This visitor submit was once authored by way of Cisco Designated VIP David Peñaloza Seijas.   

Background/Tale 

Since I used to be a child, I used to be interested by many stuff I discovered fascinating. I grew up being the nosy child, or “preguntón,” in Spanish. I used to be virtually all the time asking “why?” every time I were given one thing defined or instructed, which might power many of the adults to madness after a few hours with me. 

My mother, in an try to get this subject solved, gave me a ebook known as “El porqué de las cosas,” which more or less interprets to English as “The why of the issues.”

I may just spend hours studying and asking much more questions. It was once an unending loop I loved as a (un)naturally curious child. To my wonder, the ebook had a number of volumes explaining issues all of us marvel about, however no longer many people have the power to seem up, or “to Google,” in as of late’s parlance. 

Years later I thank my mother for any such good transfer; I picked up studying in my early years and endured to develop keen on it. Encyclopedias (do any of you have in mind Microsoft Encarta?), novels (Potterhead right here!), tales, newspapers, and my occupation box: IT. 

I began tweaking my very own pc when it felt gradual, as I sought after to play the cool video games different youngsters have been enjoying. Over the years, it morphed into cracking video games, editing registry keys, disabling/enabling products and services, troubleshooting issues, and working a shared LAN (Hamachi) to play with my pals — the chances have been unending! 

Touching and troubleshooting methods, putting in gadgets, and connecting cables and printers (gadgets from hell!) become herbal, and I began earning profits out of it when I used to be 16 years outdated. It naturally grew into networking, and that’s precisely the place my tale with Cisco, being it Academy, certifications, boards, it all! 

As I become a community engineer, the urge to understand how issues labored simply made it stress-free and compelling. There was once an invisible international to us beneath cables, numbers, and blinking lighting. I discovered an unending interest smartly (or hose) I may just drink from each day. 

Why CCDE? 

Round 2016, after a number of years as a community fortify engineer, I determined to review community design. However why? Through that point, I labored with many engineers and may just see a distinction between them. Some have been glad to enforce issues and notice them operating, from time to time with out them being totally transparent to them. And a few different engineers, despite the fact that, knew rather well how issues labored and why the adjustments have been being offered. They’d a unique point of view.  

That instantly stuck my consideration; I sought after to understand the explanations in the back of issues. I was once curious! At the moment, the CCDE group was once rising and everyone was once so colourful and inviting that I were given lured into it. I determined that despite the fact that it might be a troublesome factor to do, I sought after to review community design. 

You’re generally instructed that CCDE is a certification for knowledgeable engineers and, given the volume of information required, you’ll have a minimum of one CCIE ahead of making an attempt it. It to start with discouraged me—till I spoke with folks like Elaine Lopes, Daniel Dib, Jeremy Filiben, Mark Holm, and Andre Azevedo. They confident me you that don’t want a CCIE to try the examination, however you do want the information that includes it. (Notice that each one of them have a minimum of one CCIE!)

Like my excellent buddy, Peter Palúch, instructed me a number of occasions: “You should be on the identical point. Make era your moment nature, and perceive issues all the way down to the bone.” 

That yr, I began finding out and assessing myself truthfully, on the lookout for spaces to beef up. I aimed for CCDE and the huge information it might require.  

I to start with took the CCDP* examination to gauge myself, which coated no longer most effective basics but additionally very best practices; what was once really helpful given sure instances. After passing, I have in mind feeling energized and in a position for extra. 

Again then, I believed: “What if I take a look at the CCDEv2 written examination?” 

Narrator: “And with out knowing, David was once surroundings himself up for a candy and skin-scorching lesson.” 

My Cisco certification examination adventure 

It took me 3 makes an attempt and a number of finding out to cross the CCDE written examination. The primary one was once my method of gauging myself, whilst the second one failure felt excruciatingly shut. After all, my 3rd try was once a candy cross. 

The CCDEv2 written examination was once a beast. It basically blended Endeavor and Provider Supplier subjects, whilst additionally including some safety as smartly, making it a mighty difficult examination by itself. 

Was once all my finding out sufficient to cross the written examination? Sure. Slightly. 

