CCIE Security Written Pre-Qualification Exam

I have passed my CCIE Security Written Exam recently. It requires extensive preparation and advanced level hands on experience on Cisco Security Appliances, Modules and Security Applications.

Furthermore, it requires deep understanding of Security and IP Protocols is also required. Good Handon experience and understanding on Cisco CS-MARS, NAC Appliances, AAA Servers, CSA etc is also essential.

This exam is a little different because, as because, several routing and switching topics are also included, so you must have good understanding of popular routing protocols and their security features.

I have used for following books for preparing for this exam:

1. Cisco Press - Cisco ASA All-In-One Firewall, IPS And VPN Adaptive Security Appliance

2. Cisco Press – CCIE Security Exam Certification Study Guide – 2nd Edition

3. Cisco Press – CCIE Security Quick Reference Sheet

CCIE Bootcamps and Training

For getting your CCIE Certification, it is essential that you get proper training, guidance, support and hands-on equipment. There are several world-wide training companies who are giving CCIE Training using several different delivery methods such as online, on-demand, on-site and off-site.

Below are some of the most popular Training Companies giving world class training:

1. Internetwork Expert – internetworkexpert.com, is the leader in CCIE Training with experienced dual, triple, quad and penta ccie instructors.

2. IP Expert – ipexpert.com, is the most popular CCIE Training and preparation company to date.

3. ccBootCamp – ccbootcamp.com, is also the leader in training and preparing candidates for multiple CCIE Tracks.

Besides, these what i can remember, there are several other persons who are very much popular in CCIE BootCamps such as Brian Dennis, Scott Morris, Brian Mcgaghan, Roman, Narbik and Khawar Butt. Try googling for them and you can find their upcoming bootcamps, locations and costs.

For passing the CCIE Lab, you needs hours and hours of handson, there are three options for it:

1. Purchase your own rack.

2. Take Equipment on Rent (many companies do it).

3. Buy online rack rental hours.

Any option can be taken, depending on your financial condition and comfortability. The most expensive option is the first one. The least expensive is the last one.

Some popular rack rental sites are:

1. www.internetworkexpert.com

2. www.proctorlabs.com

3. www.ccie2b.com

4. www.ccie4u.com

5. www.cconlinelabs.com

6. www.ipexpert.com

I hope this information might have been useful, if it is to you, do leave a comment or drop me an email.

Starter's Guidelines for Persuing Expert Network Certifications

After many emails from youngsters and juniors asking how I started my career and pursued a successful career in Information and Communications Technology. Finally i was able to devote some time to write something as a guideline to pursue a successful career in networks engineering.

First things first, there are a lot of misconceptions getting into the Systems / Networks Engineering, most of the fresh graduates are asking me repeatedly the same question that "is it worthy enough to pursue a career in it after graduation and do certifications, will it be a good career with growth and progression?"

The simple answer is, it depends. There are several specialization paths that could be followed such as "Systems Engineering" , "Network Engineering" , "Security Administration" , "Storage Area Networks Engineering" , "Voice over IP Administration" and "Wireless Networks".

Lets take each one, once you enter you could go into "Systems Engineering / Administration" that is mainly dominated by Operating Systems and Server Administration like Windows Server System, Linux, Unix and Solaris. Almost all of them offer several enterprise services such as Directory, Naming, Email, Security, Data Transfer, Communication, Voice, Video etc.

Certifications involving Systems Engineering are available from several different vendors such as Microsoft, RedHat, IBM, HP, Sun, Comptia, EC-Council etc.

The next path is "Networks Engineering / Administration" which is a very promising and growing field, it sub-divides into several different categories such as Routing & Switching, Network Security, Service Provider Networks, Wireless Networks and Voice over IP. These are very wide, vast fields which can be a WORLD in themselves.

Major Certifications are offered from Cisco and Juniper.

The other path belonging to Systems and Network Design and Architecture, this is the next career progression for an engineer after working in the implementation for a considerable number of years. This is a critical job role involving Enterprisewide Systems and Networks design.

Cisco Offers a seperate track for its design professionals including associate, professional and expert level certifications. Several other vendor neutral and vendor specific certifications are also available, but designing and architecting the enterprise requires implementation experience.

So far I have highlighted the sub-divisions of the Networks and Systems Engineering including:
- Systems Engineering
- Network Engineering including Routing, Switching, Service Provider and Wireless
- Network and Systems Security Administration
- Network, Systems and Security Design