Passed VPN

Got a 910. Nothing too impressive. The exam was a fair one and I can safely say that the best way to prepare is to have done it in production. I used the OCG, CBT and the Quick reference but what made it easy for me was experience.

Next is IPS. This is where it gets real. I have limited experience in this section. However, I am looking at deploying a few ASAs with IPS modules soon which I'm very excited about.

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Comments

CiscoCerts

Well done!

fredrikjj

Good job, but having work experience on the topic is obviously cheating

Dieg0M

Congrats!

DAVIS NGUYEN

Congrats on the pass

Ivanjam

@Master Of Puppets - Congrats on the VPN pass and good luck on IPS!

FloOz

Congrats!!!

Dakinggamer87

Congrats on pass!!

RouteMyPacket

Nice, told you VPN is a fun exam...why IPS next? SECURE is not one to laugh at, it's a tough exam. How do you plan to lab for IPS?

Heracles004

Congrats man.. Just took IPS about a month ago then switch last week, studying for firewall and route now. Hit me up if there's anything I can help you with.

Master Of Puppets

RouteMyPacket wrote: »

Nice, told you VPN is a fun exam...why IPS next? SECURE is not one to laugh at, it's a tough exam. How do you plan to lab for IPS?

You were right. If everything goes according to plan, I will lab it in production. There are a few ASAs with IPS modules that I will have to deploy from scratch. We are changing all the networking equipment in a few offices and configuring everything from the ground up. I'm thinking of playing around with them a lot.

Also, has anyone managed to get an IPS working in GNS?

Heracles004 - What did you use to lab?

Heracles004

I actually purchased a 4215 on amazon for like 50 bucks, granted it is slightly outdated but still close enough to get a feel for everything I needed to do and understand. Not to mention that it was locked with the old configs so step one was breaking in

RouteMyPacket

I racked a 4240 in and powered it up and first thing had to learn how to reset password. An IPS appliance is MUCH different that the ASA-IPS modules but all in all MoP you will really need to focus on the IME GUI, work your way through it etc.

Master Of Puppets

Thanks for the tips. I'll let you know how it goes.

dover

Congrats Master!

You'll enjoy the IPS although it is true, the ASA IPS vs. 4200s are a bit different. But you're resourceful, I have no doubt you'll find a way to lab it up right.

I didn't take SECURE - I had one of the earlier Cisco SND exams grandfathered into my CCNP Security, but I'm planning on starting to study/lab it right after the CISM exam on the 14th.

Master Of Puppets

Good luck on the CISM! That's not an easy one.

I think I will have a go at the standalone IPS too. I talked to an acquaintance of mine who has a 4255 in his network and persuaded him to let me play with it a little. In case that doesn't happen, I will think of something else.

dover

Thanks MoP,

Rack rental was the way I had to go. Still not as good as having hands-on, but it worked out. Spent a ton of time on the IME demo-mode/sim as well. Not much functionality but enough to get acquainted before you go stumbling through the rack rental.