Question for CCNPs and CCSPs - fun fun fun

Greetings ALL:

I just got some exciting news today from one of the Tier II network engineers (about 2 Tiers above me). I was told today that there is a big big push towards cisco gear in our company. I don't want to stay in the eNoc for long so I need to move fast in order to move up. One of the big things is Cisco certs. Now since I already know I am going to do the CCNA/CCNA:S I have started to think beyond. A network engineer told me that if I wanted to get to Tier I network engineering I need to get a CCXP cert (esp CCSP) under my belt soon. So I have decided to finalize my sig and my cert path...almost. Not before I ask the good people of TE some questions:

Does anyone think it is possible to do the CCNP+CCSP in one year?
- I know this is about 8 professional level exams but since they are really pushing for it, I will really push for it.

Would Dynagen and a asa 5505 (or 2) be enough to get me through (along with a L3 switch)?

Which track is "harder"?

What would be the best order for the exams? (I was thinking first 2 BCSI, BCMSN, SRNS, IPS specialist, ISCW, ONT, Cisco ASA specialist)

What would be the most difficult exam out of the bunch?

And probably the most important question: IS the CCNP (or CCNP level knowledge) required for the CCSP?

I am really liking the CCSP track because all but 1 exam count towards an additional certification (more cisco buzzwords). I can already tell that my Enoc job is going to be easy and I will excel quickly. I just want to see what TEers think about getting all of those test done in a year.

Thanks folks,

knwminus

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Comments

dynamik

knwminus wrote: »

ps Dynamik we still racing?

AFAIK, I'm the only one of us that has an exam scheduled

veritas_libertas

knwminus wrote: »

Well the job still isn't that challenging but I realize now why God put me in this situation (besides the fact I needed money). There are people here with SERIOUS levels of knowledge. I sit next to Tier II guys and a tier I engineer. In fact I feel like most of the level 2 guys know more than I do but that will change .

A co worker gave me the cbt nuggets for the CCNA/CCNP and I think I will review these along with packet tracer labs (I will complete them on real equipment) for the next couple of weeks (my test is on the 17th). I also have started to read Network Warrior, the first couple of chapters have been review but I have still learned some things. I am really looking forward to the channelized DC3 lines (had an issue with this today) among many other things. I am going to go through it as a str8 read once, then again possibly taking notes. After I murder the CCNA, I am ordering the Doyle books and possibly the CCNP books. However contrary to what everyone has said I feel that I really really need to get the asa books and also the cisco vpn book. All in all I probably go for the CCNP/cisco ASA cert.

Well I got my work cut out for me, but I will git err done.

ps Dynamik we still racing?

Hey, just don't over due it man. I know if I try to learn something to quick my mind jumbles it up everywhere and I forget it all

On the other hand, if you can consume the information and move quickly then go for it.

Bl8ckr0uter

dynamik wrote: »

AFAIK, I'm the only one of us that has an exam scheduled

I have the CCNA scheduled.

Bl8ckr0uter

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Hey, just don't over due it man. I know if I try to learn something to quick my mind jumbles it up everywhere and I forget it all On the other hand, if you can consume the information and move quickly then go for it.

True. I don't intend to read all of those at once but I do want to have them on hand, especially the doyle and vpn books. I think those will help along with the books I already have order for CCNA:S

dynamik

knwminus wrote: »

I have the CCNA scheduled.

My mistake. When's D-Day? You didn't schedule it three months in advance or anything did you? That doesn't count

Bl8ckr0uter

dynamik wrote: »

My mistake. When's D-Day? You didn't schedule it three months in advance or anything did you? That doesn't count

Does no one read my sig or my post?

October 17th. Thats a Saturday (but I may move it back 1 more week just because my saturdays are kind of busy, but more than likely, that is the final date).

Man, no respect I tell ya, no respect at all lol.

shednik

knwminus wrote: »

Does no one read my sig or my post?

Your sig changes all the time

Bl8ckr0uter

shednik wrote: »

Your sig changes all the time

I know just like my mind

.

If you watched it then you know that it is pretty stable at this point. And I think at this point, the only thing that is going to change now is the order. It is in the order of the most important to the company so that is the way it will stay, unless I decided to get/not get certs.

The L+/LPIC-1 is finalized. LPIC seems more doable and more challenging but at the same time, cheaper and somewhat more respected (not well known but respected).

The CCSP/CCIP/CCNP is going to be trickly. The engineers are saying focus on security and transport so SP/IP are the first ones I want to get. The CCNP doesn't seem to hold AS much value HERE as the others. I have heard that the CCIP is harder than the CCNP. The CCSP seems to have the most difficult study material to find. (it is ethereal man)

dynamik

Bold, red text annoys the hell out of me. I guess I just block it subconsciously at this point

Bl8ckr0uter

dynamik wrote: »

Bold, red text annoys the hell out of me. I guess I just block it subconsciously at this point

I could go into the indications of a bad childhood school experience (grade school wise) but rather than do that, I'll just leave that alone.

mikej412

knwminus wrote: »

Does no one read my sig

Red is "negative" -- so I just kind of skim over it.

