w00t! CCNP FTW!

scheistermeister

I searched for a while and could not find a good PASS! pic. Anyone have one?

Well I did it! Passed my last CCNP test today, the ISCW. I must say I doubt I had any of the same questions this time around too. There were very few repeats, ESPECIALLY with MPLS. I got pwnd hard on MPLS this time around. I had 75% the first time on it and 50% this time around. The ones I got this time were REALLY freaking hard and in depth. After being pounded by those I was so nervous I was shaking when I clicked the "End Exam" button. On the plus side I had 35min left when I finished. So... On to the scores...

840
Teleworker services 71%
MPLS 50%
VPN 81%
Net Security Strategies 100%
Device hardening 80%
IOS Firewall 83%
IPS 70%

I must also say that the test is much easier when you finish reading the book :P

Also I must commend my testing center. I used the same testing center for all 4 of my CCNP tests (I used others for my CCNA and Linux+) and they were by far the best. I have always scheduled my tests for 2pm and I have ALWAYS showed up über early. Today I was 3 hours early and as soon as I got there they got me in the testing room. So if anyone is taking a test in Cincinnati, OH I suggest you go to Tactix Consulting to sit for your test. They have nice computers, give out free ear plugs and don't care if you show up super early.

Now I am not sure what I am going to go after next. I am thinking CCDA and CCDP or MCSA/MCSE to broaden my cert background. What do you guys think?

networker050184

Congrats!

gojericho0

Congratulations! Do you work with some of the Windows stuff at work or find it interesting. I always think its beneficial to have some Windows knowledge if you are managing a network so you can help isolate network/application issues.

scheistermeister

gojericho0 wrote:

Congratulations! Do you work with some of the Windows stuff at work or find it interesting. I always think its beneficial to have some Windows knowledge if you are managing a network so you can help isolate network/application issues.

Other than personal use, setting up some labs or troubleshooting XP Pro and home for tech support and old school Windows stuff I don't really have any experience with it. I did start studying for the 70-290 before I found out about the Cisco second chance deal, but dropped it like a bad habit and focused on Cisco.

gojericho0

I'd go with it. More specifically focus on the AD and Network Infrastructure side of things. That knowledge has helped me tremendously with network design and troubleshooting

nicklauscombs

CONGRATS! glad you made it through the second time

singh8281

Congrats on the pass. I would pursue the Microsoft as it 'll make you more versatile and marketable. MCSE = $$$ here where I am from, Seattle Redmond area.

kpjungle

Awesome job! Congratulations!!

mikej412

Congratulations!

tomset

Congrats man! I hope to be where you are in about 6 months

astorrs

That's great news! Congrats on the CCNP.

bertieb

Fantastic! Serious congrats on the CCNP, very cool indeed

shednik

Congrats on the pass!!!

Plazma

Congrats man!

I would say roll with the cisco stuff it thats what you want to do.. CCDA i hear isn't so bad once your NP is done.. and then the DP.. not a lot of people have the DP and it seems sought after.

Why not go for the IE ? It is the "ultimate prize" afterall

ITdude

Congrats man! Doesn't it feel great?

dynamik

Congrats! Full speed towards RHCE, eh?

scheistermeister

Thanks guys.

Congrats! Full speed towards RHCE, eh?

I thought about that, but that is one pricey test. And not having a job sorta makes that a bit harder to pay for. I'd also love to do the CCIE, but at this time I do not have nearly the experience required to do it. Although I probably will eventually. CCIE looks to me about what I thought the path to doing the CCNP would be like when I first started the Net Academy.

snadam

congrats!!! glad you got it 2nd time around!

Essendon

Congratulations, scheister! Sure am happy for you, being a CCNP is very cool

dynamik

You'll spend more on your MCSE. No need to get all stingy with the RHCE

Honestly, I'd knock out the design exams if I were you. The DA will probably be a breeze for you at this point, and you've already knocked out BSCI and BCMSN for the DP.

There's no reason to not start working towards the IE either. I'm sure you've seen the massive recommended book list. You're not going to get through that any time soon.

scheistermeister

dynamik wrote:

You'll spend more on your MCSE. No need to get all stingy with the RHCE

Honestly, I'd knock out the design exams if I were you. The DA will probably be a breeze for you at this point, and you've already knocked out BSCI and BCMSN for the DP.

There's no reason to not start working towards the IE either. I'm sure you've seen the massive recommended book list. You're not going to get through that any time soon.

Yeah, the design stuff is just too close to pass up. Sorta bummed they don't have CBT Nuggets for those though. I am so used to having some CBT Nugget on a loop on my PC that I loaded up the MCSE Nuggets to play just as some background noise. I also agree on the IE. I feel that I at least need SOME real world experience before even thinking about that one. Hopefully my CCNP with help me get a job though. I may even put off the DA until I find a job. I always told myself once I had my NP I would focus on that since I just got out of college.

jamesp1983

congrats man!! good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Mishra

Good job! I can't imagine how difficult getting a CCNP is.

I liked your hammertime picture. Now there is another excuse for me to post this picture agian.

ccnpninja

congrats

netwayne

CCNP.......that's huge!! Way to go, man. I'll cast my vote for sticking with the Cisco track and knocking out some of those design certs.

Slowhand

Congratulations on the big CCNP!

As for pass-images, you can always borrow mine:


(Special thanks to Technomancer for creating the image.)

dynamik

Love that one. I forgot where I saw it. Thanks for the re-post