Hello All,
These past 22 days have been GRUELING (except for last night). Studying 7 days a week, sleeping for 4-6 hrs a night, and repeating it for 22 days has worn out my body and my mind.
I took my final test today, Advanced IOS Unified Communications (VoIP) and passed with a 906. One of the hardest tests, however, I had the most time to prepare for this one.
In all, out of the 20 people who started only about 7 of them are going to leave with their certifications complete. This is still pretty good considering the last time I took my certifications, only 3 people out of 22 passed.
Cisco certifications are hard, very hard. I was reading in one college course that I could get my CCNA within a year. A YEAR!!! We do it here in a week. I was here for just over 3 weeks, and that covered 3 years of materials, they say.
I'd really like to hear from others on their certification experiences. For me, this is the hardest thing I have ever done. Some have shared with me...."I could go take all the tests in an afternoon, all 7 of them...because I know a lot about technology..only I have no incentive" I say HOGWASH! I don't know anybody who has ever taken a recent technology certification class/test who has come out saying, "That was easy!"
Anyway, it is done for another 3 years. Yep, 3 years is all the longer a Cisco certification lasts. There have been A LOT of new features and functions introduced in the past 3 years. While I was here, I was also remoted into work about 50% of the time during the day, and nearly ALWAYS at night. I changed roughly 1500 total lines of IOS statements. I changed a few routing protocols, removed Rapid-PVST+ and installed MST, put in VRRP, turned off some times, turned on other things. Overall, I am seeing about a 25% increase in performance.
So...goodbye from Ft. Lauderdale. It has been nice. Too bad we didn't get to enjoy the 70-80 degree weather.
Tom
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Day 16, CCNA/CCDA/CCDP/CCNP renewal, Fort Lauderdale FL
Hello all,
It has been a while since my last post. Let me show you why.
We are moving into the troubleshooting phase of the class. They pretty much take everything we learned, put us in front of a problem and say "Go fix it"
As I said in a previous post, this ain't easy. Five people out of 20 didn't pass the last test. The next test, tomorrow, 10 people aren't even going to attempt. This next test is a switching test. How hard can switching be? :)
If the only thing that someone is familiar with is 2 or 3, or even up to 100 computers/devices, switching is pretty much easy. Plug it in and turn it on. You don't have to worry about BPDU's, spanning tree loops, DHCP snooping, or any of the 100's of other issues that could happen. Once you get into the 100+ devices or multiple locations, layer 2 and layer 3 routing, and all the appropriate paths REALLY become an issue. What about Access Lists, Dyanmic NAT overload, EIGRP Stub and Sotally Stubby, or the Totally Not So Stubby routing protocols with summary addresses. Maybe routing protocol redistribution from OSPF into EIGRP. Now some may say, "But Tom, this is ROUTING!" A HA! Not layer 3 switches with InterVLAN routing. :)
In the long run, I do this all to be able to provide the very best to the Campbellsport School District.
As you see from the picture, I have my computer on. While I have been studying, and literally in class from before sun-up until after sun-down, and then usually until past midnight, I have been working remotely. Granted, I haven't been doing ALL of the same things I would have been doing if I didn't have to study for the tests, but I still have been doing a lot. I just compared all the code that has been changed on all the switches and routers since I have been gone; over 1500 lines of code changes!
And, for you techies, my most popular thing to type has been, "reload in 30" :) (This will reload a device in 30 minutes and restore the previous working config if what I type was bad).
Going to be a long night tonight.
Tom
It has been a while since my last post. Let me show you why.
As I said in a previous post, this ain't easy. Five people out of 20 didn't pass the last test. The next test, tomorrow, 10 people aren't even going to attempt. This next test is a switching test. How hard can switching be? :)
If the only thing that someone is familiar with is 2 or 3, or even up to 100 computers/devices, switching is pretty much easy. Plug it in and turn it on. You don't have to worry about BPDU's, spanning tree loops, DHCP snooping, or any of the 100's of other issues that could happen. Once you get into the 100+ devices or multiple locations, layer 2 and layer 3 routing, and all the appropriate paths REALLY become an issue. What about Access Lists, Dyanmic NAT overload, EIGRP Stub and Sotally Stubby, or the Totally Not So Stubby routing protocols with summary addresses. Maybe routing protocol redistribution from OSPF into EIGRP. Now some may say, "But Tom, this is ROUTING!" A HA! Not layer 3 switches with InterVLAN routing. :)
In the long run, I do this all to be able to provide the very best to the Campbellsport School District.
As you see from the picture, I have my computer on. While I have been studying, and literally in class from before sun-up until after sun-down, and then usually until past midnight, I have been working remotely. Granted, I haven't been doing ALL of the same things I would have been doing if I didn't have to study for the tests, but I still have been doing a lot. I just compared all the code that has been changed on all the switches and routers since I have been gone; over 1500 lines of code changes!
