This visitor publish used to be authored by way of Cisco Designated VIP David Peñaloza Seijas.
Background/Tale
Since I used to be a child, I used to be occupied with many stuff I discovered attention-grabbing. I grew up being the nosy child, or “preguntón,” in Spanish. I used to be nearly all the time asking “why?” every time I were given one thing defined or advised, which might force lots of the adults to madness after a few hours with me.
My mother, in an try to get this topic solved, gave me a ebook known as “El porqué de las cosas,” which kind of interprets to English as “The why of the issues.”
I may just spend hours studying and asking much more questions. It used to be an never-ending loop I loved as a (un)naturally curious child. To my marvel, the ebook had a number of volumes explaining issues all of us marvel about, however now not many people have the force to seem up, or “to Google,” in nowadays’s parlance.
Years later I thank my mother for this sort of good transfer; I picked up studying in my early years and endured to develop keen on it. Encyclopedias (do any of you consider Microsoft Encarta?), novels (Potterhead right here!), tales, newspapers, and my profession box: IT.
I began tweaking my very own laptop when it felt gradual, as I sought after to play the cool video games different children had been taking part in. Over the years, it morphed into cracking video games, editing registry keys, disabling/enabling services and products, troubleshooting issues, and working a shared LAN (Hamachi) to play with my buddies — the chances had been never-ending!
Touching and troubleshooting programs, putting in units, and connecting cables and printers (units from hell!) changed into herbal, and I began earning money out of it when I used to be 16 years previous. It naturally grew into networking, and that’s precisely the place my tale with Cisco, being it Academy, certifications, boards, it all!
As I changed into a community engineer, the urge to know the way issues labored simply made it relaxing and compelling. There used to be an invisible international to us beneath cables, numbers, and blinking lighting fixtures. I discovered an never-ending interest neatly (or hose) I may just drink from each day.
Why CCDE?
Round 2016, after a number of years as a community enhance engineer, I made up our minds to check community design. However why? By means of that point, I labored with many engineers and may just see a distinction between them. Some had been satisfied to put into effect issues and notice them running, once in a while with out them being utterly transparent to them. And a few different engineers, although, knew rather well how issues labored and why the adjustments had been being presented. That they had a distinct viewpoint.
That straight away stuck my consideration; I sought after to grasp the explanations at the back of issues. I used to be curious! At the moment, the CCDE group used to be rising and everyone used to be so colourful and inviting that I were given lured into it. I made up our minds that despite the fact that it will be a troublesome factor to do, I sought after to check community design.
You’re most often advised that CCDE is a certification for knowledgeable engineers and, given the volume of information required, you will have no less than one CCIE earlier than making an attempt it. It first of all discouraged me—till I spoke with other people like Elaine Lopes, Daniel Dib, Jeremy Filiben, Mark Holm, and Andre Azevedo. They confident me you that don’t want a CCIE to aim the examination, however you do want the data that incorporates it. (Word that every one of them have no less than one CCIE!)
Like my just right good friend, Peter Palúch, advised me a number of occasions: “You will have to be on the similar point. Make era your moment nature, and perceive issues all the way down to the bone.”
That yr, I began learning and assessing myself in truth, on the lookout for spaces to support. I aimed for CCDE and the huge data it will require.
I first of all took the CCDP* examination to gauge myself, which coated now not most effective basics but in addition very best practices; what used to be beneficial given sure instances. After passing, I consider feeling energized and in a position for extra.
Again then, I believed: “What if I check out the CCDEv2 written examination?”
Narrator: “And with out knowing, David used to be surroundings himself up for a candy and skin-scorching lesson.”
My Cisco certification examination adventure
It took me 3 makes an attempt and a variety of learning to move the CCDE written examination. The primary one used to be my approach of gauging myself, whilst the second one failure felt excruciatingly shut. After all, my 3rd strive used to be a candy move.
The CCDEv2 written examination used to be a beast. It basically mixed Endeavor and Provider Supplier subjects, whilst additionally including some safety as neatly, making it a mighty difficult examination by itself.
Used to be all my learning sufficient to move the written examination? Sure. Slightly.
