This one covers Crypto Map configurations for a site-to-site VPN between two routers.  In the second video I’ll cover the VTI configuration for comparison.

Useful Links:
Become a Member
How to Configure IPSec VPN’s (Cisco.com)

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Looking back at 2002-2004

Back in 2003 I was fired up with Cisco fever. I had taken the CCNA twice (and passed both times, once as a student and once as an instructor). I had also taken and passed the CCNP twice, again as an instructor and a student. I also was certified as a CSS-1, which was the Security Certification at the time. At this point I had NEVER failed a Cisco exam. Like I said, I was on fire. But it wasn’t enough. I wanted more. I wanted the CCIE. So, I took the CCIE R&S written exam sometime around late 2002 or early 2003. I failed. This was new territory for me. So I hunkered down and passed it on the second attempt. I was READY for that lab…or was I?

Getting a Book Contract

I went to Austin Texas for a Train-the-Trainer on Managing Cisco Network Security (MCNS) and in the TTT with me was Andy Fox , Earl Carter, and Dave Chapman. We talked at lunch and I told them how awesome I thought it was that they had written for Cisco Press. They encouraged me to do the same, gave me some much needed guidance, and sent me on my way. So I went back to the hotel room, wrote up a proposal and sent it to Cisco Press. In fact, I used their web site to guide my proposal.
About three months later I got an email from Brett Bartow and the deal became real. But… I still had this CCIE thing to do.

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In other news….I have 1 class left at Ascolta- SNAA, which is advanced ASA training. A week of VPN with certificates lies ahead of me.

Also 2 for 1 vRack time this weekend at ipexpert. If you didnt catch their post on Facebook you can Email sales@proctorlabs.com to take advantage!

Time for me to hop on an R&S rack and lab a bit.

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As for me, it has been crazy.  At one point in time I had 13 people in my house.  Now that all the visitors are gone and things are settled down I am getting back into the swing of things.  I’ve done some light studies for R&S and it looks like the CCIE in 90 days is not going to work out.  That’s ok with me, I wouldn’t feel like it was quality study time anyhow and going to take the lab would be like throwing 1400 bucks away.  I’m going to slow things up a bit.  Not because I want to, but because I have to.

The work front is interesting.  I have been at home since Cisco Live and don’t have travel scheduled until the last week of August.  I’ve been asked to pick up some of the voice classes, which brings me back to the issue I had before about whether I should work on the Voice or the R&S CCIE.  The R&S classes that I teach keep coming up, QOS next week and BGP in a few weeks, but at the same time I have to focus some of my learning time on what my job requires which is Voice.  So I am working in the CIPT1 course and getting certified to teach it.  It’s mostly all CUCM so it’s not too bad to study but it’s different when you are learning how to teach something versus how the technology works to impliment it.  It also cuts into my R&S study time.  Who knows if I will ever find the right balance.  In the mean time I will jump back and forth between R&S and Voice Studies.  I have the IPexpert BLS for both and plan on getting both of those CCIE Certifications someday.

Also, since everyone talked so highly of it, my wife and I have started P90x.  1-week down and I’m feeling pretty good.

Well thats if for now.  I hope to have some more technology focused posts in the near future.  Until then…study hard!

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So, will I get it done? Can I actually get the R&S done in 90 days. Unlikely. I have much respect for those that have, but I have found that as I study the IPexpert material on the BLS there is much that I don’t know. I’m not saying that I can’t do it, I am just saying that 90 days may be a little unreasonable after all. There are of course multiple factors that play into this.

1. Getting a Lab date is tough right now since the lab is changing.
2. My schedule is hectic.
3. My family has to come first.
4. I have a lot to learn still.

So, I’m not going to give up, but I’m putting things into perspective.  I guess I’ll have to see how things go.  I haven’t even made it out of volume 1 of the workbooks yet, and that scares me!

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It’s still a lot to pick through but at least its filtered a but.

Another issue that I want to spend some time on is Etherchannel. I had an issue with one leg coming up. The fix ended up being that I had to remove the Etherchannel and create it again. Still I found a good Cisco doc on troubleshooting it.

Thats all for now….back to my studies.

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CCIE R&S in 90 days only using IPexperts End-to-End Program and the Cisco Doc Cd

Yes, you read it correctly. I plan on doing the CCIE R&S in 90 days using nothing but IPexpert products and Cisco Documentation. My study materials will include:

• Volume 1 Lab Workbook & Proctor Guide
• Volume 2 Lab Workbook & Proctor Guide
• Lab Mentoring Kit with Video Tutorials
• Video on Demand Lecture Series
• Audio Lecture on Demand
• Proctor Labs™ Online Rack Access
• 10 days of intense training in an IPexpert classroom facility

I’ll also be using the Online Study List for R&S (Maintained by IPexpert), and of course, the Doc Cd.

I think its going to be interesting and I know others have gone down this path before. You may be familiar with Tassos who has done it in 3 months. The difference between us is that this will make two labs passed in one year. That is, if I can do it!

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If you haven’t already, head on over and give Joe a pat on the back. Also, read about his experience. It’s a long road if you are just starting out but totally worth it in the end.

Again, Congrats Joe!

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If you’re preparing for your CCIE R&S, Voice or Security, and your training budget is a concern, be sure to review our May 2009 promotion. Throughout this month only, our online (live – instructor led) virtual classes (and bundled vClasses & our complete self-study end-to-end / BLS) are discounted if you reference the following discount code: MD05VSR (in order to receive this promotion pricing please contact one of our CCIE-focused Training Advisors directly. • Telephone: 1.810.326.1444 x 206 • Email: mdown@ipexpert.com • Live Chat: www.ipexpert.com/chat Promotion Pricing: Track vClass Pricing Bundled (BLS + vClass) R&S * $999.00 $1,499.00 Voice * $1,499.00 $2,999.00 Security * $1,499.00 $1,999.00 * vClass dates priced at the promotional rates are as follows: R&S: June 15th – 19th, August 31st – September 4th Voice: September 7th – 11th, November 16th – 20th Security: June 29th – July 3rd, October 19th – 23rd

So what’s the big deal?

Well, look at the R&S pricing. It’s 999.00 for the vClass but if you add the BLS you get it for only 500 bucks more.

Here is the big deal- thats all their workbooks, solutions, video-on-demand, and audio bootcamp plus an class in the vClass environment. This saves you so much money- you dont have to travel, you dont have to waste time just getting there, and you don’t have to worry about missing something an instructor said because the class is recorded.

Anyhow, the pricing on Voice and Security isn’t too bad either, but R&S really stood out for me.  If you haven’t seen the BLS, head over to the demo on the IPexpert web site.  Just click the image to go there now!

I have the CCIE Voice BLS, but maybe I’ll try to take the voice vClass. I could really use that!  I think I want to pass the R&S, Voice, and Wireless by end of 2010.  Anyone think I can do it?

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