The New Cisco CCIP and CCIE C&S Certifications

Peter J. Welcher

Introduction

I just taught the course MPLS Essentials, MLSTE, for the first time, with revised labs (approximately same content, different layout and lots of optional extensions). I hadn't realized until now how fast MPLS VPN's get into some intermediate to advanced BGP (MBGP), thinking like an ISP. (iBGP next hop is the exit point from the SP cloud, etc.). We had lots of fun (really!) making all sorts of things work. Suggestion: if you're thinking about doing MPLS VPN's or taking the MLSTE course, you'll want to take the BSCN course first, or be up on at least BGP basics! (I did an ad hoc backfill for those thin on BGP, but the more people know coming in, the more we can cover.)

Congratulations to Mentor Technologies' Wayne Gustavus, consultant, for recently passing his CCIE (#7426). That brings us back up to 21 CCIE's employed or contracting with Mentor.

Cisco just announced a new career certification and CCIE path at SuperComm, the CCIP. Since the article from two months ago discussed Cisco certifications, we'll add to that by going over CCIP for this month's article. The previous article on Cisco certifications can be found at http://www.netcraftsmen.net/welcher/papers/ciscocerts.htm . I do plan to get back to technical articles next month.

Mentor Technologies is very interested in offering courses for the revised and new certifications. We'll be rolling out all sorts of additional courses in the next few months. Senior instructors went over the list last week and it's amazing. Check our web pages for details, course outlines, current information and schedule. In particular, we plan to offer at least some of the courses for security certification, the basic design/overview course for CISS specialization, and courses for the CCIP track as discussed below.

The CCIP Certification

CCIP stands for Cisco Certified Internetworking Professional, which fits in under a general heading of "Communications and Services". The main CCIP web page can be found at http://www.cisco.com/warp/customer/10/wwtraining/certprog/c_and_s/ccip

The CCIP certification is intended to recognize individuals with end-end access/infrastructure competency, with a telecommunications emphasis. (My interpretation of this phrasing: Service Provider staff). Areas included under CCIP: IP routing, IP multicast, cable, DSL, content networking, telephony. The CCNA certification is highly recommended as a prerequisite (since you'll need to have a basic knowledge of networking and subnetting.)

Recommended courses for CCIP:

Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI). This is a variant of the current BSCN routing course, with some changes as to topics and depth of coverage suitable for Internet and IP Service Providers.
Implementing Cisco Multicast (MCAST)
Implementing Cisco QoS (QOS)

There will be an electronic exam for each course. You need to pass tests on the above course materials. You will also need to pass exams corresponding to one of the following Cisco specializations:

Cable
MPLS (new!)
Security

The one specialization test you take is your choice.

For the cable specialization, 5 courses are recommended. Mentor currently offers ICCR, the first course. See also

http://www.cisco.com/warp/customer/10/wwtraining/certprog/c_and_s/ccip/pop_cable_training.html

The Security specialization was mentioned in the previous article. Courses: MCNS, CSPFA, CSIDS, CSVPN. The basic PIX firewall course CSPFF is a recommended prerequisite for CSPFA, Cisco Secure PIX Firewall Advanced. We currently offer MCNS and plan to offer at least CSPFF and probably CSPFA soon. See also

http://www.cisco.com/warp/customer/10/wwtraining/certprog/c_and_s/ccip/pop_security_training.html

The MPLS specialization is based on the course Implementing Cisco MPLS (course id MPLS). I'm planning on attending the Train the Trainer session for this soon, and we'll then decide whether or not to offer the course, either in addition to or replacing MLSTE. See also

http://www.cisco.com/warp/customer/10/wwtraining/certprog/c_and_s/ccip/pop_mpls_training.html

The Cisco CCIP document mentions that "electives" such as cable, ISP dial, wireless, and optical may be added over time. The CCIP certification is valid for 3 years. Recertification requirements are still being determined.

CCIE for CCIP: CCIE Communications and Services

The CCIE C&S (Communications and Services) is an extension of the CCIP certification to the CCIE level of expertise, showing deep and broad knowledge in several related areas.

To obtain this CCIE, you'll need to pass a written exam. The written test is the usual 100 questions in 2 hours, multiple choice. Part of the written exam (50%) covers General Knowledge, defined as IP and IP Routing & Switching (in other words, there's some overlap here with CCIE Routing & Switching). General Knowledge also includes MPLS/VPN, QoS, Switching, ATM, Frame Relay, ISDN, MPLS Traffic Engineering, and RSVP.

The other part (50% or so) covers your choice of one Specific Technology: optical, DSL, cable, dial, wireless, WAN switching, content networking, or voice.

Once you pass the written exam, you then take a lab exam (planned for July 2001 availability, currently). This tests your General Knowledge (see above) in a lab setting. The equipment list as of 6/2001: 2500, 2600, 3600, 4000, 4500 series routers, Cat 5000 series switches. This sounds like fun!

In Conclusion

Let me know what you prefer: general Cisco articles like this or technical summary articles. In the meantime, I'm going to try to provide a mix (variety is good).

I'm writing this in early June, looking forward to a week in the North Carolina Outer Banks. I wish you a good Summer vacation!

Dr. Peter J. Welcher (CCIE #1773, CCSI #94014) is a Senior Consultant with Chesapeake NetCraftsmen. NetCraftsmen is a high-end consulting firm and Cisco Premier Partner dedicated to quality consulting and knowledge transfer. NetCraftsmen has nine CCIE's, with expertise including large network high-availability routing/switching and design, VoIP, QoS, MPLS, network management, security, IP multicast, and other areas. See http://www.netcraftsmen.net for more information about NetCraftsmen. Pete's links start at http://www.netcraftsmen.net/welcher . New articles will be posted under the Articles link. Questions, suggestions for articles, etc. can be sent to pjw@netcraftsmen.net .