Showing posts with label CCIE Preparation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CCIE Preparation. Show all posts

Thursday, October 8, 2009

CCIE Flyer Reader Exclusive Soup-To-Nuts for FREE! Why Pay More?

The journey to become a CCIE is an expensive one and in my everyday interactions I always look out for bargains. Recently Micronics, Voice Boot Camp, Global Knowledge and SkylineATS all reduced rates or agreed to for their CCIE boot camps. I thought I had really done something for future CCIEs with those announcements. The ads for training companies in the CCIE Flyer for September made history as well. Come on, have you ever seen those training companies all advertised on the same page before?

Well now the CCIE Flyer has really done it. We are offering Narbik’s Soup-To-Nuts workbook for FREE in the October issue of the CCIE Flyer . Yes you can get the hottest deal on one of the industry’s best workbooks to use as a guide book for your journey to become a CCIE from the CCIE Flyer . So for all you who have been visiting the CCIE Flyer this is our way of saying thanks!

How can you go wrong with free?

How to order? Go to the CCIE Flyer www.ccieflyer.com October issue out around the 17th and see.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Slowly coming back – So, what´s up!?

After some personal issues, I´m slowly coming back to my normal routine of work, study, work, study, over and over again!

So, what changed so far in the CCIE World, in my preparation, in anything else regarding my studies?!

CCIE is now reaching version 4.0, with some news, good for some of us, bad for the others, anyway… Vendors are updating their products ASAP, and some of us finally discovered the small letters in the called “Investment Protection Program”, is it fair?! In my opinion it is, but for sure, if that was really explicit when I made my choice, I would NEVER (and let me say again NEVER) get it. It looks like the “Fantastic” workbook that expires after 12 months!

Their products are AWESOME, a “must have” but when I signed for it, I wanted to be updated to any changes for the CCIE, that´s why I bought an End-to-End solution, but, again… It´s fair, they´re spending time and efforts updating the materials, but please… be a bit more specific when describing the “Investment Protection” policy, stating that the “Products” inside the “End-to-End” program are protected and not the program itself… (and please, do not ask me which vendor it was, I can tell you which vendor it wasn´t if you ask me). Again, the products are great, but the self-called “investment protection” program wasn´t very clear. It´s fair to charge in my opinion, if that was explicit explained in the website… (Old stuff, but I still mad with it).

Internetwork Expert is updating their Volume I Workbook, they´ve also released the Volume IV (Troubleshooting) workbook, with just a few labs, but those look great!

Also, anyone checked IPExpert Volume I after the updates?! Very nice! I´m working on it right now, expect some reviews soon!

One thing that made me really happy was to see Joe Astorino joining IPExpert! He´s the man! An example to be followed! Few months of hard study and dedication, he got his digits and “upgraded” his career forever in my opinion! CONGRATULATIONS buddy! :)

It seens Narbik is also out with his new Workbook, another friend of mine (Nickelby Thane) is very excited with that! I may join him if I make up my mind and actually get Narbik´s workbook (it looks I´m going for it and with the new Cisco Press CCIE Certification Guide 4.0 those will be the last thing I´ll buy for my CCIE Preparation).

One thing I will try to do, I´ll keep most of my time on the Workbooks and Books, and less time on Videos, CoDs. Those are really nice, and I´ll use it as a reference, when I have some difficults, but not as my primary resource. I plan to study each topic, each protocol like this:

- Read about it (OSPF for example) in any Book (like Doyle);

- Watch the Video-on-Demand and listen to the MP3 files for the topic in question;

- Do the Volume I labs regarding this specific technology;

I think this is a good aproach, not all the time reading, not all the time on the workbooks and not all the time on the videos, just learning each topic at a time, with reading and hands-on.

Anyway! I´ll keep you posted of my progress, and also publish any reviews, tips and advices while I´m doing that! Just give me a couple days to organize everything!

Talk to you soon!

Cheers!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

IPExpert: “FREE!” CCIE R&S Core Knowledge Preparation Quizzer

I know, I know… I´ve been away for a while now, but my life changed a lot after the world “recession”, too much to do, and no time to make everyone happy!

