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So finally, after months of waiting and endless debates and conversations, the updated CCIE Voice Blueprint is finally upon us. Cisco made the announcement this morning (https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/docs/DOC-3641). The changes are effective mid-July 2009.
I must admit that when I first took a look at the refreshed Lab equipment and IOS my first reaction was “Phew- no CatOS, no ATA and no VG248”. These three items took a disproportionate amount of time to configure in the 8 hour lab exam and I can honestly tell you that I for one will not shed too may tears over their impending departure. As a bonus we can say good riddance to FXS/FXO interfaces and finally focus on T1/E1 PRI and CAS gateways (although seeing CAS remaining on the blueprint was somewhat mindboggling).
I guess the biggest surprise is “pre-configurations of basic tasks (such as phone registration, basic application integration, basic dial plan, etc.)” will be done. What this means is that there will be more focus of advanced features and services and, more significantly, opens the door for troubleshooting errors within pre-existing configuration.
In terms of what endpoints you have on your desk- wave goodbye to fax machines and analog phones and say hello to Software clients. What this means- we’ll have to wait and see but Communicator and/or VT-Advantage may make an appearance at some stage, either of which we will be prepared for. Off course you still have IP Phones- nothing more specific to report on there.
Taking a quick look further down the refreshed list and there are no major surprises. We have the Catalyst 3750 switches and 4 port EtherSwitch Card (HWIC-4ESW-POE) introduced in place of the Catalyst 6500 and 3550. Finally we have PVDM-2 in place of their predecessor. They got rid of Unity altogether, which makes sense given the escalating rivalry that exists between Cisco and Microsoft. Most of us knew from Networkers that 7.0 would be the choice of CUCM. Upgrading CUCME along with CUCCX to the 7.0 version is logical in order to maintain alignment across the board. And now we can welcome the Presence server and Unity Connection. The new IOS (12.4T train) opens the door for a topology aware CAC mechanism namely the RSVP Agent. I happen to think that RSVP will be a major new feature added to the test.
So what does it mean for prospective CCIE-Voice candidates? For those of you in the middle of your preparation on the 2.0 blueprint then the obvious message should be don’t let this affect your preparation. Off course you run the risk of being stuck between a rock and a hard place come mid-2009 if you haven’t passed. The point I’d like to make is all the knowledge acquired learning the materials on the CCIE-V 2.0 blueprint is still largely relevant for the CCIE-V 3.0 blueprint (Unity aside). Yes we have a new interface and plenty more features to deal with. But the foundational knowledge is still very much a requirement and remember, typically the new features will be phased into the test- there will not be the massive overhaul you might expect on day one.
So the message for anybody in the middle of your preparation is don’t let the CCIE 3.0 announcement interrupt your preparations. Continue with CCIE 2.0 and try and get the thing nailed before mid-July. If you have not passed in this timeframe then there is no reason to panic. There will still be QoS in much the same format (minus CatOS and add RSVP). There will still be MGCP and H323 gateways. There will still be Calling Search spaces, Route Patterns, etc, etc…Preparation on the 2.0 blueprint will still give you a good grounding for the 3.0 blueprint and the new Applications and Features will be easier to deal with this firm understanding.
Now the exception to this logic is the candidate who has yet to start any kind of preparation on the current 2.0 blueprint. It might be wise to make an executive decision to begin your preparation on the new versions of software since you have the luxury of knowing in advance what the new blueprint comprises before beginning your journey.
Expect to hear some major announcements from IPexpert in the coming weeks and months. Our instructors and executives have been in lengthy discussions for about a year regarding the issue of the new CCIE Voice blueprint. We are very well prepared for this announcement since there has been plenty going on behind the scenes to ensure that we serve our customers as best we can. I’ll leave it to others to make announcements of when we will be ready with updated racks, workbooks and bootcamps.
What about Gatekeepers and topology for the lab? I see every section says “Implement and Troubleshoot”. See ideas on what the troubleshoot will mean. I also see a lot of SIP topics and CUBE. Looks like SIP will be featured heavily.
What about Gatekeepers and topology for the lab? I see every section says “Implement and Troubleshoot”. See ideas on what the troubleshoot will mean. I also see a lot of SIP topics and CUBE. Looks like SIP will be featured heavily.
When we can expect the new workbook for CCIE VOCIE V.3.
When we can expect the new workbook for CCIE VOCIE V.3.
Hope you are well David- hope you had a good Thanksgiving (although as a Brit we save our Turkey for Xmas).
Gatekeepers is absolutely covered in the same way as it is today with a few possible additions such as CUBE.
SIP Gateways and SIP endpoints will feature too.
