Question for CCNPs and CCSPs - fun fun fun

[Cyanic]

I say go for it. Gaining a cert is a wonderful way to learn. You don't need to learn everything hands on. Even a lot of the Cisco questions are not "hands on" questions, they are about the theory, and they have a very good reason for testing that.

You will never learn about compression ratios by just driving a car.

The people hiring you will make the decision if you are ready or not. However, many jobs require that piece of paper even if you are a network god and far surpass the knowledge required. So go for it, learn, get your paper, and move to where you want to be.

[dynamik]

Start volunteering to help out on projects even if it means on your off time and start poking around and ask questions to the upper level engineers you might get crap work that they dont want to do. This will show to management that you are willing to learn and after a couple of projects they will know if you are cut out to be an engineer or not. Thats what I did, I worked during the day and helped out engineers at night then when a slot opened up I was recommended. Just because you get a cert they might not bump you up or they might bump you up and then ask you to get the cert. My 2 cents

For sure. You pick up things SO much faster when you're actually working with them at your job. Regularly getting 6-8 hours/day blows any self-study time out of the water, especially when you're working with more knowledgeable people.

[Paul Boz]

especially when you're working with more knowledgeable people.

Aw look guys he's complimenting me

[dynamik]

Dammit, I didn't mean to...

[networker050184]

You two need to move your bromance over to PMs. That's what they are for

[dynamik]

We have an internal Jabber server and all our communication is encrypted with OTR. I'm not going to lie; things get pretty hot...

[veritas_libertas]

You two need to move your bromance over to PMs. That's what they are for

They do have a tendency to follow each other from thread to thread

[ColbyG]

We have an internal Jabber server and all our communication is encrypted with OTR. I'm not going to lie; things get pretty hot...

I LOLed, hahahaha.

When I worked with Networker109323290320932093290 we used to bullshit over Communicator all day. Usually making fun of coworkers.

[networker050184]

I LOLed, hahahaha.

When I worked with Networker109323290320932093290 we used to bullshit over Communicator all day. Usually making fun of coworkers.

Or talking about the chicks.

[Paul Boz]

They do have a tendency to follow each other from thread to thread

These forums are pretty slow, what can I say.

[Bl8ckr0uter]

Well the job still isn't that challenging but I realize now why God put me in this situation (besides the fact I needed money). There are people here with SERIOUS levels of knowledge. I sit next to Tier II guys and a tier I engineer. In fact I feel like most of the level 2 guys know more than I do but that will change .

A co worker gave me the cbt nuggets for the CCNA/CCNP and I think I will review these along with packet tracer labs (I will complete them on real equipment) for the next couple of weeks (my test is on the 17th). I also have started to read Network Warrior, the first couple of chapters have been review but I have still learned some things. I am really looking forward to the channelized DC3 lines (had an issue with this today) among many other things. I am going to go through it as a str8 read once, then again possibly taking notes. After I murder the CCNA, I am ordering the Doyle books and possibly the CCNP books. However contrary to what everyone has said I feel that I really really need to get the asa books and also the cisco vpn book. All in all I probably go for the CCNP/cisco ASA cert.

Well I got my work cut out for me, but I will git err done.

ps Dynamik we still racing?

[dynamik]

ps Dynamik we still racing?

AFAIK, I'm the only one of us that has an exam scheduled

[veritas_libertas]

Well the job still isn't that challenging but I realize now why God put me in this situation (besides the fact I needed money). There are people here with SERIOUS levels of knowledge. I sit next to Tier II guys and a tier I engineer. In fact I feel like most of the level 2 guys know more than I do but that will change .

A co worker gave me the cbt nuggets for the CCNA/CCNP and I think I will review these along with packet tracer labs (I will complete them on real equipment) for the next couple of weeks (my test is on the 17th). I also have started to read Network Warrior, the first couple of chapters have been review but I have still learned some things. I am really looking forward to the channelized DC3 lines (had an issue with this today) among many other things. I am going to go through it as a str8 read once, then again possibly taking notes. After I murder the CCNA, I am ordering the Doyle books and possibly the CCNP books. However contrary to what everyone has said I feel that I really really need to get the asa books and also the cisco vpn book. All in all I probably go for the CCNP/cisco ASA cert.

Well I got my work cut out for me, but I will git err done.

ps Dynamik we still racing?

Hey, just don't over due it man. I know if I try to learn something to quick my mind jumbles it up everywhere and I forget it all On the other hand, if you can consume the information and move quickly then go for it.

[Bl8ckr0uter]

AFAIK, I'm the only one of us that has an exam scheduled

I have the CCNA scheduled.

[Bl8ckr0uter]

Hey, just don't over due it man. I know if I try to learn something to quick my mind jumbles it up everywhere and I forget it all On the other hand, if you can consume the information and move quickly then go for it.

True. I don't intend to read all of those at once but I do want to have them on hand, especially the doyle and vpn books. I think those will help along with the books I already have order for CCNA:S

[dynamik]

I have the CCNA scheduled.