Anyway, I´m here, still focused in my preparation, I spend most of my free time, either at home or on the road, reading books, making a solid “foundation” to face the beast when the time comes, in my point of view, it´s insane to learn by doing, we need to understand the technology behind the IOS commands in order to be a “real” CCIE! And now, with the introduction of the Open Ended Questions, this makes all the difference!

I just received this month IPExpert Newsletter, there are some exciting news in there, but none is a match for their CCIE R&S Core Knowledge Preparation Quizzer! I just downloaded, installed, and played with it a little bit! Fantastic! :D

And guess what! IT´S FREE! Yeap! That´s right! FREE, $ 0.00, nothing, just download it and play! :)

You can check their Newsletter and find out what´s going on by clicking this link.

Exciting! Now both major vendors do have a product developed to help us with the CCIE R&S Open Ended Questions!

Go check it out yourself! ;)

Friday, November 7, 2008

CCIE Command Memorizer low price for the first 500 canditates who signup!

I just received an email from ConfigureTerminal.com (Mr. David Bombal) with GREAT news! The CCIE Command Memorizer (and all other tools available at his website) will be available for USD 9.99/month for the first 500 people who signup (regular price after that will be USD 29.90/month)!

This is a GREAT opportunity for those who want to know the tool, and how it works! A very nice move! You can try it for a month, if you like, you renew your subscription, if you don´t just cancel it! :)

Let me say this... I loved! Very nice tool, and it´s helping me in my studies, in fact, the CCIE Command Memorizer is key in my strategy (specially on the road)!

Oh yeah... The signup will not only give you access to the CCIE Command Memorizer, but to many other tools also!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Virtual Tour - CCIE Lab: A "must" see video!

I was checking one of my favorite CCIE resource on the Web, Sadikhov Forums -> CCIE Other, a very nice section to be checked once and a while! In there I´ve found a post from our friend Stacky about a very nice video in Cisco Website: Virtual Tour - CCIE Lab!

The video is 3 min long, but it´s AWESOME! At least you´ll get to know what you´ll face in the lab day, and how it looks like!

I do recomend to everybody, if you have a chance, check it out!

Here´s the link, it´s the third video in this page:

Certifications Connect - Becoming a CCIE

Thursday, September 11, 2008

IPExpert Blended Learning Solutions - Promotional Price ending soon!

For those who wants to get the awesome IPExpert CCIE R&S Blended Learning Solutions, I advise to act now! The price will increase soon, it´ll still the lowest price on the market, but why pay more, if you can have it now for USD 999.99 ?!

Talk to sales guys, they will clear any doubt you have, and there are many reviews about it over the internet! Just check it out!

I must say, the product is fantastic! Nothing like that! They use a different approach, not slide after slide, but a full motion movie, you, and the instructor! Very informative!

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LAST MONTH for Blended Learning Solution Giveaway Pricing -- BUY NOW

The past two months has been an exciting time. Since we began our promotion offering our newly-created, ground-breaking Blended Learning Solution™ products for only $999, we have shipped nearly 1,000 of them to CCIE candidates around the world!

However, there are less than 2 WEEKS LEFT of this rock-bottom pricing for this unmatched level of training materials! On Monday, September 22, the prices for the Blended Learning Solution products will double, rising back to the level representative of the massive amount of quality materials delivered in this offering.

The message is, if you were planning to buy CCIE training materials, DO IT NOW and take advantage of a value unseen before anywhere.

http://www.imakenews.com/ipexpert/e_article001198618.cfm?x=bdlpKmg,bb3NCpTF

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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

CCIE Command Memorizer - Q&A - Updated Sep/04/2008

Here follows a quick Q&A about CCIE Command Memorizer, hope it helps! Please, feel free to ask any questions about the eBook, I´m using it, and I´m enjoying! Of course, this is just a review, and I may not be able to answer all questions (remember, I´m not the vendor, I´m just a customer of www.configureterminal.com).

All comments are welcome, specially if you have a copy of the eBook, so others can enjoy your point of view!

1-) What is the CCIE Command Memorizer?!

It´s a study tool, an eBook, just like any Workbook, with questions and tasks related to the CCIE Topics, where you also get a prompt (after each question/task) to enter the configuration commands.

2-) There´s explanations for each question?!

No. There are for some, but not all! You have the correct answer for each question, but no explanations about it for all tasks.

3-) Is it bad?!

In my opinion?! Not at all. CCIE Command Memorizer is a study tool, that will help you to actually practice with the configuration commands, work on your speed, and check how to configure many tasks. You can use the Cisco Documentation to find the answers, that will improve your navigation skills at the Cisco Documentation.

4-) Can you use abbreviated commands?!

No! Some tasks you can, but not all. Again, in my opinion, that doesn´t matter! If I know the full command I know the abbreviated version also! For me, it doesn´t make any difference. It still the same powerful tool as before!

I know that Mr. David Bombal and his team are adding abbreviated command support to the product, so you should expect news regarding this in a near future!

5-) Is it possible to pass the CCIE Lab using only the CCIE Command Memorizer?!

Well... Hard to say, it´s a good idea to have at least a two vendor approach, and Video-on-Demand classes (so you can watch it, go back, and check again and again, until you understand the topic). It´s a great tool to be combined with other existent CCIE Training Materials, due to its portability, really good questions, and the way you get to use it, just jump in and start configuring! In my opinion?! It´s great!

6-) Do you recommend it?!

Yes I do! I bought it, and I´m very happy,  it´s becoming part of my daily study strategy! Even if I have just a few minutes, I can try to solve some tasks in there, practice with the Cisco Documentation, and everything I would do with a workbook, with the advantage of having the command prompt just after each question.

7-) Any sample questions?!

Well... I´ll add a couple here (if anyone wants to solve, feel free, I´ll add the answers by the end of the week).

Frame-Relay:

FR CCIE C M

OSPF:

OSPF CCIE C M

Spanning-Tree:

STP CCIE CM

----- UPDATED September, 04 2008 -----

As requested, I´ve added some more questions which I consider to be a CCIE Exam Level questions, some I consider easy, some I consider hard, but maybe what is hard to me, is easy for many of you, and vice-versa, we all have our strengths and weakness, and those are different for everyone, well... not that different, right?! :)

Also, I´ve answered some more questions about the product in the end of this post, so don´t forget to check it up!

Switching:

Switching 1

Switching 4

Security:

Security 1

Security 2

QoS:

QOS 1

Multicast:

Multicast 1

IPv6:

IPv6 1

Frame-Relay:

Frame Relay 4

EIGRP:

EIGRP 1

BGP: 

BGP 5

8-) Is it cost effective?!

Well... that depends on your point of view... I´m at the beginning of my jorney, I´ve much work to do before even think about a CCIE Lab attemp, and all resources are welcome at this stage for me!

The CCIE Command Memorizer is not a Workbook with solutions guide, that will take you by hand telling: hey, do this on the exam and you´re good, no, don´t do that, OSPF works that way, and blablabla... You can find this in many Workbooks out there, which I consider my primary source for the CCIE Studies! And I don´t even think that this is the purpose of the CCIE Command Memorizer! In my opinion, it´s a preparation tool that looks like a combination of a Workbook + Dynamips, where you can just open and start answering configuration tasks, ideal for anyone who lacks time during day, but wish to do something else other than step away for 5min to talk a while, get a smoke, drink coffee, or anything else you could do before one job task and another! But, it must be combined with other CCIE Training Materials out there, and, right now, there´s no other tool that do the same for you! It´s unique.

I´ve learned A LOT from it already, and I do consider the CCIE Command Memorizer very helpful!!!

Right now, my resources are:

- Video on Demand Classes from IPExpert;

- IPExpert Workbooks;

- CCIE Command Memorizer;

- Internetwork Expert Workbooks;

I´m finding the CCIE Command Memorizer very useful, really, at home I usually watch Videos on Demand, and during the day, before work, during breaks, and before leaving I´m using the CCIE Command Memorizer. Also, I´m using it with Cisco Documentation to get used to it! I´m still finding my way through the documents, but I can honestly say, 3 months ago, it was taking me about 20min average to find any answer in the  Cisco Documentation, but now, after using it for EVERY and EACH task that I try to solve, I´m taking between 6 to 8 min, when I get to 2 or 3 min I´ll feel really good about it!

