Learn how to use your tools

Last week, I participated in a contest, not a big deal. What is a big deal though is how much time I spent reading and searching for an answer that was right there in front of me. In less than 10 minutes I knew where I needed to focus my efforts to solve the problem, I just didn’t know how to get the answer.

Sadly I spent most of the day reading RFCs (never a bad thing) and trying to figure out how to decrypt a SNMPv3 packet when I already had the information I needed to decrypt it. A couple of people mentioned in the comments they found the answer searching Google. I didn’t ever see a link explaining how to use Wireshark to decrypt packets. After a while I finally decided to look through the options and preferences. I found what I needed and then got the answer I was looking for where I expected to find it.

Now in the future I will be sure to more thoroughly investigate all the features of my tools. I typically use Wireshark just to watch packets fly across the network so I can verify what is happening. All the other things it can do, like decrypting SNMPv3 packets, didn’t know that. Didn’t even care until last week, but now I know better.

IP routing information on Cisco website

I found this link this morning while searching for a specific document. Huge selection of documents on IP routing protocols, switching, IPv6, tunneling, multicast. Definitely worth bookmarking.

Thoughts about the CCIE lab

I’m thinking about the CCIE lab exam and doing research online. The thing that pops into my head time and time again is how does everyone prepare for the lab? Searching online it seems a large number of people use either IP Expert’s or Internetwork Expert’s training materials. Now, I would love to get my hands on something like that, but I just don’t have an extra $2000 to spend and that is on top of any equipment you purchase yourself, practice lab fees, books and other training materials people may purchase, plus the cost of the lab exam itself and traveling.

Are these people independently wealthy? Insane? Lucky and work for a company that will pay for it all?

Reviewing the websites for each company that provides CCIE training material, there are a good number of people who use their materials to pass the lab exams. However, I believe a lot more pass the exams without their materials or at least there are a lot of people who do not credit them for helping pass the exam. I really am curious how people prepare. I know Cisco Press has a line of CCIE prep books. I own the R&S written exam certification guide. Should I save my pennies and purchase the practical study books too or sell everything I own and get something like the blended learning solution from IP Expert?

I would really like to have the lab books from IP Expert and the video on demand. I learn really well from video and find it helps reinforce what I have read. If any one out there has any opinions on the subject, I wouldn’t mind hearing them. I really have to pick and choose my study materials.

And so it begins

I passed the ONT exam on Decemeber 31, 2008 to my CCNP. Now it is on to the CCIE.

I received the CCIE Routing and Switching exam certification guide yesterday and went to work reading it. I’m searching for a decent linux flashcard program that I can use to create my own flashcards and work on remembering commands and all the information I am going to need. My goal is take my written exam by the middle of February and then immediately begin studying for the lab.

Expect me to write more often as I work througall the books I have and plan on reading. There are still a couple on my list that I don’t have but plan on getting as soon as possible.