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Archive for September, 2009
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Saturday, September 19th, 2009Mind mapping
Sunday, September 13th, 2009If you would like to create your own mind maps, I recommend using MS Visio. There is a standard stencil in every version called Brainstorming. It can be found in the Business category. I haven’t used any other tools, so I cannot compare it, but it works perfectly. However, I recommend using copy-paste method of adding new concept lines, as the automatic positioning tool is sometimes unpredictible. Anyway, if you plan to start doing your notes as a mind-maps Visio is the tool you need.
Success story
Monday, September 7th, 2009I was recently asked several times to post my studying approach. Well, it was no different than other recommendations found on the web, but maybe it’ll be useful for you. It took me about 5 months to prepare for the lab. I was quite lucky, because I was given literaly whole time in my work for studying. I used Dynamips, and some HW labs mainly for LAN technologies. Here is how I studied:
I started with IEWB vol.1. I read every single lab, and labbed most of them. After doing one technology, I read whole documenation guide and command reference for covered topics, doing detailed notes (mind maps) and testing commands in Dynamips (mainly those which were new to me or I was not sure of the result). Then, I moved to IEWB vol.2 (Dynamips). I did every single lab. After 10th and 15th lab I did a Mock Lab. I studied covered topics after each lab.
Somewhere in the middle of IEWB vol.2 I attended Narbik’s bootcamp in Poland. I can tell you it was the most valuable training I ever had. I realized how many things are still left to learn. It was about 2 months before the lab. When I finished IEWB vol.2 I read whole documentation guide and command reference again, updating my notes and testing commands again (only those I had problems with). Meantime I purchased Core Knowledge Simulation from INE. It was quite useful. Finaly, about 10 days before the lab, I only studied my notes, no labs, only reading. When you arrive to your lab center, just chill out, do not try to study. If you have missed something, you won’t learn it one day before the lab, and you can only confuse yourself. Make sure you mastered core technologies. The rest you can look up in Doc CD.
Now, some advices for the lab itself. If you have read whole documantation guide and command reference, there is nothing on the lab that can supprise you (from technology perspective). There are actualy two problems you may get into. First, understanding questions. For that, you have your proctor there. Just remember to ask the “right” question. Do not ask for the solution. Show him that you understand technology and have two possible solutions, and ask which one he is interested in. The second problem is timing. This is what you have to deal with by yourself. If you cannot figure out a solution within 6-7 minutes, just move on. Do not get upset, it will only make it worse. Have some faith and confidence. Believe in yourself (if you have studied hard). I can quote Narbik’s famous sentence here: “The lab is very easy, but it’s also easy to fail”. So, stay focused, do not spend too much time solving problems, just move on and came back later.
Good luck.
Study kit updates
Sunday, September 6th, 2009As you know, the CCIE RS blueprint will be changed soon. I was lucky to pass the lab in April ’09, so it seems that I am not interested, at least for a next year. However, since I have seen many people struggling with updates just before the recertifcation time expires, I decided to update my knowledge (and kits) constantly, with all new features from v4 blueprint. There are actualy two main reasons for that. First, it will be much easier (and faster) for me to prepare myself for the recert if I already have the notes. Second, more important, there is never too much knowledge :-) So, watch out for updated CCIE RS Quick Study Kit soon (probably end of October ’09)
My study kits
Sunday, September 6th, 2009Here are my personal study materials. It’s a series of mindmaps I have created, which I thought it would be good to publish, so someone else might find them useful, too. However, those are not complete study materials. If you want to prepare yourself for any exam (especialy CCIE), you have to first read many good books (from Ciscopress) and CCO documentations to understand all technologies you learn. Then, lab the solutions up as much as you can (INE workbooks rule!). Also, if possible, attend some really good bootcamps, like Narbik’s or INE’s. At the end of your journey, you can skim through the below documents.
If you find any bugs, inconsistencies or if you have any suggestions regarding usefulness and the quality of those documents, please do not hesitate to unicast me.
Disclaimer! Although, I do my best to make those documents free of errors, it is possible that there might be some mistakes. I do not take any responsibility for any issues, especialy with passing any exams. You may use those materials for free, and on your own risk. Please, read the Disclaimer page (in the Booklet)