December 6, 2007
Cisco Certified People Can Get Juniper Certified...Free?
Juniper is evil...at least, that's what my Cisco-brainwashed mind thought until I spoke with someone who really knew how to work with Juniper routers. After about an hour, I was amazed at some of the software features (their software is called JUNOS) they have implemented. It seems as though Juniper can do most everything Cisco can, but with a more efficient interface to work with. Ever since then, I've been looking for a way to get into the Juniper world...Google Ads to the rescue :o)
Just this morning, a Google Ad at the top of my own site caught my eye. It was an ad FROM Juniper saying that Cisco people can get Juniper certified for free. After clicking the add, I found out that it's true! Here's the process:
1. Go to the Juniper Cisco certification page: http://www.juniper.net/training/fasttrack
2. Get access to their free E-Learning courses
3. Pass a pre-qualification exam and get a FREE voucher for Sylvan Prometric to take the exam
4. Pass the Sylvan exam and get Juniper certified
I've got to say, this is one of the coolest policies I've ever seen a company implement.
Posted by JC at 8:20 AM | Comments (17) | TrackBack
December 5, 2007
Want to take a Cisco Exam? Smile!!!
Interesting new information from Cisco on their updated certification security. Certification exam takers will now be required to take a digital photograph and give a digital signature at VUE exam centers:
Cisco and Pearson VUE Improve Security Innovations in Global Test Delivery
...
Cisco is now requiring that all VUE test centers delivering Cisco certification exams collect digital photos and digital signatures during the admissions process, in addition to the current identification requirements. This new layer of identity authentication will help to ensure candidate identity and result in increased assurance that individuals are presenting accurate certification records in the marketplace. The new authentication technology will be implemented in phases around the globe over the next year.
I'm curious if this will really help in securing the exam information itself. It seems to me that the main problem is not people taking tests for each other, but rather, practice test organizations (I will refrain from mentioning which ones) releasing actual copies of the questions on the exam.
Posted by JC at 10:30 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
October 30, 2007
ICND1, ICND2, and CCNA Exam Review
Alright test-takers...The November 6th date is approaching quickly and the old INTRO/ICND exam path is due to expire. I've been working on three new books for Exam Cram for the new CCENT/CCNA certification path and have taken the new ICND1, ICND2, and CCNA exams. While I hate "brain dumps" of tests (I think it completely devalues the certification and the intelligence of the person taking the exam), I do like having general study guidelines before walking into an exam blindly. So, for those of you preparing to attack these new exams, here's what I have found...
ICND1 (90 Minutes, 50-60 Questions)
- Subnetting, Subnetting, Subnetting: You've got to be a subnetting superstar to pull off may of the questions.
- Sim City: Many simulations / testlets that really test the full scope of your knowledge on a topic. They also have a new simulation style that has not been on Cisco exams previously where you have many self-containing windows that you can resize and place around the screen to your liking. Network Diagrams, multiple switch/router connections. I was impressed!
- General feel: I personally thought this exam was more difficult than ICND2. It's one of those tests where I walked away thinking, "if you REALLY don't know how networks work, you won't pass that exam." Good job on this one Cisco!
ICND2 (75 Minutes, 45-55 Questions)
- Troubleshooting Central: Many of the questions were focused on fixing broken networks. Understanding what information your show commands display is extremely helpful.
- NAT Rules the World: With NAT becoming a critical piece of nearly any network, Cisco has added more and more NAT syntax to the CCNA-realm. You must master NAT command-line implementations and troubleshooting before taking on this exam.
- General feel: This test definitely went faster than ICND1 and required a deeper understanding of the topics (thus the plethora of troubleshooting questions).
The New CCNA All-in-One (90 Minutes, 50-60 Questions)
- SPEED Central: This exam had many of the same questions I encountered in ICND1/ICND2, but they were the more difficult, time-consuming questions. You've got to know your stuff and be able to do it quickly.
- General feel: Tough all-in-one exam. Not as many simulations, but the few I did get were very difficult. They took an "almost CCIE-like" feel of restricting how you can do things. For example, you might be required to gather information about a device, but the simulation disables the "show run" command so you have to be more intuitive to the information displayed by other show commands.
Hopefully this gives you a good idea of what you're getting into when pursuing the CCENT and CCNA certifications! Good luck!
Posted by JC at 5:46 AM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
October 8, 2007
Cheap Cisco Exams
One of my students passed on this website to me: http://www.getcertify4less.com/cisco.asp. Apparently you can get Cisco VUE exam vouchers at a fraction of the price provided you are scheduling your exam soon. He said he used it and it worked great for him - I haven't had the chance yet. Seems pretty awesome - exams at half price - Not bad!
Posted by JC at 5:07 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack