In this ongoing series here at blog.ipexpert.com, we are going to answer the most common questions CCIE instructors hear. Here is the latest:

Question: Am I penalized for over-configuration in the lab exam?

Answer: This is another one of those great questions, especially when you consider the fact that the grading for the lab exam is quite complex. Depending on what track you are discussing, the lab is graded by a computer script, a human, or a combination of both. Given this fact, students begin to suspect that the grading is some mysterious “black art”, that might harshly penalize for the slightest deviation from the proctor’s expectations with a task.

I like to answer this question for students with an example. Say you get the task below:

Sample Task 1 – Switching

1.3 Trunking

Create a standards-based trunk between SW1 and SW4 according to the Layer 2 diagram provided.

2 pts

I recommend that students ask themselves the question here –  how would the proctor write a script to grade this task? I think they would issue the SHOW INTERFACE TRUNK command on each device. In your mind, run through the parameters that must exist.

• Correct two devices
• Correct two interfaces
• UP/UP status
• 802.1Q trunk established

If these parameters are met – you just achieved the 2 pts.

Here are three different configurations (from just one of the two devices) that get the full two points.

Solution 1

switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q
switchport mode trunk

Solution 2

switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q
switchport mode trunk
switchport nonegotiate

Solution 3

switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q
switchport mode trunk
switchport nonegotiate
switchport trunk allowed-vlan 100,200,300,400,500,501,502

Always ask yourself two questions:

1. Could this additional configuration I am about to add help me gain these points?
2. Could this additional configuration I am about to add potentially cost me here or elsewhere in the lab?

If your answers are YES and NO respectively, then you can certainly consider this “additional” configuration. Notice that Solution 3 comes very close to a NO and YES answer respectfully and should be frowned upon as a result.

Another great rule of thumb in this regard – “do what they ask for, nothing more, nothing less!”

Anthony Sequeira CCIE, CCSI
Twitter: @compsolv
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/compsolv

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We know that a Layer 2 loop can be devastating to the network. The STP Toolkit feature of LoopGuard is there to help ensure this condition never occurs. How does it do this? It prevents a port from going to a forwarding state in the event of a loss of BPDUs received. The idea behind this feature is that we will sacrifice the ability of the network to “self heal” and converge around a failure to ensure that the network never incorrectly converges and creates a loop.

For example, in the event of a duplex mismatch, BPDUs might not show up on a port, even though there is intermittent connectivity that could still produce a loop. LoopGuard ensures the loop condition does not happen by placing a port that would have converged into forwarding into a loop inconsistent state. This is a blocking port state, and the admin is alerted via a system message. Should an admin correct the duplex mismatch and BPDUs be received properly – the loop inconsistent port state can be dynamically resolved.

Now a big point of issue here for the written exam is the LoopGuard feature and its “overlap” with another STP-related feature – Unidirectional Link Detection or UDLD. You see LoopGuard can indeed protect against a loop caused by a unidirectional link just as UDLD can. So how do you know when to recommend one over the other? Here is what you need to keep in mind…UDLD is better at catching unidirectional conditions on links as a result of miswiring, while LoopGuard is better at preventing links caused by an overall much wider variety of circumstances. For example, LoopGuard could prevent the loop as a result of the CPU being too busy to catch and process the BPDUs that are being received.

In the official Cisco documentation, Cisco points out some key differences between UDLD and LoopGuard that I want you to be aware of:

• LoopGaurd works per VLAN; UDLD does not
• UDLD cannot auto recover without taking advantage of the Error Disable Recovery feature
• UDLD cannot catch loops from non-wiring issues
• LoopGaurd is not as good at catching miswiring issues

In an upcoming blog post here, we will go into more detail for you on UDLD.

Anthony Sequeira CCIE, CCSI
Twitter: @compsolv
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/compsolv

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Hello to all of my students from the CCIE R&S Lab Fundamentals Bootcamp (and our blog readers!).

Check out the latest fun homework exercise on EIGRP. Take your time and go for 100%. Marko cannot play.

Epic Recall for EIGRP

Anthony Sequeira CCIE, CCSI
Twitter: @compsolv
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/compsolv

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A friend told me that I should check out the text Emotional Intelligence 2.0. As I was reading this book, I quickly realized how practical it can be for CCIE candidates. You see Emotional Intelligence is all about your ability to recognize and control your emotions and to understand the impact that they can have on your life.

You see, we are all familiar with IQ. This is a measure that can be assistance to judge how quickly and efficiently we can learn to pass the CCIE. But what about EQ. This is our Emotional Intelligence rating. This can be very important in the pursuit of CCIE. Remember my cornerstones for success?

-Tech Knowledge

- Psychological State

- Physical Wellness

- Strategy

Certainly IQ impacts your technological knowledge, but think about the impact that Emotional Intelligence can have on your psychological state. And remember, the cornerstones all impact each other. For example, if your emotions are out of control and your psychological state is ruined, it can effect all three of the others.

What are the emotions that we need to watch out for in this pursuit?

• Sad – we can feel lonely and isolated from family and friends as we immerse ourselves in study
• Angry – should we experience a NOT PASS this emotion can be powerful
• Afraid – we may be paralyzed with fear regarding a NOT PASS
• Ashamed – many experience this after a NOT PASS event

As I read more of this text, I will be sure to share what tools we should be able to use in our pursuit of CCIE.

Anthony Sequeira CCIE, CCSI
Twitter: @compsolv
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/compsolv

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Join us in congratulating the following CCIEs on their great achievement;

• Mark L Reed CCIE #31990 (Voice)
• Andrew Lissitz CCIE #31840 (R&S)
• Navneet Behl CCIE # 26017 (Voice)
• Amit Kumar CCIE #31694 (Voice)

Mark Reed (CCIE #31990) Stated:

I took my second attempt at RTP yesterday and passed.  Thank you to IPExpert for the great CCIE Voice Study Materials.  Going through their materials 60 hours a week made this possible.  Vik, thank you for the great explanations in the videos.  Amy,  Thank you so much to the tips I learned listening while driving. I almost got it on the first try but did knock it out on the second.

 

Is your name on this list of IPexpert Top Guns?

If you have passed your CCIE Lab exam and used any of IPexpert’s training products including Self-study Material, Video on Demand, Audio on Demand, Rack Rental, or even one of our free vLecture’s and you don’t see your name on the list we want to hear from you!It doesn’t matter if you purchased the material from us or borrowed it from a friend just let us know what you thought about the material by visiting http://www.ipexpert.com/products/review or email CCIE@ipexpert.com with your Name and CCIE# and we will send you a free shirt seen below that will have your name and CCIE# in the list of Top Guns!

IPexpert is proud to boast the industry’s most complete and updated self-study portfolio for the CCIE Routing & Switching, CCIE Voice, CCIE Security, and CCIE Wireless Lab exams. Have you also used IPexpert or Proctor Labs to help you pass the CCIE lab exam? If so, we want to hear your story! Please email us at success@ipexpert.com.

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