And, for you techies, my most popular thing to type has been, "reload in 30" :) (This will reload a device in 30 minutes and restore the previous working config if what I type was bad).
Going to be a long night tonight.
Tom
Friday, November 12, 2010
I PASSED! Day 12, CCNA/CCDA/CCDP/CCNP renewal, Fort Lauderdale FL
Hey all,
PHEW!!!! Pressure is off for a bit!
I passed my CCNP routing test with a 933. Not the highest score in the class, but the others had a little help.
I was one of the first 5 people in the test center, and the first one out. I came out of the test ~30 minutes after I started. We get 2 hrs to take the test. Some of the people thought I had a problem with the computer. When they came out they said, "DAMN!"
There were a few questions on the test that nobody expected, while I didn't share the 'actual' question, I was able to share enough so that some other people did better.
With the pressure off today, I came back to the room and crashed from 2-7 pm. Some of the guys came and got me, we sat out by the pool for a while and then went out to eat. Got to relax a bit, at least until tomorrow.
So now, with the levity. Anyone who knows me KNOWS I am not the stereotypical computer guy. I usually am the outspoken, to the point, and most of the time an offensive loudmouth who seems to always bring a gallon of fun to the party. I usually tell people that if I have offended them, "I am sorry!" and if I haven't offended you yet it is coming. :)
I have been getting a lot of teasing this boot camp. More than typical. Some of the old nicknames came up but I have some new nicknames too. Trust me, I give it right back. So far, none of the nicknames have really stuck yet, but there is always tomorrow. Still, I can lay my certificate on the table and say, "Beat that." :D
5 people didn't pass the test today, and these are guys who ONLY do this stuff. Day after day, they sit on a bunch of routers and switches and just configure, update, and manipulate packets. Feels pretty good to know, as one person said, "You got some serious skills, Rainman!" Yep, my metric is 100000 10 255 100 1500. :) (Trust me, that is funny)
Tom
PHEW!!!! Pressure is off for a bit!
I passed my CCNP routing test with a 933. Not the highest score in the class, but the others had a little help.
I was one of the first 5 people in the test center, and the first one out. I came out of the test ~30 minutes after I started. We get 2 hrs to take the test. Some of the people thought I had a problem with the computer. When they came out they said, "DAMN!"
There were a few questions on the test that nobody expected, while I didn't share the 'actual' question, I was able to share enough so that some other people did better.
With the pressure off today, I came back to the room and crashed from 2-7 pm. Some of the guys came and got me, we sat out by the pool for a while and then went out to eat. Got to relax a bit, at least until tomorrow.
So now, with the levity. Anyone who knows me KNOWS I am not the stereotypical computer guy. I usually am the outspoken, to the point, and most of the time an offensive loudmouth who seems to always bring a gallon of fun to the party. I usually tell people that if I have offended them, "I am sorry!" and if I haven't offended you yet it is coming. :)
I have been getting a lot of teasing this boot camp. More than typical. Some of the old nicknames came up but I have some new nicknames too. Trust me, I give it right back. So far, none of the nicknames have really stuck yet, but there is always tomorrow. Still, I can lay my certificate on the table and say, "Beat that." :D
5 people didn't pass the test today, and these are guys who ONLY do this stuff. Day after day, they sit on a bunch of routers and switches and just configure, update, and manipulate packets. Feels pretty good to know, as one person said, "You got some serious skills, Rainman!" Yep, my metric is 100000 10 255 100 1500. :) (Trust me, that is funny)
Tom
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Day 11, CCNA/CCDA/CCDP/CCNP renewal, Fort Lauderdale FL
Hey All,
Sort of quick update. "Re-Certification" is suppose to be easier that straight certification, right? WRONG! I am finding it just as difficult this time around as I did the first time. MANY things changed, or were just added because, as we know, technology changes all the time. The courseware seems to go through a revision every 12-18 months.
I am struggling with BGP (particularly iBGP route redistribution), PBR's (Path Based Redistribution) and pretty much all things IPv6 and IPv6 routing (RIPng, OSPFv6, EIGRP).
We have a test between noon and 5 pm tomorrow, depending how confident we are. I am hoping for 10pm if that give you a clue on how concerned I am on this test. I don't plan on getting much sleep tonight at all (typical anyway). I usually get 4-5 hours and then get right back after it.
The simplest way I can explain to anyone what a technology boot camp is all about is to tell you to go and try to get a drink of water from a firehose. And do this continually for 22 days straight for 18-20 hrs per day. Only stopping briefly to eat, sleep, go to the bathroom, and shuttle back an forth to the class.
