My CCNP Route thread

Iristheangel · July 2013

I'm sure Cisco is an awesome place to work for but I didn't go for them because:
1) I wasn't ready to move up to Northern California yet. My spouse and I plan on doing that in 2015
2) I still have plenty to learn at my current employer
3) I want to have a couple CCNP's and a few more years experience under my belt before I work for them so I have the best leverage for the best pay
4) Optionally, I think I might try to work at a VAR before jumping into Cisco so I get my hands into a ton of things and feel like I'm much more seasoned

The job was offered to me because I met someone at Defcon 2 years ago who's been pushing me to work for Cisco since he's a senior there and he submitted my resume without telling me. It was nice of him but I wasn't ready for that jump in my career yet

Iristheangel · July 2013

I guess I should update this thread. I'm halfway through Chapter 2 (Around page 100) and I'm enjoying CCNP Route Simplified. If I had to choose between two books, I'd pick Route Simplified for format and ease to read but FLG is still a great book. A previous poster mentioned that reading it is easy and you tackle pages really quickly. I would agree.
I have two more tasks to finish of my last MSISA for the semester so as soon as I'm done with those, I'll have the rest of August to really dedicate myself to CCNP. I also picked up CCDP ARCH Simplified because I received a free Amazon giftcard so I'll probably tackle that test right after TSHOOT since it looks like an easier test.

Danielh22185 · July 2013

Glad to hear it is going good! I think you and I will be battling to see who finishing the book first!

Iristheangel · July 2013

You'll probably finish before me, Daniel. I'm juggling my Masters classes and planning a wedding so my time is not as free as I would like it to be. I pretty much made this thread to stick to my guns and get through this exam but I don't probably finish the book until mid-September or be ready for the test before November.

Danielh22185 · July 2013

Iristheangel wrote: »

You'll probably finish before me, Daniel. I'm juggling my Masters classes and planning a wedding so my time is not as free as I would like it to be. I pretty much made this thread to stick to my guns and get through this exam but I don't probably finish the book until mid-September or be ready for the test before November.

I know the feeling of losing the spare time. I just now recently was able to refocus a lot of my study efforts.

Iristheangel · August 2013

CCNP Route update: I'm almost finished with Chapter 2 of FLG. I should finish it tomorrow and then embark on Chapter 3 before the end of the week so I'm definitely ahead of my schedule on that book. I'm trying to get through the Route Simplified book at home and that's going as well.

Since design and architecture is interesting to me, I've also decided to do the CCDA and CCDP after I'm done with the CCNP. I bought the CCDA Simplified and CCDP Simplified books to help me out and since it would only be two light tests, why not? The only complaint I've heard about the tests is that the material is dry in the CCDA but gets much better in the CCDP ARCH material. Both books seem pretty light and easy to read so I'm willing to give it a shot and my boss is willing to pay for my certifications so I might as well. I think I'll knock both those tests out early next year before moving onto the CCNP:Security (My big cert goal of next year)

Iristheangel · August 2013

Also, I bought this book at Defcon: Amazon.com: The TCP/IP Guide: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Internet Protocols Reference (9781593270476): Charles M. Kozierok: Books

I'm not sure if it'll help build me up for the CCIE or not or just help refresh CCNP knowledge when I'm done but it has high reviews on Amazon and seems like a great resource. Next year, I'll be done with my MS degree so while I'm going the CCNP:Security route, I'll probably be reading through Network Warrior (again), TCP/IP Vol I & II, and reading through this TCP/IP guide

aaron0011 · August 2013

Iristheangel wrote: »

CCNP Route update: I'm almost finished with Chapter 2 of FLG. I should finish it tomorrow and then embark on Chapter 3 before the end of the week so I'm definitely ahead of my schedule on that book. I'm trying to get through the Route Simplified book at home and that's going as well.

Since design and architecture is interesting to me, I've also decided to do the CCDA and CCDP after I'm done with the CCNP. I bought the CCDA Simplified and CCDP Simplified books to help me out and since it would only be two light tests, why not? The only complaint I've heard about the tests is that the material is dry in the CCDA but gets much better in the CCDP ARCH material. Both books seem pretty light and easy to read so I'm willing to give it a shot and my boss is willing to pay for my certifications so I might as well. I think I'll knock both those tests out early next year before moving onto the CCNP:Security (My big cert goal of next year)

Good luck, I'm doing something similar with CCNP/CCDP. Trying to decide of I am going to knock out CCDA after SWITCH before going into ROUTE or just wait until after CCNP to start the design track.

