I smell a CCDA/CCDP update comming up!

NetworkGod

The more i look into new BSCI book, the more i realize that there will be a CCDA & CCDP update covering SONA (Service-Oriented Network Architecture) and few more topics.

mikej412

Oh.... I don't know. Cisco hasn't worried too much about different design methodologies in their different certification tracks so far.

But it probably would take an exam update to make the change -- I don't think they could just slip it in as an exam blueprint tweak.

Cherper

Update due 7/13/07. Check out www.cisco.com/go/certifications.

bmauro

Woahhhhhhhh - that was a news flash to me.

I just purchased CCDA Self-Study: Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions (DESGN) 640-861. Was not aware about the short time-table I have for that.

I have to still look at the blueprint - but does anyone know what the differences are btw the two tests?

I might have to put a hold on 70-291 and focus on 640-861. I was planning on starting the CCDA in April, but I don't like how rushed that would make me feel.

Man - thanks for that link - saved my @ss.

Link: http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le0/le4/learning_certification_type_home.html

NetworkGod

would you look at that huh?
i guess i took mine just in time!

Deadmaster200

I also just made a 4-book purchase from Cisco Press, including Teare's study guide for CCDA.

However, everyone seems to think they should hurry up and take the test before time runs out. Reversely, does anyone think it would be a better idea to wait for new material to study for and take the test?

Why or why not?

bmauro

NetworkGod - I know you just finished your CCDA recently - I'm going to paste the blueprint for the new CCDA 640-863. Can you look at it and comment on how different it looks from the test you took? Unfortunately the 640-861 blueprint seems to be rather vague, it could infact contain these topics for all I know.

______________________________________________________________________


Describe the Methodology used to design a network
Describe the Cisco Service-Oriented Network Architecture
Identify Network Requirements to Support the Organization
Characterize an existing network
Describe the top down approach to network design
Describe Network Management Protocols and Features


Describe network structure and modularity
Describe the Network Hierarchy
Describe the Modular Approach in Network Design
Describe the Cisco Enterprise Architecture


Design Basic Enterprise Campus Networks
Describe Campus Design considerations
Design the Enterprise Campus Network
Design the enterprise data center


Design Enterprise Edge and Remote Network Modules
Describe the Enterprise Edge, branch, and Teleworker design characteristics
Describe the functional components of the central site Enterprise Edge
Describe WAN connectivity between two campuses
Design the branch office WAN solutions
Describe Access Network solutions for a Teleworker
Design the WAN to support selected redundancy methodology
Identify Design Considerations for a Remote Data Center


Design IP Addressing and Routing Protocols
Describe IPv4 & IPv6 Addressing
Identify Routing Protocol Considerations in an Enterprise Network
Design a Routing Protocol Deployment
Design a Routing Protocol Deployment--merged with 5.3


Design security services
Describe the security lifecycle
Identify Cisco technologies to mitigate security vulnerabilities
Select appropriate Cisco security solutions and deployment placement


Identify voice networking considerations
Describe Traditional Voice Architectures and Features
Describe Cisco IP Telephony
Identify the design considerations for voice services


Identify wireless networking considerations
Describe Cisco Unified Wireless Network Architectures and Features
Design wireless network using controllers
Design wireless network using roaming

NetworkGod

This doesn't look THAT different from the 642-861.. The SONA topic is new, Wireless topics are new, some security topics are new. This actually's quite disappointing i thought.. Well, come to think of it that is exactly what i expected.

And no i wouldn't be looking forward to new CCDA for a couple of reasons, new material that you never heard of will make it harder to understand and believe me CCDA with all the "Designing networks for voice transport" and IPv6 is already hard enough.

~Scott~

One of the big differences that I see is the prerequisite knowledge (or recommended training) of BCMSN....

Personally, I think the additional prerequisite knowledge will really help candidates to understand the real world design aspects that seem to be somewhat vague in the older courseware and books.....

Ed Rooney

~Scott~ wrote:

One of the big differences that I see is the prerequisite knowledge (or recommended training) of BCMSN....

Personally, I think the additional prerequisite knowledge will really help candidates to understand the real world design aspects that seem to be somewhat vague in the older courseware and books.....

I wonder if the BCMSN recommendation is simply to familiarize the student with L3 switching, which is not included in CCNA. L3 switching is a huge factor in network design now.