Passed BSCI

burbankmarc

I passed my BSCI today. I got a 928/1000.

EIGRP 100%
OSPF 77%
ISIS 85%
IOS Routing 88%
BGP 77%
Multicast 100%
IPv6 100%

I honestly found this test a lot easier than I though I would. After reading all the horror stories about time restraints and the difficulty of the test I had low expectations.

I hurried through the first half of the test, and finished with around 40 minutes remaining. I usually finish tests fast anyway, but I did hurry the first half of it.

For study materials I used the Self-Study, Lab Portfolio, Exam prep, IP Packet **** sheets, this forum, Cisco's website, and I also perused a lot of people's CCNP blogs.

I ran through the self study book in about 2 weeks. I then did the Lab portfolio in about a week. I then made my own Lab scenarios, since I found the lab portfolio entirely too easy. Then I just tried to fill in the gaps of my knowledge through the interwebs.

Thanks all, for your unknowing help.

mikej412

Congratulations!!

Where to next? BCMSN?

billscott92787

What recommendations do you have for me? I just started preparing for the BSCI.

burbankmarc

I am going to leap into the BCMSN. I just purchased the self-study guide, and trying to find some deals on a couple 3550s. Luckily the network I administer is mostly comprised of L3 switches, so that should help.

billscott92787

I don't think you'll have too many issues with the BCMSN. It isn't as bad as what it seems and the L3 stuff you can really do if you have a router image in dynamips. If you would prefer to do that over buying the switches. Studying for mine, I was able to do everything using my routers image file in dynamips.

burbankmarc

I'm concerned with spanning tree since I didn't do so well on that portion on my CCNA, not too concerned with the routing portion. I guess I could grab some L2 switches for that stuff.

As for tips on the BSCI know as much as you can. Learn how to map a multicast address to a MAC. Learn how an autoconfigured ipv6 address is created. Things like that are necessary on top of the hands on knowledge.

A lot of people here mention debugging while you lab. If you're having trouble with the theory portion than this will definitely help.

A good source that I haven't seen mentioned here is the Cisco protocol FAQs.

EIGRP
OSPF
BGP

If you can answer, and understand all those questions then you'll be in good shape come test time.

billscott92787

You will see more on RSTP and MST with the BCMSN. From the text that I read it didn't go into detail of STP like the CCNA. I guess because they assume you already have that down. I'll make sure to check out the lab portfolio so I can gets some hands on lab practice.