GlobalConfig.net » CCIE Routing and Switching

Long Flights…

Brandon Carroll — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:11:46 +0000

Yesterday morning I had a long flight back to the US from Amsterdam. I’ve been on flights before and usually its an opportune time for me to catch up on emails, read any documentation, lab up scenarios in dynamips and so on. Well, I had no room whatsoever to open my laptop. It’s like the airlines intentionally made the seat in front of you recline just enough that you can only get your laptop open about 3/4 of the way. Well, it’s a good thing I have my trusty iPad. It was the perfect size to play on VoD for R&S and study. At least I got something done.

So where am I at study wise? Not very far. I’ve gotten about half way through Day 1 of the IPexpert VoD. It’s not where I want to be but it will have to do. The next few weeks may get interesting for me. Anyhow, I have a little writing to do today so I’m off to the races. Time to wrap up the finishing touches on a project that’s 5 days overdue!

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Re-starting the R&S study

Brandon Carroll — Fri, 14 May 2010 11:53:20 +0000

Some time ago I had the hair brained idea that I was going to do the R&S in 90 days. Why not right? I mean, Tyson Scott, my fellow instructor at IPexpert, passed the Service Provider lab in 3 weeks. Well, I am no where near the level that Tyson is at but I figured that 90 days would be plenty since I had been teaching Routing and Switching for the netter part of 8 years. Well I must say that my studies never got a fair shot. At the time I was working for Ascolta and between the travel and teaching there, the family responsibilities and so on I basically hit a dead end with my studies.

Then comes IPexpert. When I came on with IPexpert I was planning on taking the lab by April. I mean, I had an all access pass to my fellow instructors, the best training material on the market, and a rack of equipment that I could use whenever I wanted. So what happened? It’s now Mid-May and I have not attempted the lab? Well, frankly, work is what happened. In the last 5 months I’ve taught a few bootcamps, which if you werent already aware of, last about 12 hours a day. I’ve recorded video solutions for ALL of IPexperts CCIE Security Volume 1 labs, Slightly over half of the Volume 2 labs, recorded the Audio-on-Demand Product, and written an 8 hour mock lab. Not to mention the time I’ve spent on OSL trying to field questions and additional time I’ve spent writing another book. Fortunately I have a few co-authors on this one that have done most of the work. So you can pretty much see what I haven’t taken a run at the lab.

Well now I’m cracking down. The R&S BLS is complete and now I think it’s time to make the boss happy and knock out #2. So the question I asked myself was, “Where do I start?” Well taking a look at the R&S BLS I found that in the Getting Started Section there was a blueprint that I could follow. I really think this is going to give structure to my studies. So where will I begin? Here is the breakdown from the list found at http://www.ipexpert.com/blsdemo/v4/rs/:

Uploaded with plasq‘s Skitch!

I will begin with the VoD. This VoD is Joe Astorino taking you through and demonstrating much of the material that you would expect from a 5-day ILT class. I’m not saying the material is identical, but obviously there is going to be overlap. I personally need that.

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Next Ill move into Volume 1. I’ve worked on some of Volume 1 labs in the past. The labs are difficult, yet designed to let you experience the specific technologies. There are a total of 34 labs here. I estimate about 2 to 3 weeks to go through every one once. I’ll pick the ones that I’m not very comfortable with and work on them a few times.

Uploaded with plasq‘s Skitch!

Now this section I’ll have to admit, I’ve already cheated on. This week I have been teaching a class in Amsterdam and riding the RAI (Train) to the hotel every morning. It takes about an hour to get there so I’ve been listening to the Audio-on-Demad which was recorded by Marko Milivojevic. It’s funny, because he is teaching across the hall from me right now so when I get here in the morning it’s like I’ve already been talking to him for an hour.

Uploaded with plasq‘s Skitch!

After the second time around with the AoD I will start the multi-procotol labs in Volume 2. So in this workbook there are 20 labs. I have a feeling that the first time I go through these labs I’m going to get my butt kicked. I may need to do these a few times.

Uploaded with plasq‘s Skitch!

Next step will be to hit one of the bootcamps with either Marko or Joe. I have a feeling that since I’m in the USA and so I Joe that I’ll be sitting this class with him. Either one of those guys would be just fine with me. In fact, Tyson could end up teaching one of them depending on what’s going on and that would be cool as well. I have the utmost respect for all three of these instructors and feel confident that any of them can help me.

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Now I know that the OEQ’s have been removed, so I’m not going to need to worry about that section, but the troubleshooting section is certainly something I’ll need to work on.

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My next step will be the OWLE, or the One Week Lab Experience. I teach one of these for Security and I know how important it is to gain a solid grasp on Time Management, How to speak with proctors and how to deal with things coming up in the actual exam. This is something I am really looking forward to!

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And of course the end result should be a pass. I’m not holding my breath on a first time pass, but I’m not counting it out either. Well, I suppose it’s time to get on with it.

Time to dive into the VoD.

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A Quick Look at what I’m using to Study for R&S.

Brandon Carroll — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:05:08 +0000

Many of you know that I have been working on the CCIE R&S. Since I’m with IPexpert its only natural that I use their product line for my studies. In fact, before coming to IPexpert I used them anyhow, and here on the blog I have voiced my reasons why. But I wanted to take a moment to share the products that are in the R&S BLS with you. These are the products that I personally use.

I also wanted to share with you the interface of the Blended Learning Solution in a short tour that I’ve recorded. There is also a BLS for Security and Voice if you are on those tracks. This one, R&S, is the one I personally use right now. Who knows, after R&S I may move on to voice.

Enjoy!

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Test Drive the new R&S BLS at IPexpert.com

Brandon Carroll — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:26:15 +0000

For those of you who have been waiting for the updated BLS from IPexpert you can test drive it with the demo found here.

More information on the BLS can be found here.

Mine arrives tomorrow. I cant wait!

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Is your weekend going to Rock?

Brandon Carroll — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:22:02 +0000

Mine is! I have the opportunity to take a really quick trip to San Jose and meet my new Boss and fellow instructors. I am really looking forward to it! 2010 is going to be a great year!

In other news….I have 1 class left at Ascolta- SNAA, which is advanced ASA training. A week of VPN with certificates lies ahead of me.

Also 2 for 1 vRack time this weekend at ipexpert. If you didnt catch their post on Facebook you can Email sales@proctorlabs.com to take advantage!

Time for me to hop on an R&S rack and lab a bit.

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IPv6- Is it more Secure than IPv4

Brandon Carroll — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:04:15 +0000

In my IPv6 Class this week we get to touch a number of IPv6 topics. We have already discussed the Basics of IPv6, Routing Protocols, and QoS features. Aside from tunneling, which we cover on Thursday, one of the topics that I am most facinated with (being a CCIE Security) is of course….wait for it……Security! As I prep ahead of time for my class I can’t help but look to see what new and exciting resources are out there to share when it comes to Security. The following video, IMHO, is pretty darn cool. Take a little time to watch it and let me know what your thoughts are.

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Update on my progress.

Brandon Carroll — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:58:08 +0000

It’s been a few days since I’ve had a real post, although I have added some comments into the link posts that I’ve added. If you haven’t noticed I just installed a new toolbar on the bottom of the site for your reading enjoyment. If you find something you like you can easly share it now.

As for me, it has been crazy. At one point in time I had 13 people in my house. Now that all the visitors are gone and things are settled down I am getting back into the swing of things. I’ve done some light studies for R&S and it looks like the CCIE in 90 days is not going to work out. That’s ok with me, I wouldn’t feel like it was quality study time anyhow and going to take the lab would be like throwing 1400 bucks away. I’m going to slow things up a bit. Not because I want to, but because I have to.

