Most of us think them, but many of us don't finish. Spend more time with the kids. Lose weight. Watch less TV. (Eat more? Watch more TV?) Now that it's a week into the new year, I imagine that many of us have made our resolutions for the year, and maybe even already given up on a few. For my first post of the year, I wanted to offer a few resolutions related to certifications and this blogspace, and ask about any your certification-related resolutions.
I'll start with you. Did you resolve to get a Cisco cert this year? Any ones in particular?
I'll give you both an anonymous (answer the poll) and public (post) way to voice your resolution. Also, I'd be curious about any other technology-related resolutions - to get some non-Cisco cert, to work on a particular skill, or something else.
In case it helps, I'll ask again about your certification resolutions throughout the year, and get a read on your progress. Having a little accountability, even informal, can help us all stay on track. Also, if there's anything that I can post here that helps in your progress, just ask!
For me, I've got a resolution for this blog and for myself with certifications. For the blog, I've resolved to focus more on topics of practical help towards getting various certifications. What barriers exist that slow you down or prevent you from getting a particular Cisco cert? Let me know, and if can be addressed through a blog, I'll do my best to do so. To begin, I'll spend some time early this year talking about how to build a lab for various Cisco certifications.
Personally, I've resolved to get a CCVP, and if there's any time left in 2008 at that point, start on CCNP. Like a lot of folks, I've spent a lot of time around the technology associated with both of these certs, but I've never had a reason to study, fill in the gaps in knowledge, and take the exams. I'm hoping to get a little perspective on the professional level certifications in the process, which should help me when teaching and writing. I'll keep you posted on progress.
Next post I'll begin making progress on my first resolution - let me know about your resolutions and progress as well.
Odom, CCIE No, 1624, splits time between writing books for Cisco Press and teaching classes for Skyline ATS. In his 25-ish years in the networking industry, he has worked as as a pre-sale and post-sale SE for a few networking vendors, as well as a network engineer implementing network technology. Wendell has spent the majority of the last 15 years teaching, consulting, and writing about networking technologies, most of which in some way relate to Cisco products. His books include titles on QoS, CCIE R/S, as well as several titles related to CCNA certification, including the September 2007 book CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (CCNA Exam 640-802) (Read a sneak peek of chapter 7). Click for the list of current titles by Wendell.
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Certification resolutions
I'm sitting on a CCNA right now and I'm shooting for both the CCNP and CCDP certifications this year. That ends up being 6 tests over the course of the year. I think it's both aggressive, yet achievable.
I've already started the studying process for the BSCI. I should be taking the test mid-February.
Good luck to all who are resolving to get a cert or develop a new skill in 2008!
Need help
Hi
I am IP/MPLS engineering and i have CCNP/CCIP
When i look back i see that i waste my time because every time i have changed my plan
I relay wanted to get CCIE-SP . I don't link CCIE-RS
The main barriers that slow down my prgress in getting new certifications are
1.CCIE need money for LAB preperation and LAB exam
2.CCIE study needs time and when i come home i am tired and i can no study
3.What changes will happen when i get CCIE ? i have my job as IP engineer and they never ask me for my CCIE
4.I worked with juniper boxes and i am going to start working in new company that use Juniper boxes so maybe i should create plan and try to get JNCIE
5.Family plus other life activities
So these all are the reasons that after 2 years of my last certificrtion i did not get new one and i still don;t know should i go for certification on not and if yes which one cisco or juniper
thx
Something to think about
I think you need to look at what you'd like to do 5-10 years down the road first. When you think about that, would a new certification help you get there? Are there other ways to get there without a new certification?
You may need to do some research about what qualifications employers are looking for in the positions that you want to work towards. Maybe a certification will put you in a strong position to achieve your employment goals. Maybe it won't make much of a difference.
Once you've figured out what sort of advantage a new certification will give you in meeting your goals, it's time to weigh out the cost versus the reward. Will it be worth the time, money, and other sacrifices?
Hopefully this can help you out in your decision making process.