Topology-wise- that is a more difficult question. Are they going to have multiple CUCM clusters, are they going to stick with a single CUCM cluster with CUCME at a remote branch site? I don’t know. My best guess is that they will stick to more or less the same topology as CCIE-V 2.0. The guys over at Cisco have enough on their plate without have to factor in an entirely new topology.
Hope you are well David- hope you had a good Thanksgiving (although as a Brit we save our Turkey for Xmas).
Gatekeepers is absolutely covered in the same way as it is today with a few possible additions such as CUBE.
SIP Gateways and SIP endpoints will feature too.
Topology-wise- that is a more difficult question. Are they going to have multiple CUCM clusters, are they going to stick with a single CUCM cluster with CUCME at a remote branch site? I don’t know. My best guess is that they will stick to more or less the same topology as CCIE-V 2.0. The guys over at Cisco have enough on their plate without have to factor in an entirely new topology.
Excellent Feedback Vik. Appreciate it.
Excellent Feedback Vik. Appreciate it.
A somewhat different and impartial view, from an existing CCIE currently doing the Voice track.
With the backlog in available lab seats it is surprising to see advice encouraging people to continue with the current exam. Why would one want to add to an already overwhelmed system? The idea with is to make this journey as short and pain free as possible, for the individual, company and family. All suffer while one pursues CCIE.
Being someone in the loop at the moment I would perhaps amend the advice to say unless you feel you can realistically pass the exam with one more attempt don’t bother. Enjoy your Christmas, start building your new lab and researching the new products and get ahead of the game.
There will probably be lots of slots with the new exam as people get up to speed. I would go for 1st attempt as soon as the new exam is launched and keep going every 30 days. Treat the first couple as reconnaissance and look to nail it 3rd or 4th time.
It is my feeling the very detailed and specific knowledge you gain in order to pass the current exam has become so specific to the exam that it will not be of much relevance to the new exam. Sure the fundamentals need to be in place but you don’t need to waste your companies or personal money covering these.
For those whom are now trapped inside the 90 day payment window I encourage you to approach Cisco and try to free slots for those whom are almost there and move your payment to a future date in July. I am sure if there is momentum Cisco will provide support and be reasonable. At the end of the day there are some understanding people within Cisco whom work within the CCIE program.
How does one gauge if you can realistically pass on your next attempt? Firstly have you been 2 or 3 times already? Next can you read pretty much read every question and see the answer in your head from previous papers, workbooks, email list and boards. Next can you see the tricks? This last point is where you pass or fail on the current exam, in my opinion. And this is the knowledge which I refer to earlier as being so specific to the current exam it will probably become irrelevant in the future.
It is also worth noting the current exam is on dated platforms, taking the new exam is going to put you right at the front of the game in terms of what is available to the marketplace. This is of far more benefit to you and your company.
A somewhat different and impartial view, from an existing CCIE currently doing the Voice track.
With the backlog in available lab seats it is surprising to see advice encouraging people to continue with the current exam. Why would one want to add to an already overwhelmed system? The idea with is to make this journey as short and pain free as possible, for the individual, company and family. All suffer while one pursues CCIE.
Being someone in the loop at the moment I would perhaps amend the advice to say unless you feel you can realistically pass the exam with one more attempt don’t bother. Enjoy your Christmas, start building your new lab and researching the new products and get ahead of the game.
There will probably be lots of slots with the new exam as people get up to speed. I would go for 1st attempt as soon as the new exam is launched and keep going every 30 days. Treat the first couple as reconnaissance and look to nail it 3rd or 4th time.
It is my feeling the very detailed and specific knowledge you gain in order to pass the current exam has become so specific to the exam that it will not be of much relevance to the new exam. Sure the fundamentals need to be in place but you don’t need to waste your companies or personal money covering these.
For those whom are now trapped inside the 90 day payment window I encourage you to approach Cisco and try to free slots for those whom are almost there and move your payment to a future date in July. I am sure if there is momentum Cisco will provide support and be reasonable. At the end of the day there are some understanding people within Cisco whom work within the CCIE program.
How does one gauge if you can realistically pass on your next attempt? Firstly have you been 2 or 3 times already? Next can you read pretty much read every question and see the answer in your head from previous papers, workbooks, email list and boards. Next can you see the tricks? This last point is where you pass or fail on the current exam, in my opinion. And this is the knowledge which I refer to earlier as being so specific to the current exam it will probably become irrelevant in the future.
It is also worth noting the current exam is on dated platforms, taking the new exam is going to put you right at the front of the game in terms of what is available to the marketplace. This is of far more benefit to you and your company.
Vik, Thanks for the update. If you need any beta testers for the new WB material or vRacks then let me know. ;)
Vik, Thanks for the update. If you need any beta testers for the new WB material or vRacks then let me know. ;)
I just purchased the v2.0 full voice labset about 2 weeks ago? I won’t start prep for about month, what will happen as the labset goes to v3? Thanks.