Was once I in a position to take the CCDE sensible examination? No longer truly. No longer emotionally… and some distance much less technically. However that was once a lesson I discovered over the years after incomes myself a few scars. 

From August 2017 till Would possibly 2018, I studied extra, I mentioned extra, and I believed it was once time. I had heard such a lot of issues concerning the examination; the way of the check, the volume of knowledge, the studying and highlighting. It gave the impression potential. 

Then, my examination day got here! There I used to be in Madrid on Would possibly 30, 2018, arriving previous than any one else! The trying out heart wasn’t opened till 10:00, despite the fact that the examination was once intended to start out at 09:00. Don’t ever ask a Spaniard to get up early, or you’re surroundings your self up for failure! 😀 

It was once precisely like I had heard—however on steroids! The guidelines, the emails, the diagrams, the questions. I believed I used to be in a position for it, however I wasn’t. The examination made me notice that a lot more was once wanted; extra information, extra studying, extra enjoy. 

Occasionally, that intended that I didn’t perceive a selected era smartly sufficient. Different occasions, that intended I had ignored mentioned necessities or constraints or was once no longer ready to pay attention for all the time of the check (8 hours). 

This came about two times in 2018, in Would possibly and November. On each events, it was once a FAIL for me. 

Upon getting crushed two times, I endured attempting. Out and in, it was once tricky to get on my toes once more. 

In between my makes an attempt in 2018 and 2019, I additionally took different assessments to check my information and get myself nearer to the “CCIE-level” information I wished ahead of I confronted the beast all over again. 

I used to be ready to cross the CCIE R&S** and Provider Supplier assessments whilst making ready for the following to be had makes an attempt for the CCDE examination. It felt nearer, knowledge-wise, in addition to in examination enjoy. 

In 2019, I went for it once more. Two times. Each occasions, I used to be visiting Frankfurt. And sure, even if it felt higher, smoother, and clearer, it wasn’t sufficient. I failed each makes an attempt that yr and thought of taking a damage ahead of dealing with the examination once more. I didn’t know, alternatively, that my damage can be all that lengthy. 

Taking a damage

Between 2019 and 2022, so much came about in my existence. (And most probably yours too!) An endemic, adjustments in my non-public and paintings existence, amongst different issues. I devoted time to working out myself (I began visiting a psychologist) to discover what else was once within past the technical acumen.  

I used to be no longer in a position but, technically and for my part. However I wasn’t ready to look it. I used to be too proud to confess it and too cussed to forestall attempting. I used to be most effective bullying throughout the makes an attempt and pushing additional. 

What would you suppose after an try? 

• I used to be no longer studying rapid sufficient. 
• I used to be studying too rapid. 
• I ignored the necessities. 
• I ignored that constraint. 
• Did they are saying you couldn’t do X? 
• I should have ignored X era. 
• I couldn’t keep centered all the way through all the examination. 
• I introduced preconceived notions into the examination. 
• No one does that during the actual international! 
• I must no longer have second-guessed myself… 
• God, I hate tables! 

Each and every a type of makes an attempt teaches you one thing, however it’s important to concentrate. Another way, it is going over your head, and you find yourself bumping into the similar stone once more. Each and every lesson burns your pores and skin within the procedure, or a minimum of, that was once the sensation for me. Taking the examination was once comparable to being a meteorite getting nearer to the earth: the extra you means it, the mightier the burn and items of you still fall until you brace your self. 

In my case, I used to be no longer ready to look the woodland on account of the bushes. Even though it sounds humorous, it was once the case. I used to be taking a look at an issue as a substitute of zooming out and taking a look on the large image with all the transferring items. 

What else came about all the way through my damage? Smartly, CCDEv2 was once made over to CCDEv3, and subjects have been adjusted, in conjunction with the exam-taking enjoy. Much less Provider Supplier, and extra Endeavor, extra Safety, extra Information Heart, extra trade, extra Cloud, and extra Wi-fi! 

Sooner than proceeding with my tale after the damage, shall we discuss which issues are vital on your CCDE adventure. Don’t fear. We can be losing some tears in a bit of. 

What do you want to cross the examination? 

