CCIE Security Practice Labs (CCIE Self-Study) (Practical Studies)

CCIE Security Practice Labs (CCIE Self-Study) (Practical Studies)

Seven comprehensive CCIE security labs to hone configuration and troubleshooting skillsPrepare for the CCIE Security lab exam and hone your security configuration and troubleshooting skills with seven complete practice scenarios that cover:
Basic device configuration
Routing configuration
ISDN configuration
Cisco PIX Firewall configuration
VPN configuration, including IPSec, GRE, L2TP, and PPTP
VPN-3000 Concentrator configuration
Intrusion Detection System (IDS) 42xx Appliance configuration
Cisco IOS Firewall configuration
AAA configuration
Advanced security issues
IP services and protocol-independent features
Security violationsThe explosive growth of the Internet economy over the past several years and new IP-based enterprise applications has heightened requirements for continuous availability of mission-critical data. Today's network administrators and managers are under big pressure to satisfy ever-increasing demands from customers, suppliers, and employees for 100 percent network resource availability and access to applications and data. The end result is that the cost of a network security breach has never been higher. Accordingly, the demand for networking professionals with expert-level network security configuration and troubleshooting skills is also great. The Cisco Systems CCIE Security certification is a prestigious program that sets the professional benchmark for internetworking expertise, validating proficiency with advanced technical skills required to design, configure, and maintain a wide range of network security technologies.CCIE Security Practice Labs provides a series of complete practice labs that mirror the difficult hands-on lab exam. Written by a CCIE Security engineer and Cisco Systems CCIE proctor, this book lays out seven end-to-end scenarios that are both complex and realistic, providing you with the practice needed to prepare for your lab examination and develop critical-thinking skills that are essential for resolving complex, real-world security problems. While many engineers are able to configure single technologies in standalone environments, most will struggle when dealing with integrated technologies in heterogeneous environments.CCIE Security Practice Labs consists of seven full-blown labs. The book does not waste time covering conceptual knowledge found in other security manuals, but focuses exclusively on these complex scenarios. The structure of each chapter is the same, covering a broad range of security topics. Each chapter starts with an overview, equipment list, and general guidelines and instructions on setting up the lab topology, including cabling instructions, and concludes with verification, hints, and troubleshooting tips, which highlight show and debug commands. The companion CD-ROM contains solutions for all of the labs, including configurations and common show command output from all the devices in the topology."Security is one of the fastest-growing areas in the industry. There is an ever-increasing demand for the experts with the knowledge and skills to do it."-Gert De Laet, Product Manager, CCIE Security, Cisco Systems

CCIE Security Exam Certification Guide (CCIE Self-Study) (2nd Edition) (Exam Certification Guide)

CCIE Security Exam Certification Guide (CCIE Self-Study) (2nd Edition) (Exam Certification Guide)

Official self-study test preparation guide for the CCIE Security written exam 350-018Updated content covers all the latest CCIE Security written exam 2.0 objectives, including:
AES, EAP, IOS SSH, RDEP, and intrusion prevention
DNS, TFTP, Secure Shell, Secure Socket Layer Protocol, NTP, and SNMP
Password security, password recovery, and standard and extended access lists
Encryption technologies and security protocols, including IPSec, AES, 3DES, TACACS , and RADIUS
Cisco security applications, including Cisco Secure PIX® Firewall, VPN, IDS, IPS, and Cisco Policy Manager
Basic security methods and the evolution of new secure networks including packet filtering, proxies, and NAT/PAT
Cisco security applications such as the VPN 3000, client-side VPNs, and service modulesWith increased reliance on networking resources to provide productivity gains and corporate revenue contributions, the need for network security has never been higher. Rising concerns over corporate espionage, cyber-terrorism, financial fraud, and theft of proprietary information have radically increased the demand for highly skilled networking security professionals. As one of the most sought-after and highly valued networking certifications, the Cisco Systems® CCIE Security certification is answering the need for technical expertise in this critical market by distinguishing the top echelon of internetworking experts.CCIE Security Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition, is a comprehensive study tool for the CCIE Security written exam version 2.0. Fully updated and reviewed by present and former members of the CCIE Security team at Cisco®, this book helps you understand and master the material you need to know to pass the written exam. Covering all the topics in this challenging exam, this book is your ultimate exam preparation resource. Designed to optimize your study time, CCIE Security Exam Certification Guide helps you assess your knowledge of the material at the start of each chapter with customized quizzes for each topic. Increase retention of key concepts by reviewing succinct summaries of crucial concepts. Test your comprehension with chapter-ending review questions. Determine your assimilation of knowledge and get a taste of the CCIE Security lab exam with sample lab scenarios in the last chapter. Take timed practice exams that mimic the real testing environment with the CD-ROM test engine or customize the test bank to focus on the topics for which you need the most help.CCIE Security Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition, is part of a recommended study program from Cisco Systems that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.

