I don't beleive that Cisco ever intended to make the CCIE cert easy to get in any respect. It takes extreme commitment and dedication to obtain this elite cert - both in terms of time and financial resources. IMHO it's as it should be. Prior to becoming a CCIE, being a top level engineer creates a demand for your services and therefore affords you the opportunities for substantial increases in pay. If you are merely average in your field, these opportunities are not as readily available. So if you are truly one of the best in your field, you should then have the resources to create your own lab and pursue the CCIE. It is another method of weeding out those that should not be wasting their time (or Cisco's) pursuing a cert they cannot obtain. While there are obviously exceptions to this (depending on financial status and ability) it is a limiting factor that should be left in place. I have met over 20 people who "claimed" to be pursuing their CCIE. Most of these did not have access to a decent lab and that was their excuse for not succeeding. I have offered to let these people use my lab, free of charge to help them in their pursuit. Only one of these people has ever logged on to my lab more than once, and none are currently CCIE's. This shows me that the lack of a lab was the excuse, the real reason for failing, was a lack of dedication. I have also met 4 people who were pursuing their CCIE's and built there own labs. All 4 are now CCIE's. As for my situation, I take the lab Oct. 30th. The CCIE cert is not for everyone. It was never intended to be a mass-market cert. It requires extreme dedication and committment to obtain - and part of that commitment is financial. Most CCIE's will tell you the best way to prepare for the CCIE Lab is to have your own home lab so that you can work on scenarios in a non-production environment ad infinitum. Constant contact with the product in every conceivable situation is the best way to prepare for the exam - and coincidentally the best way to prepare for the real world. By the time you pass the lab, you been there, done that and bought the T-shirt - and all will tell you it was a good investment. LAB **NOTE: New CCNA/CCDA List has been formed. For more information go to http://www.groupstudy.com/list/Associate-Announcement.html _________________________________ UPDATED Posting Guidelines: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/guide.html FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
