Cisco Announces Version 3 of the CCIE Wireless Blueprint

The wait is finally over and version 3 of the wireless CCIE blueprint has finally been announced.  On September 14, the new version of the written and lab exams will go live.  This will bring a very long-in-the-tooth version 2 blueprint to an end after a nearly 4-year run.  While we tearfully say goodbye to WCS, let’s take a look at what version 3 is bringing to the table.

New Lab Exam Format

First off, let’s look at what has changed in the format of the lab itself.  The wireless track is following suit with the R&S and SP tracks and including multiple sections to the lab.  The wireless lab will now begin with a 1 hour Diagnostic section, followed by a 7 hour Configuration section.

The Diagnostic section is similar to what was done in R&S and SP.  This section tests your ability to assess and diagnose issues in a network without any access to the devices themselves.  Basically, you are given access to a number of pieces of information (emails, topology diagrams, logs, etc) that describe an issue and give the needed information to figure out the root cause.  You will then be given items to complete based on the information such as multiple choice, drag-and-drop, or point-and-click items.  So it’s sort of like the written exam, but with much more information to go through and higher levels of analysis.  Throughout this section, there will be multiple “trouble tickets” to complete.  So you will be working through multiple different scenarios and not just one large scenario.

The Configuration section will be the same as what we have historically done in previous versions.  You’ll be given a single topology and you will have a large number of configuration and troubleshooting tasks to complete on the devices and servers provided.

Each section will be graded and there will be a minimum passing score for both the sections individually as well as a combined minimum passing score.  Based on this, you need to get beyond the minimum score in at least one of the sections as it seems possible to pass both sections while still failing to get the combined minimum passing score.  Otherwise, there is no purpose to the minimum combined score.

New Knowledge Domains

Cisco added some new knowledge domains to version 3.  Most notably they added Converged Access as well as a dedicated Security and Identify Management section.  No domains were removed.  Though there was some renaming and shuffling around of previous domains.

The new version contains the following domains for the lab exam.

1- Configure and Troubleshoot the Network Infrastructure
2- Configure and Troubleshoot an Autonomous Deployment Model
3- Configure and Troubleshoot a Unified Deployment Model (Centralized)
4- Configure and Troubleshoot a Unified Deployment Model (Converged)
5- Configure and Troubleshoot Security & Identity Management
6- Configure and Troubleshoot Prime Infrastructure and MSE
7- Configure and Troubleshoot WLAN media and application services

What implications does this new domain list have?  Here are a few things that I’m noticing right off the bat.

• Since there are separate domains for centralized and converged unified wireless, you will definitely do both over the course of a given lab.  Interaction between them is also probably highly likely.
• Since there is a separate Security and Identity Management section, working with the RADIUS server (ISE in this version) will probably play a larger role than it did in version 2.
• Since we have more domains and only 7 hours in the configuration section, we’ll be doing fewer things per section.
• I see even more emphasis that wireless professionals need to have skills that stretch beyond our wireless specific realm (switching, network services, security- ISE/RADIUS)

New Hardware and Software

While I think that version 2 of the lab is great.  One of the glaring deficiencies as of late has been the age of the software.  Thanks to rapid development in the wireless world, our version 2 stuff is very outdated.  Version 3 brings us just about to the bleeding edge from a Cisco standpoint.  With the addition of converged access, the lab is testing things that a small percentage of the customer base has moved to.  The good news there is that hopefully v3 will age a little better than v2 did.  V2 was almost immediately out of date when WCS was replaced by Prime.

So what hardware and software will you see in v3?  Here’s the list.

V3 Hardware

• 5500 series controllers
• 5760 series controllers
• 3700 series APs (lightweight and autonomous)
• 1600 series APs
• 4500E series switches with Sup 8-E
• 3650 series switches
• Prime Infrastructure server
• ISE server
• MSE 3300 series server

V3 Software

• 8.0 code for 5500 WLC
• 3.6E IOS-XE code for the 5760 WLC
• 15.3 code for the autonomous APs
• 3.6E IOS-XE code on both switch models
• Prime Infrastructure 2.2
• ISE 1.3
• 8.0 code for the MSE
• AnyConnect secure mobility client 4.0 (no config required)
• Jabber client 10.x (no config required)

As you can see, we are using current latest code almost across the board.  We’re also using current top enterprise-tier hardware for controllers and one of the AP models.  All switches are also converged access capable.

New Technologies and Topics in Version 3

As we look deeper into the domains covered in v3.  Here is a highlight list of new topics and technologies that v3 brings to the table.  This is not an exhaustive list.

• Converged access and everything that it entails
• Greatly expanded focus on IPv6
• FlexConnect (many more features than what H-REAP had)
• Enhanced security functionality with ISE
  • Centralized Guest WebAuth and Policies
  • Client profiling and provisioning
  • SXP/SGT support
  • CoA

Removed Technologies and Topics in Version 3

So we have a healthy amount of new stuff to tackle.  Can we at least get rid of a bunch of stuff from v2 to compensate for this?  Unfortunately, there is little of significance going away.  Here is a list of what didn’t make the transition.

• MFP
• Peer-to-peer blocking
• IGMP snooping
• WDS on autonomous
• Upgrading autonomous APs to unified APs
• Implementing local DHCP services on the WLC

So maybe with the exception of WDS, nothing of any real significance was removed.  These are mostly topics of secondary importance.  Most of the big things that went away were simply replaced by newer versions of the same thing.  Such as…

• H-REAP was replaced by FlexConnect
• WCS was replaced by Prime Infrastructure
• ACS was replaced by ISE

Advice For Those Looking To Pass Version 2

I know there are many of you out there who have already started your journey with version 2 of the lab blueprint.  Due to the significant changes in version 3, I’d suggest that those who have already put significant time into v2 try to pass their lab under the current version.  It will probably be the easier road assuming you can take at least 2 attempts at it.  At this point, if you haven’t made any attempts, that may be all that you’ll be able to do.  Seeing as the average number of attempts for most of my students to pass the current lab is 2-3, you should have a reasonable shot of passing in 2 (assuming you put in the hard hours of preparation).  But it’s no guarantee.