One thing I wish is that I could share this experience in common with someone from K-12 technology. It seems that nobody really knows what I am talking about. Too often I hear, "Well, I could just go and pass all those exams in one afternoon, only I can't afford the tests or the time off to take them." Well..I'll share something with those k-12 'tech' people a little later.
Back to study!
Tom
Sort of quick update. "Re-Certification" is suppose to be easier that straight certification, right? WRONG! I am finding it just as difficult this time around as I did the first time. MANY things changed, or were just added because, as we know, technology changes all the time. The courseware seems to go through a revision every 12-18 months.
I am struggling with BGP (particularly iBGP route redistribution), PBR's (Path Based Redistribution) and pretty much all things IPv6 and IPv6 routing (RIPng, OSPFv6, EIGRP).
We have a test between noon and 5 pm tomorrow, depending how confident we are. I am hoping for 10pm if that give you a clue on how concerned I am on this test. I don't plan on getting much sleep tonight at all (typical anyway). I usually get 4-5 hours and then get right back after it.
The simplest way I can explain to anyone what a technology boot camp is all about is to tell you to go and try to get a drink of water from a firehose. And do this continually for 22 days straight for 18-20 hrs per day. Only stopping briefly to eat, sleep, go to the bathroom, and shuttle back an forth to the class.
One thing I wish is that I could share this experience in common with someone from K-12 technology. It seems that nobody really knows what I am talking about. Too often I hear, "Well, I could just go and pass all those exams in one afternoon, only I can't afford the tests or the time off to take them." Well..I'll share something with those k-12 'tech' people a little later.
Back to study!
Tom
Sunday, November 7, 2010
TEST DAY! CCNA/CCDA/CCDP/CCNP renewal, Fort Lauderdale FL, Day 7
Hey All...
JOY! I got a 974 out of 1000. Unfortunately, not the best score in the class
Had an interesting evening last night during the study time.
I finally had it. I have been here for 7 days now and not a single piece of fruit. What's up with that?! Florida and no fruit? So I went to the store and bought the biggest platter of fruit they had. I at about 1/3 of it last night. I figured I was going to pay for it later, but for now, it was good. There was all kinds of fruit on it, and some things that I never had before.....
So a little after 1 am I woke up and had to use the bathroom. My eyes were exceptionally puffy and felt sore as I made my way into the bathroom. I turned on the light and turned it right back off because the light hurt my eyes. I was itchy all over. Thank goodness I packed one of my back scratchers. (BTW, peeing in the dark, standing up....never a good idea in a bathroom.)
I began to realize something was wrong. I turned on the lights and pried open my eyes to see a more horrible site than usual. My entire face was swollen as if I was just fighting Mike Tyson, my entire body was covered in blotchy red dots, and I was itching all over the place. You guessed it, some sort of allergic reaction to something.
I stumble down stairs and ran into one of my classmates who promptly asked "What the H311 happened to you?!" He gave me a ride to the pharmacy, where, upon my entrance the lady took one look at me and said "Isle 1". I got some benadryl and within 30 minutes I was much better. I stayed up since then and just did some studying and went to school. I am a bit groggy and will probably sleep when I go back to the hotel.
So, to recap the week, I got scared with alligators, had some sort of bug, had an allergic reaction, no fruit, little sleep, passed a test. And now...repeat! :)
Tom
JOY! I got a 974 out of 1000. Unfortunately, not the best score in the class
Had an interesting evening last night during the study time.
I finally had it. I have been here for 7 days now and not a single piece of fruit. What's up with that?! Florida and no fruit? So I went to the store and bought the biggest platter of fruit they had. I at about 1/3 of it last night. I figured I was going to pay for it later, but for now, it was good. There was all kinds of fruit on it, and some things that I never had before.....
So a little after 1 am I woke up and had to use the bathroom. My eyes were exceptionally puffy and felt sore as I made my way into the bathroom. I turned on the light and turned it right back off because the light hurt my eyes. I was itchy all over. Thank goodness I packed one of my back scratchers. (BTW, peeing in the dark, standing up....never a good idea in a bathroom.)
I began to realize something was wrong. I turned on the lights and pried open my eyes to see a more horrible site than usual. My entire face was swollen as if I was just fighting Mike Tyson, my entire body was covered in blotchy red dots, and I was itching all over the place. You guessed it, some sort of allergic reaction to something.
I stumble down stairs and ran into one of my classmates who promptly asked "What the H311 happened to you?!" He gave me a ride to the pharmacy, where, upon my entrance the lady took one look at me and said "Isle 1". I got some benadryl and within 30 minutes I was much better. I stayed up since then and just did some studying and went to school. I am a bit groggy and will probably sleep when I go back to the hotel.
