This visitor publish was authored by Cisco Designated VIP Christian Kellerer.
Should you’re an aspiring CCIE, you realize that attaining this prestigious certification requires laborious work, self-discipline, and persistence. My identify is Chris Kellerer, and as a Cisco Studying Community VIP, I’ve efficiently climbed the Cisco certification mountain from backside to high. I hope that my story offers worthwhile perception and inspiration that can assist you attain your individual CCIE certification objectives.
From apprentice to discovering Cisco certifications
My networking journey started after I completed my apprenticeship in 2014, however I used to be nonetheless not sure of my long-term profession path at that time. Then, in 2017, I discovered myself working alongside a CCIE-certified contractor on a fancy networking venture.
He patiently taught me superior networking applied sciences corresponding to NX-OS, ASA, FirePOWER, ISE, and PRIME. After sharing his personal CCIE Lab expertise, it was the recommendation he gave subsequent that began my certification journey.
“Should you actually wish to turn out to be licensed, you want the fervour for it and should do it step-by-step. Begin on the backside. First, get your CCNA, after which in the event you’re nonetheless , do the CCNP. Lastly, in the event you actually wish to dig deep, get the CCIE.”
That’s what began me down the trail to certification.
Tackling the primary hurdles: CCNA and CCNP
Utilizing Cisco whitepapers and official E-learning programs, I started my CCNA Routing & Switching research (now merely referred to as the CCNA) in early 2018. I accomplished it in simply six months. After passing the exams, I instantly dove proper into the CCNP Routing & Switching (now CCNP Enterprise) certification, finishing it by March 2019.
I discovered TSHOOT to be essentially the most pleasant examination, and on reflection, it felt like a teeny-tiny child model of the CCIE lab examination. Whereas passing the exams boosted my confidence, I used to be nonetheless unsure about my profession course.
Cisco Dwell and the redesigned CCIE Certification Program
My journey was not with out its roadblocks. Regardless of my early success with CCNA and CCNP, it was at this level that I discovered myself caught and unsure about my profession path. Not solely was the CCIE blueprint intimidating, but it surely additionally felt considerably outdated from a expertise viewpoint.
I ended learning for a number of months. Nonetheless, that each one modified when Cisco Dwell 2019 introduced the readability and motivation I wanted to proceed. That 12 months, Cisco introduced the approaching of a redesigned certification program, together with the successor to the CCIE Routing & Switching: The newly named CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure (CCIE EI) observe.
The up to date blueprint included conventional networking whereas additionally introducing trendy subjects like SDx and programming/automation. That’s the second I turned decided to take the following step and earn my CCIE.
The CCIE lab examination: First, second, and third makes an attempt
My first try on the CCIE Lab in October 2020 was a nerve-wracking expertise. Though I felt ready for some facets, I felt underprepared for others.
I discovered myself battling the duties, going by them in an unordered sequence—to not point out the massive variety of duties was intimidating. The redesigned CCIE program added to the problem, because the new lab surroundings was nonetheless in its early phases. Dissatisfied in my efficiency, I obtained the information that I had failed each modules. The failure hit me laborious, and with the lab’s uncertainty as a result of pandemic, I ended learning for a number of months.
After I restarted my research in January 2021, I used to be extra decided than ever. This time, I developed a “easy” 7-step technique for the CCIE lab examination itself:
- Learn the fabric.
- Learn the fabric once more.
- Reply the query.
- Learn the fabric once more.
- Test the reply.
- Learn the fabric once more.
- Recheck the reply.
My second try in July 2021 went higher than the primary, however as I approached the two.5-hour mark within the DOO module, I panicked. I noticed I had made some errors and carried out some illogical issues which induced me to expire of time and solely end 2/3 of the duties.
After the second lab, I once more knew I had failed but it surely was due to easy errors and overconfidence. However after I obtained my scores the following morning, I noticed my preparation had massively elevated my scores this time round: I handed the DESIGN module, however nonetheless failed the DOO module.
For my third try in September 2021, I booked the examination simply seven days after the second strive.
The additional preparation paid off. The DESIGN module went effectively, and I felt assured approaching the DOO module. Regardless of getting caught at one level, I pushed by.
On the very finish, with solely 25 minutes on the clock and nearly not one of the duties having been reviewed, I made a daring determination. I made a decision to save lots of the operating configuration to the startup configuration for each gadget, ensuring they have been all in privileged EXEC mode, and used the remaining time to do at the very least just a little little bit of configuration verification. With solely 10 seconds to spare, I hit the Finish Examination button.
After my greatest try but, I obtained the information by 5 p.m. that very same day. I had handed the examination and earned my CCIE EI certification! The journey had been lengthy and difficult, however the setbacks solely made the win extra satisfying.
Life after CCIE: Embracing new alternatives and private objectives
Turning into a CCIE requires laborious work, self-discipline, and persistence. It wasn’t with out its challenges, to not point out the substantial funding of time, vitality, and price. With my CCIE in hand and newfound free time, I’ve rediscovered my outdated hobbies and passions of taking part in piano… and eventually getting again to my personal life. I’m excited to find the place my studying journey will take me subsequent. I’ll at all times be grateful to the CCIE contractor who launched me to the world of Cisco certification.
Should you’re thinking about pursuing a CCIE certification your self, I invite you to learn CCIE Research Supplies, Prices, and Preparation Ideas. There yow will discover my research suggestions, price breakdowns, and different helpful suggestions that I gathered alongside my very own CCIE certification journey. I additionally made my lab notes obtainable to everybody at cice.cknetworking.de. Whether or not you’re simply beginning out or effectively into your research, I hope you discover these assets useful in your pursuit of this difficult certification. Better of luck!
Hear Christian Kellerer inform the story of how he turned CCIE #65551 on the Cisco Studying Community Podcast.
Be part of the Cisco Studying Community at present totally free.
Observe Cisco Studying & Certifications
Twitter | Fb | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube
Use #CiscoCert to affix the dialog.
Learn subsequent: “What It Takes to Grow to be a CCIE” by Yusuf Bhaiji, Director of Cisco Certifications. Learn weblog.
Share:
