642-551 Part...well 4? 5? this week

Nothing really new to add. Sat it this afternoon, the only device exam I haven't done yet is the IPS so it was as easy as everyone says. Studywise I used Network Security Fundamentals, the Cisco CCSP Reference Guide and Flash Cards, a quick skim over Network Security architectures, Johan's notes here and another skim over the individual device study guides. Way overstudied, I could have gotten away with the Fundamentals and Flash card books. 1000/1000 in 35 mins, like Keenon said it's a bit if a waste of an exam after the previous device specific ones.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

Webmaster

Congrats

Awesome score!

Nice to hear my notes are used too.

keenon

mikej412

Congratulations!

Must be an end of year special on the exam!

opers13

I also passed it on saturday, 988 in 14min.

Do we get a certificate?? I heard something about a letter... is that correct?

tx

opers13

Ricka182

congrats!

opers13

I was just on Cisco's CertManager site and seems I'm getting 2 items:

4011 Recognition Kit
Cisco Information Security Specialist Kit

opers13

Ahriakin

opers13 wrote:

I also passed it on saturday, 988 in 14min.

opers13

14 seconds a question incl. sims?

opers13

I spent around 4 min. on the PIX sim.... I've upgraded my home PIX to v.7, so I totally forgot some of the commands for v.6.3.

The second sim was easy, and the questions easier. I work with Cisco all day long...then some more when I get home.

opers13

Ahriakin

Still, impressive, well done.

opers13

thanks!

I see you have your Sec+ cert, do you think the Sec+ exam is harder than SND?

opers13

Ahriakin

I'd say the material for the Sec+ is easier but the exam is harder. You've sat some CompTIA exams before so you know how vague and misleading their questions can be regardless of how well you know the material. That said just as the SND is extremely easy if you have sat the device exams you'll find the Sec+ relatively easy after all that aswell. Definitely get multiple sources for study though. I went through some tech notes and knew the Sybex guide by heart and still just scraped through, there was so much on there that definitely wasn't mentioned in anything I'd previously read. It was my first Cert though and like I said will probably seem easy with similar certs under your belt.

opers13

Thank you, I will look into it. What's next for you?

Ahriakin

The IPS exam, hopefully by the end of Jan. Then probably MCP 70-291 to finish up the MCSA. CEH and then....if....not...burned...out....the almighty CCIE Security....I may well be planning too far ahead though.....But damn this study thing is addictive

keenon

i have been saying that all day.. on a break until the new year starts and feels like i drug withdrawal

having to remind myself that i'm on break

mikej412

opers13 wrote:

I also passed it on saturday, 988 in 14min.

Congratulations!

I just took too -- to get the 4011. I even know the one question I got wrong... and knew right after I hit the next button.

I guess I could blame it on the 20 minutes I had to wait around for Prometric to "reset" the exam after it barfed on 2 different machines...

I think I said I had considered taking this one after the lab exam -- in case I needed a horse to get back on.

To prepare for this exam I previously got my CCSP and I studied and attempted a CCIE Security Version 1 Lab Exam earlier this month. That turned out to be more than enough to get through this exam.

The bad news -- my Regular Prometric test center is closing the 31st (of January I think). With a fast approaching R&S Lab Exam, I doubt I'll have a chance (or desire) to take another exam before they close -- but at least I got to say goodbye to my "Lucky Proctor."

opers13

Thanks.

yesterday I downloaded Preplogic's demo exam engine....I did pretty good. So I think I sit the Sec+ exam in a couple weeks. Then try to finish the CCSP.

Quick question: I was thinking about getting a Cisco IDS/IPS box for my home lab. I been looking on Ebay and have found a few. Now, can I run the Cisco IDS/IPS software on any computer? I saw a Dell 1u blade being sold as a Cisco IDS/IPS....

opers13

Ahriakin

Congrats on the pass Mike. A vague question I know but how would you rate the CCIE security vs. the CCSP - the CCSP course books are part of the recommended reading so would the CCIE be an extension of it similar to the CCNA vs. CCNP? Or is there a great deal of new unrelated material?

mikej412

Ahriakin wrote:

A vague question I know but how would you rate the CCIE security vs. the CCSP - the CCSP course books are part of the recommended reading so would the CCIE be an extension of it similar to the CCNA vs. CCNP? Or is there a great deal of new unrelated material?

With the change to Version 2 of the CCIE Security, I'd say you now have a clear path from the CCNA --> CCSP --> to CCIE Security. So its now similiar to the R&S track where you had the clear path of CCNA --> CCNP --> CCIE. The bump to CCIE is nothing like the bump from the CCNA --> CCxP

With the Version 1 Lab, you did need some of the core R&S stuff at a CCIE Level, but for Version 2 you don't. The Doyle books should cover what R&S stuff you need to know -- but you won't have to sleep with them under your pillow like someone doing the R&S track should.

The bad news.... the CCIEs at my lab exam though the R&S and SP labs are the easiest, and Security and Voice are the hardest. And with Version 2 of the Security Lab -- I don't see that changing.

Looking at the book list.... I see I'll be making another book order before the end of the year. I just made what I thought was my last order this morning. Good thing the 50% off 3 or more books sale is still going on at Cisco Press. I did buy a couple of the books that have been added to the list since I last looked at it.... and thought about a couple others (which I'll now buy). There are a couple that I thought were "fluffy" -- but at 50% off I might bite the bullet and get them since they are "recommended."

The CCSP books will form the base of your knowledge for the CCIE Security.... You'll probably want to reread them as part of your CCIE preparation and you'll be amazed at "how much you missed" when you read them for your CCSP.

For the CCIE there will be some "new stuff" -- but most of that will be related to the more advanced stuff you'll be getting into that's based on the CCSP foundation.

For the old written exam, I thought it was the CCNP and CCSP equally that got me through it. They did take a couple of topics out of the "general networking" section -- but I couldn't even begin to guess if they've gone more security focused in the V2 written (but I'd hope they did, but Doyle would be enough if they didn't).

Hum.... so to answer the "vague question" and "rate" the CCIE Sec vs the CCSP.... I'd say be prepared to kick it up about 10 notches. For the CCNP --> CCIE R&S, I'd say that would only take about 8 notches that need to be "kicked up." And to comment on the difference in "notches" -- more hardware devices and software applications to master for the Security Lab account for the "difference in notches."

There will be lots of reading.... but it probably will eventually come down to how much hands on practice with the hardware/software you have that determines your success in the lab.

Ahriakin

Thank you for the information sir....daunting....;)