So, to recap the week, I got scared with alligators, had some sort of bug, had an allergic reaction, no fruit, little sleep, passed a test. And now...repeat! :)
Tom
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The DAY before testing! CCNA/CCDA/CCDP/CCNP renewal, Fort Lauderdale FL, Day 6
Hello all again,
So, it is the night before the FIRST big test, and I feel ready. Too ready. I hope I haven't peaked too soon. I have been through the materials 5 times now, and have practiced the labs a few times. I got OSPF, EIGRP, RIP down solid. I can do spanning tree in my sleep. I got access lists DOWN! I can setup a Frame Relay connection and troubleshoot it all day long! I can look at a /20 address and without doing any math, know all of the subnet, hosts and schemes. I am so ready!
We test tomorrow at 12:30 pm. The test 'should' take about 2 hrs.
I am feeling MUCH better today. Last night I had some good sleep with good dreams. I went to bed around 2am and it seemed like 5 minutes later and it was 6:30. My eyes were sooooo puffy today I was having a hard time keeping them open. Pretty much until lunch time I was doing the One-Eye thing just trying to stay awake. I was hearing everything and retaining it. I was just having a hard time keeping my eyes open.
I HAVE HAD IT! 6 days and not a single piece of fruit!!!! Tonight I went to the store and bought the biggest platter of fruit they had. I ate 1/3 of it. I am pretty sure I am going to pay for it later, but MAN it was good.
I hope that all goes well with the test. If it does, laundry tomorrow and then sleep.
6 days of doing this, it finally happened. I have lost contact with the outside world. Other than posting this blog and checking facebook, I haven't a clue of what is happening in the real world. I don't know who won any of the elections in Wisconsin. The only thing I do know is that one of our more liberal principals thinks we need to be in panic mode. :) I haven't and won't turn on the TV at all while I am here. It is just a distraction.
So, with that...I am going to wrap this up, turn back my clock 1 hr, and head off to beddie by time.
Tom
So, it is the night before the FIRST big test, and I feel ready. Too ready. I hope I haven't peaked too soon. I have been through the materials 5 times now, and have practiced the labs a few times. I got OSPF, EIGRP, RIP down solid. I can do spanning tree in my sleep. I got access lists DOWN! I can setup a Frame Relay connection and troubleshoot it all day long! I can look at a /20 address and without doing any math, know all of the subnet, hosts and schemes. I am so ready!
We test tomorrow at 12:30 pm. The test 'should' take about 2 hrs.
I am feeling MUCH better today. Last night I had some good sleep with good dreams. I went to bed around 2am and it seemed like 5 minutes later and it was 6:30. My eyes were sooooo puffy today I was having a hard time keeping them open. Pretty much until lunch time I was doing the One-Eye thing just trying to stay awake. I was hearing everything and retaining it. I was just having a hard time keeping my eyes open.
I HAVE HAD IT! 6 days and not a single piece of fruit!!!! Tonight I went to the store and bought the biggest platter of fruit they had. I ate 1/3 of it. I am pretty sure I am going to pay for it later, but MAN it was good.
I hope that all goes well with the test. If it does, laundry tomorrow and then sleep.
6 days of doing this, it finally happened. I have lost contact with the outside world. Other than posting this blog and checking facebook, I haven't a clue of what is happening in the real world. I don't know who won any of the elections in Wisconsin. The only thing I do know is that one of our more liberal principals thinks we need to be in panic mode. :) I haven't and won't turn on the TV at all while I am here. It is just a distraction.
So, with that...I am going to wrap this up, turn back my clock 1 hr, and head off to beddie by time.
Tom
CCNA/CCDA/CCDP/CCNP renewal, Fort Lauderdale FL, Day 5
Hello all,
Well, then end of day 5. I wish I could say the end of a week. We have school tomorrow and Sunday too. There aren't any weekends or time off. 22 days of straight classes, 10 hrs in class and 5-8+ hrs of studying out of class.
Our class is fighting being sick. Some got really sick; I am about in the middle of the pack. I have dropped 5 lbs in 3 days and haven't been eating. Yet, things still seem to be coming out of me. I think, hope, and pray that we are all coming out of it.
Class was good today. We went through some VLSM, EIGRP, OSPF and other things. We got our class picture taken at the end of the day. I'll be getting that online as soon as I get it.
I'd like to share a few observations I have made, as a Northerner coming to the south. Things I would not have even imagined had it not been for being here.
1. If you don't speak Spanish, you are in the minority. Now I do know I mumble quite a bit, but I have never been asked to repeat myself so many times, "W h e r e i s t h e t o i l e t..." Now I know to just say "Banjo".
2. No matter how long you run the cold water, COLD water never comes out of the tap. Thus, I believe, the reason for water coolers EVERYWHERE.
3. Where I am staying and as far as I can see, this whole area is within 2-3 feet from being completely below sea level. The largest change in elevation I have seen in the past 5 days is a curb!
4. In the North, you can tell that a car is getting old because it begins to rust. In the south, vehicle age is determined by how many smashed or missing body parts there are on a vehicle.