As you plan out your strategy to pass version 2, here are a few things to think about.

•  While lab dates are currently plentiful everywhere, I would expect the dates leading up to the last day for v2 will begin to fill up as we get 3-4 months out (maybe even sooner).
• Rules were put in place last year enforcing longer wait periods after failed attempts.
  • After your first failed attempt, it’s a 30 day wait period
  • After your second failed attempt, it’s a 90 day wait period
  • The next 2 failure attempts also carry 90 day wait periods

So let’s say that you have your first attempt scheduled on April 1.  If you fail that, you can schedule attempt #2 at the beginning of May.  So the earliest you could schedule attempt #3 is early August.  Hopefully in May, there would still be August dates available.  But there is no guarantee as you are relying on the 6 weeks leading up to the version change not being filled.  But as long as you can get the first attempt in by the next few months, it should be pretty safe to assume you can get in 2 attempts.  If you want a shot at 3 attempts, you need to be taking your first attempt ASAP!

Also, if you really want to pass in version 2, attending my classes would probably be a big help.  I’m not trying to be a salesman here.  But classes make a big difference for most people.  You get 1-2 weeks of dedicated study time isolated from the rest of the world.  You get great workbooks not available to regular self-studiers.  I cover and help you zero in on what is most important in the actual lab.  And you get the ability to ask all of the questions that you want.   It’s not a magic potion that will allow you to pass with ease by any means.  There is no escaping the requirement of putting in hour after hour of studying and practicing.  But it’s an accelerant.  And when you have to make every lab attempt count, it’ll definitely boost your odds.

If you are still 3+ months away from being lab ready, it might be best to look at going after version 3.  You may only have 1 chance at taking the v2 lab.  Even with taking a class, the odds of passing on your first attempt aren’t in your favor.

As you evaluate your plan, just be sure to keep a realistic mindset.  Try to figure out how much time you would be able to study for v2, how many attempts you will likely be able to make, and factors like being able to attend a class or getting time off of work to study.  Then also take into account that plans rarely go 100% as expected over the course of 4-6 months.  Stuff happens, you get sick, family emergencies pop up, work gets crazy, racks get booked up on the day that you wanted, maybe I get hit by a bus and your class is cancelled, etc.  If you plan relies on everything working out just right without any wiggle room, maybe you need to re-evaluate.

Advice For Those Looking To Pass Version 3

So maybe version 2 isn’t in the cards for one reason or another.  That’s OK.  One nice thing about v3 is that you can actually dig deep into the technologies, hardware, and software that you are probably using most every day.  No more dealing with WCS or deferred controller code.  No more trying to figure out how to obtain a virtual image for an MSE code that has no official virtual image.  No more getting made fun of for calling FlexConenct H-REAP.  While the version change may have pushed out your completion date, I think anyone who can pass it is going to be a very well rounded engineer when it comes to making the Cisco portfolio work.   And while just having the letters CCIE behind your name is a big deal, the knowledge and skills that you learn while achieving the certification are where the main value is derived from.

So if you want to start preparing for version 3, here is what you can do today to get started.

1)   Go to the Cisco Learning Network and read up on everything they have released about version 3 so far.

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccie_wireless

Particularly, read through the following.

The v2 to v3 info doc
https://learningcontent.cisco.com/cln_storage/text/cln/marketing/ccie_wireless_updates_v2_v3.pdf

The v3 lab blueprint
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-26435

The v3 hardware/software list
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-26437

The v3 reading list
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-26433

2)   Download all of the Cisco.com documents off of the reading list and start reading through them.  Be sure to highlight and take notes.

3)   Look at the books on the reading list and evaluate what might be worth purchasing.

I’ve personally not found the wireless books to be super helpful in my studies.  Most of the important concepts can typically be found in the free cisco.com documentation.  Also, due to the amount if time it takes to write a book, they are typically referencing older code than what you would see in the lab.  Most likely you will be able to get by with free documentation.  If Cisco Press comes out with a quick reference guide for the written/lab exam, grab that.

4)   Figure out what you might be able to study with equipment already available to you

Thanks to the new hardware, it will probably be tough to build a home lab to practice everything.  Most of us usually can’t swing $2000 for a 3650 to practice converged access.  Even running demo versions of the servers requires a pretty beefy ESXi box.  But you can probably practice some things like autonomous on cheaper APs that can run 15.3, or maybe snag a 2504 or even run a virtual WLC to get exposed to 8.0 code if you haven’t used it yet.

That should keep you busy for a while.

What is iPexpert Doing To Prepare for Version 3?

I’m getting started on creating all new materials for v3.  We’ll have 2-3 workbooks created with racks for you to practice on, multiple video series to watch, and classes to attend.  I’m looking forward to taking CCIE wireless studies to a whole new level with version 3.  I hope you’ll be joining me.

For those of you who have the iPeverything subscription, you will get access to all of the self-study materials as they are released.  That includes videos, audio, and quizzers.  If you also got the workbooks as a part of your current subscription, then you’ll get the new ones as well.

If you have any questions or concerns over what products you may or may not have access to once the version 3 materials are released, talk to one of our training advisors at sales@ipexpert.com and they will take care of you.

As new information about our products and release dates for version 3 materials becomes available, I’ll be sure to post it here as well as on our Facebook group page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/iPexpertCCIEWireless.StudyGroup/.

Good luck with your studies!