ARCH exam passed, IMHO

I just passed the ARCH (642-873) exam. It was an interesting layout, pretty well rounded but some questions really caught me off gaurd.

I used the Self-Study guide by cisco Press.

Hurray, I am now a CCDP.

I sort of derailed a bit from the NP studies, I have ISCW and ONT left to go, But I just had to get more of the design after seeing what i could do with my BCMSN labs at home..I was inspired.

I encourage anyone who would really like a more well-rounded p.o.v about cisco networking to explore the design track.

I found that in the six phases of the cisco design methodology the PPDIOO network lifecycle.,

P - Prepare, P - Plan, D - Design, I- Implement, O - Operate, O - Optimize

The first 3 are really the most important for any environment, and i found that, that is what the ARCH exam really focused on...(duhh) the first 3.

So with that said the NP captures the last 3 but a failure in the first 3 steps P,P,D and the last three would be wasted effort in my opinion. Afterall nobody wants to implement, operate and optimize a BAD network design.

***But here's the thing in my experience, network engineers do it all the time, why, because they dont know what is GOOD and acceptable design.

IMHO the Design track is a great compliment for the complete network professional.

Thanks for reading guys.

Kenny.

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Comments

GiddyG

Congrats on the pass.

mikej412

Congratulations!!

Did you schedule the exam for today to have a better reason to

tonight?

btowntech

Congrats!!

Also, thanks for the info.

ITdude

A belated congrats and totally agree about the design perspective. It kinda brings it all together.....

chrisone

Great job! so do you agree with a lot of people that the design path is boring? was it really that nasty to absorb?

Morty3

Those are wise words about design, my friend. I agree! I picked up the DA studying when I had to design a network for work

Firemarshalbill.com

Here we go again with mike celebrating

I think he works for Jack Daniels (My preference) and runs this forum to encourage us LOL to celebrate - like we need a reason HAHAHAHA

And enough of the design stuff being boring

I do it everyday on my job when I am not playing engineering manager. I find it to be fun and interesting and always different. Designing a network for a customer and then seeing it implemented and operating brings alot of satisfaction, of course when it doesnt go smooth welllllllllllll you know lots of sleepless nights

Forsaken_GA

Firemarshalbill.com wrote: »

And enough of the design stuff being boring I do it everyday on my job when I am not playing engineering manager. I find it to be fun and interesting and always different. Designing a network for a customer and then seeing it implemented and operating brings alot of satisfaction, of course when it doesnt go smooth welllllllllllll you know lots of sleepless nights

Oh, I don't doubt that actually doing the design is fulfilling.

Studying for the material, I can think of a few things I'd have rather done, and some of those things involves bodily pain.