Hi Chunmei, In the real exam it is asked a lot of requirements related with transformations of ANI or DNIS for the CME and SRST. My experience in prior attempts say that is not recommendable using dial-plan pattern, instead of get used to use translation rules/profile and apply then to the dial-peer to accomplish each specific question requirement. For example imagine it is asked that phones in CME need to be seen as a 4 digits ANI when calling to HQ or SiteB, in that case you will have problem using dial-plan pattern since is force you to send the 10 digits ANI, same for access to CUE, or in case is required all international calls from CME present ANI with a preempted 9011. In those cases anyway you will need to use some kind of translations
In resumen I thinks is more flexible using Translations than dial-plan pattern in relation to the kind of questions asked in the exam. -----Original Message----- From: chunmei chen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sat 11/1/2008 7:18 AM To: Christian Narvaez Subject: Re: [OSL | CCIE_Voice] Finally !, CCIE Voice #22488 ...from Chile Congra Christian!! way to go! Your notes below is very helpful.. however could you explain a little bit more on avoiding dialplan pattern? In what scenario it causes conflict? I have been using dialplan pattern command since day one never had a problem. Thanks! --- On Thu, 10/30/08, Christian Narvaez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Christian Narvaez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [OSL | CCIE_Voice] Finally !, CCIE Voice #22488 ...from Chile To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 8:46 AM I am glad to announce this October 27th I finally obtained my CCIE Voice #22488. I would like to thank all the people of this forum, especially those who shed my path when I was lost in some topics. Special thanks to Mark and Vik and the team of IPexpert which support this forum Below is the detail of my experience and the thoughts I would like to share with other candidates. Some Facts of my preparation ---------------------------- Number of attempts: 4 Attempt Dates : May 5th, June 26th , August 20th and October 27th Location Center: All in San Jose Months of preparations: 12 since passed the written test. Hours working on Virtual Rack Sessions: 416 Hours (52 IPExpert Proctorlabs session, 8 hours/each) Hours working on own lab : aprox 800 Hours checking written material and forums : aprox 400 Books Read: 0 ,is not needed if you are not a beginner Bootcamps attended : 0 , although it depends of each one, but personally I think is costly in relation with the real benefit. Forums Consulted: Internetwork Expert (web-based) and IPExpert (email distribution), both are good. Cost per attempt: aprox USD 3200 (Exam=USD 1400 , AirTicket from CHILE=USD 1500, Stay+Transportation+Food=USD 300~600) Strategies Used during my attempts ---------------------------------- Strategy 1) Section-Based Approach, Configuring and Testing the whole section before begin the next. I had a predefined amount of max time for each section that I could afford to complete the configuration and testing before go on with the next section. Strategy 2) At the beginning of the test spend max 20 minutes doing the strategy3 and a brief read to just some key questions specially the one of the Location&CAC Section Strategy 3) Cut the large paper sheet given in San Jose into four smaller pieces a) One of the pieces for the topologic diagram, IP Addresses and Numbering Plan b) On the second piece, write down each section name and the task numbers. b.1)Besides each section name, note the max estimated time when you expect finish the section, that is useful to self-control the time you spend specially if a problem is faced. b.2) Once configured the task mark it with a "check" besides b.3) Once tested the task mark it with an "OK" besides. c) On the third piece write down the numbers of the PSTN IP Phone, believe me this simple tip saves time when you are testing dial plan and you will not have to moving your head side by side to make a call because the some IP phones are 2 meters separated from the PSTN phone. Strategy 4) The more optimized order to complete the tasks I think is the following: Basic Campus -> CCM/CME -> QoS -> Gateways -> Media -> DialPlan -> Voicemail -> HA -> CCM/CME App -> IPCC . Note that I tried to perform the QoS section at the beginning due to it is an non-dependant topic and is better to make it when you mind is more fresh since if you leave it to the end when generally you are tired and in a hurry probably you will leave a command behind that can cost you the price of an brand new LCD 50'' Some Technical Recommendations/Timesavers ----------------------------------------- - During the lab Reset and Reload periodically or when you see anything suspicious, services and routers gets hung so easily when you configure such a large amount of thing over them. - I think IPMA Wizard is a fast and a precise method, but need to be practiced a lot before you use it in the exam. - Use Autoqos everywhere you can, it really