Network Ninja

About a two weeks ago David Bombal from Configure Terminal contacted me about doing a write up for  CCIE Command Memorizer. As a current CCNP student there is obviously some of the CCIE content that still goes over my head but most of the stuff I am fairly okay with. David didn’t seem to mind that I wasn’t a CCIE as yet and I sure didn’t mind giving CCIE Command Memorizer a spin so below are my thoughts and feelings.

During my initial research on the CCIE Command Memorizer I found that CCIE Command Memorizer was geared towards the CCIE Routing and Switching (R&S) Lab. When I received the application Monday two weeks ago my initial impression was that it covers without many frills and spills in an effective and efficient manner the commands in a Do-It-Yourself fill in the blanks task to objective orientated format. There is no round-about, search for things “what now” moments; everything is straight and to the point. Another bonus is that the download isn’t enormous either.

The CCIE Command Memorizer application itself is written in an e-book format, which works for the content and in that format. If like myself you like using the keyboard when you get going on command line (IOW dislike moving between the mouse+keyboard) some of the shortcuts might feel “off” and take a bit to get use to. Take heart that once you get going it all starts flowing like second nature.

My feelings on how the CCIE Command Memorizer would fit into my studies it that as a study tool / study aid as it helps you practice commands anywhere at any time as long as you have your notebook handy (face it as a CCNP I realize I am a Geeks and my notebook goes on holiday with me so this pretty much means anywhere). My current situation with a LAB is that I am busy getting racks, cabling, and other kit together to put a LAB up, the actual LAB is non-existent. In my situation the CCIE Command Memorizer is my stop-gap for actual “command” time practice as I don’t really have kit and at times no block time to zero in on a specific Technology Area and do some quick revision work with a specific focus only on that technology. This is different from the LAB where you need to setup and configure peripheral services and technologies to get to the meat close to the bone, CCIE Command Memorizer lets you focus ONLY on those parts to give you practice on those parts.

In my opinion students that would find the CCIE Command Memorizer useful would be individuals who have problems with instant recall of information when under stress or duress (people with classic test condition issues that forget as they walk through the door when in normal day-to-day they are Uber networkers) and students who need to drill things to remember (repetition, repetition, repetition) information to get it to pass from short term into long term memory (this one would be me). Most other students may also find it handy to bridge the book theory and lab practical (where you just went through the theory to quickly go over the practical again to cement the knowledge just a bit more).

From my perspective as a CCNP student the CCIE Command Memorizer shares most (if not all) of the content material with the CCNP that I cared to check up on. In the two weeks I have been working through EIGRP and OSPF (notes to follow shortly) for the BSCI. Everything I covered in theory the CCIE Command Memorizer covered + some more.

To close off for those who want a one-size-fits-all study solution don’t mistake the CCIE Command Memorizer for something it wasn’t built to be. The CCIE Command Memorizer is a STUDY TOOL / STUDY AID and not a “Complete Blended Solution” or All-In-One (aio) Product like the guys from IP Expert offer. This will mean that you will probably either attend classes from a Cisco Learning Partner and/or do labs at home or through a Rack Rental Company and/or also have Cisco Press books that will ADD TO THE VALUE the CCIE Command Memorizer.

In summation I suggest taking a serious look at the CCIE Command Memorizer and how to integrate it into your study plans. Taking all things into consideration I would seriously recommend the CCIE Command Memorizer even to current CCNP level students. The value add is easy to find and it helps to have something that you can take along as you travel that does command line study effectively without the need to spend hours on “setting up other things” before you get to play with advanced topics.