My CCIE Journey

Hi all,

This journey was a long one. I got introduced into this field back in 2012. Back then, I knew nothing about Nexus or anything about a data center or never been to one. And I was thrown into this new project/assignment of a datacenter build involving N7Ks, N5Ks, N2Ks.

This assignment was a big one involving some 3000 servers (both physical and virtual). I was overwhelmed and mesmerized at the same time thinking about what one could achieve out of a build like this.

I would read about the technologies (vPC, EvPC, etc.) and then implement them the next day. I have to say, it was not easy and I had a very steep uphill task to configure and deploy the but it was an amazing learning experience. It was ‘trial by fire’ on literal terms. This was the first inception to this mighty world of Next Generation data centers.

Since then, I have been working on Nexus based assignments on and off at work.

So, sometime in May-June of 2014 I finally decided what I want to achieve with this knowledge and hand-on experience gained from last two years. I have been studying a lot about various datacenter technologies & products by then and was able to clear the WRITTEN exam for CCIE (DC) and now it was for me to take the final plunge – THE DREADED LAB….:)

You can prep forever and not be ready for the lab until you go for a bootcamp. These bootcamps are no fun but, I must say, worth the pain. 8 hours of study followed by extended lab rack sessions. But my fellow CCIE friends were a big moral boost.

So, I registered for a bootcamp for CCIE (DC). And the preparation started. Long hours of lab sessions, more reading, hours of watching videos followed. By then, I have booked a lab date for last week of October. But, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I projected that I will be able to make it so had to re-schedule it. Lab dates were very scarce (it was mainly due to the demand of the new DC track introduced from Cisco). Finally, I managed to get a date in last week of Feb, 2015. In a way, I now think that that delay worked in my favor as I got some more time to prepare. On an average day, I would invest around 10-12 hours towards my study and preparation.

Attempt#1

Finally, the D-Day has arrived. I was there at the testing center in RTP early (reporting time was 7:00 AM and I reached there at 6:30 AM). Weather Gods were not very not very considerate that morning and I saw Mets predicting some serious snowstorm that morning going into evening. I met another candidate (a fellow from Mexico) there even before me waiting out at the front door. No one was there at the reception to let us in (surely due to the snowstorm). He was nervous and so was I (considering its was the first time appearing for the lab for both of us). Finally, some more candidates showed up (couple of for SP, some for Collaboration, some for Wireless). The proctor was also late and and we finally started the lab at 8:10 AM after general guidelines. The lab was good and directions were very much descriptive and self-explanatory. I was done with the lab by 2:30 PM and I left the testing center after verification handling over my papers to the proctor.

I have been revisiting my answers in my head during my ride back to the airport and suddenly the doomed realization struck me. I have erroneously configured some very important critical, end-goal defining steps in some sections. Some errors were cosmetic (mind you, CCIE grading system doesn’t spare this, no matter what you think) and some were ‘outrageous’ in my mind. But there I am….

The frustration was overpouring as I knew the solutions for the most of them but still didn’t didn’t do it. The feeling of sadness, frustration, a bit of anger on myself, all just clouded my mind at one time. I prepped so hard for this day and it I was really feeling sad, dejected, heart-broken even before I got the results. It was very much evident that I got overexcited and skipped steps. And yes, as I guessed it. I failed…. I was really sad that day and the following couple of days.

But, in the name of all the hours that I have spent towards this, it would behoove me if I didn’t try again. So, I decided to give another attempt.

So, I re-booked the lab on May, 2015. Now, to add to the dismay I heard that there has been a change in the lab version that involved a lot of topological and configuration changes. But, I didn’t loose heart and focus. I gathered the supposed changes by talking to people who dared to attempt the new version before me. I found that even though there was a big topological change involved, the configuration changes were minimal. So, more studying and practicing followed. Rack sessions – one after the other. By now, I have worked on a couple of possible workbooks involving all aspects of the track and I felt pretty confident about my preparation.

Attempt#2

Come May 15, 2015 – 2nd D-Day for me!

As usual, I arrived at my hotel a day early and went to bed early after having a quick dinner. I reached RTP and the coveted Lab room. It felt weird and amazing both at the same time that I was standing in this same room after 3 months. but hey, here I am!

I was done with the lab this time by 4:30 PM and from there in the airport to catch my return flight by 5:30 PM. I was pretty confident of my solutions this time. At around 6:30 PM I got this dreaded email from CCIE telling me that my lab score is ready. This is one of the most nervous situations I have ever faced as they, usually, don’t mention of your results that that email body and you have to follow the provided link to view your outcome/result. So, with great restraint I clicked the link mentioned in the email and what a sigh of relief to see the next page –

Your CCIE Status is Certified (CCIE# XXXXX)

I was not able to hold my emotions . I called some of my close friends (fellow CCIEs) to share the news. I would say that I would not have been able to make this happen without their support and push.  Finally, I did it!!!!

This was just a beginning for me and I am sure more will certs will follow in future….so stay tuned friends….Best of Luck!