Used to be I in a position to take the CCDE sensible examination? Now not truly. Now not emotionally… and a long way much less technically. However that used to be a lesson I discovered through the years after incomes myself a few scars.
From August 2017 till Would possibly 2018, I studied extra, I mentioned extra, and I believed it used to be time. I had heard such a lot of issues concerning the examination; the manner of the check, the volume of data, the studying and highlighting. It appeared possible.
Then, my examination day got here! There I used to be in Madrid on Would possibly 30, 2018, arriving previous than anyone else! The checking out heart wasn’t opened till 10:00, despite the fact that the examination used to be intended to begin at 09:00. Don’t ever ask a Spaniard to get up early, or you’re surroundings your self up for failure! 😀
It used to be precisely like I had heard—however on steroids! The guidelines, the emails, the diagrams, the questions. I believed I used to be in a position for it, however I wasn’t. The examination made me notice that a lot more used to be wanted; extra data, extra studying, extra enjoy.
Every so often, that intended that I didn’t perceive a specific era neatly sufficient. Different occasions, that intended I had ignored mentioned necessities or constraints or used to be now not ready to pay attention for all the time of the check (8 hours).
This came about two times in 2018, in Would possibly and November. On each events, it used to be a FAIL for me.
Once you have overwhelmed two times, I endured making an attempt. Out and in, it used to be tricky to get on my ft once more.
In between my makes an attempt in 2018 and 2019, I additionally took different tests to check my data and get myself nearer to the “CCIE-level” data I wanted earlier than I confronted the beast another time.
I used to be ready to move the CCIE R&S** and Provider Supplier tests whilst making ready for the following to be had makes an attempt for the CCDE examination. It felt nearer, knowledge-wise, in addition to in examination enjoy.
In 2019, I went for it once more. Two times. Each occasions, I used to be visiting Frankfurt. And sure, despite the fact that it felt higher, smoother, and clearer, it wasn’t sufficient. I failed each makes an attempt that yr and considered taking a damage earlier than dealing with the examination once more. I didn’t know, then again, that my damage could be all that lengthy.
Taking a damage
Between 2019 and 2022, so much came about in my existence. (And most probably yours too!) An endemic, adjustments in my private and paintings existence, amongst different issues. I devoted time to working out myself (I began visiting a psychologist) to discover what else used to be inside of past the technical acumen.
I used to be now not in a position but, technically and individually. However I wasn’t ready to look it. I used to be too proud to confess it and too cussed to forestall making an attempt. I used to be most effective bullying throughout the makes an attempt and pushing additional.
What would you assume after an strive?
- I used to be now not studying rapid sufficient.
- I used to be studying too rapid.
- I ignored the necessities.
- I ignored that constraint.
- Did they are saying you couldn’t do X?
- I will have to have ignored X era.
- I couldn’t keep targeted during all the examination.
- I introduced preconceived notions into the examination.
- No person does that during the true international!
- I must now not have second-guessed myself…
- God, I hate tables!
Every a kind of makes an attempt teaches you one thing, however you need to concentrate. Differently, it is going over your head, and you find yourself bumping into the similar stone once more. Every lesson burns your pores and skin within the procedure, or no less than, that used to be the sensation for me. Taking the examination used to be corresponding to being a meteorite getting nearer to the earth: the extra you method it, the mightier the burn and items of you still fall until you brace your self.
In my case, I used to be now not ready to look the wooded area on account of the timber. Even if it sounds humorous, it used to be the case. I used to be having a look at an issue as an alternative of zooming out and having a look on the giant image with all the transferring items.
What else came about all the way through my damage? Neatly, CCDEv2 used to be made over to CCDEv3, and subjects had been adjusted, in conjunction with the exam-taking enjoy. Much less Provider Supplier, and extra Endeavor, extra Safety, extra Information Heart, extra trade, extra Cloud, and extra Wi-fi!
Earlier than proceeding with my tale after the damage, shall we speak about which issues are vital on your CCDE adventure. Don’t fear. We will be able to be dropping some tears in somewhat.
What do you want to move the examination?
Learn about team and buddies – AKA group
Your find out about team might be the important thing useful resource you want to move. The extra views you get, the easier your technical arsenal can be when dealing with the examination.
