CCIE R&S. Know Your Enemy, Plan of Attack, Battlefield Tactics and The Untold Story. Yusuf Bhaiji Senior Manager, Expert Certifications #9305

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2 CCIE R&S Know Your Enemy, Plan of Attack, Battlefield Tactics and The Untold Story Yusuf Bhaiji Senior Manager, Expert Certifications #9305

3 Session Abstract Whether you're starting the journey to earn your CCIE Routing and Switching number or you're actively preparing for the lab exam, this session is for you! The main objective of this short session is to provide you with good guidance on how to effectively prepare and approach the exam. Though the session includes illustrations and sample questions, its primary focus is around exam centric approaches and strategies. It is not aimed at covering in details much technical topics susceptible to appear in the exams. There is no prerequisite to attend the session. The agenda includes three main parts: "Know Your Enemy", "Plan of Attack" and "Battlefield Tactics" and it closes with a series of advises "The untold...".

4 Know What You Don t Know

5 Agenda Know Your Enemy Exam Curriculum Exam Design Plan of Attack Battlefield Tactics The untold

6 CCIE R&Sv5 Certification Process Written Exam 120min pass TS 120min Practical Exam DIAG 30min CFG 330 min pass CCIE 1. Troubleshooting 2. Diagnostic 3. Configuration

7 CCIE R&Sv5 Lab Skills Assessment A Problem DIAG TS B Solution Y CFG Z Design Requirement Implementation Decision

CCIE R&Sv5 Lab Skills Assessment TS DIAG CFG Resolve networking problems Use IOS Troubleshooting

blueprint) Implement and verify working solution of networking issues Perceive problem areas Analyse

sources Discern appropriate solution Apply Troubleshooting Methodologies Troubleshoot Network

Understand how infrastructure components interoperate Implement Network technologies (any topic on

8 CCIE R&Sv5 Lab Skills Assessment TS DIAG CFG Resolve networking problems Use IOS Troubleshooting tools Apply Troubleshooting methodologies Troubleshoot Network technologies (any topic on the blueprint) Implement and verify working solution of networking issues Perceive problem areas Analyse symptoms of networking issues, identify and describe root cause Correlate information from multiple sources Discern appropriate solution Apply Troubleshooting Methodologies Troubleshoot Network technologies (any topic on the blueprint) Abstract functional element of complex network environment Understand how infrastructure components interoperate Implement Network technologies (any topic on the blueprint) Design appropriate solutions to network infrastructure s challenges within constraints and verify functionality

9 Agenda Know Your Enemy Exam Curriculum Exam Design Plan of Attack Battlefield Tactics The untold

10 Exam Topics (a.k.a Blueprint) learningnetwork.cisco.com Certifications > Expert > Exam >Topics

11 CCIE R&Sv5 Curriculum

12 Updated CCIE Framework: July 25th Blueprint Weights WRT% LAB% Evolving Technologies (Common across all Tracks) REST API SDN IoT DevOps XaaS Automation and Orchestration OpenStack Cloud NFV/AF V 10% N/A CCIE Data Center v2.0 Consolidated/ Unified Blueprint CCIE SP Current BP per track CCIE Security Current BP per track CCIE Wireless Current BP per track CCIE Collaboration Current BP per track CCIE R&S Current BP per track CCDE Current BP per track 90% 100% 100% 100%

13 Agenda Know Your Enemy Exam Curriculum Exam Design Plan of Attack Battlefield Tactics The untold

14 CCIE Exam Design

Optional - 30min Configuration (5h30) Virtual devices

15 CCIE R&Sv5 Lab Exam Format Web-based delivery Troubleshooting (2h) Optional + 30min DIAG (30min) Optional - 30min Configuration (5h30) Virtual devices No Device Virtual devices minscore minscore minscore Cut Score

16 CCIE R&Sv5 Scoring Logic 2 required conditions to PASS: #1: MUST meet or exceed each module s minscore #2: MUST meet or exceed the Lab s TOTAL cutscore

17 Example#1: PASS + FAIL+ PASS = FAIL! Module Total score Min score Cut score Candidate 1 Score PASS/FAIL TS DIAG CFG TS 28 PASS DIAG 2 FAIL CFG 52 PASS LAB 82 FAIL #1: DIDN t meet or exceed each module s minscore #2: met or exceeded the Lab s TOTAL cutscore Strong in both TS and CFG but very weak in DIAG.!This is just an illustration! Actual values vary per exam questionnaire!