5. All the street signs are in English; I think that is why nobody follows them. THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND! 25 MPH means nothing. Down the busy road, it has been common that we take off from the stop light as fast as the car can go; reaching 60-70 mph, so that we can be first, 1 mile later, at the next stop light.
6. "Pool closed do to cold weather". It got down to 58 degrees today. Not that I was planning on using it, but, it is a heated outdoor pool. Just sayin.
7. Nobody says "come with" or "bubbler"; as in "You going to come with to the bubbler?"
8. Florida isn't really the "south", it is more like Cuba-North. I have been looking for southern sweet tea on menu's and nobody serves it. They do serve all these Mexican drinks though.
9. Isn't Florida where they grow fruit? None of the places that cater-in sell any fresh fruit sides. I am going through withdraw not having ANY fruit. Did have some fried banana like thing today. Still not fresh fruit. Being sick, I don't want anything heavy. I did rice and beans today, with a chicken hot pocket for dinner.
10. And this might be a Northern thing....Yogurt is NOT a meal...it is a SNACK! Being sick, however, yogurt has been friendly to me. :)
We have a test on Sunday afternoon. We have class still tomorrow, study time on Sunday morning, and then the test. I'll keep you all informed.
Tom
Well, then end of day 5. I wish I could say the end of a week. We have school tomorrow and Sunday too. There aren't any weekends or time off. 22 days of straight classes, 10 hrs in class and 5-8+ hrs of studying out of class.
Our class is fighting being sick. Some got really sick; I am about in the middle of the pack. I have dropped 5 lbs in 3 days and haven't been eating. Yet, things still seem to be coming out of me. I think, hope, and pray that we are all coming out of it.
Class was good today. We went through some VLSM, EIGRP, OSPF and other things. We got our class picture taken at the end of the day. I'll be getting that online as soon as I get it.
I'd like to share a few observations I have made, as a Northerner coming to the south. Things I would not have even imagined had it not been for being here.
1. If you don't speak Spanish, you are in the minority. Now I do know I mumble quite a bit, but I have never been asked to repeat myself so many times, "W h e r e i s t h e t o i l e t..." Now I know to just say "Banjo".
2. No matter how long you run the cold water, COLD water never comes out of the tap. Thus, I believe, the reason for water coolers EVERYWHERE.
3. Where I am staying and as far as I can see, this whole area is within 2-3 feet from being completely below sea level. The largest change in elevation I have seen in the past 5 days is a curb!
4. In the North, you can tell that a car is getting old because it begins to rust. In the south, vehicle age is determined by how many smashed or missing body parts there are on a vehicle.
5. All the street signs are in English; I think that is why nobody follows them. THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND! 25 MPH means nothing. Down the busy road, it has been common that we take off from the stop light as fast as the car can go; reaching 60-70 mph, so that we can be first, 1 mile later, at the next stop light.
6. "Pool closed do to cold weather". It got down to 58 degrees today. Not that I was planning on using it, but, it is a heated outdoor pool. Just sayin.
7. Nobody says "come with" or "bubbler"; as in "You going to come with to the bubbler?"
8. Florida isn't really the "south", it is more like Cuba-North. I have been looking for southern sweet tea on menu's and nobody serves it. They do serve all these Mexican drinks though.
9. Isn't Florida where they grow fruit? None of the places that cater-in sell any fresh fruit sides. I am going through withdraw not having ANY fruit. Did have some fried banana like thing today. Still not fresh fruit. Being sick, I don't want anything heavy. I did rice and beans today, with a chicken hot pocket for dinner.
10. And this might be a Northern thing....Yogurt is NOT a meal...it is a SNACK! Being sick, however, yogurt has been friendly to me. :)
We have a test on Sunday afternoon. We have class still tomorrow, study time on Sunday morning, and then the test. I'll keep you all informed.
Tom
Friday, November 5, 2010
CCNA/CCDA/CCDP/CCNP renewal, Fort Lauderdale FL, Day 4
Hey all,
Not much happening today, that I didn't make happen :(
My eyes are getting poofy again, and it is only 4 days into it. The first test is usually the killer. It is on Sunday afternoon. I have gone through 350 study questions so far in the last 4 nights. While they are great questions, they take a while to go through as you try to figure out how they got a certain answer. Sometimes it is obvious, other times you just wonder if they got it wrong.
We did a lot of layer 2 switching today, particularly Spanning Tree Protocol, root bridge selection, BPDU's, and all that jazz. I am running PVRST+ on the school network. It good. Then I learned about MST and thought, HEY! This is pretty cool! I should do that....(when I am 1000+ miles away from work). 3 hrs later I got it all configured...Ooops!
