Game On Old Friend

 

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 2 years since I passed the R/S lab and my digits (40755) were assigned. I remember the numbers just passed 40k and I was so hoping to get 40007.

This way I could be 007. <GRIN>

Now I’m ready for the next challenge. My motivation for CCIE DC was simple. First I wanted to challenge myself yet again. Second, I feel strongly that a deep understanding of UCS & virtualization helps me stay relevant when it comes to private cloud conversations which all the cool kids are doing. Finally, I suck at storage. If storage was a weakness to me, it would be like green kryptonite to Clark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All that said, I also miss the behind the wheel configuration and troubleshooting. I’m a pre-sales SE and spend most of my time these days in design sessions, product updates, and evangelizing new solutions. What better way to get serious hands-on than a CCIE lab?

Right before Christmas 2014, I took the CCIE DC written and failed it by 1-2 questions. I was so upset about carrying that disappointment through the holidays. Jan 8th was my date of redemption and I passed with a 953/1000.

I purchased workbooks from INE and leveraged their all access pass program and have about 1/2 the lab gear in one of our Cisco offices Just don’t have enough juice. <FACEPALM>

I’m also going to leverage VIRL and UCS Emulator for my studies.

Now it’s time to lock down and get this lab banged out in November. T-Minus 4 months… #TickTock

 

CCIE Data Center Lab Exam v1.0 

Lab Equipment and Software Versions

Passing the lab exam requires a depth of understanding difficult to obtain without hands-on experience. Early in your preparation you should arrange access to equipment similar to that used on the exam, and listed below.

The lab exam tests any feature that can be configured on the equipment and the NXOS versions indicated below. Occasionally, you may see more recent NXOS versions installed in the lab, but you will not be tested on the new features of a release unless indicated below.

• Cisco Catalyst Switch 3750
• Cisco 2511 Terminal Server
• MDS 9222i
• Nexus7009
  • (1) Sup
  • (1) 32 Port 10Gb (F1 Module)
  • (1) 32 Port 10Gb (M1 Module)
• Nexus5548
• Nexus2232
• Nexus 1000v
• UCS C200 Series Server
  • vic card for c-series
• UCS-6248 Fabric Interconnects
• UCS-5108 Blade Chassis
  • B-200 Series Blades
  • Palo mezzanine card
  • Emulex mezzanine card
• Cisco Application Control Engine Appliance – ACE4710
• Dual attached JBODs

Software Versions

• NXOS v6.x on Nexus 7000 Switches
• NXOS v5.x on Nexus 5000 Switches
• NXOS v4.x on Nexus 1000v
• NXOS v5.x on MDS 9222i Switches
• UCS Software release 2.x Fabric Interconnect
• Software Release A5(1.0) for ACE 4710
• Cisco Data Center Manager software v5.x

ACE!? Really!??!?!?

#CCIEDC