18 Example#2: PASS + PASS + PASS = FAIL! Module Total score Min score Cut score Candidate 2 Score PASS/FAIL TS DIAG CFG TS 15 PASS DIAG 5 PASS CFG 27 PASS LAB 47 FAIL #1: met or exceeded each module s minscore #2: DIDN T meet or exceed the Lab s TOTAL cutscore Passed all modules minscore, but total < cutscore!

19 Example#3: PASS + PASS + PASS = PASS! Module Total score Min score Cut score Candidate 3 Score PASS/FAIL TS DIAG CFG TS 18 PASS DIAG 5 PASS CFG 52 PASS LAB 75 PASS #1: met or exceeded each module s minscore #2: met or exceeded the Lab s TOTAL cutscore Compensated a weakness in TS with strength in CFG! TS( minscore < score < cut score )

20 CCIE R&Sv5 Timing Rules TS is maximum 150min DIAG is fixed to 30min CFG is 8h minus (TS + DIAG) == minimum 310min!

21 Agenda Know Your Enemy Plan of Attack Exam Preparations Exam Guidelines & Strategy I HAVE A PLAN ATTACK! Battlefield Tactics The untold

22 How to eat an elephant? One bite at a time!

CCIE Exam Preparations Expert knowledge & performance requires ACTIVE LEARNING & DELIBERATE PRACTICE while not Ready: LEARN Research READ Read UNDERSTAND Analyse

23 CCIE Exam Preparations Expert knowledge & performance requires ACTIVE LEARNING & DELIBERATE PRACTICE while not Ready: LEARN Research READ Read UNDERSTAND Analyse REMEMBER Correlate Practice known Practice unknown Self-assess PRACTICE BASIC SCENARIO INCREASE DIFFICULTY PRACTICE EXPLORE OBSERVE INVENT TROUBLESHOOT VERIFY ANTICIPATE VALIDATE

24 CCIE R&Sv5 Preparation Materials Cisco Learning Network (CLN) Cisco Documentation Cisco Expert-level Training Program for CCIE RS Ciscopress books CCIE Lab builder

25 Agenda Know Your Enemy Plan of Attack Exam Preparations Exam Guidelines & Strategy I HAVE A PLAN ATTACK! Battlefield Tactics The untold

26 Exam Guidelines Do s and Don t Don t change device access (console, passwd, hostname) Verify device health and pre-configs Read all content (guidelines, diagrams, items) Configure and troubleshoot (anticipate, implement, verify) Save configuration

27 Exam Strategy Did you drive the same way on your driving license test compared to how you drive in real life? Driving License Surname: Name: Sex: Date of Birth: Nationality: Address: License#:

28 Lab Exam Strategy Just PASS it!

29 CCIE R&Sv5 Lab Exam Strategy Just PASS it! Don t try to ace it! Relax! Target 80% in all modules, not 100%!!! Don t give up after TS! Remember the Scoring logic! Don t use extra time in TS! Manage your time! Don t just do & assume anticipate & verify too! Pay attention to details!

Monitor the session s count-down timer (TS & DIAG)!

30 Exam Strategy: Manage your time! Do not get stuck! Set time limit per item! Use your watch or workstation clock! Monitor the session s count-down timer (TS & DIAG)! STOP and move on to the next item! Keep a note and get back to it later Use prohibited solution if needed Troubleshoot before asking help to the proctor!

Exam Strategy: Pay attention to the detail! Do not assume! Read items multiple times! Consult diagrams! (authoritative reference) Think, anticipate and plan before doing! Beware of typos!

31 Exam Strategy: Pay attention to the detail! Do not assume! Read items multiple times! Consult diagrams! (authoritative reference) Think, anticipate and plan before doing! Beware of typos! Use notepad + copy/paste to author config snippets! Verify states, not configuration! Re-read item when completed, check for anything missing! Read, Think, Anticipate, Do, Verify, Re-read, Re-verify!