CCIE Security Exam Certification Guide (CCIE Self-Study)

CCIE Security Exam Certification Guide (CCIE Self-Study)

Official self-study test preparation guide for the CCIE Security written exam
Review all CCIE Security written exam topics, including:
Switching concepts, routing protocols, and WAN protocols, including PPP, ISDN, and Frame Relay
DNS, TFTP, Secure Shell, Secure Socket Layer Protocol, NTP, and SNMP
Cisco IOS(r) Software specifics, including password security, password recovery, and standard and extended access lists
Encryption technologies and security protocols, including TACACS , RADIUS, and KerberosWindows and UNIX operating system security issues
Cisco security applications, including Cisco PIX(r) Firewall, VPN, IDS, and Cisco Policy Manager
Basic security methods and the evolution of new secure networks including packet filtering, proxies, and NAT/PAT
Network security policies, vulnerabilities, and protection techniques
With increased reliance on networking resources to provide productivity gains and corporate revenue contributions, the need for network security has never been higher. Rising concerns over corporate espionage, cyber-terrorism, financial fraud, and theft of proprietary information have radically increased the demand for highly skilled networking security professionals. One of the most sought-after and highly valued networking certifications, the Cisco Systems CCIE Security certification is answering the need for technical expertise in this critical market by distinguishing the top echelon of internetworking experts.
CCIE Security Exam Certification Guide is a comprehensive study tool for the Security written exam. Written and reviewed by members of the CCIE Security team at Cisco, this book helps you understand and master the material you will need to know to pass the written exam. Designed to optimize your study time, this book helps you assess your knowledge of the material at the beginning of each chapter with customized quizzes for each topic. Increase retention of key concepts by reviewing summaries of crucial concepts. Test your comprehension with chapter-ending review questions. Determine your assimilation of knowledge and get a taste for the CCIE Security lab exam with two complete practice lab scenarios focused on security and routing and switching topics. Take timed practice exams that mimic the real testing environment with the CD-ROM test engine or customize the test bank to focus on the topics for which you need the most help. Along with an electronic version of the text, a complete copy of Henry Benjamin's previously published CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Cram is also presented on the CD-ROM as an additional bonus.
CCIE Security Exam Certification Guide is part of a recommended study program from Cisco Systems that can include simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.
"This book will be a valuable asset for potential CCIE Security candidates. I am positive individuals will inevitably gain extensive security network knowledge during their preparation by using this book."-Gert De Laet, Product Manager, CCIE Security, Cisco Systems, Inc.
Companion CD-ROMCD contains a test engine with over 300 questions, lab equipment suggestions, sample configurations, and a bonus electronic copy of the complete CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Cram text.

CCIE Routing and Switching Official Exam Certification Guide (2nd Edition) (Exam Certification Guide)

CCIE Routing and Switching Official Exam Certification Guide (2nd Edition) (Exam Certification Guide)

Assessment, review, and practice for the CCIE Routing and Switching written exam 350-001The official study guide helps you master all the topics on the CCIE Routing and Switching written exam, including:
Bridging and LAN Switching
IP addressing, IP services, and TCP/IP protocol details
IP routing
Quality of service (QoS)
Frame Relay and Point-to-Point protocols
IP multicast
Security
Enterprise wireless mobility
General networking theoryCCIE Routing and Switching Official Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition, is a best of breed Cisco® exam study guide that focuses specifically on the objectives for the CCIE® Routing and Switching written exam. Senior instructor and best-selling author Wendell Odom shares preparation hints and test-taking tips, helping you identify areas of weakness and improve your routing and switching knowledge. Material is presented in a concise manner, focusing on increasing your understanding and retention of exam topics.CCIE Routing and Switching Official Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition, presents you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques. “Do I Know This Already” quizzes open each chapter and allow you to decide how much time you need to spend on each section. Exam topic lists and Foundation Summary tables make referencing easy and give you a quick refresher whenever you need it.The companion CD-ROM contains a powerful testing engine that allows you to focus on individual topic areas or take complete, timed exams. The assessment engine also tracks your performance and provides feedback on a module by module basis, presenting question-by-question remediation to the text.Well-regarded for its level of detail, assessment features, and challenging review questions and exercises, this completely revised and updated second edition helps you master the concepts and techniques that will enable you to succeed on the exam the first time.CCIE Routing and Switching Official Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition, is part of a recommended learning path from Cisco Systems® that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.Companion CD-ROMThe CD-ROM contains an electronic copy of the book and more than 500 practice questions for the CCIE Routing and Switching exam, all available in study mode, test mode, and flash card format.This volume is part of the Exam Certification Guide Series from Cisco Press®. Books in this series provide officially developed exam preparation materials that offer assessment, review, and practice to help Cisco Career Certification candidates identify weaknesses, concentrate their study efforts, and enhance their confidence as exam day nears.

CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide (3rd Edition) (Exam Certification Guide)

CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide (3rd Edition) (Exam Certification Guide)




Master CCIE 350-001 exam topics with the official study guide
Assess your knowledge with chapter-opening quizzes
Review key concepts with foundation summaries
Practice with hundreds of exam questions on the CD-ROM
Wendell Odom, CCIE No. 1624
Rus Healy, CCIE No. 15025
Naren Mehta, CCIE No. 9797
CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide, Third Edition, is a best of breed Cisco exam study guide that focuses specifically on the objectives for the CCIE Routing and Switching written exam. Senior instructor and best-selling author Wendell Odom shares preparation hints and test-taking tips, helping you identify areas of weakness and improve both your conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills. Material is presented in a concise manner, focusing on increasing your understanding and retention of exam topics.
CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide, Third Edition, presents you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques. “Do I Know This Already” quizzes open each chapter and allow you to decide how much time you need to spend on each section. Foundation Topic sections present detailed overviews of all exam objectives. Key Topic icons allow you to identify and quickly review the most important exam topics. Foundation summaries reinforce key exam concepts with review exercises and important tables.
The companion CD-ROM contains a powerful testing engine that allows you to focus on individual topic areas or take complete, timed exams. The assessment engine also tracks your performance and provides feedback on a chapter-by-chapter basis, presenting question-by-question remediation to the text and laying out a complete study plan for review.
Well regarded for its level of detail, assessment features, and challenging review exercises and practice questions, this completely revised and updated third edition helps you master the concepts and techniques that will enable you to succeed on the exam the first time.
CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide, Third Edition, is part of a recommended learning path from Cisco that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.
Wendell Odom, CCIE No. 1624, has been in the networking industry since 1981. He currently teaches QoS, MPLS, and CCNA courses for Skyline Advanced Technology Services (http://www.skyline-ats.com). Wendell has worked as a network engineer, consultant, systems engineer, and as an instructor and course developer and has taught authorized Cisco courses for the majority of the last 14 years.
Rus Healy, CCIE No. 15025, is a principal SE with Annese & Associates, the largest upstate New York Cisco Silver partner.
Naren Mehta, CCIE No 9797, is a senior partner and director of training for an internationally known training and consulting company that specializes in providing customized, one-to-one training for CCIE lab students and consulting.
The official study guide helps you master all the topics on the CCIE Routing and Switching written exam, including:
Bridging and LAN switching
IP addressing, IP services, and TCP, UDP, and application protocol details
Layer 3 forwarding concepts
EIGRP, OSPF, and BGP routing protocols
Quality of service (QoS)
Frame Relay
MPLS
IP Multicast
IPv6
Router and switch security
Companion CD-ROM
The CD-ROM contains an electronic copy of the book
and more than 250 practice questions for the CCIE Routing and Switching written exam, all available in study mode, test mode, and flash card format.
This volume is part of the Exam Certification Guide Series from Cisco Press. Books in this series provide officially developed exam preparation materials that offer assessment, review, and practice to help Cisco Career Certification candidates identify weaknesses, concentrate their study efforts, and enhance their confidence as exam day nears.
Category: Cisco Press–Cisco Certification
Covers: CCIE Routing and Switching written exam 350-001 v3.0

CCIE Professional Development: Large Scale IP Network Solutions

CCIE Professional Development: Large Scale IP Network Solutions

CCIE Professional Development: Large-Scale IP Network Solutions is a core textbook for preparation for the CCIE Routing and Switching exam track. As well as CCIE preparation, Large-Scale IP Network Solutions provides solutions for network engineers as IP networks grow and become more complex. The book discusses all major IP protocols in depth, including RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, OSPF, IS-IS, and BGP. It evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of each protocol, helping you to choose the right ones for your environments. Special sections address scalability, migration planning, network management, and security for large-scale networks. Router configuration examples, network case studies, and sample scenarios all help you put the information presented in the book to use.

CCIE Prep Kit 350-001 Routing and Switching (Exam Guide)

CCIE Prep Kit 350-001 Routing and Switching (Exam Guide)

The CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Guide prepares you to pass the CCIE written exam. This book covers all necessary objectives for the exam with a tutorial text that is strictly exam-related and flows with minimal interruption. Key concepts are the only "notes" set apart from the text by special formatting. This series is designed to for use with or without outside instruction. Study aids begin with the Chapter Opener, which readies you for learning. To help you fully understand the topic, visual cues are used liberally throughout the book. Diagrams put concepts into a visual form that aids in retaining and comprehending, and figures confirm your understanding of procedures. This book also provides additional information, such as addresses for on-line help and supplemental sample tests, testing locations, test-taking tips and strategies, and emotional preparation.

Securing Your Future And Your Network WIth Cisco's CCSP Certification By Chris Bryant

You don't need me to tell you that security is the #1 concern in today's networks. With that in mind, your career path must include some security certifications, or you will be left behind. Cisco's Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) certification demands a candidate be well-rounded and well-versed in Cisco security measures. Besides the difficultly we've all come to expect from a Cisco exam, this five-exam path covers every major aspect of network security (from Cisco's viewpoint, anyway!) You must hold a valid CCNA certification to earn your CCSP. Typically, the first exam CCSP candidates take is Securing Networks With Cisco Routers An Switches (SNRS), followed by Securing Cisco Network Devices (SND). After you've nailed these two exams, which obviously focus on devices more familiar to CCNAs and CCNPs, you'll be faced with three exams that are more specific to Cisco security devices.
Your PIX knowledge will be tested with the Securing Networks With PIX and ASA (SNPA) exam, followed by the Implementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) exam.
In October 2005, the final exam is scheduled to change from a VPN exam (CSVPN, Cisco Secure Virtual Private Networks) to Securing Hosts Using Cisco Security Agent (HIPS). If you're just getting started on the CCSP track, you'll be taking the HIPS exam. (Insert your own joke here.)
The CCSP is valid for three years; to recertify, you'll need to pass the 642-541 CSI exam or any CCIE written exam. As always, this is subject to change, and you should bookmark Cisco's Learning page (found off the main Cisco webpage) to make sure you're aware of the latest changes to Cisco certification and recertification requirements.
Not only must you know how to secure your network, you also need to secure your current job and the possibilities for your future. By pursuing and obtaining the CCSP, you will do all three at once.

Taking A Look At Cisco's Certified Voice Professional Certification By Chris Bryant

I hardly have to tell you how important voice technologies are in today's networks; what we all need to keep in mind to maximize our career potential is how important knowing voice is going to be tomorrow. We've always got to look forward in IT, both in our work and out studies. Cisco, always the pioneer in technical certifications, now offers a Cisco Certified Voice Professional certification that is gaining a lot of attention from IT professionals looking to add to their skills and their resume.
Cisco's CCVP track is a rigorous five-exam track that requires you to earn your CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification before getting started. The five exams cover a myriad of topics - they're not giving this one away! Here are the exam numbers and codes you'll need to know to register for the exams:
642-642 Quality Of Service (QOS)
642-432 Cisco Voice Over IP (CVOICE)
642-425 IP Telephony Troubleshooting (IPTT)
642-444 Cisco IP Telephony (CIPT)
642-452 Cisco Voice Gateways (GWGK)
Many newly-minted CCNAs wonder if they should pursue this or the Security Professional certification immediately after getting their CCNA. I recommend that a new CCNA pursue and achieve the CCNP before going after these more-specialized certifications. While it is not required by Cisco, the routing and switching knowledge your will acquire on your way to the CCNP will be invaluable to your career as well as being helpful with your CCVP pursuits.
Besides, these certifications won't be going anywhere soon. Think of how valuable you will be with a CCNP, CCVP, and CCSP!

How To Earn Cisco's Firewall Specialist Certification By Chris Bryant

Security is a hot topic in today's networks, and will continue to be for a long time to come. With that in mind, you must consider adding a Cisco security certification to your resume and firewall skills to your skill set. It's quite a jump from the CCNA to the CCSP (Cisco Certified Security Professional), and Cisco has made that leap more manageable by adding Specialist certifications. These certifications can give quite a boost to both your resume and your skill set, and act as a great "stepping stone" to the CCSP.
At present, Cisco offers four VPN/Security certifications, those being Cisco Firewall Specialist, Cisco IPS Specialist, Cisco VPN Specialist, and Cisco VPN/Security Sales Specialist. Since every WAN engineer has contact with Cisco firewalls on a regular basis, we'll take a closer look at this popular certification first. (And those who want to be WAN engineers had better learn something about firewalls, too!)
At the writing of this article (October 21, 2005), Cisco is offering an option for each of the two exams you'll need to pass to earn this certification. For the first exam, you can take either the 642-551 SND (Securing Cisco Network Devices) or 642-501 SECUR (Securing Cisco IOS Networks). The final day to register for the SECUR exam is December 19, 2005.
For either, you'll need to be able to answer questions regarding the proper use of Cisco security devices; how to configure security on a Cisco switch and on a router, including syslog logging, AAA, ACLs, and security for router services and interfaces.
The choices for the second exam are the 642-522 SNPA (Securing Network with PIX and ASA) and 642-521 CSPFA. Topics for these exams include , IPSec, NAT, firewalls, AAA, and policy mapping. (As always, you should check for the latest exam blueprints at Cisco's website. Click "Learning And Events" on the main page, www.cisco.com).
The only prerequisite for this certification is that you must hold a valid CCNA certification.
As always, getting some hands-on experience is the best way to prepare for your Cisco exams. (Your employer is going to get a little upset if you practice your configs on his or her PIX. It would be a good idea to have a good lawyer, too.) There are online rack rental services that include Cisco security devices in their pods.
Cisco certifications are a great way to help protect your career as well as your network. The more you know, and the more varied your skills, the more valuable you are to your present and future employers. Use your CCNA as a foundation, and keep building on your skills!

