 / 2600 routers.

You should have 400 or more hours of practice with 3 or more routers (and a frame switch,
if possible)

Above and beyond that, you need to understand all the IP routing protocols.
Not just how to turn them on, but all the special features, problems in undesirable
configurations and odd quirks.

Many other topics are fair game as well. Overall, a daunting challenge.

The current waiting list is 7 months between tests.

Good Luck

 

[Buddhist]

L3guy
&quot;The current waiting list is 7 months between tests.&quot; <---- nice piece of info to know.

So if i wanted to say take it within the next 6 months i better register NOW for anywhere thats open? (I also happen to live in the bay area next to one of the testing areas)

-M.T.O

 

[spidey07]

the LAB is very much about time management. the scenerios I described is the first and easiest task of the LAB.

really most of the guys I talked to about the lab said the configs are very difficult but you can figure them out. The problem is if you have to sit there and &quot;figure them out&quot; then you fail because of running out of time.

not trying to scare you or anything, but it really is a difficult lab. a lot of lab work with totally screwed up configs will help you alot. tell us how it goes!

also, enlist the help of other CCIEs in your area. they can help you get a handle on the lab and throw some crazy stuff at you.

like this question:
you need to change the OSPF cost of this ethernet interface to 1243, but you can't use the OSPF cost command. good luck!

 

[Damaged]

<< you need to change the OSPF cost of this ethernet interface to 1243, but you can't use the OSPF cost command. good luck! >>


Heh. Good question, and I think I know it. Check your PMs spidey.

It's a good question because it asks someone to do something other than memorize commands. It asks that you understand how those costs are actually computed on a Cisco device (most devices actually).

I'd give a hint on that one but I just *might* be wrong, so I won't.

 

[spidey07]

nice catch Damaged.

and yes, it is exactly that kind of understanding and reasoning that is tested. Troubleshooting is a real bear.

malformed ARP replies thrown into your network.
routing loops like you wouldn't believe.
incredibly weird route tags generated.
they'll change the IOS on a router to like 10.something and expect you to make it work (remember all the differences between 10 and 11.3?)
change mac addresses on you
corrupt your switch CAM table
you know how to troubleshoot DEC right? hell, i haven't a clue.

oh, no internet access ESPECIALLY to the cisco web page during the exam. nope, sorry.

bad mojo. I can't wait to take that damn lab!

 

[Damaged]

spidey thanks. Helps to actually understand the inner workings/theory. Which was my point. I work with some folks who have their CCNP and I'm not impressed. I'm not saying that everyone who has that cert is like that, it's just they didn't know the theory and they're always running to me with some, to me at least, pretty basic questions/troubleshooting interpretations.

I've run into enough folks who say they know something, when in fact all they really know is one aspect of something (very common in Linux users). They learn to setup something via some GUI tool but don't actually understand what actual config files are involved nor do they understand the server and it's protocols at all. But I digress.

I've known a few folks who I consider MUCH better than I who have passed the CCIE written but have failed the lab. So the lab scares me. One day I will be ready though.

Oh, and here's the hint for folks interested in that one question: BW.

I didn't say it would be a great hint.

 

[xyyz]

if you feel you are ready... go for it... but they say the exam has a 80% fail rate... and the real only way to prepare is through 2-3 years of professional experience.

it's very unlikely that many people can pass the exam with study alone... technically someone who has their CCNP has the book knowledge required for a CCIE... but how often to you use yur book knowledge in practical life?

I know of 3 CCIE's who all dorked a few years before taking the exam.

Remember, they'll ask you stuff that you probably have never heard of... and ask you to do things with this stuff that you've never thought possible, even with the stuff that you do have familiarity with.

 

[xyyz]

<< if you know the stuff, go for it ^^
and does n e 1 know how much the CCNA costs to take? >>



$600 i believe...

 

[Damaged]

CCNA exam? $100.00
CCDA - $100.00
CCNP - two routes to go, one $200.00 exam plus one $100.00 exam: $300.00. Or, four $100.00 exams.
CCDP - have CCDA, plus three of the four $100.00 CCNP exams (you can go look at www.cisco.com for which three, plus another $100.00 exam.)
CCIE written - different ways to go here, but CCIE routing and switching is a $300.00 written exam, plus the lab which is $1250.00 plus you have to take it at one of the approved test sites. Which, for most folks, means travel expenses as well.

 

[spidey07]

more ccie stuff:

somebody help me out here. One of the practice labs has this:

Allow a default route from OSPF to be redistributed into IGRP. You may not use statics routes or default network commands.

Any clues??? this one has always stumped me.

 

[Buddhist]

*update*

I've decided to go for it!
I'm going to work at the same time however to see if i can get the necessary work experience.
The most motivating factor for me was this cisco number of CCIE's in the world

I plan to work in Japan so this would be fantastic.
Any advice further given would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
-M.T.O

 

[ScottMac]

A CCIE forum would be a good thing...be a good place for candidates to get some mentoring. There are other places on the 'net, but having one here would be like &quot;one stop shopping.&quot;

Plus the candidates can get some practice troubleshooting MS/Win2K networking problems.

Passing the written test is easy. Wear an analog watch. If you get stumped, and the second hand is between 12 and 3, the answer is &quot;A,&quot; 3-6 is B, 6-9 is C, 9-12 is D. IF there's more answers than that, it complicated...you need a day/date analog watch......


FWIW

Scott

 

[Buddhist]

well...we could have a cisco dedicated forum on my bulletin board if you guys would like...we could all discuss stuff.

www.milleniumtribe.com

Just let me know if i should go ahead and do it!
-M.T.O

 

[xyyz]

ummm... isn't there a problem if you fail the exam?

don't you have to wait a long time before you can take it again?

 

[Buddhist]

&quot;don't you have to wait a long time before you can take it again?&quot;

if you fail on the first day of the hands on lab with less then 20% score, you'll have to wait six months before you can take it again.

The written can be taken an infinite amount of times, with 72 hours inbetween each attempt.

-M.T.O

 

[Dark]

Budhist: Holy...man just 2 months between the CCNA and the CCNP that's impressive...

 

[Buddhist]

&quot;Budhist: Holy...man just 2 months between the CCNA and the CCNP that's impressive...&quot;

I'm not working right now...thats the only reason why i managed to do it.
That and i took bootcamp seminars for each.

-M.T.O