All over my CCDE adventure, I had the posh of learning with other people like Mike McPhee, Jason Beltrame, Bruno Wollman, Fareed Fakoor, Remington Unfastened, Ronald Lopez, Anti Sourdi, Freerk Terpstra, Nicolas Vallet and Fabian Beck. They all are good engineers/architects, they usually all taught me one thing alongside the best way. We shared guidelines and information, had classes to show others about what we had been just right at, and naturally, made gorgeous bonds within the procedure.
On best of that, I had glorious buddies who weren’t learning to take the CCDE examination however had been supporting me and educating me issues (train me your secrets and techniques, grasp!) or supporting me as an individual, as a chum: other people like Peter Paluch, Daniel Dib, Mark Holm, Martin Novak, Ivan Zlatkov, David Chapcak, Matt Saunders, Kurt Claes, Peter Haluska, and Martin Duggan.
A bunch of buddies and find out about friends, other people to talk about with, other people keen to pay attention, a ground that would enhance me… a group. With out them, I should not have handed it. This past due luck used to be due to them for his or her unwavering enhance and motivation. It’s as a lot mine as it’s theirs.
Each and every time I felt like quitting (particularly the closing two makes an attempt) I used to be supported by way of them. (Particular point out to Peter, Daniel, Kurt, and Mark!) By means of individuals who, no less than at that second, believed in me greater than I did. They saved me heading in the right direction, pulled my ears when wanted, and hugged me onerous sufficient to drag my items in combination once more after I couldn’t do it myself.
Know your self
Every other vital a part of your adventure is to grasp your self. This may sound like a cliché for plenty of, however it’s vastly vital, or no less than it used to be for me.
The CCDE examination isn’t the same as some other CCIE examination. It does now not depend on muscle reminiscence or rapid typing. You will have to imagine each and every possibility, learn each report, and call to mind each selection. It’s an 8-hour-long studying comprehension examination with technical and trade subjects. Your psychological state is paramount.
- Are you aware whilst you find out about the most efficient? Is it all the way through the morning, afternoon, or evening?
- How briskly are you able to learn?
- How a lot of that are you able to retain?
- Are you able to take care of 8 hours of learning?
- What about 4-hour or 2-hour blocks?
- How just right is your focus? (I am getting distracted simply.)
- How do you deal with nervousness?
- How do you calm your nerves?
- Are you into meditation? Or do you do a handy guide a rough collection of 20 pushups and really feel like new and targeted?
- What about your emotions concerning the examination?
- How do you’re feeling when getting into, leaving, and all the way through the examination?
- Nervous?
- Frightened?
- Scared?
- Comfortable?
A lot of these issues had been vital for me, and I want I might have considered them previously. I needed to learn how to imagine them after each failed strive.
To start with, my drivers after I began all this had been: ambition, delight (relatively hubris), and worry. I sought after to get as top as conceivable, to be truly just right at one thing, to be identified, to close up each mouth that stated (there have been many) that I couldn’t make it or it used to be too onerous and I used to be going to fail, and likewise, my worry of lacking out (FOMO).
An attractive track about that is Vienna, by way of Billy Joel.
Through the years I discovered (due to my pricey good friend Peter Palúch, my psychologist, and a ludicrous quantity of introspection) that despite the fact that my earlier drivers helped me to stick motivated and depart the rustic, I used to be now not going to make it any longer with detrimental feelings, they’d chunk me up sooner or later. What could be higher? Discovering sure motivation!
I did my very best to forestall evaluating myself with others and most effective examine myself with David from the previous. All of us have screw ups, everyone knows one thing anyone else doesn’t, and all of us can be told one thing from others. Even the folk we don’t like can train us one thing.
I began having a look on the adventure in addition to the function. I didn’t forestall chasing the solar, however I began to benefit from the view whilst I used to be doing it. I additionally began to comprehend extra of what I used to be doing, what I used to be finding out, and what I used to be making, as an alternative of considering, “I gained’t have sufficient time in my existence to do all of the issues I need to do; I will have to move quicker.”
