CCIP Certification

[lerdalt]

Taking a little side trip before I think too hard about taking the CCIE Written. I've passed the QoS exam, but am wondering if anyone out there has tried either the BGP, MPLS, or BGP-MPLS exams. Looking for tips on study material as well as help deciding whether or not to try both tests together or separately.

Thanks

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Joel,

You can do any cert you want HOWEVER, I will tell you what the Cisco Security CCIEs told us in a security class I attended at a Cisco Networkers convention:

They said that they did not understand how anyone could secure a network until they were an expert on how that network worked - they felt you should be at least a CCNA before Secuirty + and they felt a CCNP before CCSP or Security CCIE.

Most of these guys were Routing & Switching CCIEs before they did Security CCIE and all were at least a CCNP.

Just some thoughts based on some people that know a whole lot more then me

Hope this helps!


E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[CiscoGuy33]

OOps - wrong post - should be for Joel with question about CCSP! SORRY !!!

My bad :-(

Please continue with your day


E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[lerdalt]

Thanks..I had a little questioning look on my face when I read the first reply.

LOL..so anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Belushi]

I did all 4 tests for the CCIP individually. I already had my CCNP so the routing was taken care of. From everyone else I know of who tried, I would go for the BGP and MPLS exams individually. My test taking order was of course routing first, then BGP, MPLS and QOS to end. BGP was the hardest and QoS was the easiest. BGP is a bear, it took me every last secod to finish the test. I finished QOS in halfthe time (45 minutes) and got like a 960.

Obviously your scores will be dependant on how much you study and how familiar you are with the material. I actually only took a class for the MPLS exam, the others I did on my own with self study.

Onto the CCIE routign a and switching now. Really, in my opinion both CCIP and CCNP should be mandatory for the CCIE routing and switching tracks. It's almost a 1 for 1 match on the courseware.

 

[lerdalt]

Thanks for the tips. You've got the same thoughts I do for CCIE R&S. That's why I'm going after the CCIP.

I've been starting on BGP studying...nothing to heavy yet, but getting the intro into it again.

What did you use for study material?
Right now I have Routing TCP/IP Volume 2 (just the BGP Sections), the BGP and MPLS course material, as well as a few links off of Cisco's website.

I had a coupleo of books also recommended to me that I haven't picked up yet. Routing Internet Architectures by Halabi and Sybex Cisco CCIP MPLS Study Guide.

Any other suggestions other than home labs of course.

 

[Belushi]

Sam Halibi's book for BGP is the best you'll find. As for the others, CiscoPress books as well are always great. For the lab scenario's there is no need to purchase equipment, unless of course that is what you wish to do and you want to spend the money.

Just go ahead and check out this website:

http://www.dynagen.org/

Dynagen is the front end app. for Dynamips which is a true to life Cisco router simulator. They have multiple routers at your disposal (ALL FREE OF COURSE). You just need to supply the IOS. Yes...you heard me correctly, it runs actual IOS.

This is what most cisco guys use to study for their CCIEs now. No swtch simulators as of yet, but you won;t really have to worry about that for the CCIP except maybe of course the QoS stuff (but that is easy in my opinion). Good luck.

 

[burtsbees]

Here is an excellent tutorial for Dynagen, including links to CCIE practice lab topologies...

http://classroom.internetworkexpert.com/p27794135/

Burt