I completed and passed the 5th semester hands-on practical test early this year. The lab scenario was to design, (i.e., IP address assignment) and configure a 7 router, 2 switches and multiple hosts set-up with RIP and OSPF routing protocols, NAT for internet access, etc.
We were three in a group and beforehand discussed on the IP address assignment and who will configure what. The good thing with our group is that we are all fast typists - and know what we are doing. Everything worked fine except one major problem (although my memory fails me now with the details)- the RIP subnetworks are not redistributed to the OSPF networks. It took a while troubleshooting this problem and this has something to do with the IP address assigment. This was corrected and everything worked as it should be. This was a whole day hands-on practicals but we were able to complete this in 5-6 hours. The other group was not able to complete their practicals that day and they had to schedule extra meetings to get their set-up working. Our practicals for the 4th semester was also tough. Four router set-up, with one router configured as frame relay and a router with ISDN fail-over backup when the frame relay switch fails. There were other conditions to be met and took us hours to properly configure and make it work. It was a closed book and notes practical exam and our only resource is the Internet - online materials from Cisco. I missed my lunch as it took us about 5 hours to complete and troubleshoot the configurations. This time we were two in a group. Our instructor examined our set-up and configurations, tested it (extended pings, disabled the frame-relay switch to initiate the ISDN fail-over back-up, etc.) and graded us accordingly. I am pleased that we only got a 5 point (or was it 10 points) deduction. The Cisco Networking Academy hands-on practical exams are not that easy. I can only imagine how tough are the CCIE lab exams. Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=29295&t=29212 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
