Preparing for CCIE (best way/strategy) 4

[abidg]

Hello Guys,

I am planning to go for CCIE. Have done CCNA, CCNP and CCAI. Now I need to devise a strategy to go for CCIE written and then the lab. In this regard, I need some help from those also preparing for it or those lucky ones who have done it.

I have bought some books including Jeff Doyle and CCIE routing and switching exam prep guide. I first tried with the Doyles but then soon found that it was an over kill to prepare from them for the written exam. Hence switched to the exam prep guide. Now I am trying to set a time period for the written.

I would be most grateful if you could help me out in coming up with the steps, time period, books, training, in short the strategy.

For the labs I have been using dynagen/dynamips and have found it sufficient for routing and related. For switching I am afraid that i might have to buy a few switches. Please guide me on this as well.

Just to let you know, I am currently working as a network engineer and these days am on the Extreme platform (which am not fond of very much).

Thanks and regards,

Abid Ghufran.

 

[abidg]

That is fine with me as I have also just switched jobs and am a bit busy myself catching up. I would still though want to start with it no matter what the pace. Or else we can set the start time for a bit later on.

What do you think guys?

Regards,

Abid Ghufran.

 

[burtsbees]

Let's discuss this further via email.

Burt

 

[abidg]

Hello All,

Could someone provide a listing of equipment meeting the monimum requirement for CCIE (Routing and Switching).

I have seen the list from Belushi comprising of the following:
7 routers (1 3640 and 5 2811s, plus 1 2610 for a frame switch) 4 switches (2 3560s and 2 3550s) [you need the 3560s to run Ipv6 routing]

With 2811s in there I am thinking that it would be quite expensive and am hoping that there could be a slightly cheaper alternate version of it.

Thanks and regards,

Abid Ghufran.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Abid,

You should be building on a lab that you used for CCNA and then CCNP, so your investment should just be a few extra pieces if you did CCNP without a lab :-( then the investment will be a lot more :-( now

Just "Google" "CCIE Lab" and look at what the different places offer to get an idea of what "can" be done with different routers and switches that are out there!! I have seen CCIE racks with as many as 10 routers, so check several different sources for ideas. With the cost and difficaulty of the CCIE Exam, now is not a time to be too thrifty on a CCIE lab

You can also check out rack rental time costs for some of the more complex stuff that you may NOT want to invest in!!

Here is just one example of a CCIE lab using 3640's, the key seems to be using equipment that can use the right IOS to support ALL the exam objectives on the Cisco blueprint -

Device Platform DRAM Flash Installed WICs / Modules
Routers
R1 2610XM 128 32 2 - WIC-1T
R2 2610XM 128 32 2 - WIC-1T
R3 3640 128 32 1 - NM-2E2W 1 - NM-4A/S
R4 3640 128 32 1 - NM-2E2W 2 - WIC-1T
R5 3640 128 32 1 - NM-2E2W 2 - WIC-1T
R6 3825 256 64 1 - WIC-1T

Switches
SW1 3560-24TS-E Default Default N/A
SW2 3560-24TS-E Default Default N/A
SW3 3550-24-EMI Default Default N/A
SW4 3550-24-EMI Default Default N/A

Use "Google" and see what "others" are doing!! Good luck!

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

 

[Belushi]

abidg,

You don't need the 2811s, I use them because I have them available at my disposal. What you need are routers capable of running the newest version of code possible and capable of handling the tnerfaces required to do the labs. My routers all have serial interfaces used fro frame relay encapsulation and fastethernet interfaces. The switches are self explanatory. I would prefer all 3560s and I do have them at my disposal, but the workbooks I used have two 3550s and 2 3560s so I therefore follow what they have. It tends to be a bit easier when you can line up the interfaces exactly as they have them in the lab workbooks but not 100% necessary.