But anyway, to conclude... Everything CCIE Related is expensive, and for USD99.99, you get a very good product in my opinion! Of course, my opinion could be different than yours, if so, I please ask you to express your feelings in a comment, so others can check your point of view (again, I´m just a customer, and not the vendor, so don´t worry if you have anything to say, please, please, please, do it here!). ;)

Monday, September 1, 2008

CCIE Command Memorizer - First Impressions

Yesterday and today I was able to play a while with the CCIE Command Memorizer... It´s really a powerful tool to the studies! I´ve checked the RIP Section (not all tasks) and some Frame-Relay also. Do not consider this a full review of the tool, I´ll use it a little more before that, but, here are my first impressions:

Topics are organized by categories, like BGP, QoS, Frame-Relay, under each you´ll find the associated tasks. First you got the questions, and right before that, the prompt to enter the commands. Really useful on the job, on the road, where you have little time to study, and need to do it fast! Everything is ready just waiting for you! Open the eBook, choose a topic, and start configuring it!

As said before, the each task commands are limited to the task commands itself. And you have to enter it right, following the order of the question. After each command, you get the OK or WRONG, so you can go back and fix it (also, if you want, the eBook can give you the correct answer).

And before you ask, there´s no question mark "?" to get help about the commands, you must know what you´re doing! This is  GREAT! You know in what that will help me?! No?! It´ll help me to improve my way at the Cisco Documentation! Many times doing something, I keep typing "?" over and over, until figure it out, but the best thing in the study stage that I´m right now, is to go to the Cisco Documentation and find my path there! That´s really good! I´ll not be tempted to type "?"! Either I know how to solve the task, or I´ll need to navigate through the Documentation and find the answer! Cool!

At the top and the botton of the page you´ll find the RESET button, so you can reset all your work and start over!

The questions are the best of the CCIE Command Memorizer in my opinion, I really liked the way the questions are presented to us, direct and to the point. Some are tricky, but, if you read it carefully you´ll understand exactly what is being asked. A great tool to learn not only  the commands, but how to do it!

Check this RIP task for example:

Configure RIP version 2 md5 authentication with chain named "pass" and password "cisco" using key 1. Put 10.1.1.1/24 on serial 0/0. Enable authentication on Serial 0/0. Enable rip version 2. Advertise 10.0.0.0

This is only one out of 16! And by the way, it´s the first RIP task! Anyone want to try to solve it?! I´ll post the answer latter this week!

It covers pretty much ALL topics in the CCIE Lab Blueprint (if not all, really close to it).

The best thing about CCIE Command Memorizer is that´s so easy to use... You just start the eBook and you´re ready to go! Good for anyone who have little breaks to study, and want to enjoy it at all! Of course, the tool by itself will not make you a CCIE, but when used in conjunction with other CCIE Training Materials seens to be a POWERFUL combination!

I´ll get back with some more in-depth review!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Just got the CCIE Command Memorizer, SWEET!

Today, following a friend´s advice, and my feeling also, I got the CCIE Command Memorizer from ConfigureTerminal.com

I do receive Mr. David Bombal newsletter monthly (you can apply to it at his site - www.configureterminal.com). The newsletter is very nice, with tons of tips, good advices and examples. I specially like the "hands-on" examples! Those are little movies of how to achieve or correctly configure a specific task! I would sign-up for that, there are some really good tips and tricks in it! Anyway... back to the subject...

The CCIE Command Memorizer was created by him, during his studies to the CCIE so it must be a good product! The guy knows what he´s talking about in the newsletter, the product must be good too! ;)

I haven´t tried it that much yet (too busy this weekend), but the quick "tour" I took at it was sweet! I tried some tasks from Switching, and also some for OSPF... Man... you know what it looks like?! It´s like a mix of  a Workbook plus Dynamips! Of course, each task commands are limited to the task commands itself, BUT, it´s a WORKBOOK with a prompt to enter the configuration commands right away! No need to wait to get back home, or setup a Dynamips Topology, or even to wait for my Rack Rental time! It´s there, for you! Just type the commands and see if you get it right or not!  So cool!