32 Exam Strategy: Control your stress! Build your confidence level! Relax! Scan read and cherry pick items! Take the low-hanging fruits! (Collect the easy points first!) Use notepad to speed up configs! Rely on the documentation! Keep notes of overall progress (TS & CFG).

33 Agenda Know Your Enemy Plan of Attack Battlefield Tactics Per-module Tactics Module demo Practical Exam TS DIAG CFG The untold

! Focus on the highlighted region of the main topology!* Don t expect best practice scenario!

34 TS Tactics to avoid getting stuck! Cherry pick items: Identify items with lower points value Set time limit, monitor time and move on if needed!! Focus on the highlighted region of the main topology!* Don t expect best practice scenario! Isolate the issue with a Root-cause-analysis! Keep track of config changes you made! Revert to inits if needed! Go for the simplest solution! Verify your solution against constraints and guidelines! Don t use the extra time if you re confident to score >=80%!

35 Anatomy of a TS item Mini-diagram Symptoms Validation test Additional constraints Pointer to guidelines Score

36 Demo

37 Solution vs Guidelines Is it allowed to: shutdown interface? remove OSPF network type? change network mask? remove MTU? disable DHCP snooping? configure a new tunnel interface? remove an ACL? change an ACL? remove excluded address? Etc NO! YES, as long as the interface is still in OSPF! YES, as long as the interface is still up/up YES, it simply reverts to default config!! NO! NO! NO! YES, as long as it is still applied where it was! YES, as long as this is the only possible solution! Use common sense! And Proctor is your last resort

38 Agenda Know Your Enemy Plan of Attack Battlefield Tactics Per-module Tactics Module demo Practical Exam TS DIAG CFG The untold

39 DIAG Tactics to Make your choice! Carefully read the stem and all options then go through all resources provided. Mentally picture the situation and understand the problem asked. Reject absurd option(s) and identify options pair(s)! Test each plausible option(s) using the resources provided! Use your knowledge and experience to navigate different resources! There is only one correct answer, considering all resources provided! Go for the simplest option(s) that is confirmed by the provided documentation! Take your time but watch the clock! (NB: Time is fixed to 30 minutes).

40 Demo

41 Agenda Know Your Enemy Plan of Attack Battlefield Tactics Per-module Tactics Module demo Practical Exam TS DIAG CFG The untold

42 CFG Tactics to Anticipate, Do, Verify! Quickly read the whole scenario! Gauge item difficulty and identify inter-dependency between items. Determine the item sequence for efficient implementation! Work item as a unit! Keep note when missing requirements! Identify explicit vs implicit requirements Think about smart configuration options before jumping to configuration. Choose fastest solution option. Minimise keyboard time (notepad, copy/paste, aliases, minimal CLI, ) Enable debugs, test and validate solutions. Better to use a prohibited solution than missing a requirement! Verify all requirements Reread the whole stem!

43 Demo

44 CFG Sample Item#1 Refer to Diagram 1: Layer 2 Connections. Configure VLAN Trunking Protocol in the ACME Headquarters network as per the following requirements: Use VTP version 2. The VTP domain name is CCIE (without quotes). Secure the VTP advertisements with a MD5 hash of the string CCIE" (without quotes). SW1 must propagate all VLAN configuration changes to SW2, SW3, and SW4. Verify that SW2, SW3 and SW4 accept all VLAN configuration changes done on SW1. Configure the trunk ports in ACME Headquarters network as per the following requirements: Configure interfaces E2/0 to E2/3 of SW1 and SW2 as dot1q trunks. Configure interfaces E2/2 and E2/3 of SW3 and SW4 as dot1q trunks. All trunks must set the native VLAN to VLAN 999. All VLANs must be allowed on all trunks.

45 CFG Sample Item#1: Explicit requirements Refer to Diagram 1: Layer 2 Connections. Configure VLAN Trunking Protocol in the ACME Headquarters network as per the following requirements: Use VTP version 2. The VTP domain name is CCIE (without quotes). Secure the VTP advertisements with a MD5 hash of the string CCIE" (without quotes). SW1 must propagate all VLAN configuration changes to SW2, SW3, and SW4. Verify that SW2, SW3 and SW4 accept all VLAN configuration changes done on SW1. Configure the trunk ports in ACME Headquarters network as per the following requirements: Configure interfaces E2/0 to E2/3 of SW1 and SW2 as dot1q trunks. Configure interfaces E2/2 and E2/3 of SW3 and SW4 as dot1q trunks. All trunks must set the native VLAN to VLAN 999. All VLANs must be allowed on all trunks.

