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This visitor submit was once authored by way of Cisco Designated VIP Christian Kellerer.
In the event you’re an aspiring CCIE, you already know that reaching this prestigious certification calls for arduous paintings, self-discipline, and patience. My title is Chris Kellerer, and as a Cisco Finding out Community VIP, I’ve effectively climbed the Cisco certification mountain from backside to best. I am hoping that my tale supplies treasured perception and inspiration that can assist you succeed in your individual CCIE certification targets.
From apprentice to finding Cisco certifications
My networking adventure started once I completed my apprenticeship in 2011, however I used to be nonetheless not sure of my long-term occupation trail at that time. Then, in 2017, I discovered myself running along a CCIE-certified contractor on a posh networking challenge.
He patiently taught me complicated networking applied sciences corresponding to NX-OS, ASA, FirePOWER, ISE, and PRIME. After sharing his personal CCIE Lab revel in, it was once the recommendation he gave subsequent that began my certification adventure.
“In the event you in reality wish to grow to be licensed, you wish to have the fervour for it and should do it step-by-step. Get started on the backside. First, get your CCNA, after which if you happen to’re nonetheless , do the CCNP. In the end, if you happen to in reality wish to dig deep, get the CCIE.”
That’s what began me down the trail to certification.
Tackling the primary hurdles: CCNA and CCNP
The usage of Cisco whitepapers and authentic E-learning classes, I started my CCNA Routing & Switching research (now merely known as the CCNA) in early 2018. I finished it in simply six months. After passing the checks, I in an instant dove proper into the CCNP Routing & Switching (now CCNP Undertaking) certification, finishing it by way of March 2019.
I discovered TSHOOT to be essentially the most relaxing examination, and looking back, it felt like a teeny-tiny child model of the CCIE lab examination. Whilst passing the checks boosted my self belief, I used to be nonetheless unsure about my occupation path.
Cisco Are living and the redesigned CCIE Certification Program
My adventure was once now not with out its roadblocks. Regardless of my early good fortune with CCNA and CCNP, it was once at this level that I discovered myself caught and unsure about my occupation trail. Now not best was once the CCIE blueprint intimidating, nevertheless it additionally felt quite old-fashioned from a generation standpoint.
I finished learning for a couple of months. Then again, that every one modified when Cisco Are living 2019 introduced the readability and motivation I had to proceed. That yr, Cisco introduced the approaching of a redesigned certification program, together with the successor to the CCIE Routing & Switching: The newly named CCIE Undertaking Infrastructure (CCIE EI) observe.
The up to date blueprint integrated conventional networking whilst additionally introducing trendy subjects like SDx and programming/automation. That’s the instant I was decided to take the next move and earn my CCIE.
The CCIE lab examination: First, 2d, and 3rd makes an attempt
My first strive on the CCIE Lab in October 2020 was once a nerve-wracking revel in. Despite the fact that I felt ready for some facets, I felt underprepared for others.
I discovered myself suffering with the duties, going thru them in an unordered series—to not point out the massive selection of duties was once intimidating. The redesigned CCIE program added to the problem, because the new lab surroundings was once nonetheless in its early phases. Dissatisfied in my efficiency, I gained the inside track that I had failed each modules. The failure hit me arduous, and with the lab’s uncertainty because of the pandemic, I finished learning for a number of months.
Once I restarted my research in January 2021, I used to be extra decided than ever. This time, I advanced a “easy” 7-step technique for the CCIE lab examination itself:
- Learn the fabric.
- Learn the fabric once more.
- Solution the query.
- Learn the fabric once more.
- Take a look at the solution.
- Learn the fabric once more.
- Recheck the solution.
My 2d strive in July 2021 went higher than the primary, however as I approached the two.5-hour mark within the DOO module, I panicked. I spotted I had made some errors and performed some illogical issues which brought about me to expire of time and best end 2/3 of the duties.
After the second one lab, I once more knew I had failed nevertheless it was once as a result of easy errors and overconfidence. But if I gained my rankings the following morning, I noticed my preparation had hugely greater my rankings this time round: I handed the DESIGN module, however nonetheless failed the DOO module.
For my 3rd strive in September 2021, I booked the examination simply seven days after the second one take a look at.
The additional preparation paid off. The DESIGN module went smartly, and I felt assured drawing near the DOO module. Regardless of getting caught at one level, I driven thru.
On the very finish, with best 25 mins at the clock and virtually not one of the duties having been reviewed, I made a daring resolution. I determined to avoid wasting the operating configuration to the startup configuration for each and every instrument, ensuring they had been all in privileged EXEC mode, and used the remainder time to do a minimum of a bit little bit of configuration verification. With best 10 seconds to spare, I hit the Finish Examination button.
After my absolute best strive but, I gained the inside track by way of 5 p.m. that very same day. I had handed the examination and earned my CCIE EI certification! The adventure have been lengthy and hard, however the setbacks best made the win extra pleasant.
Existence after CCIE: Embracing new alternatives and private targets
Changing into a CCIE calls for arduous paintings, self-discipline, and patience. It wasn’t with out its demanding situations, to not point out the really extensive funding of time, power, and value. With my CCIE in hand and newfound loose time, I’ve rediscovered my previous leisure pursuits and passions of enjoying piano… and in any case getting again to my personal existence. I’m excited to find the place my studying adventure will take me subsequent. I can all the time be thankful to the CCIE contractor who offered me to the arena of Cisco certification.
In the event you’re inquisitive about pursuing a CCIE certification your self, I invite you to learn CCIE Find out about Fabrics, Prices, and Preparation Pointers. There you’ll be able to to find my find out about guidelines, price breakdowns, and different helpful guidelines that I accrued alongside my very own CCIE certification adventure. I additionally made my lab notes to be had to everybody at cice.cknetworking.de. Whether or not you’re simply beginning out or smartly into your research, I am hoping you to find those assets useful for your pursuit of this difficult certification. Highest of success!
Pay attention Christian Kellerer inform the tale of ways he was CCIE #65551 at the Cisco Finding out Community Podcast.
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Learn subsequent: “What It Takes to Develop into a CCIE” by way of Yusuf Bhaiji, Director of Cisco Certifications. Learn weblog.
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