Find out about team and pals – AKA group 

Your learn about team may well be the important thing useful resource you want to cross. The extra views you get, the easier your technical arsenal will probably be when dealing with the examination.  

All through my CCDE adventure, I had the posh of finding out with folks like Mike McPhee, Jason Beltrame, Bruno Wollman, Fareed Fakoor, Remington Free, Ronald Lopez, Anti Sourdi, Freerk Terpstra, Nicolas Vallet and Fabian Beck. They all are good engineers/architects, they usually all taught me one thing alongside the best way. We shared guidelines and data, had classes to show others about what we have been excellent at, and naturally, made gorgeous bonds within the procedure. 

On most sensible of that, I had superb pals who weren’t finding out to take the CCDE examination however have been supporting me and educating me issues (educate me your secrets and techniques, grasp!) or supporting me as an individual, as a pal: folks like Peter Paluch, Daniel Dib, Mark Holm, Martin Novak, Ivan Zlatkov, David Chapcak, Matt Saunders, Kurt Claes, Peter Haluska, and Martin Duggan. 

A bunch of pals and learn about friends, folks to speak about with, folks keen to concentrate, a ground that might fortify me… a group. With out them, I don’t have handed it. This past due good fortune was once due to them for his or her unwavering fortify and motivation. It’s as a lot mine as it’s theirs. 

Each time I felt like quitting (particularly the ultimate two makes an attempt) I used to be supported by way of them. (Particular point out to Peter, Daniel, Kurt, and Mark!) Through individuals who, a minimum of at that second, believed in me greater than I did. They stored me on course, pulled my ears when wanted, and hugged me onerous sufficient to tug my items in combination once more after I couldn’t do it myself. 

Know your self 

Any other vital a part of your adventure is to understand your self. This may sound like a cliché for lots of, however it’s greatly vital, or a minimum of it was once for me. 

The CCDE examination isn’t like another CCIE examination. It does no longer depend on muscle reminiscence or rapid typing. You should believe each and every possibility, learn each report, and bring to mind each selection. It’s an 8-hour-long studying comprehension examination with technical and trade subjects. Your psychological state is paramount. 

• Have you learnt whilst you learn about the most productive? Is it all the way through the morning, afternoon, or evening? 
• How briskly are you able to learn? 
• How a lot of that are you able to retain? 
• Are you able to take care of 8 hours of finding out? 
• What about 4-hour or 2-hour blocks? 
• How excellent is your focus? (I am getting distracted simply.) 
• How do you deal with nervousness? 
• How do you calm your nerves? 
• Are you into meditation? Or do you do a handy guide a rough collection of 20 pushups and really feel like new and centered? 
• What about your emotions concerning the examination? 
• How do you’re feeling when coming into, leaving, and all the way through the examination? 
• Worried? 
• Frightened? 
• Scared? 
• Comfy? 

Some of these issues have been vital for me, and I want I’d have thought of them previously. I needed to discover ways to believe them after each failed try. 

First of all, my drivers after I began all this have been: ambition, delight (quite hubris), and worry. I sought after to get as prime as imaginable, to be truly excellent at one thing, to be identified, to close up each mouth that stated (there have been many) that I couldn’t make it or it was once too onerous and I used to be going to fail, and likewise, my worry of lacking out (FOMO). 

A gorgeous track about that is Vienna, by way of Billy Joel. 

Over time I discovered (due to my pricey buddy Peter Palúch, my psychologist, and a ludicrous quantity of introspection) that even if my earlier drivers helped me to stick motivated and depart the rustic, I used to be no longer going to make it any longer with detrimental feelings, they’d chunk me up ultimately. What can be higher? Discovering certain motivation! 

I did my very best to forestall evaluating myself with others and most effective examine myself with David from the previous. All of us have disasters, everyone knows one thing anyone else doesn’t, and all of us can be told one thing from others. Even the folks we don’t like can educate us one thing. 

I began taking a look on the adventure in addition to the function. I didn’t prevent chasing the solar, however I began to benefit from the view whilst I used to be doing it. I additionally began to comprehend extra of what I used to be doing, what I used to be studying, and what I used to be making, as a substitute of pondering, “I gained’t have sufficient time in my existence to do the entire issues I need to do; I should move sooner.” 