Then, about half way through this whole thing, I get to thinking, I bet the days of Layer2 switching are really numbered. I completely blew up my layer 2 stuff, yet layer 3 was working fine...hum.... Now...I can't do that with everything in my network yet, but someday I will! Layer 3 all the way down to the device. Some of you might think, "Well heck yes Tom, where have you been!" I heard about it about 8-10 years ago, but thought it was a long way off.. Time flies!
More tomorrow.
Tom
Not much happening today, that I didn't make happen :(
My eyes are getting poofy again, and it is only 4 days into it. The first test is usually the killer. It is on Sunday afternoon. I have gone through 350 study questions so far in the last 4 nights. While they are great questions, they take a while to go through as you try to figure out how they got a certain answer. Sometimes it is obvious, other times you just wonder if they got it wrong.
We did a lot of layer 2 switching today, particularly Spanning Tree Protocol, root bridge selection, BPDU's, and all that jazz. I am running PVRST+ on the school network. It good. Then I learned about MST and thought, HEY! This is pretty cool! I should do that....(when I am 1000+ miles away from work). 3 hrs later I got it all configured...Ooops!
Then, about half way through this whole thing, I get to thinking, I bet the days of Layer2 switching are really numbered. I completely blew up my layer 2 stuff, yet layer 3 was working fine...hum.... Now...I can't do that with everything in my network yet, but someday I will! Layer 3 all the way down to the device. Some of you might think, "Well heck yes Tom, where have you been!" I heard about it about 8-10 years ago, but thought it was a long way off.. Time flies!
More tomorrow.
Tom
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
They Call Me, "Mr. Gullible", CCNA/CCDA/CCDP/CCNP renewal, Fort Lauderdale FL, Day 3
Hello all,
I posted a link to the exact location I am staying. It may help to see where I am to understand the story.
However, first, I know it is a bit early for my daily post. I still have much studying to do tonight and will after this post; I just to post this.
So, I am sitting here in my hotel room, studying away, playing with a router and waiting for a BGP table to load. Anyone who knows about BGP will know that it can take anywhere from 20-40 minutes to load and begin routing. Meanwhile, you just sit and wait. RIGHT!
Well, if you know me, you know I can't just sit there. I decided to get up, walk around a bit, get some coffee at the front desk and check things out. Literally, it had been "Hotel, class, Hotel, sleep" and repeat. Studying is all the time. I figure if I just take one trip around the hotel area and come back up to my room BGP should be loaded.
I get a cup of coffee and begin the trek around the hotel. On the East side is a busy road. I just walked in the parking lot. On the South side there appears to be a pond or some wet land area with trees. I walked along the pond area by the palm trees. Dark but pretty. 77 degrees in November, palm trees. I'll take it! I stroll along a park-like area on the West side of the hotel and then walked back to the hotel lobby. This is where it gets interesting.
I ran out of coffee on my walk so I decided to get a refill. The lady at the front desk asks, "Back so soon?" I told her that I had walked around the hotel. She said "You did WHAT?!?!?!" I kinda knew by the tone in her voice I did something wrong. You know how you stop, think, run down everything you did to figure out what you did wrong. That is where I was. Naively clueless!
"Don't you know there might be alligators out there?"
Either this lady is one incredible actor or she was serious. Either way, I believed her! I felt the blood leave my face as my heart started to nearly pound out of my chest and my knees began to hurt and quiver. I must have been a site to see as the lady behind the counter busted out laughing at the face I must have been making. I don't remember thinking anything before I blurted out "SHUT UP! SERIOUS?" By this time the other gentleman in the back had come out and he was just about rolling on the floor.
The two gained their composure enough to answer the question. They said that it is possible. But either way they don't recommend that anyone walk out there at night.
Now I am still not sure if they were just teasing me, slightly telling me the truth, or flat out concerned. Either way, from now on in the evenings, when I have to wait for BGP tables to load, I think I am going to sit and wait for it in my room, and leave the nature stuff alone!
BGP table loaded...back to study. :)
Tom
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3100+prospect+road,+ft+lauderdale,+Fl&sll=37.160317,-95.712891&sspn=33.543558,78.662109&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=3100+W+Prospect+Rd,+Fort+Lauderdale,+Broward,+Florida+33309&ll=26.192393,-80.187106&spn=0.009281,0.019205&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A
I posted a link to the exact location I am staying. It may help to see where I am to understand the story.
However, first, I know it is a bit early for my daily post. I still have much studying to do tonight and will after this post; I just to post this.
So, I am sitting here in my hotel room, studying away, playing with a router and waiting for a BGP table to load. Anyone who knows about BGP will know that it can take anywhere from 20-40 minutes to load and begin routing. Meanwhile, you just sit and wait. RIGHT!