saves time. But again, must be practiced a lot before being used in the exam and get know some necessary considerations. - Never use the command "dial-plan pattern" it will provoke many conflicts when you try to fulfill all the dial plan requirements. That command is not a timesaver, it is a headache maker. A better and more flexible approach is using Voice Translation Rule/Profiles. General Recommendations and Conclusion -------------------------------------- - The CCIE Voice certification Process is a Very Hard, Time-Consuming, Expensive and sort of traumatic process, so you must think twice if you realistically have the support of your family and employer. Besides think if the word "discipline" is part of your usual vocabulary :) - Try to make you own lab, I know is difficult to get all the materials but as a base to cover aprox the 50% of the topics of the exam is enough with: 1 Server with VMWare (Hosting CCM/IPCC/and Unity) 1 Switch POE 1 Router 28XX 4 IP Phones (preferred 7960) For Studying the rest of the topics I recommend virtual racks with support VPN conexion to it (because ever is better work with real phones that with IPblue or something like that). Virtual racks helps because they have the more difficult item to get which is the PSTN/FR Simulator needed for practicing the dial plan and QoS. - The strategy I used was the one that more fit my mental structure, is not a "must follow". You should create your own, a good strategy is the one that make you feel more comfortable. - For passing the exam you need test everything at least twice and read carefully each question at least the same number of times looking for subtle requirements. I assure you during your second testing round you will still see a lot of small mistakes that would could make you lost the score of the whole question even if the core of the question was correct. Testing is crucial - To know where to focus your study is good to know that the more important sections in relation to the points they give, are : VoiceMail, DialPlan, CCM/CME and Media Resources, I could say these are the core of the exam. In a second line are: HA, QOS, Gateways, CCM/CME Applications. And the sections less points give are : Locations&CAC , Basic Campus and IPCC. - Try to start taking the attempts as soon as possible, doesn't matter if you spent months and months trying to get prepared for your first attempt anyway is highly probable you fail (Although anybody has the illusion will be a superhero passing it in the first attempt, the awful truth is that is very unlikely.). Be wise and take your first attempts as part of the preparation and don't feel down if you get lots of zeros in your score. That will start changing in every attempt. - Once you bite the bone don't lose it. If possible take attempts in a basis of 6 to 10 weeks, after each attempt take 1 or 2 weeks rest and follow up till you get it. You get amazed how easily are knowledge and practice lost if you take more time. - During every attempt try to get as used with the lab environment as you can, familiarization with the real lab environment is essential - Immediately after each attempt take notes of everything (hopefully immediately after get out the testing room), I mean: questions, topology, problems found, errors you committed, etc etc. That will be very important to make the necessary corrections for the next attempt. - Workbooks are good, but just for the very first part of your preparation. Believe me you will not pass the exam just based in the study of workbooks. As soon as you progress you must to leave them behind and studying creating your own WB and testing over and over all sort of scenarios that your imagination permit. - Don't spend much time learning theories. This is a "How to" exam when the more important part is know the PROCESS OF CONFIGURATION in order to fulfill at the same time several requirements. To be pragmatic is key. - Repeat every task once and again: When you learnt a new scenario don't conform yourself with testing the solution once, probably sooner than later you will forget it. Practice it over and over and make your hands learn how to resolve it in a mechanical fashion. - Ever remember this exam is not solely of technical knowledge, from my point of view the following factors are also important: Technical Knowledge (Theorical) : 15% Technical Knowledge (Practical) : 45% Speed and Accuracy : 20% Strategy : 10% Mental Strongness : 10% - And a final and VERY IMPORTANT advise: Get hurry getting this certification !! since is a fact in the middle of 2009 this exam will be completely renewed and nobody knows which new products will be included. That means most of the study materials will be obsolete, the experiences of people which took the old version and even most of the historical posts of this forum. Well, from my part I will retake my life and enjoy all the free time that a normal person have :) Cheers all you and have a successful study Christian Narvaez M. UC System Engineer CCIE Voice #22488 MAGENTA Reyes Lavalle #3350, Las Condes +(562)2408207 +(569)78076423
