The New (Old?) CCIE R&S Lab Blueprint

So I'm hanging out in #cciestudy on irc.freenode.net (yes, you should come on by and get nerdy with us!) and the discussion turned to whether dot1q tunneling was on the blueprint.  I whipped out the printed copy I have on my desk and sure as heck, there is was: item 1.2.36.  However, it would appear that there is an "updated" version of the blueprint on Cisco's website that not only doesn't explicitly have dot1q tunneling on it, but it's 4 pages shorter than the copy I have!

Here's what is on Cisco's site right now:

http://www.box.com/shared/8a58de4ad249a23c2acd

The weird thing is this "new" version is dated 2009.

And here is the copy I have been working from for some time now:

http://www.box.com/shared/5a85f149952b99a67d01

This "old" version is dated 2010 and is a full 4 pages longer.

Now I realize it's just a blueprint, but WTF Cisco?  You don't have to be so brief about the exam topics.  It's hard enough, at least let people know what they should be studying.

The Ridiculously Long and Complicated BGP Command 'neighbor local-as'

Few commands in IOS are as seemingly long and as confusing to me as what the BGP command 'neighbor local-as' command can be.  This command can extend a further 3 more keywords that each change the behavior quite a bit.  I've studied this before, and I always think I have it down, then after some time I come back to it and sit there staring at my screen with a stupid look on my face and a little bit of drool coming out the corner of my mouth while I re-learn it again.  Here's to hoping that a little blog action finally once and for all gets this one into my head.

DHCP Based Security Part 3: Dynamic ARP Inspection

This post closes out a 3 post series on DHCP based security technologies for the Cat3560 (among others) switching platform.  We first took a look at DHCP Snooping, and then we built upon that with IP Source Guard.  Finally, we've come to Dynamic ARP Inspection, or just DAI.

DHCP Based Security Part 2: IP Source Guard

This is post two in a three post series on DHCP based switching security technologies.  Previously I looked at DHCP Snooping, and now I'm going to look at IP Source Guard.

DHCP Based Security Part 1: DHCP Snooping

There's 3 related switching security technologies for which I've had draft posts sitting around for some time now. I'm finally getting around to publishing them as I study away for my second lab attempt. I know it's the silly little technologies like these ones that can show up on a Lab and cause grief, so hopefully I don't forget all this come Jan 13th.

The first one we're going to look at is DHCP Snooping. 

Simple IPv6 Multicast Configuration

IPv6 Multicasting is something that's been confusing me a bit lately.  I think I finally have the basics figured out...  And I'm going to put there here so that you can read all about it.  Because you want to read all about it. Don't you?

I thought so.

Lab Attempt #1

As previously stated I had my first attempt at the CCIE Lab exam on Nov. 7.  I'm sure you've all likely figured out that I did not pass since there hasn't been any fanfare or celebration on my part.  But it was a learning experience and I don't really have any regrets about not being able to pass on the first go. 

During the  boot camp I took the week before Marko Milivojevic told me, and the rest of the class, that we all had a fighting chance of passing.  Well it turns out he was right.  I did have a fighting chance, but that was about it.  For me to have passed on the first go it would have required more luck than skill, and I don't really want this cert if it's because I'm lucky.

So, for those of you interested, here's how my day went.

Living the Dream

At last.  It's time.

Tomorrow I fly out to San Jose. I'm doing a 5 day boot camp next week, and then Monday Nov.7 I'll be attempting the CCIE Lab exam.  The last year and a half is about to culminate in one intensely immersed few days of routing, switching, and general conf t awesomeness.

I'll see you all when I get back.

Jason

Interesting Colubris Hack

I got sent out on a hands and feet job today as a favour to another company who we have a customer in common with. I guess these guys have seen this before... The Colubris routers apparently sometimes incur a power supply failure that you can work around by connecting a regular pc power supply in its place. I thought this was pretty clever so I'm posting a picture.

Lab Date Booked

I've been rather terrible at updating this thing again...  I'm really a rather terrible blogger aren't I?

Don't answer that.

Well one thing I have been doing is putting the plan into motion, and to that end today I booked a Lab exam date.  Nov. 7 I'll be walking into Cisco in San Jose and finally taking this big bad test.

I have a lot of work to do between now and then.  Let the good times roll :)