BCMSN versus BSCI

ITdude

Hi,

I was just trying to get a sense of how most people approach these. It seems like most people tackle BSCI first then BCMSN but I am not sure if that is because that is the order Cisco lists them on their website or not...

My instructor suggested that i might want to consider the material in BCSMSN first because there is more of an overlap with the CCNA material which would reinforce previous learning. Of course BSCI overlaps too but he felt that the coverage went in more detail into different areas. He felt that starting with BCMSN might be a nicer way to ease into the material.

I just thought that I would throw this up here to see if that seems to make sense to others...

Thanks for the input...

mikej412

I was routing with my UNIX systems long before switches existed (or Cisco)... so I'd say I found the BSCI material easier so I did it before BCMSN.

But since I had also done the Cisco CCNA Network Academy and the last Semester was the WAN modules -- I did the old BCRAN exam first. My logic for that was quite simple -- do BCRAN before I forget the ISDN stuff from the CCNA.

I'd suggest either "pick your favorite" to start, or do the "hard one first."

mwgood

Personally, I don't think it makes any real difference. It just depends on you.

For example, if you are stronger or more interested in routing - start with BSCI. If you are stronger or more interested in switching - start with BCMSN.

The switching section is generally less difficult for most than the routing - so start with BCMSN if you want to "ease" yourself into it. If you want a challenge, start with BSCI.

ITdude

Thanks guys for the input. So, it seems like it essentially doesn't matter. I think perhaps he suggested that because he felt that he noticed a somewhat better connect with the switching end during class.
However, to be honest I find the routing end of things very interesting. i guess in the long run it really won't matter because you need to cover both anyway.

I am waiting for both Cisco Press books to arrive. So, perhaps I can make a better assessment of the situation after looking at the books. By the way, I assume that the best approach is to get the self-study books for each module to get a deeper understanding and then pick up the individual certification guides to prep for the exam, or is that overkill?

Anyway thanks so much for the input.

mikej412

ITdude wrote:

I assume that the best approach is to get the self-study books for each module to get a deeper understanding and then pick up the individual certification guides to prep for the exam, or is that overkill?

That's what I did -- plus the Practical Studies books for the hand-on stuff. And the Flash Cards. That pretty much covered everything when I did the old CCNP.

And coffee -- lots of coffee.

ITdude

Yup! That is one thing I do know lots about. Ever since getting into the cert game, coffee has been my best friend....

Well with any luck the 2 self study books should arrive tomorrow. I have a couple of 2600 series and a 2950 floating around but I think I can also get access to the pod of switches, routers access servers etc where my instructor hangs out if it is between classes...

I like a challenge, so probably will do BSCI first but I will page through the books first.



Thanks

Paul Boz

The BSCI isn't too bad if you dedicate a few weeks to each core topic. It seems overkill to dedicate two or three weeks to studying IS-IS, for example, but on a test as comprehensive as the BSCI it never hurts.

ITdude

I hear you on that one! Well the BSCI and BSMSN self study guides came today. I did not order the certification guides yet because it looks like these will keep me busy for a while....

I will look through them both and then decide which to pursue fiist.

I took a quick scan through BSCI and it looss pretty dense. I imight have to do a quick basic review before jumping in, if I choose to go that route(no pun intended)!


Thanks for the input...

optimus

Hey there,

I had the same questions when I started to study for this CCNP. I recommend the following plan:

BSCI
BCMSN
ISCW
ONT

I have read various people's posts who passed CCNP who also recommend this way. Each layer builds on the previous to some extent but not so much for BSCI-BCMSN. Nobody takes ONT first from what I have heard. A lot of people go for BCMSN before BSCI because they heard "it was easier" or something like that. I have read through the entire BSCI book, and there is no reason that I can tell why people should avoid it first. It is mostly routing protocolos, with multicasting and IP6 thrown in. It is extremely important to get BSCI down.

eniac

Hi guys,

I have already passed BSCI and BCMSN, but which one next is the dilemma now??(ONT or ISCW)

Base on your experiance, what would you suggest me ?? :

10x

teezee

Really in ma world i'd say you go just as it is... but not to say that you can't start from just about anywhere you want to! at the end of the day, you will still be a CCNP!! which is the key thing you need!