Finally, and the toughest one: I did my very best to forestall being concerned concerning the examination’s end result. In spite of everything, I had already failed a number of occasions. Will it burn extra? Possibly somewhat. Will or not it’s a disaster? Now not truly. Simply pick out up your items, regroup, and take on it once more. The examination is already nerve-racking sufficient, and being concerned about failing earlier than taking it’s going to most effective make me really feel extra apprehensive.
Don’t beat your self up previously. Give your self an opportunity, forgive your self, and be type to your self. All of us make errors. Consider me, you’re sufficient. You’ll do it. You have got it in you.
All over my closing strive, I used to be targeted at the examination itself, and the evening earlier than I believed: Well, no matter occurs, I can give my very best all the way through the examination. Move or fail, it’s going to be the most efficient of me.
I didn’t know if I handed, and I used to be about to test the following to be had date for the examination. Little did I do know that I might move this time, however extra on that later.
Narrator: “After which David unsightly cried for hours as a result of he used to be a llorón when he knew he handed.”
Again heading in the right direction
After the damage, I used to be again on sq. one: the examination used to be made over to model 3. Its contents had modified, and my written examination (legitimate for 3 years) had already expired.
What used to be the very first thing to do? Take the written examination once more! I used to be fortunate sufficient to have a final probability earlier than the CCDEv2 written examination could be retired on November 1, 2021.
I brushed up on all of the subjects and studied for some weeks earlier than feeling in a position and, in fact, having the looming shadow of the soon-to-be-retired examination over my head. To my success, I handed, as soon as once more with a candy 860. I will not lie about this: it used to be superb.
I earned the precise to take the sensible examination once more, nevertheless it used to be a brand new model. The examination subjects had been step one to take. I had new issues to be informed: Wi-fi, Cloud, and Safety. And likewise others to comb up and in any case be told neatly: QoS, and multicast.
Now, the examination used to be introduced in Brussels like some other CCIE examination, so I didn’t need to juggle balls to ebook an examination in a Pearson Skilled Heart in Frankfurt or Madrid. I may just discuss with the Cisco workplace in Brussels like everyone else!
Additionally, a number of buddies paintings there, so this is a acquainted position for me.
During ten months, I visited Brussels 4 occasions. Each and every time, I used to be welcomed by way of my pricey good friend Peter Palúch and supported until no finish by way of him and Kurt Claes.
My first strive used to be an exploratory one. I had completely no hopes of passing. I needed to see what used to be other: the brand new engine, the brand new eventualities, the manner, the era. And, God, I did.
I got here out of the examination having a look like a fish in a fridge: eyes and mouth broad open, however I may just now not see or say the rest. Such a lot of new issues to meet up with, extra tech, extra trade, and the checking out engine used to be cooler and more straightforward to make use of. (Now not the whole lot used to be detrimental!)
I spent a variety of time finding out about Wi-fi, one of the most weakest spaces in my technical acumen. Freerk Terpstra and Fabian Beck gave me a masterclass on many stuff, they defined main points, deployments, authentication, and the character of wi-fi networks, it used to be intense! Freerk even created a mini CCDE situation and defined it to us intimately.
I went once more in February with a variety of hopes, then again, it wasn’t but my time. Even if I felt higher, extra assured, and happier with my efficiency, it wasn’t sufficient. I noticed I wanted extra cloud, extra migrations, extra trade acumen, extra studying abilities, and extra focus. It used to be an never-ending checklist!
I saved an inventory of subjects I felt not sure about and added extra after each strive. The checklist began large and endured to shrink through the years whilst I addressed extra subjects—till the closing strive.
For the June strive, I put a variety of effort into learning. My Cisco Reside US consultation catalog used to be all about issues I wanted for the examination, together with a CCDE techtorial with Mark Holm, Zig Zsiga, and Rick Bauer, and a number of other classes about design.
There I used to be within the CCDE Techtorial: “Dude, don’t inform me this bull****, I already took the examination!” (I’m sorry, Mark.)
I wasn’t making any buddies all the way through that consultation. Seems that some discussions aren’t about absolutes or aspects, they relatively fall into a grey house proper within the center, and there are a number of sunglasses of grey to care for. Some assumptions are truthful, however an excessive amount of of that journeys you off. You find yourself strolling on a tightrope like a circus performer whilst the drums resonate within the background.
