CCNP - Finally after all the delays, BSCN is done

Author

Finally after all the delays, BSCN is done

depamo

2001-08-11, 7:13 pm

Work is kicking me in the butt and the testing center out here was booked for 3 weeks solid!! Finally got in there and took the test and that sucker is done.

Wasn't what I expected, tons of BGP4, OSPF and not too much on EIGRP. BGP4 questions were a serious kicker, the BSCN book doesn't go into enough detail on the route-maps but the test expects you to know it!!

Some other info that I found interesting was that I didn't have to type in a single command. Every time I was shown a list of commands and then choose the one that I wanted from the list. Don't get me wrong, that didn't make it much easier, about 100 commands in the listing, some are in the wrong order, some are in the wrong configuration mode - you gotta know exactly what you want before looking at the list.

Hope that gives you all some insight. Last time I checked, there was a pratice exam on the Cisco site that had a similar listing of commands when I took it over the internet --

For the life of me, it was on the Cisco site, a small 10 question demo but I just cannot find it again. Weird, Anyhow ther you all go!! Hope you all found that somewhat interesting and beneficial.

Later-->

buntywins

2001-08-11, 11:17 pm

hi congrats 2 u 4 pasin
is it ur 1st ccnp paper
how much depth is needed 4 route maps
how wud u grade boson test 4 the preparation also can u give me a good link for bgp and route maps & any sample qs wud also do the trick
bunty

sean34

2001-08-11, 11:38 pm

depamo,

Nice work on the BCSN!!!

thanks for the solid information as well...

I got my hands on a Cisco Press booked called "Internet Routing Architectures" (isbn 1-57870-233-x) and on the cover its termed "The definitive BGP resource." Ive heard that the BSCN hits BGP very hard and this book looks like it will cover all the bases for the test. If anyone is wondering where to get extra info on BGP(and routing) this book might be your answer.

Im also using the coursebook...

peace out and good luck

Sean

ciscogirl

2001-08-12, 12:23 am

I'm reading the Sam Halabi Cisco Press book, too. It is a pretty good one, Sean. Have you been to Kevin McClintock's site for BGP stuff? Its - http://sites.netscape.net/klmcclintock He has several good links. Congrats on your pass,Depamo. Are you taking them in order? I know you feel good, so enjoy!

Kartemy

2001-08-12, 7:18 am

Congratulations,

This is the one I am studying for now. I have also heard that BGP is hit hard on the exam.

From a couple of people I know who have taken the exam, this article on the Cisco site was recommended to me as just about everything you need to know on BGP and route maps.

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td...ics/icsbgp4.htm

It is long, but it could save the price of a book.

Good luck to us all!

Kartemy

Sea Dragon

2001-08-12, 9:49 am

good show with the BCSN!
and thanks for the tips
ciao
chuckster

amalphi

2001-08-13, 7:47 am

Congrats!
Thanks for the insight on the content. Did you use any of the prep questions that you can buy off the web?

depamo

2001-08-13, 12:03 pm

Information that you need to have on BGP4 is very in-depth. You do need to understand what its purpose is and why you would need it beyon just different policy management from your ISP. Route-Maps, you need to understand how and why they exist, what attributes you can make decisions on (this was in more then a few questions).

Specifically look at the Next_Hop attribute, Weight (Cisco Proprietary), Origin and have an idea on what they all are used for, and the decision flow for choosing a path based on the output of the show ip bgp command.

Know what the difference between Well-Known, Mandatory, Optional and how they are propogated (required to know what they are, required to propogate them and so on).

Additionally you need to understand how IGP and eBGP's share information, who gives up dates and how they are propgated through the AS's and external AS's. Cisco Press book is really bad on this one but you will have a few questions on this.

depamo

2001-08-13, 2:25 pm

Used quite a few test prep programs, you cannot go wrong with Boson. You have to type in the commands but the questions are the closest that I have seen from any of the test prep packages out there. Includes Exam Cram, Sybex, and Cisco Press. Worth the money, will focus your studying and many were word for word.

The BGP book mentioned before, The Definitive Guide on BGP, is also a great reference on BGP, little big for one protocol but only half is on BGP explicitly. Is definetly worth it if you can get your hands on one. Pretty rare except for on-line book stores.

Good Luck!!

Tek812

2001-08-13, 10:08 pm

Congrats Depamo and thanks for the tips.

Sponsored Links