Globalconfig.net

I don’t usually have a quote of the day but I’ve finished reading “Ready for Anything” by David Allen.  If you are not familiar with David Allen he is basically an Efficiency coach.  He wrote a book called “Getting Things Done” which I read about 14 months ago.  I really enjoyed that book and it helped to break up the monotony of my CCIE study.  Because of that I decided to read his other book in my spare time.

At any rate, the point is that I came across this quote in there that made me re-think how I have studied in the past, and how I plan on studying in the future.

Ready?

Here it is:

It’s possible to own too much stuff.  A man with one watch knows what time it is.  A man with two watches is never quite sure.

- Lee Segall

So now you may be asking what the point is.  Well, here is the tie in to you Certification studies:

When you search Amazon for the word CCNA it returns 1440 books and Google has 13,900,000 results for the same keyword.

The point is, there is so much information out there, but only so much on the test.  You don’t need it all.

So what should you do?

Pick one!

Wow, did I really say that?  Yes I did.  So, If you are going to pick a book, I recommend the CCNA Official Exam Certification guide by Wendell Odom.  Wendell has a great writing style and his book comes with a Test Engine that you can use to practice and get this…it’s Cisco Certified Material.  You dont have to worry about the folks at Certguard tracking you down and accusing you of Cheating and you dont have to worry about Cisco pulling your cert after you have passed the test.  Here is a link to the CCNA Exam guide:

Often times you may have rack time only to find that much of it is wasted away. At the end of the session you sit asking yourself where all your time went. Here are  12 Ways to Get the Most out of Lab Time:

1. Download the pre-configuration files from whatever vendor you are using ahead of time.  There is no reason why you shouldn’t have them prior to starting you lab.
2. Choose the scenario you want to work on prior to the start of your lab time.
3. Once you have the scenario selected look at the default (pre-) configurations for that lab.  Add things to them like the “no shut” command on interfaces you need to use or the “enable” and “config t” commands at the beginning of the configuration file.  This makes it faster when you past the configurations into an empty router.
4. Write a perl or expect script. You can quickly write a perl or expect script to log in and load a configuration.  This automates much of the initial process.  More lab time for you!
5. Don’t waste your lab time reading the lab. You should have already done this.  Lab time is Lab time.
6. Put it on the calendar and set a reminder. If its in writing and you are reminded about it you are more likely to start on time.  You are committed.
7. Shut the door. If you study at home let your family know that you will be busy for a while and shut the door.
8. Go to a coffee shop: This gets you away from the demands of the family.
9. If you study at Work then put a sign up that tells people you are busy.
10. Shut off your phone.
11. Turn off your email.
12. If you are using a Mac you can download “Isolator” to block out distracting windows.  This brings focus to just your terminal window.  If you are using Windows try DropCloth.

So- What do you think?  How do you make lab time more effective?

I think every CCIE candidate goes through a time like I am right now. At least, they do when they pass. Its been about a month since I passed the lab in RTP and since then it has been really difficult for me to blog about anything. I know this sucks for CCNA Wireless candidates because my blog over at Network World is suffering as well. The thing is, I am really unmotivated right now. I know there are a number of new and exciting things I want to do, like going after a second CCIE, but its really hard to keep posting when your mind is numb.

Things at Ascolta have been really interesting lately. People have moved on and others have moved in. One of the most respected instructors I know, Roger McLain, is now a full time instructor at Ascolta. He also just started using Twitter so be sure to follow him.

On another note, I noticed Mike Down is up to his usual making mad deals at IPexpert. Its good to have him back. I just noticed a Weekend Only Voice Bootcamp deal. If I have the funds and the time I would jump all over this deal. I took the CCIE Security Boot Camp with Jared Scrivener and It was top notch. It was really a big part of my passing the lab. I learned invaluable information from Jared. If you are planning on taking a class soon I would really check it out- Its a great deal. It looks like its $2,999.00 for the class and when you consider the level of the training you cant compare to that. If you were to just take a CIPT1 or CIPT2 class, or even a CVOICE class you would spend that on just one class.

Speaking of CIPT1, my CIPT1 class that I was supposed to teach was just postponed. Bummer!

And finally, next week is going to be really interesting. Next week I am teaching a QOS class in Lake Oswego, Or. What is really interesting is that I will have 6 students in front of me and one on Webex. I’ve never taught a “simulcast” class before. Have any of you readers been in a class like this? If so, what did you like and what did you NOT like? I welcome any tips you may have. I’m excited about it because we just got upgraded to the new version of Webex, WBS27. The interface is awesome and it now supports video for the MAC.

Right now I have been recommending the book: Cisco QOS Exam Certification Guide (IP Telephony Self-Study) (2nd Edition)
by Wendell Odom. If you want to tear apart the majority of Cisco QOS tools this is a great book that covers the course and exam objectives.