The CCIE Certification Challenge
Two tests are required to attain CCIE certification: a computer-based CCIE qualification exam, and a two-day hands-on lab. The potential topics found on both the CCIE qualification exam and hands-on lab are vast and ever expanding. The range of topics can be overwhelming. The CCIE lab's first time pass rates are low due to the depth of subjects covered and the high level of skill necessary to complete the exam. These factors make pursuing the CCIE certification an intimidating endeavor.

Common questions asked by CCIE certification candidates are: Which path is the best path to take to attain CCIE certification? What Cisco-certified courses do I need to take to prepare for the CCIE? What do I need to know to become CCIE certified? Where do I get more hands on experience with Cisco equipment? How do I know when I am ready to take the CCIE written exam or the hands on CCIE lab?

The Cisco Suggested Approach to CCIE Certification
The official CCIE Exam Preparation page on the Cisco web-site lists three required elements for successful CCIE certification preparation:
1. Training
2. Experience
3. Self-Study

The CCIE Exam Preparation page describes the training element as laying a foundation for CCIE certification preparation. Training must be supplemented with hands on experience and self-study. Cisco describes the self-study element as "probably the single most important factor determining (CCIE certification) success or failure." Again, these general elements of "experience" and "self-study" generate additional questions: What experience in particular is required? How should a self-study plan be structured? Cisco supplies general guidelines to these questions. Chesapeake provides concrete and specific resources to build a clear roadmap to CCIE certification.

What Cisco Recommends, Chesapeake Delivers!
Chesapeake provides an "end-to-end" or "start-to-finish" roadmap and a suite of preparation resources for CCIE certification candidates. Chesapeake CCIE certification preparation resources include: Cisco-certified courses, customized hands-on Chesapeake designed courses and on-line hands-on vLab scenarios.

Cisco Certified Classes
An excellent starting point to begin preparing for CCIE certification is attending the suggested list of Cisco-certified training courses such as ICRC, ACRC, CIT, CLSC and CATM. Upon completion of these courses, you can access a range of MentorLabs vLab scenarios to reinforce what you have learned in the classroom. Chesapeake is an authorized reseller of MentorLabs vLab services.

Chesapeake Custom Certification Prep Courses
Once you have completed the suggested list of Cisco courses and you have applied your knowledge to either on-the-job experience or hands-on MentorLabs vLab scenarios, you are ready to attend the Chesapeake customized CCIE preparation course: Expert Certification Preparation I (ECP-1). This five day course is not for the Cisco neophyte. It is an intensive, highly challenging hands-on course for CCIE candidates who are ready to begin the arduous task of CCIE certification preparation in earnest.

ECP-1 is based upon two recently published books: a Prentice Hall publication, Andrew Bruce Caslow's Cisco Certification: Bridges, Routers and Switches for CCIE's; and a McGraw Hill publication, Terry Slattery's and Bill Burton's Advanced IP Routing in Cisco Networks. The structure of the course is based upon the six level preparation model laid out in Caslow's Cisco Certification: Bridges, Routers and Switches for CCIE's text. A brief description of topics covered in each level is provided below:

Level One: Physical and Data Link Layer Technologies and Protocols
Configuring Frame-Relay, ISDN, the Catalyst 5000 and ATM.

Level Two: IP Addressing, IP IGP Routing and Route Redistribution
Advanced IP Address Subnetting, IP Address Summarization, Configuring RIP, IGRP, EIGRP and OSPF; IP Route Redistribution. The primary text used in the course addressing Level II topics is Advanced IP Routing in Cisco Networks, written by Chesapeake founder Terry Slattery, CCIE #1026, and Chesapeake senior consultant/instructor Bill Burton, CCIE #1119.

It is critical that mastery of Level I and Level II topics is attained before moving on to levels Three through Six.

Level Three: IP Exterior Gateway Protocol Routing
Forming EBGP and IBGP neighbor relationships, advertising networks via BGP, filtering BGP updates, manipulating the BGP update selection process, aggregating BGP updates.

Level Four: Non-IP Routing Protocols
Configuring IPX routing, tunneling IPX over an IP network, configuring AppleTalk, tunneling AppleTalk over an IP backbone, configuring DECNET Phase IV and configuring IS-IS.

Level Five: Non-Routable Technologies and Protocols
Configuring transparent bridging, adjusting the spanning tree protocol, configuring integrated routing and bridging, configuring source route bridging and DLSw+.

Level Six: Managing Internetwork Traffic
Once all connectivity has been accomplished, students will manage internetwork traffic by configuring access-lists, queues and route-maps.

Students interact with topics listed above in a state-of-the-art classroom where two students share a seven router/one Catalyst pod of equipment. Each pod possesses Ethernet, FastEthernet, ISDN BRI, Token-Ring, dedicated Serial, Frame-Relay and ATM connections.

The format of the course is based upon a commonly used graduate school examination format known as the "issue spotting" testing format. ECP-1 students are given complex internetworking configuration scenarios containing potentially crippling hidden issues. Students must carefully analyze the scenarios, "spot the hidden issues" and work around the potential problems. Extended use of Cisco IOS debugging tools are used to enhance the learning experience.

ECP-1 acts as both a learning experience and a self-assessment. Once students complete the course, they have a good idea of their strengths and weaknesses in a wide range of internetworking topics. For many CCIE candidates, ECP-1 is a starting point rather than an ending point for CCIE certification preparation. With the increased knowledge they have acquired from the course as well as stronger analytical skills such as issue spotting and greater proficiency using IOS debugging tools, CCIE candidates are ready to continue their preparation with MentorLabs vLab scenarios.

Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
ECP-1 attendants will receive a CCIE preparation checklist. This checklist recommends topics to practice before taking the actual CCIE lab test. Many of the topics on the checklist will have corresponding Mentorlabs vLab scenarios. Chesapeake recommends that you take as many Mentorlabs vLab scenarios as possible to continue your hands-on self-study preparation for the actual CCIE lab.

Summary
Attaining CCIE certification is a tremendous challenge. The preparation for the challenge is an overwhelming and confusing task. Chesapeake provides a robust end-to-end suite of CCIE preparation services including Cisco-certified courses, Chesapeake custom CCIE preparation course (ECP-1) and a suite of on-line vLab scenarios from MentorLabs. Call a Chesapeake Training Advisor to find out more about our education and certification preparation services. Let Chesapeake help you build and customize your roadmap to CCIE certification. In addition, Chesapeake can provide the stepping stones to CCIE certification with classes, as well as vLab scenarios.

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