Studying for Cisco’s Routing and Switching CCIE Track

Routing and Switching is considered as the most popular of all Cisco’s 8 CCIE certification tracks. This exam tests the skills and certifies network engineers as experts in planning, operating and troubleshooting complex, converged network infrastructure. Some of the topics covered by the exam include LAN, WAN, Ethernet and TCP/IP, OSPF as well as BGP, IPv6 among others. The test is divided into two parts. The written exam lasts for two hours and can be taken online or at accredited partner testing centers with results available immediately. The lab exam, however, is hands-on and can only be taken at one of Cisco’s several lab testing centers worldwide. The lab exam takes up most of the day and the results are revealed within 48 hours of testing.

Study Options for the CCIE Routing and Switching Written and Lab Exams

It’s not hard to find good learning materials for the Routing and Switching track. Being the most popular of the 8 tracks, self-study materials and CCIE boot camp lessons are available through various accredited training vendors. The cost of these learning materials and training sessions varies depending on the packages these vendors offer to interested candidates.

·         Self-study bundles often include audio and video learning aids, as well as printed learning materials, workbooks and other tools that can be useful in maximizing a candidate’s study time in order to thoroughly prepare for the exam. Rack rentals are also available through various vendors and providers for those who wish to log lab training hours without having to set up their own home rack. Purchasing self-study materials, combined with hours of rack rentals, provides candidates with enough learning aids that they can use at their own pace.

·         CCIE boot camps and classroom sessions give candidates a more comprehensive look at what is in store for them in the exams. Candidates who take these classroom lessons are designed to challenge them to ensure absolute readiness for the CCIE exam. Aside from discussing the content of the exams, candidates are also taught test-taking techniques that would help them get through the exam. Hands-on training is also provided for with this type of training; however, candidates may still opt to practice with a home rack or a rack rental on their own in order to prepare for the lab exam.

·         Some vendors offer candidates the best of both worlds by offering a combination bundle wherein candidates can study at their own pace and attend classroom lessons in order to prepare for both the written and lab exams.

·         Getting ready for a certification exam such as the CCIE is something candidates should take very seriously. Once you have been certified, you are considered an expert in your chosen track and can spell the difference between a flourishing career and staying at the same pay grade despite years of hands-on experience. This is why candidates often begin preparing for the exam 6 months to a year before the scheduled exam. When choosing study methods, candidates should consider their existing knowledge on the topics covered, their budget, and the time they can allot for studying before signing up for classroom lessons or purchasing study materials. Candidates should maximize all the resources available to them in order to get favorable results when they take the CCIE Routing and Switching certification exam.

The CCIE Voice (CCNP) Track

In ascribing to the “global village” outlook now owning the world’s symbols of the times, the world wide web has instantly built varied areas of the world near to the other, boosting the refined interactive potentials of the web as a powerhouse communication tool.

Subsequently, advances in voice technologies are extremely fundamental in the lucrative procedures of various businesses and even establishments, with those developments accepted by the Cicso Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Certification Standard though its Voice (Cisco Certified Network Professional – CCNP) track.

As internal and external network communication standards are consistently increasing, changes in the market along with a professional’s power to handle and even cope with varying concerns can certainly be determined by the guiding and go through a CCIE certificate holder carries under his or her strap.

The CCIE Voice Track

As a certification and assessment tool, the CCIE standard brings together eight necessary areas that come with controlled network services, providing the aspects of network security to database management and storage.

Voice-based electronic communications within networks is also one area covered by CCIE, with its Voice track aimed in evaluating and qualifying how well an IT Professional recognizes the value of synthesis and security in network driven voice-based services.

Certainly not plainly measuring just how capable an IT specialist is set against setting up voice over IP protocol (VOIP) communications, the CCIE Standard’s Voice track is focused to deal with the various issues connected with safety and streamlined communications between various networks and providers or IP bases, harnessing the application of Cisco certified communication tools, services and workarounds.

With the CCIE Certification Standard’s credibility in the global IT industry, the Voice track is also geared up in testing an IT professional's potential for ethical methods, along the advance of backup interaction selections throughout sudden network downtimes or mishaps.

Synthesis can be a part of the prioritize aspects included in the CCIE Standard’s Voice track, diving into the usage of distinct gadgets like iPads and Android-based tablets as access points for stable and trustworthy inbound or outbound network communications.

Assigned the value now found in utilizing the chances of the net, along with preferably employing any functional internal network, emphasis on reputable and reputable supervised network services are getting main points in defining the kingmakers at present from the rest.

Comprehensive and integrated in evaluating and qualifying an IT professional’s capabilities and characteristics set, the CCIE Standard’s Voice track quickly describes who an industry entity would love to have managing their organization’s voice-and-network based requirements and needs.

