Working for a Telco

Right now, I work for a telco. Its not the first time I have, as I have also worked for SBC Ameritech. There are several cool things about working for a telco that really will help my CCIE Voice trek.

First and foremost, I have developed a solid understanding of traditional PSTN technology which really makes mastering how to integrate VoIP with PSTN a lot easier, as well as making VoIP in general a lot easier to understand. After all, we are trying to replicate the functionality, quality, and reliability of the PSTN.

Secondly, as part of my job I teach MPLS, and QoS and have had to really learn about what goes into the design and operation of a service provider core network. I no longer see just a cloud, now I see the individual water droplets and wind currents. This sort of knowledge can never hurt.

Thirdly, I have had to develop a knowledge of advanced SIP, as that is our protocol of choice for VoIP where I work. In fact I am expected to co-develop a SIP Trunking course by summer, and I currently lecture on translation between SIP and SS7.

Hawaiian Tel also has some awesome engineers who have been very generous with sharing their knowledge with this little grasshopper.

Teaching itself is a great knowledge-reinforcer as you need to know the topic cold if you are effectively going to teach it. I intend to use this as a core tactic in studying for my CCIE, by preparing course slides as if I was one day going to teach a CCIE bootcamp to a very questioning class.

Finally, on a personal note, it rekindled my long-dormant passion for VoIP.

All the best
Tim

The Case for the CCDA as a Prerequisite for the CCIE

I want to make a case for making the CCDA or at least reading a book covering the material at least once prior to pursuing a CCIE . Why, because a sold grounding on network design can not only benefit you once you get into the real world, but can provide a context for your track studies which can't hurt in fitting all the pieces of how the infrastructure fits in with, say Voice.

As a CCIE you will likely be expected to design some aspect of a network. I have heard plenty of stories of CCIE's producing poor designs, or even designing a VOIP network that thrashed the underlying R&S infrastructure...

Do you want to be the author of some network design horror story? I know I don't.

Now this doesn't mean we all need to rush out and get our CCDE's, but we all should at least have the basics covered in the CCDA blueprint.

And this is precisely what I plan to do as preparation for my ascent up Mount CCIE Voice...

On a side note, as a Certified ScrumMaster, I plan to figure out how to fit Cisco's PPDIOO design methodology into the Scrum lean project management methodology. Once I have, I will publish a series of articles on the subject.

Lets Pack Our Backpack in Preparation For the Trek

Well I have my map that tells me the route to the top of Mount CCIEVoice. I've steeled myself for the journey, gotten the blessing of my real boss (the wife), so its time to pack my backpack for the journey.

The backpack I'm using, is my routing & switching background (Cisco and Alcatel-Lucent), and my SIP-Based Hosted VOIP background (Broadsoft & Asterisk) along with my CCNA Voice. I am also writing my CCDA in a couple of months, and that will certainly help. That will hold the stuff I need, but I need more gear and provisions.

So what do I bring along? Well first of all are the usual Cisco Press suspects and SRNDs. That, along with the Voice Exam Study Guide I bought from Bob Webber will get me to the Voice Written Exam plateau.

But what about the treacherous climb to the Lab Exam summit without going broke in the process?

Well I've decided to draw my provisions from VoiceBootcamp as they offer a wide range of economically priced produces. The price point was key for me as I have no employer financial support for my trek. However, the has to be full coverage of the blueprint as well, the products have to be of good quality. Although a few people have dissed Faisal and Voice Bootcamp, many more have given him kudos. So, given the price point I figure I'd try their CBT's and work books, and if they're good, then I'd do a boot camp.

Given that, I've ordered a package that contains the following CBT's and workbooks.

• UC ResourceKIT which contains up to 200 plus video lab guide of Unified Communication products
• Dial Plan and Call Routing DVD
• CCNA Voice Lecture on DVD
• CCNA Voice Lab Guide and Workbook
• CCIE Voice Study Guide
• CCIE Voice Workbook with 40 labs
• CCIE Voice Lecture on DVD
• CCIE Voice TroubleShooter DVD

I should be getting them in a couple of weeks and will review each of the components for quality and actual usefulness; both for the trek and for everyday real world use.

All the best
Tim