Passing The CCNA and CCNP: Home Lab Shopping On Ebay By Chris Bryant

Whether you're just getting ideas for your Cisco home lab or adding to your existing lab, ebay is a great place to get ideas for your lab as well as pick up some great bargains. Of course, the internet being what it is, there are always going to be a few people looking to take your money while shipping you inferior merchandise, or worse, no merchandise at all. While these "dealers" are in the minority, you still need to be careful when purchasing Cisco equipment on ebay. In this article, I'll give you several tips on browsing ebay ads for home lab ideas, and a few things to look out for when purchasing equipment on ebay.
For those of you just starting your Cisco certification pursuit, the idea of purchasing a home lab kit -- a set of routers, switches, and perhaps some cables and study guides -- seems like a good idea. Instead of putting your lab together one piece at a time, these kits allow you to get a head start on your studies.
One thing to watch out for in these kits is outdated equipment, or the inclusion of outdated study guides. Often, vendors will use these kits as a way to get rid of unwanted inventory.
The Cisco 1900 family of switches falls into this category. A recent search on ebay for "ccna lab" showed seven different CCNA lab kits that contained 1900 switches. The problem here is that the current CCNA exams do not test on the 1900 switches, which are menu-driven and do not have an IOS. You'll need to be well-versed with switches that do have an IOS, such as the 2950s.
The plus side here is that you will probably save money by using 1900 switches. If you're on a tight budget, having a 1900 switch is better than no switch at all. If at all possible, though, get a Cisco switch with an IOS.
The cables and transceivers included with these kits are generally exactly what you need to set up that particular kit, and this can be very helpful to those CCNA candidates who are new to the various cables needed to physically configure a home lab. Just make sure you're not buying a kit with 10 transceivers (used on AUI ports) when you've only got two routers with Ethernet ports.
Watch out for kits that include outdated study guides. I've seen four-year-old CCNA books included with some kits. If you already have your study guides, feel free to ask the vendor how much the kit costs without the books.
That leads me to the most important point. Get to know the vendor before buying anything. Visit their website and check their ebay feedback. If buying from an individual as opposed to a reseller, find out what conditions the router or switch has been kept in, and make sure to define the terms under which they will accept returns. There's nothing wrong with buying equipment from someone who's selling their CCNA/CCNP/CCIE home lab, but just make sure you ask the right questions first. Professional resellers generally have their return policy right in their ebay ad; if they don't, ask for a copy.
Building your own CCNA and/or CCNP home lab is a little intimidating at first, but speaking as someone who has climbed the Cisco certification ladder from the CCNA to the CCIE, I can tell you that it is the best investment you can make in your career. Use a little caution, ask the right question, and soon you'll be leaving the world of "router simulators" behind - and you'll be developing your skills as a true professional should: On real Cisco routers and switches!

Passing The CCNA and CCNP: Three Myths About Cisco Exams By Chris Bryant

One of the drawbacks to the Internet is that it allows myths and "friend of a friend" stories to spread quickly, and usually the story becomes more exaggerated as it's passed along. Cisco exams are no exception. Here are three often-repeated myths and exaggerations regarding the CCNA and CCNP exams. 1. The survey you fill out before the exam determines the questions you'll get. Before you actually start your exam, Cisco presents you with a survey asking how you prepared and how comfortable you feel with certain technologies. It's a little awkward to rate yourself on Frame Relay, ISDN, etc., especially since the exam you're about to take covers those subjects. It's human nature to think that these questions impact your exam, but they do not.
I've seen posts on the Net saying that if you rank yourself as "great" in a subject, your exam will have harder questions on that topic, and if you rank yourself lower in that same subject, your exam will be filled with questions on this topic. Cisco has debunked this myth, so get it out of your mind. Don't think too much when you're filling out the survey.
2. If you miss a question, the exam keeps asking you about that topic until you get one right. This is known as "adaptive testing", and Cisco does not use this kind of testing in its exams. Your questions are drawn from a large question pool before you start the test. Those of us who remember adaptive testing from Novell exams years ago don't particularly miss this kind of testing! (For those who haven't taken an adaptive exam, you never knew how many questions you were going to get, only that there was a minimum around 15 questions. Your exam could end at any time after that. Nerve-wracking!)
3. If you use an extra command in the simulator questions, it'll be marked wrong. The Cisco simulator engine in the CCNA and CCNP exams acts just as a router or switch would. You are not going to be penalized for using an extra command. If the engine doesn't accept a command, you'll be told that when you use it. Just configure it as you would a router or switch.
When you walk into the exam room totally prepared with a combination of theoretical knowledge, hands-on experience, and configuration troubleshooting skills, you are ready to pass. Don't let Internet gossip distract you from the task at hand -- passing!

