ER vs M

GT-Rob · January 2009

So I am just trying to understand the real differences between these 2 tracks, and why one would go for one over the other.

As far as I can tell, ER seems to be more about the features available on the routers, where the M track seems to more like Cisco exams (ccna, ccnp, ccie), as far as the blueprints.

I guess my question to those out there, why did you go for one over the other? Or do most people plan to do both tracks? The other tracks (FW, EX, etc) seem to have their place, but these 2 look very similar to me.

zoidberg · January 2009

There are many similarities between the M and ER tracks. You could also compare it to CCNP vs CCIP. Each track has the standard routing foundation, but then the difference is what they add onto that, and each serves it's purpose. M/CCIP adds goodies like large scale BGP, MPLS, traffic engineering, etc, that mainly applies to Service Providers and very, very large enterprises. The ER/CCNP still has that same base of routing, but then focus on things that apply more in the the Enterprise realm and how to enable all the features available on the routers that Service Providers don't care about; NAT, Stateful firewalls, dialer-maps and ISDN link backup, etc. I'm not saying SPs don't use things like that, but they don't use them in the core of their network, which is what the M/CCIP is all about.

zoidberg · January 2009

I did the M track first as that's what I do... I play in the Service Provider sandbox and do all that MPLSie stuff.

I did the ER track because there was lots of overlap and figured I could take on the challenge. There was still plenty to learn or relearn, but I was looking for a challenge and to broden my exposure. It's not often I touch anything to do with services, NAT/PAT, FWs, DHCP.

GT-Rob · January 2009

awesome thanks for the feedback

I guess I am just looking for the SPF from the Routing path of Cisco to get some Juniper on my resume. Looking at the objectives for both of the JNCIA exams, they seem very theory based. The JNCIS exams look a little more interesting though.

zoidberg · January 2009

ya, like i mentioned in the previous thread, the associate level is pretty basic and more general and basic theory. specialist gets into more fun config stuff and specifics.

if you have a general understanding of some of these: rip, ospf, isis, mpls, cos, mcast, ipv6, then i recommend the M track. i found it more fun. but, again, that could be my personal perference. the sybex books for the M series are excellent and cover everything you need for the exams in a very structured and step-by-step format. any topics you don't know, the books will gradually build up over the four book series.

the junos-er book is excellent and covers most everything you need as well, but all in one book instead of four. it still eases you into the harder and more detailed topics though and doesn't hit you with jncie stuff off the bat. the format differs from the sybex books as it's written as more of a networking discussion instead of exam guide. oh, right, one cavet with the junos-er book is that it lacks the j-web stuff you need for the associate.

so, as a fellow albertian... are you in flames country, or oilers?

GT-Rob · January 2009

Ya I think I like the topics on the M (other than IS-IS), since its what I have been studying for the past year. Can you run the web interface through olive?

I am actually born just outside of Edmonton, grew up mostly in Ontario, recently moved to Calgary, and cheer for Montreal, so I don't even know what to call myself anymore lol

zoidberg · January 2009

Ya, go M go!

J-web works on the Olive.... Mostly. It will give you a good feel, but not everything works properly. Should work well enough for your needs though.

Edmonton and then Calgary a little while ago myself. To all my Edm buddies, Go Flames Go! :P (except for those last couple games

)

lildeezul · January 2009

im going to do some juniper certs after my CCIP.... Is the JNCIA the first exam you have to take..

is it like cisco exams , where they are pre-requisites and different tracks.. (CCNP-routing/switching CCSP-security and ect...)

would you mind explain the different tracks and where to start for a cisco guy. Thanks.

zoidberg · January 2009

JNCIA is optional. You can skip it and go straight to the JNCIS, assuming there is one for that tack.

JNCIS is required for any lab exam attempts. JNCIP (lab) is required before the JNCIE (lab), if that track has a JNCIP step. So far, that's only the M/T and the ERX that have JNCIP, but then the ERX stops there and does not go up to the JNCIE level. So, you can go from the JNCIS-ER straight to trying your hand at the brutal JNCIE-ER lab, if you were so inclined.

However, you said you were finishing off your CCIP. I would recommend the M/T track as they are both Service Provider orientated and their topics align well.

GT-Rob · January 2009

deezul, check here for all their paths

Technical Certification Program : Network and Security Certification : JNTCP - Juniper Networks

As you can see, they put the M track under service provider.

I think after next week I am going to start reading the study guides for both (I love how there is just free links on their site for them!), and see what I like.

lildeezul · January 2009

zoidberg wrote: »

JNCIA is optional. However, you said you were finishing off your CCIP. I would recommend the M/T track as they are both Service Provider orientated and their topics align well.

I am actually finishing off my CCNP, but after the CCNP i am going to the CCIP. I was saying that after my CCIP studies i will probably go into juniper.. But i think i might have a little change in plans.. i am taking the ISCW exam some time in the next month, and my intentional plans was to do the CCNA sec right after the ISCW exam ( which i am still going to do ) and the finish up with the ONT.. but i dont know if i just want to knock out the JNCIA-ER after my CCNA security exam, then go with the ONT..

there are so many options.. buts that can be a good thing.
We will see how things work out.

Is there a track that works specifically for the security applicances that juniper offers.. If so i would like to get the JNCIA & JNCIS for that. I know alot of companies that deploy the juniper firewalls. so that could be beneficial.

zoidberg · January 2009

The do have exams aimed at their security appliances.

JNCIA and JNCIS-FWV --- firewall/vpn, screenos
JNCIA and JNCIS-SSL --- ssl vpn products
JNCIA-IDP --- intrusion detection and prevention

I can't say much about thesse as I haven't tried these and don't work much with these products.

ER vs M

Comments