CCIP Advice please

Mr Dave

Mr Dave

Mr Dave

Associate
Joined
23 Jul 2004
Posts
134
Location
Edinburgh, Scotland
Hi all,

I was wondering if some of you knowledgeable folks could give some advice, and maybe point me in the right direction regarding self study of the Cisco CCIP certification.

I have recently passed my CCNA and am looking to take the next step. I have looked at the syllabus for the CCNP & CCIP and reckon the CCIP appeals to me more and teaches a wider skills set.

I have a bit of a problem though

I currently specialise in a more server based role and deal mainly with Windows & Linux servers daily, but help manage the basics on catalyst 4510R, 4510R-E & 6513 switches such as amendments to VLANS, upgrades etc. A managed services company do the rest.

My problem is I have no one here to learn from, and no real kit to practice with, so I'm going to have to self study as I did with the CCNA.

I'd like to know about other folks experience doing the same thing, or is self study just not a good idea with the more advanced Cisco certs?

I'd also like to know what kit folks have used in practice labs and what study materials they found best to use?

I appreciate anyone's advice

thanks for reading

Dave
 
Congrats :)

Have you looked at the Cisco emulators (not to be confused with simulators)?

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=419

http://www.gns3.net/download

You feed it an IOS image and it will emulate the router/switch in question. You do, of course, need to get hold of some images to start with...

Otherwise, it's get yourself a home lab which can cost some moola.

Being mentored is great but for everyone else, it's self study time.
 
2600 based routers are good to practice and create labs on as they are modular and you can run everything from BGP to OSPF etc on them.
 
thanks for the replies :)


yeah the GNS3 stuff looks great but as you say i have to find the images which i don't have access to.

I have 2x 2610's that i can use and a 2950 can anybody recommend anything else that would suit the CCIP?

Also can anybody recommend some decent study material CCIP wise?

much appreciated :)

Dave
 
Home Lab is by far the best way to learn, however not everyone can afford it when it comes to the higher levels. If you have some kit at work keep an eye out for any new stuff or retired stuff. You can usually get some time to fiddle before something is installed or after some older kit is retired. We got hold of some Extreme networks Kit, had it for a month before we put it in and i've installed half the WAN Core already without using the consultants we initially employed :) If you're doing it off your own back you'll probably have to live with emulators.
Interested to know how it goes, I'm currently re-doing my CCNA prior to doing a CCNP/CCIP or whetever seems appropriate. would probably have gotten away with jsut doing the final but they went and changed the syllabus to v4 :(
 
Mr Dave said:
thanks for the replies :)


yeah the GNS3 stuff looks great but as you say i have to find the images which i don't have access to.

I have 2x 2610's that i can use and a 2950 can anybody recommend anything else that would suit the CCIP?

Also can anybody recommend some decent study material CCIP wise?

much appreciated :)

Dave
Click to expand...

GNS images - I have just one thing to say. Seek and you shall find. I can't say anymore without breaking rules I don't think. GNS is neat in that you can actually link it into a physical network. You'll need a decent spec machine though.
 
I'm sorted IOS wise now, and have GNS3 up and running. Thanks :)

really appreciate everyone's input so far - does anyone have any recommendations for study material ?

thanks

Dave
 
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