Well, if you know me, you know I can't just sit there. I decided to get up, walk around a bit, get some coffee at the front desk and check things out. Literally, it had been "Hotel, class, Hotel, sleep" and repeat. Studying is all the time. I figure if I just take one trip around the hotel area and come back up to my room BGP should be loaded.
I get a cup of coffee and begin the trek around the hotel. On the East side is a busy road. I just walked in the parking lot. On the South side there appears to be a pond or some wet land area with trees. I walked along the pond area by the palm trees. Dark but pretty. 77 degrees in November, palm trees. I'll take it! I stroll along a park-like area on the West side of the hotel and then walked back to the hotel lobby. This is where it gets interesting.
I ran out of coffee on my walk so I decided to get a refill. The lady at the front desk asks, "Back so soon?" I told her that I had walked around the hotel. She said "You did WHAT?!?!?!" I kinda knew by the tone in her voice I did something wrong. You know how you stop, think, run down everything you did to figure out what you did wrong. That is where I was. Naively clueless!
"Don't you know there might be alligators out there?"
Either this lady is one incredible actor or she was serious. Either way, I believed her! I felt the blood leave my face as my heart started to nearly pound out of my chest and my knees began to hurt and quiver. I must have been a site to see as the lady behind the counter busted out laughing at the face I must have been making. I don't remember thinking anything before I blurted out "SHUT UP! SERIOUS?" By this time the other gentleman in the back had come out and he was just about rolling on the floor.
The two gained their composure enough to answer the question. They said that it is possible. But either way they don't recommend that anyone walk out there at night.
Now I am still not sure if they were just teasing me, slightly telling me the truth, or flat out concerned. Either way, from now on in the evenings, when I have to wait for BGP tables to load, I think I am going to sit and wait for it in my room, and leave the nature stuff alone!
BGP table loaded...back to study. :)
Tom
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3100+prospect+road,+ft+lauderdale,+Fl&sll=37.160317,-95.712891&sspn=33.543558,78.662109&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=3100+W+Prospect+Rd,+Fort+Lauderdale,+Broward,+Florida+33309&ll=26.192393,-80.187106&spn=0.009281,0.019205&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
CCNA/CCDA/CCDP/CCNP renewal, Fort Lauderdale FL, Day 2
Hello all,
I really didn't get to sleep until 3 am ish this morning, thinking about a few technical problems that I was not understanding. I hate when I get like that! You know, those times where you KNOW you should KNOW something but it isn't making any sense?
Today was fun. One of my favorite networking subjects; subnetting and supernetting. I LOVE this stuff! I can hardly wait to get to IPv6 to do something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT! :)
If you know me, you know that I MUST have change. I could never do the same thing over, and over, and over again. That is one nice thing about technology. If you don't like it, or you don't get it, wait 12-18 months and it something else will come along.
A few years ago I began talking about MPLS; Layer "2.5" in the 7 layer OSI model. When I first heard about it and read about I was thinking "Now that make sense!" This whole QOS stuff is nice, but I really don't want to have to think, or have my routers/switch "think" about it. Read more about it here: http://www.networkworld.com/research/2007/040207-mpls-migration-explained.html. I think with MPLS the whole concept of a virtual server, virtual services, ALL hosted in the cloud can become a reality. Think of it...No local servers to buy or manage, no storage constraints. Only "manage" Services and Identities. Who has access to What information, Where and How and When they can get it.
Well, after only a few hours of sleep....it is time to close shop for the day. I had hoped to stay up later and do more studying. The mind is willing but the flesh is weak.
Fort Lauderdale is great, so they tell me. We spend roughly 20 minutes out side per day. 10 minute ride to and 10 minute ride from the school. Then...locked up in the hotel. Again...gotta love technology!
Tom
I really didn't get to sleep until 3 am ish this morning, thinking about a few technical problems that I was not understanding. I hate when I get like that! You know, those times where you KNOW you should KNOW something but it isn't making any sense?
Today was fun. One of my favorite networking subjects; subnetting and supernetting. I LOVE this stuff! I can hardly wait to get to IPv6 to do something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT! :)
If you know me, you know that I MUST have change. I could never do the same thing over, and over, and over again. That is one nice thing about technology. If you don't like it, or you don't get it, wait 12-18 months and it something else will come along.
A few years ago I began talking about MPLS; Layer "2.5" in the 7 layer OSI model. When I first heard about it and read about I was thinking "Now that make sense!" This whole QOS stuff is nice, but I really don't want to have to think, or have my routers/switch "think" about it. Read more about it here: http://www.networkworld.com/research/2007/040207-mpls-migration-explained.html. I think with MPLS the whole concept of a virtual server, virtual services, ALL hosted in the cloud can become a reality. Think of it...No local servers to buy or manage, no storage constraints. Only "manage" Services and Identities. Who has access to What information, Where and How and When they can get it.