My mistake. When's D-Day? You didn't schedule it three months in advance or anything did you? That doesn't count

[Bl8ckr0uter]

My mistake. When's D-Day? You didn't schedule it three months in advance or anything did you? That doesn't count

Does no one read my sig or my post?

October 17th. Thats a Saturday (but I may move it back 1 more week just because my saturdays are kind of busy, but more than likely, that is the final date).

Man, no respect I tell ya, no respect at all lol.

[shednik]

Does no one read my sig or my post?

Your sig changes all the time

[Bl8ckr0uter]

Your sig changes all the time

I know just like my mind .


If you watched it then you know that it is pretty stable at this point. And I think at this point, the only thing that is going to change now is the order. It is in the order of the most important to the company so that is the way it will stay, unless I decided to get/not get certs.

The L+/LPIC-1 is finalized. LPIC seems more doable and more challenging but at the same time, cheaper and somewhat more respected (not well known but respected).

The CCSP/CCIP/CCNP is going to be trickly. The engineers are saying focus on security and transport so SP/IP are the first ones I want to get. The CCNP doesn't seem to hold AS much value HERE as the others. I have heard that the CCIP is harder than the CCNP. The CCSP seems to have the most difficult study material to find. (it is ethereal man)

[dynamik]

Bold, red text annoys the hell out of me. I guess I just block it subconsciously at this point

[Bl8ckr0uter]

Bold, red text annoys the hell out of me. I guess I just block it subconsciously at this point

I could go into the indications of a bad childhood school experience (grade school wise) but rather than do that, I'll just leave that alone.

[mikej412]

Does no one read my sig

Red is "negative" -- so I just kind of skim over it.

And while Green is "positive" -- and calm and soothing -- aren't most people who are color blind red/green colorblind?

Perhaps a nice bold Blue -- still positive and soothing but also more readable.

Since the current best Cisco Press Firewall & VPN books aren't Exam Certification books, grab them when ever you think you'll have time to start reading them.

I'd wait on the actual CCNP Cisco Press Certification books until you're almost ready to start studying for your first CCNP exam -- just in case the current set of exam change rumors turns out to be true. Besides -- Doyle should keep you happy and busy studying for a while.

And other than the CCNA which you need to get for your job, you may modify your Certification plan and work on things that get you ahead in your job -- even if they don't get you one of the Certifications you'd like to get. But in that case, use your off work study time to work on the things that you might want to have for your next job.

If you find that taking the ASA exam(s) helps you in your current job, remember that the Cisco Specialist Certifications expire in 2 years -- so they tend to be "temporary" unless you recertify them by either redoing some of the exams or moving up the CCIE Written Exams to recertify.

[Bl8ckr0uter]

Read is "negative" -- so I just kind of skim over it.

And while Green is "positive" -- and calm and soothing -- aren't most people who are color blind red/green colorblind?

Perhaps a nice bold Blue -- still positive and soothing but also more readable.

Since the current best Cisco Press Firewall & VPN books aren't Exam Certification books, grab them when ever you think you'll have time to start reading them.

I'd wait on the actual CCNP Cisco Press Certification books until you're almost ready to start studying for your first CCNP exam -- just in case the current set of exam change rumors turns out to be true. Besides -- Doyle should keep you happy and busy studying for a while.

And other than the CCNA which you need to get for your job, you may modify your Certification plan and work on things that get you ahead in your job -- even if they don't get you one of the Certifications you'd like to get. But in that case, use your off work study time to work on the things that you might want to have for your next job.

If you find that taking the ASA exam(s) helps you in your current job, remember that the Cisco Specialist Certifications expire in 2 years -- so they tend to be "temporary" unless you recertify them by either redoing some of the exams or moving up the CCIE Written Exams to recertify.

Yea I know about the test changing (sometime at the end of the year is when I heard the announcement is going to be made). I am going to pick up the security books soon (along with an asa 5505) to play with. The ASA certs wont help me with my current role to much but it may help me get noticed by management. Honestly we really dont do a whole lot of indepth stuff with routers/switches. The only reason I need the CCNA is becuase I am a part of the Tier II program (they are still find tuning the job responbilities).

The cisco vpn book is really good (I heard). The Authorized Self study guide for CCNA:S is really good ( I heard).

A question for you is how exactly do you keep all of you certs current. I mean do you just live and breath cisco test ? Btw I mean this seriously. It must be a full time job in itself. Also I wanted to know why there isn't any CCIE level certs on there ( even though Im sure you have the skils/knowledge to kill them)? Do you feel at this point in the game they arent worth it to yo? Btw I mean this seriously as well.

[dynamik]

You only need one pro exam to renew all your pro (and lower) certifications, and a CCIE written will renew all those plus the specialist certifications.

I think my favorite explanation of why Mike doesn't have his CCIE yet is that he'd be forced to take a pay cut

[Bl8ckr0uter]

You only need one pro exam to renew all your pro (and lower) certifications, and a CCIE written will renew all those plus the specialist certifications.

I think my favorite explanation of why Mike doesn't have his CCIE yet is that he'd be forced to take a pay cut

Interesting. I guess at what point does every cisco cert become > a CCIE.
Probably when you reach router god status...