Finally, and the toughest one: I did my very best to forestall being worried concerning the examination’s result. In spite of everything, I had already failed a number of occasions. Will it burn extra? Possibly a bit of. Will it’s a disaster? No longer truly. Simply select up your items, regroup, and take on it once more. The examination is already traumatic sufficient, and being worried about failing ahead of taking it is going to most effective make me really feel extra frightened.  

Don’t beat your self up previously. Give your self an opportunity, forgive your self, and be sort to your self. All of us make errors. Believe me, you’re sufficient. You’ll be able to do it. You have got it in you. 

All through my ultimate try, I used to be centered at the examination itself, and the evening ahead of I believed: Well, no matter occurs, I will be able to give my very best all the way through the examination. Move or fail, it is going to be the most productive of me.

I didn’t know if I handed, and I used to be about to test the following to be had date for the examination. Little did I do know that I’d cross this time, however extra on that later.  

Narrator: “After which David unpleasant cried for hours as a result of he was once a llorón when he knew he handed.” 

Again on course 

After the damage, I used to be again on sq. one: the examination was once made over to model 3. Its contents had modified, and my written examination (legitimate for 3 years) had already expired. 

What was once the very first thing to do? Take the written examination once more! I used to be fortunate sufficient to have a final probability ahead of the CCDEv2 written examination can be retired on November 1, 2021. 

I brushed up on the entire subjects and studied for some weeks ahead of feeling in a position and, after all, having the looming shadow of the soon-to-be-retired examination over my head. To my success, I handed, as soon as once more with a candy 860. I can’t lie about this: it was once wonderful. 

I earned the appropriate to take the sensible examination once more, nevertheless it was once a brand new model. The examination subjects have been step one to take. I had new issues to be informed: Wi-fi, Cloud, and Safety. And likewise others to comb up and in the end be told smartly: QoS, and multicast. 

Now, the examination was once introduced in Brussels like another CCIE examination, so I didn’t need to juggle balls to ebook an examination in a Pearson Skilled Heart in Frankfurt or Madrid. I may just discuss with the Cisco place of job in Brussels like everyone else! 

Additionally, a number of pals paintings there, so this can be a acquainted position for me. 

During ten months, I visited Brussels 4 occasions. Each time, I used to be welcomed by way of my pricey buddy Peter Palúch and supported until no finish by way of him and Kurt Claes. 

My first try was once an exploratory one. I had completely no hopes of passing. I needed to see what was once other: the brand new engine, the brand new eventualities, the way, the era. And, God, I did. 

I got here out of the examination taking a look like a fish in a fridge: eyes and mouth broad open, however I may just no longer see or say anything else. Such a lot of new issues to meet up with, extra tech, extra trade, and the trying out engine was once cooler and more uncomplicated to make use of. (No longer the whole lot was once detrimental!) 

I spent a number of time studying about Wi-fi, some of the weakest spaces in my technical acumen. Freerk Terpstra and Fabian Beck gave me a masterclass on many stuff, they defined main points, deployments, authentication, and the character of wi-fi networks, it was once intense! Freerk even created a mini CCDE situation and defined it to us intimately. 

I went once more in February with a number of hopes, alternatively, it wasn’t but my time. Even supposing I felt higher, extra assured, and happier with my efficiency, it wasn’t sufficient. I spotted I wished extra cloud, extra migrations, extra trade acumen, extra studying abilities, and extra focus. It was once an unending listing! 

I stored a listing of subjects I felt undecided about and added extra after each try. The listing began massive and endured to shrink over the years whilst I addressed extra subjects—till the ultimate try. 

For the June try, I put a number of effort into finding out. My Cisco Are living US consultation catalog was once all about issues I wished for the examination, together with a CCDE techtorial with Mark Holm, Zig Zsiga, and Rick Bauer, and a number of other classes about design. 

There I used to be within the CCDE Techtorial: “Dude, don’t inform me this bull****, I already took the examination!” (I’m sorry, Mark.) 

I wasn’t making any pals all the way through that consultation. Seems that some discussions aren’t about absolutes or facets, they quite fall into a grey space proper within the heart, and there are a number of sunglasses of grey to care for. Some assumptions are honest, however an excessive amount of of that journeys you off. You find yourself strolling on a tightrope like a circus performer whilst the drums resonate within the background. 