Well, after only a few hours of sleep....it is time to close shop for the day. I had hoped to stay up later and do more studying. The mind is willing but the flesh is weak.
Fort Lauderdale is great, so they tell me. We spend roughly 20 minutes out side per day. 10 minute ride to and 10 minute ride from the school. Then...locked up in the hotel. Again...gotta love technology!
Tom
CCNA/CCDA/CCDP/CCNP renewal, Fort Lauderdale FL, Day 1
Hello all,
It is 1:45 am (EDT) and I am just about ready to wrap-up the first day of training at CED Solutions in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Seeing that I am going to be down here for the next 22 days, I thought I would post something everyday (if I have time) to keep those who are asking, "Where is Tom?" informed.
As I had hoped, today was pretty much a light review day in class. There are exactly 21 people in the class (20 physically here and 1 remote person). The make-up of the class is VERY unusual. Most everyone here is from the VA staff. 40-60 year olds coming the first time for the very first certification! The youngest guy is 28, then there is a 33 and 38 year old, then there is me at 43. Who'd a thunk it. Not one person has ANY certifications. The instructor actually was so intrigued with the make-up of the older class that he had to ask, "What's up with this?" These guys are saying that technology has passed them by, and they are needing this certification just to keep employed. Gone are the days when they could 'Just do IT'. It has become so complex and so integral into everyday life that nobody can just come in and do it without training.
Food...so far not what I expected. This is my first time down in the Fort Lauderdale facility, and I can tell you this; the Atlanta facility has NOTHING on this facility when it comes to food. It hasn't been bad, but not too great either.
Study...study...study...and STUDY! I got back to my hotel room at 5:30-ish, ate a little dinner, and then hit the books! Lot's of study questions and practice. While some things are just review, there are many, MANY new things with IOS 15. It is almost as if Cisco has junked what they had in 12 and back and said, "NA, just kidding! Here is something that is REALLY cool" I think they had to do this with the strides that other companies have made in the past few years. Yes, Cisco is still King, however, they have company in their rear view mirrors.
Something interesting for the geeks! I linked my CCO account with my Cisco CSCO training account. Guess what I saw? In the training section, there is a place for me to put a VMWare VCP certification...ON THE CISCO WEB SITE! It is a part of my profile. HUM......Strange, or maybe not so strange... Rumors, rumors...rumors and more rumors. Could you see it? VMWare, Cisco, Novell, and IBM, all under one umbrella. Has anyone seen the switch to blue with all these companies in one form or another...They would rule the WORLD! :) Okay, I am getting carried away, but interesting nonetheless.
Well, signing off for the night. Going to get my 5 hrs of sleep while I can.
Tom
It is 1:45 am (EDT) and I am just about ready to wrap-up the first day of training at CED Solutions in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Seeing that I am going to be down here for the next 22 days, I thought I would post something everyday (if I have time) to keep those who are asking, "Where is Tom?" informed.
As I had hoped, today was pretty much a light review day in class. There are exactly 21 people in the class (20 physically here and 1 remote person). The make-up of the class is VERY unusual. Most everyone here is from the VA staff. 40-60 year olds coming the first time for the very first certification! The youngest guy is 28, then there is a 33 and 38 year old, then there is me at 43. Who'd a thunk it. Not one person has ANY certifications. The instructor actually was so intrigued with the make-up of the older class that he had to ask, "What's up with this?" These guys are saying that technology has passed them by, and they are needing this certification just to keep employed. Gone are the days when they could 'Just do IT'. It has become so complex and so integral into everyday life that nobody can just come in and do it without training.
Food...so far not what I expected. This is my first time down in the Fort Lauderdale facility, and I can tell you this; the Atlanta facility has NOTHING on this facility when it comes to food. It hasn't been bad, but not too great either.
Study...study...study...and STUDY! I got back to my hotel room at 5:30-ish, ate a little dinner, and then hit the books! Lot's of study questions and practice. While some things are just review, there are many, MANY new things with IOS 15. It is almost as if Cisco has junked what they had in 12 and back and said, "NA, just kidding! Here is something that is REALLY cool" I think they had to do this with the strides that other companies have made in the past few years. Yes, Cisco is still King, however, they have company in their rear view mirrors.
Something interesting for the geeks! I linked my CCO account with my Cisco CSCO training account. Guess what I saw? In the training section, there is a place for me to put a VMWare VCP certification...ON THE CISCO WEB SITE! It is a part of my profile. HUM......Strange, or maybe not so strange... Rumors, rumors...rumors and more rumors. Could you see it? VMWare, Cisco, Novell, and IBM, all under one umbrella. Has anyone seen the switch to blue with all these companies in one form or another...They would rule the WORLD! :) Okay, I am getting carried away, but interesting nonetheless.
Well, signing off for the night. Going to get my 5 hrs of sleep while I can.
Tom
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