When I have CCNP/CCNP Voice/CCDP/ITILv3 Foundations on my resume I'm done with certs until it's time to renew. I'm going to focus on a Business Management degree with Finance concentration if I do anything outside of work after this 2-3 year run of doing Cisco exams one after another.

Danielh22185 · August 2013

Iristheangel wrote: »

Also, I bought this book at Defcon: Amazon.com: The TCP/IP Guide: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Internet Protocols Reference (9781593270476): Charles M. Kozierok: Books

I'm not sure if it'll help build me up for the CCIE or not or just help refresh CCNP knowledge when I'm done but it has high reviews on Amazon and seems like a great resource. Next year, I'll be done with my MS degree so while I'm going the CCNP:Security route, I'll probably be reading through Network Warrior (again), TCP/IP Vol I & II, and reading through this TCP/IP guide

Great! You are making great progress! I myself just finished ch.4 in FLG and am beginning ch.5. I actually thought about going after CCDA as well after NP. I have a buddy in the NOC with me that has suggested the same. I've always been interested in design and wanted to always get into an implementation engineer position in the future.

NetworkVeteran · August 2013

Iristheangel wrote: »

Also, I bought this book at Defcon: Amazon.com: The TCP/IP Guide: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Internet Protocols Reference (9781593270476): Charles M. Kozierok: Books

It's also available online as-- Welcome to The TCP/IP Guide!

It's a well-written and handy guide. I've turned to it very occasionally to refresh my knowledge of standard protocols, especially when the scope lies slightly outside the domain of my routing/switching library. I recall particularly enjoying their section on RARP/BOOTP/DHCP, because they described the historical progression and the packet formats.

Vastly more readable than an RFC when you have a choice between sources.

Glad your studying is progressing well. You totally have this!

Iristheangel · August 2013

Finished Chapter 2 of FLG. Onward to OSPF (again!)

Iristheangel · August 2013

Making progress into OSPF. 50 pages into Chapter 3 of the FLG and working on CCNP Route Simplified OSPF Chapter from home. I am actually enjoying the Route Simplified book more but both the FLG and Simplified series are EXCELLENT and easily explain enough to get through Route. I am thoroughly enjoying this a lot more than the craptastic OCG that I struggled through for the last month and a half

Ismaeljrp · August 2013

Iris, would you recommend using the FLG and Simplified and not using the OCG ?

I'm currently looking into gathering material, hope to start studying for CCNP in September. Don't want to wait till last minute.

Iristheangel · August 2013

Yeah, I definitely would say to skip the OCG. I loved Odom's CCNA/CCENT guides but I didn't like OCG for Route at ALL. Very dry and missing TONS of information

kohr-ah · August 2013

Iristheangel wrote: »

Yeah, I definitely would say to skip the OCG. I loved Odom's CCNA/CCENT guides but I didn't like OCG for Route at ALL. Very dry and missing TONS of information

I agree as well. I did half the OCG and picked up the FLG (just finished EIGRP on-to next section). <-- Wish I read faster

Anywho, the FLG is soooooooooo much better to me at least. Because when they explain things like what happens when a route goes down and how it prevents loops and shows step by step with pictures and routing tables my brain soaked it up easily.

Made MPLS summarized easily also.

Ismaeljrp · August 2013

Thanx for the tips Iris and Kohr-ah

Iristheangel · August 2013

Continuing on with my thread that seems to never end....

Chapter 3 (OSPF) of the FLG was completed this week - 120 pages or so. Also completed Chapter 3 (OSPF as well) of Route Simplified after work this week - about 180 pages. Feeling pretty strong about OSPF and EIGRP now.

I'm going to be spending most of this weekend finishing up my last class of the semester for my MSISA but after that's done, I'll be spending all next week tackling Chapter 4 (Manipulating Routing Updates) and Chapter 5 (Implementing Path Control) of the FLG and Chapter 4 (IGP Route Filtering and Route Redistribution) of Route Simplified. These were subjects that I was rougher with when I was going through the OCG but so far, these two books have been WORLDS better so I have faith that it'll go better through these two books.

