CCIE ya later

Discussion in 'New Members Introduction' started by Infamy, Feb 28, 2006.

  1. Infamy

    Infamy New Member

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    Hi all,

    I found this forum pretty much by accident, so it was interesting to note the usefulness and residence of a somewhat cheery community (with some usual suspects too..)

    Not sure quite where to start, but I feel I've come to a kind of crossroads lately and some certification will open up further possibilities. Well, either that or save me from looming mediocrity but we'll see..

    Specifically, I am looking to gain a CCIE through the shortest path available.

    No, this doesn't mean cheating or braindumps or whatever - I just need some advice on the most straightforward, non-BS, way of getting there subsequent to the most recent exam reshuffles and such that happen from time to time.

    Practical is of course difficult and expensive, so lets settle for written for the moment. I'd also like some clarification in regard to what is and isn't required to sit the exam, essential ingredients as it were, and some input on what additional avenues of study or materials have helped other people in similar positions.

    As a bit of background, I have worked in the ISP industry on and off for about 8 years, starting with support, but moving through sysadmin and pretty much settling on networks (client-facing stuff, BGP, DSL platforms, RIPE, etc) which is where I want to further myself -- near term endgame is work for a backbone, or move into enterprise space.

    The company I'm with now isn't being actively driven forward, rather it's coasting along only just paying the bills, and I feel like my knowledge, effort and goodwill has been taken for granted (I bet this isn't a recurring theme on this site, ha!) whilst my bosses various mortgages get paid for and he flits about on holiday all the time - nice.

    Additionally, over the past three or four years I helped build up another networking-centric company which (yes, you guessed it) is also being pissed up the wall whilst having no strategy.

    So yeah, pretty much considering the above it's now time to sort my sh*t out and redress the balance.

    Up until recently I'd never really looked at any certification whatsoever as I always thought it was "just a bit of paper" and that practical knowledge, intuition etc far outweighed it.

    That particular outlook now seems wildly incorrect, as having looked around it appears that most HR outfits and agencies seem to predominantly be filtering based on acronyms rather than anything else at the first hurdle.

    I realise a CCNA isn't that difficult as a starting block, but the next leg is what I find confusing - ie; CCNP/CCIP/whatever but with different tracks or specialisations. Is this interim level still an entry requirement for CCIE?

    In short, I don't want to jump through hoops I don't have to.

    I already have a lot of experience in relevant areas, but still feel that if I just threw myself straight into exams I'd most likely fail on really basic stuff purely by virtue of having never been taught it "the right way." (or rather, being self taught and not really getting on with academia at all)

    So. Real world advice in this sense is what I'm really after, and I'd really appreciate if perhaps the more knowledgeable amongst you would be good enough to share an 'idiots guide' to the most straightforward way through - kinda like the facts of life even.

    If you're a CCIE, how did you get there? Did it go to plan? What would you have done differently?

    Thanks in advance for any input.

    Cheers,
    Jay.

    mods: If this is the wrong place to post then by all means feel free to relocate this somewhere more appropriate, ta.
     
  2. Bluerinse
    Honorary Member

    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    Hi Jay and welcome to our world - great post by the way :D

    I can't help with the best approach to getting the Cisco quals you seek but I am sure others here can.

    What I can tell you is that I thought that I knew stuff before attempting the MCSE. I had been seriously involved in computing and networks for years, including seven years as a system admin but that did not prepare me for what was ahead. Don't underestimate these IT certs, they are tough little buggers to attain.

    Good luck and keep those eloquent posts coming 8)
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)
  3. zimbo
    Honorary Member

    zimbo Petabyte Poster

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    Welcome to CF! :biggrin
     
    Certifications: B.Sc, MCDST & MCSA
    WIP: M.Sc - Computer Forensics
  4. simongrahamuk
    Honorary Member

    simongrahamuk Hmmmmmmm?

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    Hi there, welcome to CF!

    As far as I know you have to be CCNA/P before you can go for CCIE, but I could be wrong.

    What I do know though is that there aren't that many CCIE's around (the world over that is). It is apparently a very hard Cert to gain.

    I'm assuming that you have checked out the Cisco site for the information that you are looking for?

    :biggrin
     
  5. Veteran's son

    Veteran's son Megabyte Poster

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    Hello :)
     
    Certifications: A+
    WIP: N+
  6. Jakamoko
    Honorary Member

    Jakamoko On the move again ...

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    "Infamy, Infamy they've all got it Infamy!!!"
    F. Howard

    Sorry - couldn't resist. Welcome to CF ;)


     
    Certifications: MCP, A+, Network+
    WIP: Clarity
  7. Tyler D

    Tyler D Gigabyte Poster

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    Greetings :biggrin
     
    Certifications: A+,70-270
    WIP: 70-290
  8. Baron210

    Baron210 Bit Poster

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    As far as I understand, the CCIE is at the top of the Cisco Pyramid (You need CCNA - Base level- CCNP - Second tier level of Pyramid and the CCIE is the crown of glory (and you can basically demand your salary with this level), although, logging onto the Cisco site reveals that it's tough at the top, and only 3% of every thousand applicants go onto achieve this certification, and you have to revalidate your certification with Cisco every year, but don't let that put you off.
    I am looking for an entry level Desktop support role or Helpdesk (of which I have 6 months commercial experience), and am determined to take the CCNA as a starting point in September after gaining the Network + - I would be happy with CCNP.
    CCNA is valid for two years (not sure about CCNP).



    :biggrin
     
    Certifications: Cerco CCSN comptia A+ & N+
    WIP: Cisco CCNA (Aiming for CCNP)

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