46 Functional & Independent... CFG Sample Item#1: Implicit requirements Refer to Diagram 1: Layer 2 Connections. Configure VLAN Trunking Protocol in the ACME Headquarters network as per the following requirements: Use VTP version 2. The VTP domain name is CCIE (without quotes). Secure the VTP advertisements with a MD5 hash of the string CCIE" (without quotes). SW1 must propagate all VLAN configuration changes to SW2, SW3, and SW4. Verify that SW2, SW3 and SW4 accept all VLAN configuration changes done on SW1. Configure the trunk ports in ACME Headquarters network as per the following requirements: Configure interfaces E2/0 to E2/3 of SW1 and SW2 as dot1q trunks. Configure interfaces E2/2 and E2/3 of SW3 and SW4 as dot1q trunks. All trunks must set the native VLAN to VLAN 999. All VLANs must be allowed on all trunks.

47 Explicit verification CFG Sample Item#1: Validation requirements Refer to Diagram 1: Layer 2 Connections. Configure VLAN Trunking Protocol in the ACME Headquarters network as per the following requirements: Use VTP version 2. The VTP domain name is CCIE (without quotes). Secure the VTP advertisements with a MD5 hash of the string CCIE" (without quotes). SW1 must propagate all VLAN configuration changes to SW2, SW3, and SW4. Verify that SW2, SW3 and SW4 accept all VLAN configuration changes done on SW1. Configure the trunk ports in ACME Headquarters network as per the following requirements: Configure interfaces E2/0 to E2/3 of SW1 and SW2 as dot1q trunks. Configure interfaces E2/2 and E2/3 of SW3 and SW4 as dot1q trunks. All trunks must set the native VLAN to VLAN 999. All VLANs must be allowed on all trunks.

48 CFG Sample Item#1: Easy item Low points value. Very explicit requirements. Independent functional requirements. Very similar configuration for multiple devices.

49 CFG Sample Item#2 Configure the ACME network as per the following requirements: Configure a static default route on R1 pointing to Configure a static default route on R2 pointing to Configure a static default route on R5 pointing to Configure a static default route on R6 pointing to Configure a static route on R5 for /16 pointing to SW5 must install two equal-cost external default routes into its routing table. SW6 must receive a default route from R5; no other EIGRP prefix must be propagated to SW6. SW7 must receive only an internal default route from R6, no other EIGRP prefix must be propagated to SW7. R1 and R2 must propagate a default route into the EIGRP domain as an external route. R3 and R4 must receive an external default route from either R1 or R2. The headquarters must have reachability to all access VLANs of all remote sites (VLAN 601, 602, 701 and 801) via either the DMVPN cloud or via the MPLS VPN.

50 CFG Sample Item#2: Explicit requirements Configure the ACME network as per the following requirements: Configure a static default route on R1 pointing to Configure a static default route on R2 pointing to Configure a static default route on R5 pointing to Configure a static default route on R6 pointing to Configure a static route on R5 for /16 pointing to SW5 must install two equal-cost external default routes into its routing table. SW6 must receive a default route from R5; no other EIGRP prefix must be propagated to SW6. SW7 must receive only an internal default route from R6, no other EIGRP prefix must be propagated to SW7. R1 and R2 must propagate a default route into the EIGRP domain as an external route. R3 and R4 must receive an external default route from either R1 or R2. The headquarters must have reachability to all access VLANs of all remote sites (VLAN 601, 602, 701 and 801) via either the DMVPN cloud or via the MPLS VPN.

51 CFG Sample Item#2: Implicit requirements Configure the ACME network as per the following requirements: Configure a static default route on R1 pointing to Configure a static default route on R2 pointing to Configure a static default route on R5 pointing to Configure a static default route on R6 pointing to Configure a static route on R5 for /16 pointing to SW5 must install two equal-cost external default routes into its routing table. SW6 must receive a default route from R5; no other EIGRP prefix must be propagated to SW6. SW7 must receive only an internal default route from R6, no other EIGRP prefix must be propagated to SW7. R1 and R2 must propagate a default route into the EIGRP domain as an external route. R3 and R4 must receive an external default route from either R1 or R2. The headquarters must have reachability to all access VLANs of all remote sites (VLAN 601, 602, 701 and 801) via either the DMVPN cloud or via the MPLS VPN.