I felt assured and proud. I did my very best and felt in a position for the examination. Proper after Cisco Are living US, I headed again to Brussels for my 3rd try at CCDEv3. 

I labored on my information, note-taking, studying, and focus and mentioned with the already-certified CCDE other folks I knew. I felt in a position. This was once my time. I used to be excited whilst taking the examination. It felt excellent, it felt like a breeze, and I used to be virtually positive. 

I got here out hoping for the most productive and was once shot down by way of a FAIL. It was once, by way of some distance, essentially the most painful of the makes an attempt. I felt misplaced, that I didn’t know what to paintings on anymore, and that I used to be no longer ready to triumph over any such titanic function after see you later. My rankings have been appearing some growth after each try, and but, I failed once more and was once extraordinarily at a loss for words. 

It took me a number of days to even procedure such a lot of issues and take care of my emotions. And when I used to be about to throw the towel, my pals have been there for me. As soon as once more, they held me up, they confident me I used to be shut, they usually gave me extra encouragement than I can have requested for. 

I felt like Spiderman (Tobey Maguire) getting carried over their heads after saving the folks at the teach from an coming near near crash. However this time, I used to be the only being stored, in addition to carried. 

The ultimate straw 

With their lend a hand, I used to be nonetheless a bit of hesitant, however I picked up my items and attempted to do one thing other for the October try. 

Was once it about information? What else was once I doing all the way through the examination? Someday, when you care for the information gaps (otherwise you suppose you probably did), it’s important to fear about your exam-taking enjoy and technique. 

I labored extra on my focus and on workouts to stay myself energetic. I introduced a number of candies, caffeine, and water and did many, many pushups all the way through the check. 

Each time I felt my thoughts was once slipping clear of me, I’d step up, do 20 pushups, stretch myself, wash my face, and are available again to my seat. 

All through the examination, I used to be eating power beverages, water, espresso, sourworms, and Nutella biscuits. I used to be happy I may just carry these items to the trying out room! 

I additionally introduced from my arsenal to the entire folks taking the examination with me. Maximum of them replied to my proposal with incredulous appears to be like and awkward silence. However a few them did get nearer. They were given Nutella crackers and an power drink, some sweets. 

This time my perspective wasn’t about passing the examination. It was once about taking part in the experience, doing my very best, and feeling happy with how some distance I’ve come. 

This time I didn’t really feel nervousness crawling over my shoulder all the way through the examination, being worried concerning the outcome. I used to be centered, entertained, and certain, all about taking part in myself whilst it came about. 

This time the nervousness wasn’t within the motive force’s seat. I felt superb, I felt calm (regardless of the irresponsible quantity of caffeine and sugar in my gadget), and I felt provide.  

There I used to be, telling Peter the way it was once, how I felt, what I noticed. I wasn’t positive if I handed, however I did my very best, and I used to be happy with it. I checked the effects someday after whilst sitting subsequent to my pals. To start with, I couldn’t imagine it, I believed the site was once damaged, and I may just no longer see the standard “FAIL” I used to be anticipating. 

I believed: “That is kaput, the place is my fail?”

I endured to go looking the ground proper aspect of the display. 

And there it was once, on the most sensible left of the display. It wasn’t damaged. It wasn’t incorrect. I truly handed, the whole lot was once all proper. 

It was once the tip of an technology, the closure I such a lot craved for. I may just no longer do anything however cry. I used to be all the time sufficient, I used to be all the time in a position, and the adventure in the end made sense.  

CCDE was once and will probably be, for me, essentially the most a success set of disasters I’ve ever encountered. And I’m happy with it, just like the quote attributed to Thomas A. Edison:

I’ve no longer failed. I’ve simply discovered 10,000 ways in which gained’t paintings.

—Thomas A. Edison

Assets

*The Cisco Qualified Design Skilled (CCDP) certification was once retired from the Cisco Certification program on February 23, 2020.

**The CCIE R&S, or Routing and Switching certification, migrated to the CCIE Endeavor Infrastructure certification on February 23, 2020.

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