Getting Started

This show is #53, and was recorded on July 12, 2011. In this show, Ethan Banks, Tom Hollingsworth, Greg Ferro, Kurt Bales, and Nicolas Michel talk about the process of preparing for Cisco’s fabled CCIE lab exam.

The show gets rolling with Tom checking in from CiscoLive and Ethan explaining how to set up a Cius (although a few of his details might be off). 😉

The Main Event

The CCIE lab preparation discussion gets serious while the group shares their views on questions such as:

• How long did you prepare for the written exam? What about the lab?
• Did you rent a rack, use an emulator, or have your own equipment rack to practice with?
• Are there emulated switches these days?
• Are CCIE bootcamps really worthwhile?
• At what stage of your lab preparation would you most benefit from a bootcamp?
• Was the lab easier or harder than you expected?
• How challenging is the lab’s troubleshooting section?
• During the lab, do you feel pressured by time to complete the assigned tasks?
• How do you cope with frustration or disappointment, both during preparation and the lab itself?
• What external resources do you draw upon to help prepare (forums, mailing lists, mentors, etc.)?
• How do you memorize obscure lists & facts?
• Have your career opportunities improved now that you’re a CCIE?
• Does passing the CCIE lab mean you’ve crossed the finish line?

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