Unsure where to go

Man it's been a long time since I've logged into here, but I definitely need some advice with some direction.

A whlie ago, my goal was to get the CCIP then move to the CCIE but unfortunately real life has been in the way for a while so I haven't had the time to do much studying. Fortunately I was able to nail the QoS exam before my life became to hectic AND also do a bunch of studying for the BGP exam (to the point I was ready to take it). But sadly when i was going to schedule it things came up and I never got around to it.

That was then, this is now... so now I'm feeling the itch again and have some time so I'm not quite sure what I want to do. I have 2 logical options and 1 good-yet-not-as-logical option.

Option 1: Go back and re-brief over all the BGP material and labs I did and then schedule the test. Once passed then move on to MPLS to finish the CCIP

Option 2: Start going over BGP again but also start really hitting MPLS hardcore and then in a few months do the BGP+MPLS composite exam to finish the CCIP.

Option 3: Don't bother with a lot of it and do some CCNA Security/CCSP stuff (granted the equipment availability for the CCSP is far less than the CCIP/CCIE for me)

At this point I'm really struggling between option 1 and option 2.. with option 1 I could probably study a bit less and hit the BGP exam and pass without much issue, and then spend a good solid few months for MPLS.. with option 2 I would do a lot of BGP review anyway WHILE studying for MPLS and then take the composite and finish up everything (I'm fully aware the composite is more difficult , but I feel it's something I could do with enough studying)

Thoughts / Suggestions?

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Comments

networker050184

Depends on what you want to do with your career. Do you want to do security stuff or work for a service provider? If you choose the IP I'd do the composite. BGP+MPLS study go very well together and I didn't think it was very difficult.

Plazma

That's one problem I tend to have with this stuff is that I really like all of it, the only thing I don't like that much is Voice (granted what little i do know is somewhat interesting). I've always had an interest in network security since I started in this field many years ago, but the routing/switching and even service provider stuff is really neat too.

networker050184

Which one is going to help you more to reach you goals? Thats what I'd go for.

Plazma

networker050184 wrote: »

Which one is going to help you more to reach you goals? Thats what I'd go for.

Well from what I gather the CCSP is a bit more marketable but I don't have much experience with ASA's or PIX's granted it is more of my interest.

The CCIP would most likely compliment the most given current experience level , interest, and foundation wise.. would give me a good start on the CCIE R&S, which speaks for itself.