My manager probably realizes that if (or when, hopefully) I get the IE they’ll either have to give me a big bump or I’ll seek other employment. I doubt I’ll get the bump, lol.

I completely agree with you on composite exams, I didn’t dare try to take the BSCI+BCMSN composite, it was just too much stuff to cram in. I feel a little better about BGP+MPLS since a lot of it is complementary and it’s really just two technologies, albeit very, very deep technologies. I’m ok with giving this one a shot, especially after what I’m hearing. I’ll know next week whether it was a mistake or not, hah.

Ps. I like your blog, I’m adding a link to it on here.

I have to learn enough to do the hard versions of the exams anyway, so I’d prefer to use them as my check. The knowledge is what’s important to me, and the more questions I can answer that ‘count’, the better off I think it is for me.

Of course I have no incentive to take the easier path, work doesn’t care what certs I do, they won’t pay for any training, and so on, and management probably doesn’t realize it yet, but my coworkers certainly do – once I pass the CCIE, I’m most likely gone. I don’t think management will be willing to pay the salary to keep two CCIE’s on staff, so I’m in no rush. I’m pretty much on a 2 year plan as it is.

I’ve just never been a big fan of composite exams, I prefer to be able to focus my studies. Of course I might as well get used to the prospect, since the CCIE Written is really just one big Composite exam.

Regardless of getting the cert, I’ll still be studying, learning and labbing. I can’t get enough of this stuff. The CCIE is my end goal as well, but I need something to fill the time until I’m ready to revisit that road.

The benefit of the cert is that I’ll (hopefully) get a little bump at work, or have an easier time finding a new job.

I’m personally going the two exam option because I don’t *want* the easy way out. The CCIP is CCIE prep for me, so the goal is to get as familiar with BGP and MPLS as I possibly can. CCIP is just something I pick up along the way to CCIE, not an end goal in and of itself.

If i rememeber correctly it was only 42 – 45 questions for BGP+MPLS including of lab.

All the best!

30 minutes for BGP+MPLS? Wow, that’s insane. I’ve read that there are only ~50 questions on it, which is less than I can remember on a Cisco exam. Thanks for the info!

BGP+MPLS is looking more appealing, especially since I’m not paying, lol.

Composite paper was more like 50% for each BSCI and BCMSN and i encountered about 4 labs if i remember correctly.

As for BGP+MPLS paper i had about 3 Labs once again if i remember correctly and the paper is rather easy. Completed the paper about 30mins. Know the fundamental and you wont go wrong .