I felt assured and proud. I did my very best and felt in a position for the examination. Proper after Cisco Reside US, I headed again to Brussels for my 3rd strive at CCDEv3.
I labored on my data, note-taking, studying, and focus and mentioned with the already-certified CCDE other people I knew. I felt in a position. This used to be my time. I used to be excited whilst taking the examination. It felt just right, it felt like a breeze, and I used to be nearly certain.
I got here out hoping for the most efficient and used to be shot down by way of a FAIL. It used to be, by way of a long way, probably the most painful of the makes an attempt. I felt misplaced, that I didn’t know what to paintings on anymore, and that I used to be now not ready to triumph over this sort of titanic function after see you later. My ratings had been appearing some growth after each strive, and but, I failed once more and used to be extraordinarily puzzled.
It took me a number of days to even procedure such a lot of issues and take care of my emotions. And when I used to be about to throw the towel, my buddies had been there for me. As soon as once more, they held me up, they confident me I used to be shut, they usually gave me extra encouragement than I will have requested for.
I felt like Spiderman (Tobey Maguire) getting carried over their heads after saving the folk at the teach from an forthcoming crash. However this time, I used to be the only being stored, in addition to carried.
The closing straw
With their assist, I used to be nonetheless somewhat hesitant, however I picked up my items and attempted to do one thing other for the October strive.
Used to be it about data? What else used to be I doing all the way through the examination? In the future, if you care for the data gaps (otherwise you assume you probably did), you need to fear about your exam-taking enjoy and technique.
I labored extra on my focus and on workouts to stay myself lively. I introduced a variety of candies, caffeine, and water and did many, many pushups all the way through the check.
Each and every time I felt my thoughts used to be slipping clear of me, I might step up, do 20 pushups, stretch myself, wash my face, and are available again to my seat.
All over the examination, I used to be eating power beverages, water, espresso, sourworms, and Nutella biscuits. I used to be happy I may just convey these items to the checking out room!
I additionally introduced from my arsenal to all of the other people taking the examination with me. Maximum of them spoke back to my proposal with incredulous seems and awkward silence. However a few them did get nearer. They were given Nutella crackers and an power drink, some goodies.
This time my angle wasn’t about passing the examination. It used to be about taking part in the journey, doing my very best, and feeling happy with how a long way I’ve come.
This time I didn’t really feel nervousness crawling over my shoulder all the way through the examination, being concerned concerning the end result. I used to be targeted, entertained, and sure, all about taking part in myself whilst it came about.
This time the nervousness wasn’t within the driving force’s seat. I felt positive, I felt calm (in spite of the irresponsible quantity of caffeine and sugar in my gadget), and I felt provide.
There I used to be, telling Peter the way it used to be, how I felt, what I noticed. I wasn’t certain if I handed, however I did my very best, and I used to be happy with it. I checked the consequences someday after whilst sitting subsequent to my buddies. To start with, I couldn’t imagine it, I believed the web page used to be damaged, and I may just now not see the everyday “FAIL” I used to be anticipating.
I believed: “That is kaput, the place is my fail?”
I endured to go looking the ground proper facet of the display screen.
And there it used to be, on the best left of the display screen. It wasn’t damaged. It wasn’t flawed. I truly handed, the whole lot used to be all proper.
It used to be the tip of an generation, the closure I such a lot craved for. I may just now not do anything however cry. I used to be all the time sufficient, I used to be all the time in a position, and the adventure in any case made sense.
CCDE used to be and can be, for me, probably the most a success set of screw ups I’ve ever encountered. And I’m happy with it, just like the quote attributed to Thomas A. Edison:
I’ve now not failed. I’ve simply discovered 10,000 ways in which gained’t paintings.
—Thomas A. Edison
Assets
*The Cisco Qualified Design Skilled (CCDP) certification used to be retired from the Cisco Certification program on February 23, 2020.
**The CCIE R&S, or Routing and Switching certification, migrated to the CCIE Endeavor Infrastructure certification on February 23, 2020.
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