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: What is the R&S lab environment like? Does it use putty?

Answer: The R&S Lab Exam environment has changed pretty dramatically from when I was taking it. That was waaaaay back in 2005 :-) Today, you are provided with scratch paper and colored pencils and all other materials are electronic. That is right. No more printed documents. All of your tasks and trouble tickets will appear on screen in the exam Graphical User Interface (GUI) environment.

You can expect a 24 inch widescreen monitor, a QWERTY keyboard, and a mouse.

In the GUI, clicking on router icons produces a customized Putty window in which you work.

The documentation is available from a help menu, and also a link on the workstation desktop.

For a tour of the exam GUI interface – check out this video from Cisco:

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/static/video-wp/CCIE_RS_v4_Lab_Exam_Demo_640x480-v2.htm

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

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In this ongoing series here at blog.ipexpert.com, we are going to answer the most common questions CCIE instructors hear. Let’s jump right in:

Question: Can I use aliases in the lab? Is there any risk?

Answer: We are going to answer you just like the CCIE Lab Exam proctor would – go ahead and use all of the aliases you would like in your lab exam, just be sure to remove them before completing a section (for example, Troubleshooting or Configuration).

Follow up Question: Why remove them?

Answer: Proctors have indicated that these can cause issues for the automated grading scripts that assists proctors in grading your exam.

Bonus Question: What the $%^#& is an alias?

Bonus Answer: In the context of the lab exam, it is a “shortcut” for typing that you can create for a particular command. For example, if you enter in the router the command alias exec sir sh ip route, you can now type sir in Exec mode in order to issue the show ip route command.

Another Bonus Question: Did you use those in the lab you passed Anthony?

Another Bonus Answer: Nope. I never decided to use them. I became fast enough with just the “natural” shortcuts like sh ip int br and sh ip prot. I was also afraid that I might run out of time in the exam and not have an opportunity to strip them out.

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

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Here in our second part of our series on the CCIE Lab Exam Proctors, let us examine some tips in dealing with the proctors. To make this even more fun and logical, let us take the tips in sequential order for your big day!

Tip 1 – arrive to the lab early. A proctor is going to have a pretty bad first impression of you should you arrive to the lab exam late. In fact, should you be excessively late, they might not even permit you to start.

Tip 2 - just like you would not want to be offensive with your words when you meet the proctor, be sure you are not offensive with your dress. A Juniper T-shirt is probably best left at home!

Tip 3 – Listen. Right off the bat you are going to be receiving instructions from your proctor. These are going to run the gamut from where is the restroom to how the interface of your lab functions. While it will be quite difficult with everything that is spinning through your brain, be sure to patiently listen to all of these instructions.

Tip 4 – be polite at all times. This can be tough since you are under a fair amount of stress, especially should you sit down and immediately start having interface or equipment problems with your lab with the clock ticking. Just remember to breathe and be VERY polite. The proctors are human beings, and they will react to you with human nature. The more polite you are – the better. If you are not polite by your own nature, one tip here is to at least start your queries with them with a small phrase like “May I interrupt you…” or “Please pardon the interruption…”

Tip 5 – when approaching the proctor with a clarification question about a technology task in the lab exam, be sure that you demonstrate your knowledge of the material. Remember from our last article on this subject of proctors, Ben made it clear that proctors will not assist should they believe a student is just fishing or expecting an answer. If you demonstrate with your question that you are at a CCIE-level, and that your only issue is vagueness or an issue with the question, they might be inclined to help. JUST REMEMBER TIP 4 – always be polite.

Tip 6 – do not be afraid to approach a proctor multiple times when asking your clarification question. In fact, look for another proctor in the room if you do not get anywhere with the first (after several attempts).

Tip 7 – if you are comfortable conversing during your lunch break – go ahead and “shadow” your proctor. You never know what tips and anecdotes they might provide over lunch for succeeding with the exam.

Tip 8 – when the exam is over, do not be afraid to spend some time with your proctor(s). Typically they are very willing to “hang out” and discuss valuable insights and pointers into the lab exam process.

Tip 9 – thank your proctor profusely. Hey – if you do need to revisit the lab exam, they might remember you!

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

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