My CCIE Journey Has Officially Begun.

jamesp1983

I have decided that it is time to pursue the first goal I had when I entered IT, the CCIE. I know its going to be an EXTREME challenge, but I'm just pushing forward and trying to stay confident. I'm going to use this thread for tracking my progress throughout my CCIE journey. I purchased the INE Ultimate bundle last week and have been studying and labbing ever since. I'm still trying to figure out what the right balance of lab vs study is at this point, but I'm just reviewing all of the ATVOD material now (over 80 hours), to refresh myself. I'm open for any suggestions on how I should balance lab vs study time. I've been running Dynamips and working with my home switches while watching the videos as a way to get more hands on. I passed BCMSN, BSCI, and ISCW back in 2008, and wrapped up ONT in August of 2010. I have been working with the equipment at my job so that has kept me fresh on a lot of the info, but I'm still studying like I'm just starting out. I research topics in the videos that I don't really remember and that seems to be really helping. I will keep this updated as a motivator and also as a way to keep track of all that I have studied when it comes time for my final review. It feels great to finally get started on this path. My wife and I worked out a schedule and I'm going to try to hit 30-36 hours a week.

My resources:
-INE Virtual Lab
-The INE workbooks
-INE Written VOD
-Routing TCP/IP, vol I.
-Home lab (a few routers and some 3550s.)
-Cisco LAN Switching by Ken Clark
-Routing and Switching, Time of Convergence?
-My CCNP Library.
-Dynamips
-Cisco.com
-INE ATVOD 4.5

Should I buy Odom's exam guide? I think the Boson Exsim for CCIE will be the next addition.

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Comments

jamesp1983

I'm still making my way through the System Management section of WBI. This section is a lot easier than the security section.

jamesp1983

I wrapped up the System Management section, and started IP Services (Section 13). My next attempt at mock lab 1 is scheduled for Saturday so I'm hoping there aren't any hardware issues this time.

jamesp1983

Mock lab 1 done and in the books. I think I only got 1 wrong in TS, and maybe 3 in config. I made the cardinal error of making changes with 5 minutes to go. Bad idea... TS took me about 1 hour 15 minutes. Config took quite a bit longer.

Overall, MPLS and QOS were my weak spots. I didn't have much trouble with multicast besides a routing issue that I made earlier on in the lab when configuring an IGP (caused RPF failure). I spent a lot of time on MPLS. It revealed some weak spots so it was well worth it. I'm going to hit WB I Sec 14 after I wrap up 13 because clearly MPLS is where I have gaps in my knowledge. I need to go back and review some of notes from my first pass through WBI. I was a bit rusty on some of the topics. I am fried now though.

It was nice getting to feel the time pressure and I can see how this will help with the real test.

jamesp1983

I read over the mock lab solutions doc. The time limit caused me to rush through some sections and misinterpret/miss a word here or there that caused me to incorrectly configure a few components. I will be more careful on the next mock lab. It was a good experience overall.

Zartanasaurus

jamesp1983 wrote: »

I read over the mock lab solutions doc. The time limit caused me to rush through some sections and misinterpret/miss a word here or there that caused me to incorrectly configure a few components. I will be more careful on the next mock lab. It was a good experience overall.

Have you been timing yourself during WB2? I always set aside an 8-hour block on Saturday or Sunday to go through the entire thing on a timer.

jamesp1983

Zartanasaurus wrote: »

Have you been timing yourself during WB2? I always set aside an 8-hour block on Saturday or Sunday to go through the entire thing on a timer.

No, but I need to. That is a good idea.

jamesp1983

I need to revisit QoS, MPLS, and IPv6. I'm going to wrap up WB 13 and 14, then I'll complete this list:
Week 25: VOL1 QoS
Week 26: VOL1 QoS
Week 27: VOL1 QoS
Week 28: VOL1 QoS

jamesp1983

Helpful note from WBI, WB13:

To manually set the IPP in an ICMP packet use the extended command option to specify "Type of service:" and just multiply whatever IP Precedence value you wish to use by 32. This option wants the decimal value of IPP from the TOS field. ie; (01100000)= 96=IPP 3 (first 3 bits). You would enter 96 (3x32). For IPP of 5, enter 160 (5x32).

jamesp1983

I finished WBI Section 13-IP Services. I wish I would have gone over that Section prior to Mock 1. It would have helped out.

jamesp1983

I'm making my way through WBI-Sect 14 MPLS. My wife and I found out that our baby will be here on 9/27 via c section so I'm trying to get in as much time as I possibly can.

jamesp1983

I just finished WBI Sect 14 MPLS and readings. This was pretty straight forward. I still need to watch the videos though. Once I'm done some more research on MPLS, I will start the QoS section. (WBI, Sect 10).

