CCNP - Bsci

Author

Bsci

necrophantasm

2004-05-11, 9:54 pm

Alright guys,

I signed up for routing on the 25th. I've gone through the book a couple of times, done some notes and highlighting, a few labs on a little router we have as a spare. Is this one more theory and terminology, or more sim and command based? Am I going to have to make a route map, or simply understand what the different statements mean? Am I going to get hit with IPv6 addresses, or just have to know how they work? I don't expect detailed responses, but there is so much material to cover on this test that hints or general guidelines would be very helpful at this point. I've got two weeks left and will review everything in detail, but its always good to know what needs extra attention vs. what doesn't. Any help is greatly appreciated.

marathi_mulgaa

2004-05-16, 4:57 pm

I got a NAT question for my sim, in addition to the usual set of "Type the command for" type of things. They will be liberally peppering you with EIGRP and OSPF questions more than BGP. They are also big on trivia.
I found the test # 1 from Boson particularly helpful for BSCI. Given how wide the syllabus is, take as many practice tests as you can to get a feel for the questions that they ask on the exam.

necrophantasm

2004-05-16, 7:57 pm

Marathi,

BGP and IS-IS were my biggest concerns for this exam (different addressing scheme for IS-IS and knowing the mandatory transitive vs. optional nontransitive attributes and their usage). OSPF, EIGRP and NAT I have a pretty good handle on. Thanks for your help!

marathi_mulgaa

2004-05-16, 8:33 pm

I found BGP and IS-IS to be hard to understand in the first read. But keep going over it and it gets easier - Like studying UNIX, I'm told. The mandatory transitive vs. optional nontransitive stuff is important and pretty much a surefire question, I found, so know it well.

marathi_mulgaa

2004-05-17, 4:47 pm

Referring to my notes, some other favorite trivia questions include:
- timers (update frequency, hello, etc.),
- metrics for different protocols
- OSPF states (down, init, exstart, etc....)
- differences in OSPF modes (NBMA, broadcast, etc..)
- weightage for different protocols (int EIGRP = 90, IGRP = 100, OSPF = 110, etc. - Know this table)

necrophantasm

2004-05-17, 5:37 pm

Thanks Marathi,

I have rescheduled the exam for tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how it works out.

marathi_mulgaa

2004-05-17, 5:39 pm

Aye Caramba!!!! Good luck!

delete852

2004-05-17, 5:58 pm

I am also taking BSCI next week, and I am shaking. My biggest concern is probably route maps and NAT. I hate the way cisco does Nat. But oh well. Can someone please give me some insight on the labs?
I also got the testking study guide, did any of you guys get it? What do you think of it?

marathi_mulgaa

2004-05-17, 7:33 pm

Delete,

Never used Testking! Let us know what YOU think of it.

Don't worry - BSCI is tough but its do-able. You have the advantage of knowing that NAT and sometimes route maps are asked. You have a week to become an expert on both and I think thats plenty of time.

MM

necrophantasm

2004-05-17, 8:26 pm

From what I know of them, testking is just another braindump that you pay for. I wouldn't be surprised if it got shut down soon. My recommendation is to get a book, get a pen and a highlighter out, get some flashcards, get a router or two (or at least an IOS sim program) and sit down to do some real studying. If you want to read through the braindumps all the power to you, but don't expect to have a clue when your boss or team leader asks you to set something up... because you won't have one.

Here's what some others on the board think of them:
http://www.mcseexams.info/article1029872.html

marathi_mulgaa

2004-05-17, 8:32 pm

Scarey!!!!! I'm gonna stay away from these dudes.

delete852

2004-05-17, 11:23 pm

Yes test king provides you with actual test questions, however I did the read the book and a bunch of online materials. I got that sybex book, however it is for the old exam.

The reason I like testking, is that it is not just a brain dump, it provides you with pretty accurate explanations of the right answers, and tells you why the other answers are wrong.

Also it gives you a sence of which kind of calliber questions are on the test. They are nice, so far the study guide has actually been pretty fair. I think I would be able to pass the test right now. However I want to master it before I take the test.

necrophantasm

2004-05-18, 12:55 pm

Failed today with a 700. IS-IS got me and I didn't have a good handle on some of the redistribution questions. I shouldn't have rescheduled. Oh well, at least I know what I am in for next time. I got 3 sims on mine.. NAT, OSPF single and OSPF multiple. I'm going to try to retake it in a week and study hard this week on ISO addressing, IS-IS, etc.. I knew this would be the toughest exam I take this year.

marathi_mulgaa

2004-05-19, 2:18 pm

Hang in there, Necro. I had passed that cursed exam with just 1 mark. Its the toughest of the lot but once you're done, it's home stretch for you!

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