First off, let me preface this post by saying that passed the CCIE R&S written exam today. This does not qualify me as a CCIE R&S, rather it does two things for me: 1. It renews my CCIE Security certification for another two years. 2. It qualifies me to schedule and attempt the CCIE R&S lab exam. So, in a nutshell, thats my reasons for taking the written exam. But I have to admit, I’ve been here before…kinda.

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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