I passed the written today! It was a tough exam, with some funky worded questions, but I received an 88%. The test did blowup halfway through but I was only delayed for 5 minutes. I have been in this business for 16 years and hold over 25 certs. I have been supporting Cisco gear for over 8 years. I obtained my CCNP/DP in five months last year and then I took a break from Cisco for a while (9 months), so I had to study for a month on old junk I had forgotten or haven't used since 1994. Thank god for my CNX. I have been in networking before 10base-T and Token-Ring.(Can someone say Lattisnet???) Man... I lived Token-Ring from 1989-1996. This was one funky exam. This exam is somewhat harder then the ACRC, but ACRC is more focused, this one tests your knowledge across a broad scope of topics, so study hard. Some study suggestion, if you feel they can help.. If you have no TR knowledge try to obtain the Laura Chappell, "Novell's Guide to Netware Lan Analysis" (ISBN 0-7821-1362-1) It may be out of print or in it's 3rd or 4th edition. Excellent on TR, IPX, SRB, Spanning Tree for SRB. Also, if you can get your hands on an "IBM TR Architecture Reference", then this will explain everything you ever needed to know about the RIF. The Lou Rossi paper is pretty good as well. The new Sybex book is only good for a basic cursory review. It also has lots of errors so be careful. Read or review the books listed on the recommended reading list, review all of the links on CCO under the blueprint. And most of all, KNOW YOUR PROTOCOLS IN AND OUT. This may be overkill but it will be worth it. Having your CCNP/DP and/or CNX will make things a little easier, especially if you go for the written right after obtaining your NP/DP. Own, borrow, or use a freeware protocol analyzer. Learn the protocols. Here is a cool site that was listed for a protocol analyzer http://www.ethereal.com/ Someone wrote in this board to "be the packet" To add to that "be the protocol analyzer" I want to thank everyone on this list for their questions, answers and helping each other out. Your information provided me a small clue on what to expect and how to prepare for the written. You guys are a great and dedicated bunch, good luck to all. See you in the LAB, aaaaggguuuhhhh.. _________________________________ FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]