52 CFG Sample Item#2: Implicit requirements Configure the ACME network as per the following requirements: Configure a static default route on R1 pointing to Configure a static default route on R2 pointing to Configure a static default route on R5 pointing to Configure a static default route on R6 pointing to Configure a static route on R5 for /16 pointing to SW5 must install two equal-cost external default routes into its routing table. SW6 must receive a default route from R5; no other EIGRP prefix must be propagated to SW6. SW7 must receive only an internal default route from R6, no other EIGRP prefix must be propagated to SW7. R1 and R2 must propagate a default route into the EIGRP domain as an external route. R3 and R4 must receive an external default route from either R1 or R2. constraints The headquarters must have reachability to all access VLANs of all remote sites (VLAN 601, 602, 701 and 801) via either the DMVPN cloud or via the MPLS VPN. interdependent Hidden bomb

53 CFG Sample Item#2: Difficult item Higher points value. May have some explicit requirements. Will have implicit requirements. Requires more anticipation, configuration and verification! Relies on completion of any other item(s)! Might contain a hidden bomb!

54 CFG requirements types Explicit: clearly calls out what must be done Implicit: provides information about desired specification without calling it out Functional: describes a difference between two features or protocols to narrow down solution choice Outcome: describes the result or effect of a feature or protocol Independent: doesn t rely on completion of any other item s requirement(s)* Interdependent: does rely on completion of any other item s requirement(s) Constraint: imposes a restriction between optional so Validation: describes possibl Distractor: doesn t require any action (*) though may rely on other requirement(s) of the current item

55 Agenda Know Your Enemy Plan of Attack Battlefield Tactics Exam Sample Items The Untold

56 The Untold Knowledge test vs Performance test

57 Deliberate Practice Practice on what you don t master yet! Put yourself out of your comfort zone! Spend time, lots of time, but practice with purpose, not just muscle! The 10 years of silence or hours! Focus on tiny improvements! Get 1% better every day/week! Master one skill at a time! Get feedback! Set measurable goals! Repeat and work on techniques to improve performance (i.e. speed!) Put in your full attention!

58 Deliberate Practice Strategy Do I really understand the fundamentals? Don t lose sight on the fundamentals Am I working on the next step? Build cumulative skills! What am I missing? What is new? How can I grow? Expertise is a process, not a race!

59 Know What You Don t Know

60 Q & A

Go to the Cisco Live Melbourne 2017 Mobile app 2. Find this session 3.

61 Cisco Spark Ask Questions, Get Answers, Continue the Experience Use Cisco Spark to communicate with the Speaker and fellow participants after the session Download the Cisco Spark app from itunes or Google Play 1. Go to the Cisco Live Melbourne 2017 Mobile app 2. Find this session 3. Click the Spark button under Speakers in the session description 4. Enter the room, room name = 5. Join the conversation! The Spark Room will be open for 2 weeks after Cisco Live 61

Complete Your Online Session Evaluation Give us your feedback and receive a Cisco Live 2017 Cap by completing the overall event evaluation and 5 session evaluations.

62 Complete Your Online Session Evaluation Give us your feedback and receive a Cisco Live 2017 Cap by completing the overall event evaluation and 5 session evaluations. All evaluations can be completed via the Cisco Live Mobile App. Caps can be collected Friday 10 March at Registration. Learn online with Cisco Live! Visit us online after the conference for full access to session videos and presentations. 62

63 Thank you

CCIE R&S V5 Update. Bruno van de Werve CCIE R&S Exam Program Manager # #clmel BRKCRT-8004

CCIE R&S V5 Update. Bruno van de Werve CCIE R&S Exam Program Manager # #clmel BRKCRT-8004 CCIE R&S V5 Update Bruno van de Werve CCIE R&S Exam Program Manager #20066 #clmel Session Abstract If you're starting the journey to gain your CCIE Routing and Switching number, this session is for you!