Get Down With OCP: Evaluating DBA Job Applicants in an OCP World By Chris Bryant

Not long ago, weeding through DBA applicants with a tech interview was a straightforward process. You'd ask candidates 200 or so technical questions. If they got 100 correct answers, you knew they'd been around the block; 150 or more and you knew you were on to superior talent. But once the Oracle Certification Program (OCP) became popular in the late 90s, the traditional tech interview lost its effectiveness. These days, candidates can answer 180 questions correctly and you still won't know whether they're talking from experience or simply regurgitating what they memorized at OCP a few weeks earlier. Although it has become increasingly difficult to determine whether you've found a seasoned, highly qualified DBA or a newly minted OCP Graduate, there are ways. First, start by throwing out the questions. Any candidate who has been through OCP knows the answers—all of them. That list that helped you find superstar employees in the past is unfortunately useless now. Second, if you are a manager without solid database experience, enlist the help of an experienced DBA to help you prepare that critical interview. IT Managers have varied backgrounds and here it's important to pull from the right background, be it yours or someone else's.
You also need to analyze your needs. If you're looking to hire a junior person and mentor them, the OCP program ensures that the candidate has been exposed to most areas of the Oracle RDBMS. You can assume you'll have an employee who knows the commands and has a general concept of how a database works. But if you select an inexperienced OCP candidate thinking you're getting a skilled veteran, you'll be in for countless unpleasant surprises. Typical horror stories sound like: A DBA restores the backup for the first time in a real-life situation, finds out the backup strategy was flawed and loses the whole database. S/he probably also forgot to make a backup of the database before attempting the recovery, therefore rendering Oracle support intervention nearly impossible.
A DBA recommends technical implementation decisions based on limited experience with a single user database that has 10 tables of 100 rows each. Of course, the system hangs a few hours after the launch—as soon as 10,000 users start pounding on a 500GB database.
The most damaging aspect of newer DBAs is that they don't know when they are in over their heads, or how to plan properly. Senior IT professionals, no matter their field of expertise, have a gut feeling when it's happening. They know they have to step away, talk things over with a peer, roll everything back, and try another day. Inexperienced IT professionals are fearless and can therefore be dangerous, especially if they're expected to run the show.
So how do you find truly qualified DBAs in an OCP World? Put them to work—in the interview, that is. Create real world situations where candidates are allowed full use of any familiar online resources, and see what they can do. Some examples:
Want to check out their data modeling skills? Give candidates a hypothetical business that everyone understands, like a video rental store, and a basic set of business requirements. Put them in front of a white board and let them create a model that meets the stated requirements. You play the role of a subject-matter expert who is decidedly non-technical, and have them walk you through the results.
Wondering how they handle troubleshooting? Set up a database with various performance anomalies such as poorly written queries, missing indexes, and internal resource contention. Have applicants deal with the issues and walk you through their methodology. They can't use automated tools. The Oracle Data Dictionary and OS basic facilities must suffice.
Want to see if they know how to minimize downtime? Pretend you're a client who wants to upgrade a 500GB database from version X to version X+1. It's a 24/7 environment and each hour of downtime costs $10,000. There will be downtime regardless, but the DBA should be able to generate scenarios to keep it at a minimum.
Whatever skills you're looking to assess, make sure you test candidates in situations they can't prepare for and can't fake. The new interview process isn't quite as easy as those trusty old 200 questions. It requires more up-front planning and often more time in the interview room. But if it saves you from having to fire incapable employees who wreaked havoc on your database, it's probably worth it. A little advance preparation can save a whole lot of time, money, and hassle down the road. And isn't that all we're looking for in this crazy, mixed-up OCP world?