Intro & CCDE Written Thoughts

[malcybood]

Hey folks,

I haven't contributed to the group before, but been a member for a while and keep an eye of the active discussions, so thought I'd introduce myself before contributing properly.

To summarise myself in short number of words - I've been working in IT since 2003, have a degree in Network Computing, several Cisco specialist certs in data centre, CCNP/DP etc and currently in pursuit of the CCDE.

My job is a Solutions Architect for a network integrator / Cisco partner where I design networks every day across LAN, WAN, security, wireless and DC technologies including high level presales and low level designs where required.  Prior to my current role I've worked at global IT outsourcing companies, a gold partner and an ISP in various engineering / design roles where design has been played a large part since around 2007.

I plan to take my first attempt at the CCDE practical this November 2015 in London and will be sitting the written exam imminently which will also be my first attempt.

I've been studying for the written with real focus for around 3 - 4 months now i.e. every day / other day and certainly learned a great deal.  Something I will be interested to discover when I sit the written exam is how "low level" the questions will be on the protocols in relation to design.

The reason for this is that all of the research I've done since I started contemplating the CCDE (around 2 years ago) suggests it is related to high level design and interpreting business requirements to select the correct technology, but you have to know how the protocols operate.  The books in the reading list (which I've read all of the main ones to date) go much deeper than the level you would go to from an architectural level, but I work low level still at times anyway so it is no real issue for me personally to delve into the detail.

For example, knowing about the architectural design of ISIS areas, Level 1/2 routing etc in a hierarchical, scalable design is one thing but knowing to change the ISIS hello and LSP interval timers to improve convergence to me is low level design that would be decided after the protocol was selected based on the topology, convergence requirements, application flows and in house network engineering skills etc etc.

I have prepared for both, but guess I'll find out for myself soon anyway.  It would be interesting to hear the community's thoughts on the above and on the written exam without disclosing anything NDA related information of course.

Cheers

malcybood