I just purchased the v2.0 full voice labset about 2 weeks ago? I won’t start prep for about month, what will happen as the labset goes to v3? Thanks.
Vik – for those of us in the middle of our CCIE voice studies – do you know what our access to the newly release 3.0 IP Expert materials will be? In other words – I have a lab scheduled in Feb 2009. This will be my first attempt and it appears that if I don’t pass there will not be any open seats to reschedule until after the move to 3.0. If we purchased the end to end solution from IP Expert would we have access to the new material release for 3.0 or would it require a purchase/some kind of an upgrade fee?
Vik – for those of us in the middle of our CCIE voice studies – do you know what our access to the newly release 3.0 IP Expert materials will be? In other words – I have a lab scheduled in Feb 2009. This will be my first attempt and it appears that if I don’t pass there will not be any open seats to reschedule until after the move to 3.0. If we purchased the end to end solution from IP Expert would we have access to the new material release for 3.0 or would it require a purchase/some kind of an upgrade fee?
[...] Vik just posted - Voice got a major overhaul yesterday. As Vik mentioned, we at IPexpert have been in talks about [...]
[...] Vik just posted - Voice got a major overhaul yesterday. As Vik mentioned, we at IPexpert have been in talks about [...]
Bala – We’ll be releasing the new CCIE Voice and CCIE Security products (due to the blueprint changes) as they’re available. We have also adopted the “release portions as they’re available” concept instead of waiting for an entire book or BLS to be completed. We should have a schedule of the estimated release dates available within the next week – however, it’s important to know that maintaining your preparation is still important – and the current product are still valuable.
Bala – We’ll be releasing the new CCIE Voice and CCIE Security products (due to the blueprint changes) as they’re available. We have also adopted the “release portions as they’re available” concept instead of waiting for an entire book or BLS to be completed. We should have a schedule of the estimated release dates available within the next week – however, it’s important to know that maintaining your preparation is still important – and the current product are still valuable.
PaulD – the updates will be available free of charge to our existing clients.
PaulD – the updates will be available free of charge to our existing clients.
scott – please see the reply I directed to Bala’s post.
scott – please see the reply I directed to Bala’s post.
From any of your expirences, what does “mid-July” mean? I have my first attempt at the Voice lab scheduled for July 07, 2008. I’ve read and agree with Johnny Vega’s comment but I can’t just sit back and wait for the new exam. I know I have only one shot at the current lab so I’m giving it my all. My concern is that I have no idea what Cisco means by “mid-July.” I would really be lost if I walked into the lab on July 7th and was handed the new lab. Do you think July 7th would be considered “mid-July” to Cisco?
From any of your expirences, what does “mid-July” mean? I have my first attempt at the Voice lab scheduled for July 07, 2008. I’ve read and agree with Johnny Vega’s comment but I can’t just sit back and wait for the new exam. I know I have only one shot at the current lab so I’m giving it my all. My concern is that I have no idea what Cisco means by “mid-July.” I would really be lost if I walked into the lab on July 7th and was handed the new lab. Do you think July 7th would be considered “mid-July” to Cisco?
Jason
Very positive approach you are adopting. If you pass you will be one of less than 1% who make it first time.
Average number of attempts (according to a proctor) is >5 for voice, this seems high but that is what I was told a couple of months ago.
I have come across some excellent folks on the bootcamp and they have take 3 or 4 attempts.
Of the 18 to 20 people whom I have come across on the bootcamps so far only a handful have passed and this is over the course of 12 months. If you look down the list of testimonials you will see who is passing voice. Now look at how many courses are run. About 10 new people per class.
IPExpert seems to generally be regarded as the best at voice and you can see the conversion rate is fairly small. It is very rare to just breeze through this thing. There are lots of bright people out there, if you could breeze it there would be a lot more than 857 voice CCIEs over the course of the 5 years it has been running.
I am all for positive thinking, just trying give folks a realistic view from the inside.
Also don’t forget all the new kit, this is so much the place to be concentrating. Be right at the front of what can be done with the latest offerings. Better for you better for your company. Good luck what ever route you go.
Jason
Very positive approach you are adopting. If you pass you will be one of less than 1% who make it first time.
Average number of attempts (according to a proctor) is >5 for voice, this seems high but that is what I was told a couple of months ago.
I have come across some excellent folks on the bootcamp and they have take 3 or 4 attempts.
Of the 18 to 20 people whom I have come across on the bootcamps so far only a handful have passed and this is over the course of 12 months. If you look down the list of testimonials you will see who is passing voice. Now look at how many courses are run. About 10 new people per class.
IPExpert seems to generally be regarded as the best at voice and you can see the conversion rate is fairly small. It is very rare to just breeze through this thing. There are lots of bright people out there, if you could breeze it there would be a lot more than 857 voice CCIEs over the course of the 5 years it has been running.