Advantages of CCIE Lab Topologies Over Bootcamps Training

CISCO certified examinations have influenced many businesses to prepare their employees for CCIE training and CCIE Lab Topology is the best solution to achieve it. Bootcamps are good but often it’s not the cup of tea for a working individual. Also, bootcamps do not offer any kind of bundled package and you have to spend a lot of money buying different books, video tutorials and lab work books. So its cost extensive and is not at all affordable. Whereas, lab topologies; offers a bundled solution for your CCIE examination and can save thousands of dollars.

Cost Intensive CCIE Training through CCIE Lab Topology

Companies insist on providing their candidates with an affordable solution as the cost for separate bootcamps for every individual interested in CCIE examination will be too high. Here, the CCIE lab topology comes in action. Under this, the business can rent racks and purchase essential kits to help various candidates without spending money individually on every employee. You would be surprised to know, but companies have saved almost $20000 to $30000 purchasing online CISCO based identical labs. It does not just end here, with such a facility candidates are provided with various workbooks on their respective field of interest for CCIE training such as:

·         CCIE Routing & Switching

·         CCIE Service Provider

·         CCIE Security

·         R&S Troubleshooting

·         CCNP Voice Program

·         CCNP Wireless Training

So it’s a cost intensive strategy to help candidates succeed in their training.

Having an own CCIE lab is another way to impart training to candidates but then again comes the question on its efficiency and affordability. It is usually a big setup and will incur heavy costs to setup servers, hardware and software identical to CISCO. So, a better way is to grab the services from a reputed CCIE training provider and enjoy services at an affordable cost and less tensions on maintenance and employing individual trainers. 

Online CCIE Rack Advantages

Online labs have been proved to be more successful because of their feasible nature. You can always schedule your individual time and do not have to depend on fixed schedules. Also, it’s one to one interface, which helps you to better analyze yourself as where you stand and where you need to improve to pass the training program. Almost everything is automated and you just need to log-in with your Id and all the work you have previously done is automatically saved. The best feature about online session is the evaluation report generated by CCIE experts. It helps a lot in identifying and implementing the knowledge and skills in the right channel.

Self-Study And CCIE Lab Topology Instructor Evaluation Reports

For self-study; when you rent a CCIE rack for your preparation, make sure it has a certified CCIE instructor. Without the proper instructor, you may encounter a lot of problem understanding the CCIE Routing & Switching, Service Provider and Security product lines. Also, your practice hours and your dedication & hard work are your key to success in CCIE lab training. You have to put in special efforts to learn the skills. So decide on your CCIE training concentration and get the best from CCIE Lab Topology and achieve success in your CCIE training.

Understanding the CCIE Certification Training Program

Networking is the most common term we use in our everyday life. However, as a user we hardly pay attention to the core of the networking. To be able to understand the complexity and core feature of networking, Cisco has world renowned CCIE certification training programs. These programs aid in understanding the various complexities, troubleshooting and planning of various hard core networking tools. Network engineering is a subject of interest but it requires extraordinary skills, which can only be achieved through practice. Even a failure in such an examination is a step towards more knowledge and more experience. That’s what is unique about CCIE training programs.

Be Consistent In Your Preparation

You can get a lot of help from internet to allocate resources for your preparation. You may find a lot of articles on the internet, telling you CCIE certification training are one of the toughest and much more. I would say here that everything is tough without practice and everything easy with practice. The best way to prepare for a CCIE examination is through planning, motivation and being consistent. Here, I have tried to bring some important features and ways in which you can study & prepare for your CCIE training examination.

Types Of CCIE Certification Training Examinations

CCIE certification is divided into different areas of expertise or commonly known as tracks. You can specialize in any one track or multiple tracks. All the tracks are tested through two types of examinations that are:

·         Written examination – It generally consists of 80 to 110 questions. It can be given on any CISCO certified training center. Usually, it has mix set of questions such as multiple choice type questions and interactive questions to test your technical knowledge on networking. The results are produced immediately upon completion of the test.

·         Lab examination – It usually lasts for 8 hours. Here, your skills are tested through your knowledge on configuring and troubleshooting varied network issues in a stipulated time period. You need to have a minimum of 80% success score to pass it. The current fee is around $1500 for taking the lab examination per attempt. Unlike written examination, its results are declared within 48 hours.

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Various Areas Of Expertise

Now, let’s learn about the various field of expertise in CISCO. These are:

·         CCIE Service Provider

·         CCIE Routing & Switching

·         SNA/IP Integration

·         Voice

·         Data

·         WAN Switching

There are few more fields or tracks you can become expert on, these are some of the most common ones. Every expertise area has its own set of protocols and syllabus and some are interrelated to each other and some may be entirely different.

Choose The Best Online Vendor For Your CCIE Certification Training Preparation

Now, that you know the contents of CCIE certification training examination, it would be easy for you to choose the one which best suits you. For preparation, you can get help from reputed online service providers who deals on providing identical CISCO online lab practice, workshops and study material. Only an experienced CCIE instructor can really help you get prepared so always insist on good training vendors. Knowledge and your ability to handle psychological pressure will help you get success in getting through CCIE certification.