CCIE - time/benefit
Pooria,
I agree, the time committment for CCIE is significant. Just sitting around noodling on a piece of paper, some peers and I figured on 1000 hours of effort, assuming the person was a CCNP and remembered what was on CCNP. So, the time/cost/benefit curve is a tough one. However, I've talked to a lot of CCIEs, and they all agreed that having CCIE helped their careers significantly. The bigger question is where you want to go with your careeer, as another respondent mentioned. But I can feel your pain - I got my CCIE when single/no kids, and frankly doubt I would spend the time today (married/kids) to get a first CCIE.
No certs yet...
I am 28 and have managed to maneuver into a sr network admin spot at a national company. I have no certs and am not sure what I want to get, but I need too like last month!! I was thik N+ maybe to get real quick like then CCNA. I don't know.
?
If you are as you said a 'senior network administrator at a national company' I don't see how the Network+ or CCNA would get you anywhere. Your employer and peers should expect that you already have that knowledge and there should be no reason you couldn't pass either of those exams without study. Aim higher.
MaxProphet's right on, depending on what your title means
James,
I concur with MaxProhet - if you're already a "senior network admin", I'd say ignore Network+, and get CCNA only as a precursor to CCNP/CCIP/CCVP/CCSP (you pick'em). However, if your actual duties are less than 50% network infrastructure, and more focused on platform support, datacenter (from server perspectives more than route/switch/content distribution), I'd back off that, and say that CCNA could be minorly helpful.
Juniper is the future
2008 will be a test of survivability in a hostile internet and I see Juniper dominating in anything internet facing such as internet core routing, customer edge routing, firewall and VPN so those areas will be my focus for 2008 certifications. Being an all Cisco shop their equipment (7600/6500 and down) is only suited for an inside protected LAN/WAN as we have come to realize that their equipment tend to melt from even small scale denial-of-service, crafted packets, vulnerabilities, etc.
Resolution Set Back w/Embarrassment
Resolution Set Back
I just sat for recertification of my CCNA, I missed it. That is OK though. I know where I am weak, and I am fairly sure of the steps to over come those short comings. Being the father of three, time is limited and demands for me to spread myself over many things. My current employment does not involve truly any routing and switching. Yes I have basic TACACS access in to almost all of one of the divisions of gear in the field, for very basic checking for latency and what not. My plans are to complete my CCNA (with in two more weeks) my CCNP & CCSP. I have set all the classes several years ago for my CCNP and tested and received my CIT. I am noticing that much of the new 640-802 is some of the things from my CCNP classes over 5 years ago. I have several routers and switches, (2500’s (6 total), 2621, 2 x 3550’s, 2924 XL, 1912 & a 1750 (w/VIC & WIC).
Two problems, 1 outdated IOS versions & two I have forgotten so much… I have purchased the CCNA library and am reviewing it again. Is there a legal way to get current IOS version for my device for my lab & two what may be the best router for relearning and setting up my lab. I am feeling that rereading the books will be a good start.
Oh smart one point me in the right direction…
JC, Well, I can offer a few
JC,
Well, I can offer a few thoughts. First, I'm no lawyer, and I've never really read the legal licensing stuff for IOS. However, I think it's restricted enough so that when you buy used gear, the license doesn't follow the sale, ie, I think that's technically illegal. If you buy "Certified Refurbished" gear from a Cisco partner, then I believe the IOS on the box when purchased is legal. Then, to upgrade, you need a current maintenance contract on the device to be able to upgrade. But, big disclaimer, I'm no lawyer - just what I believe to be true. So, you'd need to have gear that was originally purchased from Cisco or a partner, still under maintenace, or the same with certified refurbished, to be able to legally upgrade - unless you have some other contract with Cisco that has blanket coverage for such things.
Ignoring the legality, you can download software from Cisco.com if you have a login that shows you as having at least 1 device under maintenance. You can buy used (eg EBay), and use the software already on the device. So, what to get? Well, if you look here (http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/24916), you'll see links to a whole series I did on CCNA lab tradeoffs. Short version - if you want the very latest IOS, 3640 and 2600XM models seem to be a good price/value tradeoff. However, for CCNA today, you can get 2600 non-XMs for less then $100 on Ebay, and they could have as late as 12.3 IOS, which is likely to be plenty current for CCNA today - you might miss a few things. Or, spend a little more for 2600XMs, 3640s, or even more recent models. The link above gives more detail on it.
And yes, reading the latest books should help - there's a lot changed on the exams since last time you looked at them.
Hope this helps!
Wendell