Week 25: VOL1 QoS
Week 26: VOL1 QoS
Week 27: VOL1 QoS
Week 28: VOL1 QoS

I will probably read the certification guide and watch the QoS videos again as well.

Has anyone read this?:
End-to-End QoS Network Design by Tim Szigeti and Christina Hattingh.
http://www.amazon.com/End-End-QoS-Network-Design/dp/1587051761

jamesp1983

This past weekend was a bust because of a wedding that I was in, but that should be the last of those for now. I finished up the System Management videos of the ATC, and now I'm going to start reviewing the BGP and IPv6 videos. Work has started to pick up and have been doing a lot of configs so that has been fun. I'm thinking of picking up the End-to-End QoS Network Design book as well. I definitely need a QoS review.

Zartanasaurus

jamesp1983 wrote: »

This past weekend was a bust because of a wedding that I was in,

Should've had the bride and groom recite BGP bestpath selection process as part of their custom vows.

jamesp1983

Zartanasaurus wrote: »

Should've had the bride and groom recite BGP bestpath selection process as part of their custom vows.

That is a great idea! It's a win/win.

jamesp1983

We welcomed our son to this world early yesterday morning. He is healthy and happy so far. My wife and I are extremely excited.

reaper81

Wow! Congrats James! Really happy for you, my first born is a son as well.

sides14

Congratulations. I discovered a ton of midnight to 5 training time when my kids were born.

Essendon

HUGE Congratulations James!! I bet your excited, but bam goes your study time

TLeTourneau

Congratulations!!!

MrBrian

Congratulations man!! Just awesome

Zartanasaurus

jamesp1983 wrote: »

We welcomed our son to this world early yesterday morning. He is healthy and happy so far. My wife and I are extremely excited.

You get him a copy of Routing TCP/IP yet?

spd3432

@James -- Congrats on the new baby. You don't have to read Dr Seuss books. If you moderate your tone correctly, you can read just about anything to him. I remember getting strange looks from my wife for reading DoD Travel Regs to my son when he was a newborn.

jamesp1983

Thanks so much. It is definitely a change. My birthday is today and we just came home from the hospital so it has been a bit hectic. I hope to start getting some study time in at night and my wife isn't working so she said she's going to help the best she can.

jamesp1983

I've been watching INE videos while feeding/holding the baby. They put him right to sleep.

Mrock4

Congrats james! It seems like yesterday we did the same..but with twins! It was interesting. Crazy how fast they grow! Keep up the good work.

jamesp1983

Thank you! Twins...how did you do it? Today is my first day back to work and it was tough leaving.

jamesp1983

spd3432 wrote: »

@James -- Congrats on the new baby. You don't have to read Dr Seuss books. If you moderate your tone correctly, you can read just about anything to him. I remember getting strange looks from my wife for reading DoD Travel Regs to my son when he was a newborn.

haha, that is great advice. I already have him watching INE vids with me.

jamesp1983

I went over the QoS Section for a review in the CCIE Routing and Switching v4.0 Quick Reference and now I'm starting:

Week 25: VOL1 QoS
Week 26: VOL1 QoS
Week 27: VOL1 QoS
Week 28: VOL1 QoS

Mrock4

jamesp1983 wrote: »

Thank you! Twins...how did you do it? Today is my first day back to work and it was tough leaving.

It was (is..) rough. One of those things that makes you envy those with only one. They're a blast though..they definitely upped the motivation for the IE and all. I'm sure you know what I mean.

jamesp1983

Mrock4 wrote: »

It was (is..) rough. One of those things that makes you envy those with only one. They're a blast though..they definitely upped the motivation for the IE and all. I'm sure you know what I mean.

I'm sure! He has certainly motivated me as well. I took it easy for a week (just reading and watching videos), but now I'm back to labbing.