Scheduled ONT for next tuesday afternoon...gulp!

redwarrior

I scheduled my ONT exam for next tuesday in the afternoon. I'm nervous because 1. It's my first CCNP exam and 2. I'm always nervous for exams, even when I'm super-prepared.

What I have done so far to prepare:
Read through the Cisco Exam Guide for ONT
Created a study guide from notes
Made flash cards for the things I have problems remembering
Read through every link I could find on Cisco's websites relating to QoS (plan on doing the same for Wireless Security this week)
Installed and configured SDM on my 1710 router and played with AutoQoS
Worked with the MQC here at work, plan on reviewing that as well

What I plan on doing between now and then:
Configuring, configuring, and configuring on my 1710
Read through additional materials regarding wireless security
Memorize Codecs and Wireless Encryption protocol specifics
Dive deeper into drop-probability

Any other ideas? I'm the type who would rather over-prepare than under and I usually procrastinate scheduling my exams to the point it's almost ridiculous, so I thought I'd try actually scheduling this one a little earlier. I still feel comfortable with where I'm at, but I want to be sure.

Thanks!

scheistermeister

Good luck and let us know how it goes! I am working on the ONT right now and would love to hear what you think of it!

gojericho0

Looks like you are doing all the right things. Best of luck

APA

Good Luck!! I'm sure you'll be fine.....

Interesting that you chose to go ONT first.... Is there any specific reason for that? I'm just curious....

Paul Boz

Yeah, I'm also curious about why you're taking the ONT first. Either way, good luck

redwarrior

I know, I'm a weird one for going "backwards." My thoughts on choosing ONT first:

1. I've been dealing with QoS projects a lot at work lately. We're just starting to do QoS and it seemed like studying it at the same time we're working on solutions involving it worked out well.
2. It seemed that the objectives did not intertwine with the other exams as much as some of the others, so I felt comfortable taking it "out of order."
3. I'm still building a lab and I just don't have the budget to purchase all of my equipment at once, so I didn't feel my lab was ready for hardcore routing and switching. 1710's aren't that expensive, though, and from what I've heard, the sims aren't quite as involved on the ONT as some of the other exams.

I'm actually strongly considering taking ISCW next. Mainly because the bulk of my work right now takes place on our ASA's and I spend a large amount of my time dealing with VPN issues. Also, because where I work, we are working hard to improve the security of our network and the knowledge I would gain from this study would really help out a ton. Since work is paying for my exams, it really helps make my case for further certs if I can show them immediate results.

It also helps a ton that I've kind of been thrown in the deep end where I work. I am their "network person" with only hourly consultants to help fill in where my inexperience causes gaps. On a daily basis, I deal with a whole gamut of network issues. Where I feel I'm actually weakest is probably advanced switching since all our switches are running in transparent mode right now and routing since I was not here when OSPF was configured and I only assisted with our BGP deployment. I actually feel stronger in QoS and Security issues.

It also could be that I'm just weird...my coworkers often think so!

josunin75

Anyway Good luck, man.

Let us know how you did it.

So some people go for ONT first after all... very interesting.

mikej412

Good Luck!

optimus

Don't meet to many taking ONT first. I plan to take it next but have passed BSCI and BCMSN already. Please let us know how you do. Officially I don't think that Cisco recommends any order.

Good luck.

jezg76

Good luck! I hope you knock it out the park.

I'm down to the BCMSN and ONT after knocking out the ISCW last week. Let us know how the exam treated you.