In this blog I’d like to highlight the ways you can prepare yourself for the CCIE Storage. This CCIE is currently the closest to datacenter networking and if you are installing Cisco UCS systems and/or Nexus 5000s you will need Fibre Channel knowledge and even configure MDS switches or Nexus 5000s who run the exact same code as the MDS switches (NX-OS is basically a renamed SAN-OS). Apart from some Specialist (partner) certifications there is actually no resource to gain this knowledge. So everything has to come from the CCIE Storage.
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We’re pleased to announce the launch of a service that’s been requested for years, a CCIE job / recruiting service. In the past we’ve attempted to partner with various firms, but in the end – it just didn’t work. So – if you’re a CCIE (or even a CCVP or CCNP) and you’re seeking a new job or interested in hearing about new career opportunities – or, if you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum and you’re the company, organization (or even another recruiting firm) looking for the ideal high-end CCIE for a job opening you have – I encourage you to visit Platinum Placement Services. You can also follow their Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn social initiatives where various CCIE jobs will be posted periodically.

- Wayne

The week of Cisco Live! 2010 in Las Vegas came to an end. It started on Sunday and up until Thursday, thousands (apparently more than 15.000) of network engineers gathered in one place to participate in the largest of Cisco’s social and learning events. Of course, we were there and here is just brief summary of the things future will bring
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IPexpert, Inc. Launches High-end Consulting Division

China, Michigan, March 31^st 2010 – IPexpert, Inc., a Michigan-based IT training company, announced today that it has launched a new division that will focus on high-end Cisco consulting services. Platinum Solutions Group, a sister company of IPexpert Inc, is a corporation formed by some of the world’s most distinguished and experienced Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts (CCIEs).

Platinum Solutions Group (PSG) provides high-end consultative services for small to medium business and enterprise-size corporations. Services consist of Planning, Designing, Implementing, Support, and Optimization of large-scale intra, and internetworks. PSG will also provide training for clients who require customized education. PSG will focus its efforts on the Data Center Virtualization, Network Security, Service Provider and Unified Communications arenas.

President of IPexpert, Wayne A. Lawson II, founded IPexpert in 2001, Proctor Labs, Inc. in 2005 and now Platinum Solutions Group, after becoming a CCIE and designing some of the world’s largest networks. “Our team consists of some of the world’s most experienced technical experts. It’s a natural evolution as we’re consistently asked to provide guidance and assistance to our students and their network design teams. We’re excited to offer a level of service that most consulting companies can’t match because of our high-end focus within the CCIE training space,” says Mr. Lawson.

About Platinum Solutions Group:

Founded in 2010, Platinum Solutions Group is a high-end consulting services company that provides technical services pertaining to Data Center Virtualization, Network Security, Service Provider and Unified Communication-enabled networks. For more information, please visit Platinum Solutions Group at www.platinumsolutionsgroup.com.

About IPexpert:

Founded in 2001, IPexpert is an industry-recognized, privately held, training company for computer networking engineers pursuing the highest level career certification offered by Cisco. The company has become a global leader serving its niche market, boasting the most distinguished offering of self-study products, courses and online hardware available for online equipment rental. IPexpert has appeared in Inc. Magazine’s annual list of the fastest growing private companies in America for the past two years. Please visit www.ipexpert.com for more information.

Currently I’m doing a lot of consulting for companies that are working on a Datacenter project, most times in combination with some Storage solution and probably we slip in some UCS (Unified Computing System, do NOT think of it as UC stuff).

Therefore it’s good to expand thoughts and knowledge and I bought a stack of books related to Storage and Cisco Datacenter solutions. Besides that it’s a little personal thing to see if I can combine the current studies for Security and also try to pursue the CCIE Storage as well. It’s a difficult choice, since there are quite some rumors going on the internet, that suspect a change to CCIE Datacenter and that Cisco would drop having a CCIE solely based on the MDS switches. With the current Nexus portfolio, it really removes the need for certain type of MDS switches and position the MDS line only in the Fibre Channel core of a network.
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