And while Green is "positive" -- and calm and soothing -- aren't most people who are color blind red/green colorblind?

Perhaps a nice bold Blue -- still positive and soothing but also more readable.

Since the current best Cisco Press Firewall & VPN books aren't Exam Certification books, grab them when ever you think you'll have time to start reading them.

I'd wait on the actual CCNP Cisco Press Certification books until you're almost ready to start studying for your first CCNP exam -- just in case the current set of exam change rumors turns out to be true. Besides -- Doyle should keep you happy and busy studying for a while.

And other than the CCNA which you need to get for your job, you may modify your Certification plan and work on things that get you ahead in your job -- even if they don't get you one of the Certifications you'd like to get. But in that case, use your off work study time to work on the things that you might want to have for your next job.

If you find that taking the ASA exam(s) helps you in your current job, remember that the Cisco Specialist Certifications expire in 2 years -- so they tend to be "temporary" unless you recertify them by either redoing some of the exams or moving up the CCIE Written Exams to recertify.

Bl8ckr0uter

mikej412 wrote: »

Read is "negative" -- so I just kind of skim over it.

And while Green is "positive" -- and calm and soothing -- aren't most people who are color blind red/green colorblind?

Perhaps a nice bold Blue -- still positive and soothing but also more readable.

Since the current best Cisco Press Firewall & VPN books aren't Exam Certification books, grab them when ever you think you'll have time to start reading them.

I'd wait on the actual CCNP Cisco Press Certification books until you're almost ready to start studying for your first CCNP exam -- just in case the current set of exam change rumors turns out to be true. Besides -- Doyle should keep you happy and busy studying for a while.

And other than the CCNA which you need to get for your job, you may modify your Certification plan and work on things that get you ahead in your job -- even if they don't get you one of the Certifications you'd like to get. But in that case, use your off work study time to work on the things that you might want to have for your next job.

If you find that taking the ASA exam(s) helps you in your current job, remember that the Cisco Specialist Certifications expire in 2 years -- so they tend to be "temporary" unless you recertify them by either redoing some of the exams or moving up the CCIE Written Exams to recertify.

Yea I know about the test changing (sometime at the end of the year is when I heard the announcement is going to be made). I am going to pick up the security books soon (along with an asa 5505) to play with. The ASA certs wont help me with my current role to much but it may help me get noticed by management. Honestly we really dont do a whole lot of indepth stuff with routers/switches. The only reason I need the CCNA is becuase I am a part of the Tier II program (they are still find tuning the job responbilities).

The cisco vpn book is really good (I heard). The Authorized Self study guide for CCNA:S is really good ( I heard).

A question for you is how exactly do you keep all of you certs current. I mean do you just live and breath cisco test

? Btw I mean this seriously. It must be a full time job in itself. Also I wanted to know why there isn't any CCIE level certs on there ( even though Im sure you have the skils/knowledge to kill them)? Do you feel at this point in the game they arent worth it to yo? Btw I mean this seriously as well.

dynamik

You only need one pro exam to renew all your pro (and lower) certifications, and a CCIE written will renew all those plus the specialist certifications.

I think my favorite explanation of why Mike doesn't have his CCIE yet is that he'd be forced to take a pay cut

Bl8ckr0uter

dynamik wrote: »

You only need one pro exam to renew all your pro (and lower) certifications, and a CCIE written will renew all those plus the specialist certifications.

I think my favorite explanation of why Mike doesn't have his CCIE yet is that he'd be forced to take a pay cut

Interesting. I guess at what point does every cisco cert become > a CCIE.
Probably when you reach router god status...

dynamik

It's not the other certs as much as it is experience. There are people who are beyond a CCIE that don't have any certs.

Bl8ckr0uter

dynamik wrote: »

It's not the other certs as much as it is experience. There are people who are beyond a CCIE that don't have any certs.

Hence me saying router god level

Bl8ckr0uter

company gave me cbt nuggets for ccna/np/na:V/da/vp and LPIC1/2. Anyone know if any of these are decent.

wastedtime

I know most people here will swear by CBT Nuggets. I personally have only used the ccna:v ones of the list and thought it was good. I would recommend another source of education with those though.

Bl8ckr0uter

wastedtime wrote: »

I know most people here will swear by CBT Nuggets. I personally have only used the ccna:v ones of the list and thought it was good. I would recommend another source of education with those though.

cool. I am going to go through the CBTs for the CCNA and lab, and read net warrior for the next 2 weeks. I think I may go through the LPIC nuggets as well (hopefully they are good enough to save me time in going to my Linux class as LPIC/L+ will get me out of that class).

Since they gave me the cbts I think they are trying to give me a hint to hurry up and get to the pro level certs (my manager mentioned it as well). I am not going to rush but I will move with some haste.