Globalconfig.net

Sorry for the inconsistent posts as of late. There is no doubt that I am super busy since moving to IPexpert. Recently I have been working on the Volume 1 Video Solutions as well as the Audio Bootcamp for CCIE Security. It’s a ton of fun but consumes almost every free minute. I’m almost done and will be back soon. Until then you can find some other Cisco related posts at http://blog.ipexpert.com
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Mine is! I have the opportunity to take a really quick trip to San Jose and meet my new Boss and fellow instructors. I am really looking forward to it! 2010 is going to be a great year!

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.

As many of you have already heard I have accepted a position with Industry renowned IPexpert. I have had many good years working for Ascolta training and I thank them for all that they have supported me in over the years. They are some of the finest people I have ever met.

I will be finishing up my teaching schedule over the next few weeks at Ascolta but will be more active in the Online Study List for Security and R&S, as well as here on the blog.

As I look forward into 2010 I am excited to see the wonderful changes that will come about. I believe that 2010 is really going to rock.

Stay tuned for posts here related to my new task…CCIE R&S and CCIE Voice.

For a few days now I have been running a lightbox pop-up for those who have just visited my site.  The popup asks you to sign up for my eNewsletter.  I never really explained it, so here it is:

1. The Campaign will only run until may 15th.
2. After May 15th the eNewsletter popup will no longer appear.
3. Those that sign up for the eNewsletter will be enrolled in a drawing for a free signed copy of my Cisco Press book, CCNA Wireless Official Exam Certification Guide. (Drawing on June 1st)
4. You will receive a monthly newsletter filled with tips and tricks to help in your certification program.
5. You will get a special, “sneak peek,” of an upcoming publication soon to be released.

The Newsletter will cover tips for CCNA to CCIE level topics and will be sent once a month.  The content in the newsletter will not be the same content you find here on the blog.

Well thats about it.  If you missed the popup and wish to subscribe you can use the form on this page.

Over the Past Year I have tried to provide relevant information about the CCIE training that is out there as well as some of the updates to the CCIE Program itself. I have blogged about IPexpert as weIl as Internetwork Expert, and I’ve even talked about the new 360 Program.

Well, today I got an email, but I was unable to post about it earlier due to some family business I had to tend to. Here is what I was told:

Cisco today announced a major revision to its CCIE Routing & Switching (R&S) certification and the corresponding 360 Learning Program for R&S.

The update reflects the role of the expert in evaluating network changes; the growing use of IPv6 multicast, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and virtual private networks (VPNs) in the enterprise and the updating of lab equipment. Advances in testing include assessment of hands-on troubleshooting skills and the addition of scenario-based questions in the written examination.

This is very exciting news. In fact, over the next few months I will be evaluating the Cisco 360 Program as well as some of the other Vendor Programs.

To stay current with my posts you can subscribe to my RSS Feed or you could subscribe by email, follow me on twitter, or even friend me on Facebook. Check out my subscribe page for details. Either way, I’ll keep you all posted on my opinions.

If you have any thoughts why not share them in the comments section?

Status Update: Yesterday the IPexpert CCIE Security 1-Week Lab Experience Exam Four Kicked my butt. I think I accomplished about 59 points on my own and then after checking realized that I would have missed 8 points on stupid stuff that I missed.

Today I am moving on to the IPexpert Workbook (version 4.1) Section 18 lab. I guess we’ll see how this one goes. I’ve never done this one before.

Here goes nothing….

Today I am starting an 8 hour Mock Lab. I’ll be working on IPexpert CCIE Security 1-Week Lab Experience – Exam Four. I left my phone in another room. I’ve turned off all notifiers. I’ve brought in a 5-hour energy shot for later, a cup of coffee, and I have a lab book sitting in front of me that I have never looked at. I have 3 sheets of white paper, a hand full of pencils that I don’t normally use, and ear plugs. This week I will not be updating my blog on Network World, Facebook account, or Twitter account, aside from the notification of my posts here which I will do before I start each day. I can’t even come close to explaining how I feel right now. My nerves are kicking in and I just want this to be over with.

Time to dive in.

Boy was that one fun. I am feeling better when it comes to VPN and my methodology of progressing through the lab. I still am concerned that some random VPN configuration is going to sneak up on me but at this point, all I can do is hope for the best. I have 6 days left until my lab. I have to travel today so I will not be able to get back on the labs until tomorrow morning.

I am now at the point where the lab is making me nervous. Still I want to get this thing out of the way so I can move on to some other projects that I have been itching to do. I guess we’ll see how it goes. Tomorrow I start IPexpert CCIE Security 1-Week Experience Lab 4. I’m hoping to knock it out in 8 hours.

Finished IPexpert CCIE Security 1-week lab experience- Exam One.  That was tough.  The biggest issue I had was that the ASA2 is backwards in the diagram (inside vs- outside) so nothing I configured matched the solution; it was all backwards.  Oh well.  I learned that there are certain things that will require proctor verification.

Another thing I learned is that I hate NAC.  So much work!

Tomorrow morning I’ll reset the rack and load the starting configurations for Exam two.  This next one I want to be done with by Friday.

That’s it for now.

Well it’s Sunday night and my wife is crashed out on the couch next to me.  I’ve spend most of the afternoon trying to finish up the IPexpert 1-Week Lab Experience Lab 1.  I’ts not going to happen tonight but I am confident that it will be done by tomorrow evening.  Last week was really hectic and I didn’t get in nearly as much lab time as I wanted to.  I sat the CIPT1v6.0 course, and while it was a lot of fun, I should have spent my time on the labs.  But alas, work has to happen- and I have to teach CIPT1 in the next few months.

Another thing that impeded the flow of my week has been the guest blogging at Network World.  Don’t get me wrong- I like blogging there and I will probably continue on after the month is over, but again, it cut into my study time.

Oh, and then there is the Webinar that I held on Wednesday afternoon regarding the CCNA Wireless.  That was a blast!  If you attended (or missed it) and want to know where the recording is just hang in there. It will be posted this coming week.

Anyhow- some milestones this week:

• DMVPN just got a lot easier.
• I couldn’t stand the fact that my pod was running 8.x on the ASA’s so I downgraded them to 7.2.  Anyhow take the lab lately?  If so, are the pods still running 7.2?  Someone mentioned that they may upgrade them in preparation for the new blueprint.  I hope not.
• My 9 month old (almost 10) started taking steps.  If you are a friend on Facebook you may have seen the video….that was a highlight of my weekend.
• I’m sure there are more but I cant think straight.

That’s about it for this post.  By the end of the week my goals are:

• Finish 2 more labs, probably Lab 2 and 3 of the 1-week Lab Experience.
• I’m teaching CCNP1 (BSCI and BCMSN) so I want to get lab time in early morning- that means I need to be up by 5am.
• 2 more posts on NetworkWorld.  I have to take care of the CCNA wireless candidates.
• Work on CiscoLive Presentation. I think I’m doing a Tech Session in SF this year.

And finally- I need to book flights for a trip to Phoenix next week and Lake Oswego, Oregon the week after.  Man I’m swamped!

Cheers!