Eniac... really either of them is ok... but i went ISCW first and it was intresting for me cos of the VPN stuff there and Locking down your network. It was some thrilling thing i had there. But if you want to go ONT first fine too!!! you get to do alot of QOS there, VoIP and wireless!.

To wrap up things... i think they marketing strategy of Cisco is this... when you become a CCNP! you want to go for either the CCSP or VP even the Wireless part... to a big xtent going into the specialist tracks too! In ma opinion it's good but it means more money for Cisco in their pocket and at the back end for you too! you know wat bottom line is this they want life to be all good and danddy for both you and them (Cisco).

ITdude

Thanks guys for the imput. Well, I think that I am leaning towards the BSCI first even though one of my instructors feels there would be better overlap to do BCMSN first. As I said I have the Cisco Press self-study books for both although I have heard rather mixed reviews on them. The Exam Certification Guide for the new BSCI won't be out till July, 17, so I will have to wait to see if that is any good...

From what I hear people taking the BSCI recently have been really getting shot down. So, I guess they are trying to make things more difficult.

Anyway, thanks for the input!!!

Paul Boz

Yeah dude the BSCI is no joke. It's easily the hardest of the NP exams. I thought about studying for the BCMSN first but I'd rather knock out the more important and thorough BSCI. There's something markedly satisfying about taking the hardest exam first

ITdude

Agreed! That is sorta my thinking also. However, the thought of going down in flames is not a very motivating thing either...

What have you been using for studying the BSCI?

Paul Boz

I'm using the Cisco Press 64-901 Self Study guide, the BSCI quick reference sheets, the BSCI command guide, the Train Signal videos, the CBT Nuggets videos, and the UniverCD. My employer paid for the training videos because they're so expensive, but I bought the books. I've also got the TCP/IP Vol 1/2 books but they're a part of my employer's library. The most important study material I have though, is Dynamips and my lab.

ITdude

Ok, very good. Well, I have the BCSI Self-Study guide and the BCMSN one as well as the Exam cert guide for BCMSN. Of course the exam guide for BCSI won't be out till next month but I think I have plenty to read before that anyway! The self-study guide itself is pretty huge. I hope it is good because I have seen a fair amount of negative feedback about it...

How is Chris Bryant's stuff? I had his stuff as part of my tools for CCNA but that was along with others and lots of pod access. I have heard that CBT Nuggets does a good job too.

To tell you the truth as far as texts go, I think that the Cisco Official Course Guides are the best. Unfortunately, you cannot really get those unless you take the course. However, those are most up-to-date and are laid out nicely.

Anyway, I will probably just start reading the self-study guide just so everything stays fresh. I also have access to live gear and I have Dynamips but found in the past it took more time to gwet it up and running than just using the real stuff....I guess that once the learning curve is gone it is not too bad...

What is your opinion so far on the self-study guide?

Paul Boz

I think it's alright. I've been watching a CBT Nugget video, then a train signal video about the same thing, then I read it in depth in the Cisco Press book, which is when I also do my lab work.

ITdude

Yea, that sounds like a really good strategy. I think I might try the CBT Nuggets. I heard that the guy, Jeremy, I think is very entertaining. I have used the Nuggets stuff before for MCSE related courses but have not tried them for the Cisco stuff.

Right now I just want to start easing myself into it. I am not in a big rush to take the exam but would like to have it looming on the very near horizon. As I am sure you know life and procrastination has a way of kicking in. I will also take a look at the Bryant/Train Signal stuff.

I just wish that Chris would ease up a bit on the introductory " Hi, I am Chris Bryant CCIE#xxxxx" thing. Granted he is probably very proud of his accomplishment but every video? ha!

I assume that you watch the videos in the same order as the book presents the material?