I am all for positive thinking, just trying give folks a realistic view from the inside.
Also don’t forget all the new kit, this is so much the place to be concentrating. Be right at the front of what can be done with the latest offerings. Better for you better for your company. Good luck what ever route you go.
Jason- I happen to agree with Jonny on his point that you might want to consider starting to study on the new blueprint. Some people do pass on their first attempt but it is a rare thing. You ultimately have to decide but if I were in your shoes I would start studying for CCIE 3.0. Now if I had sat the lab once or twice already and had a few hundred hours of studying for the lab behind me then that would be different.
Our list of successes is ordered by CCIE #- looking down the list of CCIE successes can be somewhat misleading as quite a few new CCIE-V’s already have passed R&S and consequently they don’t appear at the top of our list of successes due to their lower CCIE number. I would like this changed at some point.
I wish we have 10 new people per class since my bonus would be a lot better:-) We have some extremely busy phases and some very quiet times- I’m not sure of all the factors that determine the trend.
Regarding students who attend bootcamps- its fairly easy for Mark and I to see who is prepared and who is not. There are quite a few people who use the bootcamp at the start of their preparation and use it to build a roadmap of what lies ahead. Some of these guys go on and pass 6 months to a year later (maybe we see them again on a free re-sit of the bootcamp). There are others who get distracted by work and family commitments and we never see or hear from them again. We had a recent class of 12 people where 6 or 7 passed within the next couple of months. That was a good conversion rate. However there are some classes of 12 whereby it is a little more difficult to see more than a couple of people passing. But that is the nature of the exam- if everybody could pass the exam following a bootcamp then the certification would not have the prestige it presently carries.
Anyhow- best of luck to all reading this- it is no doubt a hard exam to pass. Cisco encourages study groups, use forums/email lists, use blogs, use workbooks, use bootcamps (subject to $$ being available). Don’t study in isolation.
Jason- I happen to agree with Jonny on his point that you might want to consider starting to study on the new blueprint. Some people do pass on their first attempt but it is a rare thing. You ultimately have to decide but if I were in your shoes I would start studying for CCIE 3.0. Now if I had sat the lab once or twice already and had a few hundred hours of studying for the lab behind me then that would be different.
Our list of successes is ordered by CCIE #- looking down the list of CCIE successes can be somewhat misleading as quite a few new CCIE-V’s already have passed R&S and consequently they don’t appear at the top of our list of successes due to their lower CCIE number. I would like this changed at some point.
I wish we have 10 new people per class since my bonus would be a lot better:-) We have some extremely busy phases and some very quiet times- I’m not sure of all the factors that determine the trend.
Regarding students who attend bootcamps- its fairly easy for Mark and I to see who is prepared and who is not. There are quite a few people who use the bootcamp at the start of their preparation and use it to build a roadmap of what lies ahead. Some of these guys go on and pass 6 months to a year later (maybe we see them again on a free re-sit of the bootcamp). There are others who get distracted by work and family commitments and we never see or hear from them again. We had a recent class of 12 people where 6 or 7 passed within the next couple of months. That was a good conversion rate. However there are some classes of 12 whereby it is a little more difficult to see more than a couple of people passing. But that is the nature of the exam- if everybody could pass the exam following a bootcamp then the certification would not have the prestige it presently carries.
Anyhow- best of luck to all reading this- it is no doubt a hard exam to pass. Cisco encourages study groups, use forums/email lists, use blogs, use workbooks, use bootcamps (subject to $$ being available). Don’t study in isolation.
Does anyone know why Cisco changed BR1 expansion module to the HWIC-4ESW-POE from the current 16 port version? It’s a curious change.
-Chris
Does anyone know why Cisco changed BR1 expansion module to the HWIC-4ESW-POE from the current 16 port version? It’s a curious change.
-Chris
Well – maybe its a change – and maybe the 4-port is just an add-on!
Maybe BR2 will have the 4-port and BR1 will continue to have a 16ESW. Or maybe not.
Who knows? Actually, historically, Cisco hasn’t always given us all of the specific details on what NMs or VIC/HWIC cards have been installed, only on some of them. So it is still quite possible to see other (minor things) modules installed – such as leaving the 16 ESW in the mix.
But overall Chris – I agree with you – very strange indeed!
Well – maybe its a change – and maybe the 4-port is just an add-on!
Maybe BR2 will have the 4-port and BR1 will continue to have a 16ESW. Or maybe not.
Who knows? Actually, historically, Cisco hasn’t always given us all of the specific details on what NMs or VIC/HWIC cards have been installed, only on some of them. So it is still quite possible to see other (minor things) modules installed – such as leaving the 16 ESW in the mix.
But overall Chris – I agree with you – very strange indeed!