I can't wait til I'm completely done with the MSISA (one more class next semester and a capstone + oral defense). Studying for certifications on TOP of school and a more-than-fulltime job takes a lot of discipline... and a little bit of insanity

instant000 · August 2013

Iristheangel wrote: »

I can't wait til I'm completely done with the MSISA (one more class next semester and a capstone + oral defense). Studying for certifications on TOP of school and a more-than-fulltime job takes a lot of discipline... and a little bit of insanity

After completing the MSISA, I was able to finish the rest of the CCNP within two months. School work does take a lot of time. You're going to have a lot more free time in your schedule when you complete!

Danielh22185 · August 2013

Good to see you study efforts are streaming along well as usual. You are moving into my least favorite topics. I'd suggest pairing up a bit of labbing as you do read through Redistribution / Path Manipulation topics. There is a lot of new stuff in this as I'm sure you know already having read the OCG book. I am finally becoming more excited myself with these topics as I further understand them.

Iristheangel · August 2013

Finished Chapter 4 yesterday. Will finish Chapter 5 by tomorrow. Finished all my homework for this semester of my MSISA so I don't need to do anymore classwork until Sept 1th. Going to start hitting the Route Simplified guide harder since I'm a little behind on that book compared to the FLG. Moving along.

aaron0011 · August 2013

I admire that you can read three books for one exam. Do you supplement with videos at all?

I always read only one book and pick the best one by reading opinions here and on Amazon. I retain information better from videos and labs than I do from just reading.

Iristheangel · August 2013

I probably shouldn't have bothered with the OCG. I'm reading the FLG and Simplified books because I felt the OCG was just so weak.

I usually supplement videos and my notes when I get to the labbing portion of my studies. I'm a little different. I read EVERYTHING, take tons of notes, and then lab after with the notes and videos

Iristheangel · August 2013

Finished off Chapter 5 this morning. Instead of reading further into FLG today, I'm going to focus the rest of the week and weekend on getting further in Route Simplified since I'm a little behind in that book due to working late every night this week.

Overall... PROGRESS! I feel like I'm really getting along and cementing this material. I'm also having to deal with PBR, GRE tunnels, and fun stuff like that at work this week so I'm reading the material and then as soon as I put down the book, I'm doing it. It's fun when life works out like that!

stlsmoore · August 2013

Iristheangel so do you recommend not touching OCG at all? I'm starting and liking FLG more but wondering if I should supplement that with OCG once I'm finished.

Iristheangel · August 2013

Stlsmoore - No, I would not recommend it. It's not only the fact that the writing style is dry but that it's missing important parts. I would recommend getting the CCNP Route Simplified book to supplement your reading. It's so detailed that it feels more like a CCIE-prep than a CCNP book but at the same time it's extremely readable.

bermovick · August 2013

You know I had similar problems with the OCG for route, until I'd gone through the FLG. After that, I found the OCG a good complement.

Iristheangel · August 2013

I'd rather supplement my main book with something that covers it in as much, if not more, depth. The problem with the OCG is that it skips huge chunks that are in the FLG and doesn't go into the amount of detail you'll see in either the Simplified or FLG series.

Danielh22185 · August 2013

Iristheangel wrote: »

I'd rather supplement my main book with something that covers it in as much, if not more, depth. The problem with the OCG is that it skips huge chunks that are in the FLG and doesn't go into the amount of detail you'll see in either the Simplified or FLG series.

^^ This couldn't be more true. I am on the last chapter (IPv6) and its over 200 pages! OCG never had that amount of coverage and I've noticed this to be consistent with other subjects as well.

Iristheangel · August 2013

I'll be entering into my labbing phase of studying soon so I spent some money today on my home lab today. I already have quite a few ISRs but I have some very strict power requirements in my house that are limiting me in terms of how many I can plug in at once so I purchased the following on Ebay:
2 - ASA 5505's
4 - 2801 ISRs
1 - 3750 (I already had one and would like to use it for HSRP, GLBP, & VRRP for fun)
3 - 2960 24-port non-POE switches

I'll add those to my existing smaller pieces of equipment like my 2951XMs, 2950s, and 3550s and I should have myself a decent sized lab that will get me through most my CCNP R&S and Security. The larger 3845s, 2821s and 7200 routers I can pull out when the time comes for more advanced labbing. Hopefully, I will be moved into an apartment with more than two circuits in it at that time!

Danielh22185 · August 2013

I guess you can always consider supplementing with GNS3 if you have to for Route stuff. I haven't used a single piece of equipment yet. I know I will need switches for the switch exam.

My CCNP Route thread

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