Fastest $20 Certification Ever!

PhildoBaggins

Been looking at Brocade certs, eyes on the BCNE and BAIS, after taking a look at the training material provided online I plopped the large crisp 20 down on BAIS and knocked it out in about 15 minutes. Think of this cert as something along the lines of a real basic CCNA/CCENT. I look forward to adding Brocade to my list, they have a good site, good products and they really are trying with the certs.

rterrain03

I just visited their site, I didn't see the BAIS exam on their list ? How would you compare their stuff to cisco ?

PhildoBaggins

Here is the direct link: Brocade Accredited Internetworking Specialist (BAIS) Exam

Its not cisco, it will probably never be cisco, and this test posed no challenge to any network tech/engineer/manager who has done the job for 6-12 months. However, I would have really loved to take a test like this after I had studied for my CCNA back when. The test is done well enough to pose a challenge to those starting out or whom have little experience yet its not as daunting as going from 0 exp to CCNA. Its like ICND1 light.

I will more than likely pursue the BCNE and stop there. However like anything else I study I do it to stay sharp. There are way more experienced guys around me but I here the same deal all the time "yeah I have never use a sonciwall, powerconnect, procurve, fortigate, foundry-brocade, juniper etc.... so I dont know". Cisco is king, and will probably remain there for most markets, but I enjoy learning the other. Sonicwall for instance makes the best small to large non SP gear for firewalling I have ever used. Its easy, cheap, uber fast and pretty reliable (coming from experience of managing 1000+ of these things) but a base model cisco ASA 5510 will out class it in featurificness.

I just like knowing stuff is out there.

F5 also provides a pretty decent intro to Big IP that walks you through setting up basic load balancing. I've been through those classes and they to are also worth a watch. You can then even sign up and download the appliance, spin up VM Big IP LTM and play with it.

I'm tired and rambling.

Mike-Mike

I assume it's this:

Brocade Accredited Internetworking Specialist (BAIS) Exam



ETA: I didn't notice you beat me to it

PhildoBaggins

Well I read through the BCNE Nutshell guide and other than some Brocade specifics its fairly straight forward. I just need to brush up a little on multicast and I am good to go. I took the practice exams on brocades site and passed on the first attempt. The actual certification pass rate is only 58%...which I guess is good for anyone taking it. I have a feeling if the BCNE gains any popularity it will go up towards the 75-80% pass mark.

PsychoFin

The free training materials on FCoE and such that they have are great. Very good videos and guides. Don't forget that the 20 dollar exams are just prerequisites for the proper ones.

Jinuyr

I created a My Brocade account but I'm unable to access the materials... does it take a while to activate or something O_o?

Jinuyr

Found it... I had to convert my account. >_<

Aveni

I created one and free assessment test is great