Tag Archives: ccna

targets for 2010

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Not new year’s resolutions because they are so last year, and I think they are tainted with a stigma which means that no-one really expects you to follow through with them. But I do have targets. I’m thinking that if I list them here where they can be viewed forever, and if I publish an update every month as to my progress, I might actually think about trying to achieve them. Probably rubbish, but it’s worth a punt. Here goes:

  • Finish repair and decoration of the house
  • Move house
  • Achieve CCIP (Cisco Certified Internetworks Expert) certification
  • Become an accomplished CCNA (CC Network Associate) instructor
  • Stay fit
  • Stop biting my nails
  • Run two 5k races and another 10k race (hopefully with my pal Chris)
  • See 6 London shows (at least one every couple of months)

I’m not going to beat myself up if I don’t meet them or things change, so let’s see how I get on with it. I might also update the list too, as I’m sure there are more things I want to do than that.

network update

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Here at EIS towers things have moved a little bit.  I realise that I’ve not updated for a while so I thought I’d throw this out there to keep things ticking over!

We have been given the go-ahead to implement a new Cisco based network here at work and the kit has been ordered.  Next phase will be configuration and implementation, and this may take a while as there are debates over how we should implement things.

It’s still exciting though, in terms of the opportunity to implement what is a greenfield network, and also for the unit to have a network which works how it should and meets our business needs (which we don’t really have now, if we’re honest).

There is also some slight forward motion in the service which we have been touting for schools too.  A school is desperate to move ahead with things but we haven’t yet got contractual stuff sorted out.  Ho hum, hopefully we’ll get there.

In other news, I passed my CCNA Security test this weekend.  I think I’m going to concentrate on the BGP aspect of obtaining the CCIP next, then the MPLS.

ccnp training course

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I’m now away at a training centre in Bedford, a long way from home.  I’m here to do my Cisco CCNP course, but not in the conventional manner.  I’m here on a boot camp style training course – 13 days solid training, 14 hours per day.  Usually the CCNP is done over four, one week courses.  There are four exams to pass, which here are built into the course structure, but usually are taken in your own time once you have completed your week and had time to revise.

I’m very much excited, but also quite anxious about underachieving.  I am fairly knowledgeable on the subject matter and work in a job that this is useful for, but I currently have little applied practical experience, mostly I deal in theoretical practicalities.

I completed the CCNA in April 2007 and managed that relatively comfortably (although had to re-take due to missing a whole chunk of questions on a multi-question page and failing my first attempt by 0.1%), and since then have had further exposure to different technologies, so I’m hopeful that I’m at a level where I won’t get left behind.

I’m doing the training through Firebrand and this course is based at Wyboston Lakes.  Although I’ve just arrived and haven’t really look around properly yet it would seem to be quite a nice place.  Let’s hope I still feel the same way in two weeks time when I’m finishing up…

Sadly I won’t have any real opportunity to update my blog or Twitter while I’m here as I think the 14 hours each day will take it out of me, and I’m going to need all the energy I can save to help me through the experience.  I’ll give an update though when I’m done, and give some feedback on the boot camp experience and the quality of the course so folks thinking of giving it a shot have an idea of what to expect.

See you in two weeks…..