The work front is interesting. I have been at home since Cisco Live and don’t have travel scheduled until the last week of August. I’ve been asked to pick up some of the voice classes, which brings me back to the issue I had before about whether I should work on the Voice or the R&S CCIE. The R&S classes that I teach keep coming up, QOS next week and BGP in a few weeks, but at the same time I have to focus some of my learning time on what my job requires which is Voice. So I am working in the CIPT1 course and getting certified to teach it. It’s mostly all CUCM so it’s not too bad to study but it’s different when you are learning how to teach something versus how the technology works to impliment it. It also cuts into my R&S study time. Who knows if I will ever find the right balance. In the mean time I will jump back and forth between R&S and Voice Studies. I have the IPexpert BLS for both and plan on getting both of those CCIE Certifications someday.

Also, since everyone talked so highly of it, my wife and I have started P90x. 1-week down and I’m feeling pretty good.

Well thats if for now. I hope to have some more technology focused posts in the near future. Until then…study hard!

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Getting In Over Your Head

Brandon Carroll — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:07:42 +0000

I know many of you have heard the term before. It’s not uncommon for someone to get in over their head, and its especially easy in the networking world to do just that. I set a goal a little while back to achieve the CCIE R&S in 90 days. At the time it seemed like a reasonable goal with my background. Since then I have learned a great deal about my weaknesses and the amount of content that’s actually involved in the CCIE R&S. Well, I’m here to tell you that a CCNP is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to being prepared for the CCIE R&S.

So, will I get it done? Can I actually get the R&S done in 90 days. Unlikely. I have much respect for those that have, but I have found that as I study the IPexpert material on the BLS there is much that I don’t know. I’m not saying that I can’t do it, I am just saying that 90 days may be a little unreasonable after all. There are of course multiple factors that play into this.

Getting a Lab date is tough right now since the lab is changing.
My schedule is hectic.
My family has to come first.
I have a lot to learn still.

So, I’m not going to give up, but I’m putting things into perspective. I guess I’ll have to see how things go. I haven’t even made it out of volume 1 of the workbooks yet, and that scares me!

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CCIE R&S Studies- May 27th 2009

Brandon Carroll — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:47:39 +0000

Today, as I stare at my challenge of CCIE in 90 days, I worked on IPexpert R&S Volume 1 Lab 2. I am currently only about 12 steps in but have realized that some things are just tedious. For example, one task asked to make sure all ports not in use are static access. This sounds like an easy task until you have to look at each port status. I have become fond of the command:
show interface status | in Name|Administrative Mode|Operational Mode

It’s still a lot to pick through but at least its filtered a but.

Another issue that I want to spend some time on is Etherchannel. I had an issue with one leg coming up. The fix ended up being that I had to remove the Etherchannel and create it again. Still I found a good Cisco doc on troubleshooting it.

Thats all for now….back to my studies.

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Am I Insane? CCIE R&S in 90 Days!

Brandon Carroll — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:14:29 +0000

You may think so after what you are about to read. As many of you know, I have recently passed the CCIE Security Lab Exam. My next venture was planned to be the CCIE Voice. After assessing the landscape I’ve changed my mind. Here is what I am doing. It’s actually a little challenge. Do you think I can do it?

CCIE R&S in 90 days only using IPexperts End-to-End Program and the Cisco Doc Cd

Yes, you read it correctly. I plan on doing the CCIE R&S in 90 days using nothing but IPexpert products and Cisco Documentation. My study materials will include:

Volume 1 Lab Workbook & Proctor Guide
Volume 2 Lab Workbook & Proctor Guide
Lab Mentoring Kit with Video Tutorials
Video on Demand Lecture Series
Audio Lecture on Demand
Proctor Labs™ Online Rack Access
10 days of intense training in an IPexpert classroom facility

I’ll also be using the Online Study List for R&S (Maintained by IPexpert), and of course, the Doc Cd.

I think its going to be interesting and I know others have gone down this path before. You may be familiar with Tassos who has done it in 3 months. The difference between us is that this will make two labs passed in one year. That is, if I can do it!

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