Another great thing I liked (didn´t knew about that)  the CCIE Command Memorizer license allows for 2 simultaneous copies to be installed under 1 license. That way, I´ll be able to have it at my home computer, and also in my Laptop at work! So, anywhere I go, I´ll have it available! Good police! No more wasted time between one call and another at my job! :)

If the rest of the eBook looks like those few tasks I tried, it´s a MUST HAVE product! I´m so glad I finally took the decision to get it!

I just need to handle some issues, and I´ll be able to start using it! When that happens, I´ll write up a few posts, so you can check it yourself! Oh yeah... I´ll ask permission to add some screenshots to the posts! Let´s see!

Oh yeah, the price (USD 99.99) is not high for what you actually get! A Workbook (just like any other vendor workbook) with command prompt to enter the correct configuration lines right away! For sure it´ll become part of my daily study routine. Maybe a section by day, or 10, 20 configuration tasks, it´ll all depend of my available time! But anyway, another powerful tool to help me with my studies! AWESOME!!!! :)

Sunday, August 24, 2008

CCIE Lab Changes! Bye bye UniversCD! Hello Cisco Documentation

Just saw it on the internet! It seens that after Sep 24 2008 no one will be able to use the www.cisco.com/univercd as documentation reference! As far as the announcement goes it´ll be replaced by Cisco Documentation, but so far, no links were posted!

I think they´ll be using their "new layout", but, until Cisco´s officially announce the new start page for the documentation we can´t be sure about anything!

Just have that in mind if you´ll have your lab soon!

-----

CCIE labs changing from UniversCD to Cisco Documentation

22 AUG 2008: On Sept 24 2008 CCIE labs will no longer support using the UniversCD documentation for the lab exam.

All labs are migrating to Cisco Documentation only. For those scheduled to take the CCIE lab prior to Sept 24 access will still be available for UniversCD.

The Cisco Documentation pages have the same information that currently resides on UniversCD, please refer to the links on the CCIE web pages to view these pages and become familiar with the new format.

After Sept 24 2008 only the Cisco Documentation web pages will be available for CCIE labs.

-----

Here follows the link to this information at Cisco´s Website:

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/ccie/rs/index.html

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

My Plan to CCIE - Part I (of many!) :)

Well... it´s true that I do not have all the time I want to study, and keep focusing on CCIE topics... (but... who does, right?!) and I´m felling kind "out-of-track" right now, but I´ll commit myself to a schedule and try to stick to it as much as I can, otherwise, CCIE will not be possible! I gotta start using any free hour I do have to get hands-on!

I´ll keep going through Doyle´s Book, while doing IEWB Vol. 1 and watching IEATC-RS-COD to get into the basics before proceeding to Full Scale Labs.

Right now I´m finishing the excellent Doyle´s OSPF and IS-IS: Choosing an IGP for Large-Scale Networks, IS-IS is not covered in the CCIE Lab, but OSPF is, and´they both have much in common.

So I´ll prepare a calendar with tasks, goals, and try to stick to it! This is the only way to make it happen!

Also, I saw many telling not to sticky to only one vendor, to avoid getting used to the way they ask you to do things. In a few months when I start my IEWB Vol. 2 I´ll look for that, right now, I´m in doubt between NMC DOiT Vol. 2 and Narbik Advanced CCIE Routing & Switching Workbook, I heard great things about both, and really liked the comments about Narbik´s Workbooks... BUT, on the other hand, I´ve heard about the challenge that NMC DOiT are... so... I´ll need to make a decision about that later on!

Maybe, and just maybe, I´ll be able to get both, but, right now I don´t believe so! One thing that may make my decision easier is that DOiT Vol. 2 is "downloadable"... Narbik Advanced CCIE Routing & Switching is not and that way it´ll go through customs, and I´ll have more, and more taxes to pay, so... I´ll think with care about that in a few months...

As you can see, I have much work to do!!!