INE released GNS3 config for v5 topology

A few days ago one friend on mine announced me that InternetworkExpert released a GNS3 configuration for their v5 topology.

When I had check INE’s website, I could not found the link to GNS3 topology. To be honest I was expecting INE to announce with big letters this new development, but I was quite silent (or I’m not reading carefully enough their website).

To fin GNS3 configuration, there is a small catch. You have to go to INE resources webpage, and from there to Dynamips (there is no GNS3 link). If you ever used the INE’s Dynamips config, that this page is familiar for you. Somewhere in the middle there is a link with “Click here to download the INE Topologies for Dynagen“. You download this archive file and inside you’ll find among other configuration a file called ine.routing.and.switching.topology.5.00.gns3.net:

INE V5 GNS3 topology config

This is the file which you are looking for. Of course you need to edit and adapt it to your local configuration (IOS, path location…).  What is different from Dynamips file? Almost nothing, but you have a graphical view of the topology and if you put your mouse over a link, you’ll see where is the connection pointing too. It can help you spare some time in the configuration, but there is a drawback. Don’t get used too much with this feature, as in the CCIE lab exam you don’t have where to point your mouse to show the connection and you have to figure it by your own from the paper (or lately computer screen).

If you don’t want to follow the steps above, then:

Download the INE’s v5 topology GNS3 configuration


New CCIE R&S Lab Opportunities: New Location Available

To increase testing opportunities and add convenience for certification candidates, Cisco® will be offering the CCIE® Routing and Switching lab exam in additional locations in April 2010, as listed below. A new location in Johannesberg/Midrand, South Africa has been added. The exams will be administered at Pearson Professional Centers which are designed for secure, high-stakes professional exams and have been used by medical, legal and other examination boards for over eight years. Cisco already uses Pearson Professional Centers to administer the practical exam for CCDE® (Cisco Certified Design Expert). More information on the centers is available at www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/ccie.

Cisco Certified Architect Exam blueprint has been released

Cisco announced through their LearningNetwork webpage that the topics (blueprint) for the Cisco Certified Architect have been released. The exam is scheduled to be available February 2010 and qualified candidates will be provided the information as it becomes available.

It will be quite a challenge among these level engineers to be the first one to achieve such certification :) Above holding a valid CCDE certification there are a lot of other requirements just to qualify to take this exam.

If you are interested in you can download the PDF blueprint or have a look on the official Cisco LearningNetwork homepage for more details.

Juniper Training … Get a Free First Look

Today in the morning, I received a notification in my Inbox about a new person following  me on Twitter. As I took a look on Jonah Manning’s (that’s the name of the person following me) twitters, one subject caught my attention immediately: Training … Get a Free First Look”.

I followed the link and this lead me to an document (http://forums.juniper.net/t5/Networking-Now/Training-Get-a-Free-First-Look/ba-p/23149) which explains that Juniper is renewing it’s learning classes and they need beta testers for this. In the following lines I will use some lines from the link posted above, so please don’t sue me for copyright infringement, rather let me know if there is a problem and I’ll remove them.

So, what’s going on Juniper:
“When we write new training classes (or even significantly revise existing ones), we conduct various kinds of reviews to ensure that the training teaches the correct audience the correct skills in the correct way.  Sometimes, we get input from members of the “target audience” prior to writing the training (or even while writing the training), to find out what they really want to know, or to find out if a particular example is going to work well.  However, one of the biggest tests of a new class is the beta class.”

What is a beta class?
“A beta class is the first real-life test of a new class”

Where will them take place?
“It is conducted in our (n.a. Juniper’s) Sunnyvale offices using student guides and labs that are candidates for final release, and it is taught on a schedule that imitates the final class.  This is where we find out whether the four-day class really is four days, whether that slide on the second day really does explain four-byte AS numbers well enough, and whether that lab really does explain the topic accurately.  This is our opportunity to double-check that the class includes the correct material for the target audience, that it teaches that material well, and that there are no missing “building blocks” of knowledge.”

What they will teach you?
“… we have many kinds of classes (introductory, intermediate, and advanced) on many different topics (routing, VPNs, MPLS, security, management, etc.)”

How much does it cost?
“Participants in the beta classes are allowed to attend the class for free (however, all incidental expenses, including travel, are the participants’ responsibility)”

As you can see this beta classes are free, but unfortunately  for some of us, network engineers, will cost some money (at least for me since I’m in Europe) to attend, due to travel expenses and accommodation. Anyway the lucky ones, which are interested in seeing what’s the deal with Juniper and have some know-how about networking can attend this classes for free. To take advantage of this offer, you have to register. Please find out how to do that at:  http://forums.juniper.net/t5/Networking-Now/Training-Get-a-Free-First-Look/ba-p/23149, the paragraph before last one.

OK, if you cannot participate in this program, but you still want to get familiar with Juniper, there is a good news, as you can find online some classes. And the best part, some of them are completely free, you just need an Internet connection and you’re good to go. You can find this online classes here: http://www.juniper.net/us/en/training/technical_education/

Two CCIE R&S Certification Webinars

Source: https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/docs/DOC-4862

Cisco will conduct two webinar events on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 to describe recent enhancements to CCIE R&S certification and Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE R&S.
Attendees can choose from calls at 8:00 am and 7:00 pm PST.
Participants need only attend one event as content will be identical.

Registration information is as follows:

MEETING DETAILS

Meeting Name: CCIE R&S Refresh
Date/Time: 5/20/2009 @ 8:00 AM and 7:00PM US/Pacific Time
Length: 90 minutes
Frequency: Once
Meeting ID: 222333

Register for each event:

Please visit https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/docs/DOC-4862 to register for this event.

Join the Voice Conference

1. Call MeetingPlace:

Toll-free (US only): 1-800-370-2618

Toll-free (Canada only): 1-800-370-2618

International Direct Dial: 1-650-599-0315

2. Press 1 to attend a meeting.

3. Enter Meeting ID (222333) followed by the # key.

4. Follow the prompts to record your name and enter the meeting.

Join the Web Conference

1.    Disable any pop-up blocker software.

2.    Go to http://gc46gw1.meetingplace.net.

3.    Enter meeting ID (222333) and click Attend Meeting.

4.    Enter your first and last name in the My name is box and click Attend Meeting.

5.    Answer Yes to any security warnings you receive and wait for the Meeting Room to initialize.

Please read more on: https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/docs/DOC-4862