Cisco ccie r&s v5 review

1. Cisco announced changes coming to the CCIE Routing & Switching Exam on
December 3rd. But don’t get too concerned if you are currently deep into studying
for the current version 4 of the CCIE Routing & Switching Exam as the official launch
date for version 5 of the CCIE exam is set for June 14th, 2014. This gives you
approximately a 6 month window to pass the current version of the lab which stays
in line with what Cisco has done in the past. One thing you might want to consider if
you are currently deep into studying for version 4 of the CCIE exam is to schedule
your exam early as seats are sure to fill up as the cutover date approaches.
CCIE Exam Category Changes
Version 5 of the CCIE exam is organized into 6 categories versus the existing 11. Don’t
let the number of categories fool you with regards to complexity of both the CCIE
written and the CCIE lab exams. For example, Implement IP Multicast used to be
called out as a separate category but is now included in both the new Layer 2 and
Layer 3 categories.
Version 4 of the CCIE exam had the following 11 categories:
1. Implement Layer 2 Technologies
2. Implement IPv4
3. Implement IPv6
4. Implement MPLS Layer 3 VPNs
5. Implement IP Multicast
6. Implement Network Security
7. Implement Network Services
8. Implement Quality of Service
9. Troubleshooot a Network
10. Optimize a Network
11. Evaluate proposed changes to a Network (written only)
Version 5 of the CCIE exam not only consolidated some of the categories but also
listed the percent of each category that is included in both the CCIE Written and the
CCIE Lab exams. This is huge as you know going into the exam where the highest
percentage of points are going to be.
Version 5 of the CCIE exam and their respective weight for the 6 categories is as
follows:
% Written % Lab
1. Network Principles 10 0
2. Layer 2 Technologies 15 20
3. Layer 3 Technologies 40 40
4. VPN Technologies 15 20

2. 5. Infrastructure Security 5 5
6. Infrastructure Services 15 15
As you would expect the highest percent technology on both the written and lab
exams is Layer 3 Technologies followed by Layer 2 and VPN Technologies, hence the
name CCIE Routing & Switching. Let’s look at what is actually covered in each of the
six categories.
Network Principles is a new category that includes foundational topics that are
covered only on the written exam.
Layer 2 Technologies predominately covers LAN Switching and WAN circuit
technologies.
Layer 3 Technologies covers both interior and exterior routing protocols (RIP, EIGRP,
OSPF, ISIS and BGP). Both IPv4 and IPv6 will be included as well as more focus on
dual-stack technologies. As mentioned earlier, while IP Multicast is no longer a
separate category it is included in both the Layer 2 and Layer 3 technology category.
VPN Technologies is a new category that includes Tunneling and Encryption.
Tunneling includes MPLS L2 and L3 VPNs and well as DMVPN and IPv6 Tunneling
techniques. Encryption includes IPsec with pre-shared key. GETVPN is also included
but only on the written exam.
Infrastructure Security includes both Device and Network Security with both
focusing on features supported in ISR routers and CAT 3K switches. It excludes topics
that rely on dynamic crypto (PKI) or any remote servers.
Infrastructure Servers includes System Management, Services, Quality of Service
(QoS) and network optimization. Again, where QoS was a separate category in
version 4 of the exam, it is still included is version 5 of the exam, it is just absorbed in
a different category. Layer 2 QoS topics are included on the written exam only.
Topics explicitly moved from the version 4 CCIE Lab exam to the version 5 CCIE
Written exam are as follows:
•Describe IPv6 Multicast
• Describe RIPv6 (RIPng)
• Describe IPv6 Tunneling Techniques
• Describe Device Security using IOS AAA with TACACS+ and RADIUS
• Describe 802.1x
• Describe Layer 2 QoS
• Identify Performance Routing (PfR)
Topics removed from version 5 of the CCIE Routing & Switching exam all together
include the following:
• Flexlink, ISL, Layer 2 Protocol Tunneling
• Frame-Relay (LFI, FR Traffic Shaping)
• WCCP
• IOS Firewall and IPS

3. • RITE, RMON
• RGMP
• RSVP QoS, WRR/SRR
Topics added to version 5 of the CCIE Routing & Switching Written exam are as
follows:
• Describe basic software architecture differences between IOS and IOS XE
• Identify Cisco Express Forwarding Concepts
• Explain General Network Challenges
• Explain IP, TCP and UDP Operations
• Describe Chassis Virtualization and Aggregation Technologies
• Explain PIM Snooping
• Describe WAN Rate-based Ethernet Circuits
• Describe BGP Fast Convergence Features
• ISIS (for IPv4 and IPv6)
• Describe Basic Layer 2 VPN - Wireline
• Describe Basic L2VPN - LAN Services
• Describe GET VPN
• Describe IPv6 Network Address Translation
Topics added to both the version 5 CCIE Routing & Switching Written and Lab
Exams are as follows:
• Use IOS Troubleshooting Tools
• Apply Troubleshooting Methodologies
• Interpret Packet Capture
• Implement and Troubleshoot Bidirectional Forwarding Detection
• Implement EIGRP (multi-address) Named Mode
• Implement, Troubleshoot and Optimize EIGRP and OSPF Convergence and
Scalability
• Implement and Troubleshoot DMVPN (single hub)
• Implement and Troubleshoot IPsec with pre-shared key
• Implement and Troubleshoot IPv6 First Hop Security
CCIE Exam Format Change
While the CCIE certification has long been the standard for network excellence,
previous versions of the CCIE Lab did not test real-life scenarios. With the change to
version 5 of the exam that could change. Topics such as Frame Relay (to include
Frame Relay Switching) and WCCP are completely removed from the lab whereas
there is sure to be more focus on relevant topics such as IPv6 and troubleshooting
methodologies.
While the CCIE Written exam remains essentially the same, the CCIE Lab exam has
significant changes. As was rumored, the entire version 5 Lab exam will utilize virtual
devices just like version 4 of the CCIE exam did in the troubleshooting section. This

4. allows the exam to provide a more realistic network with larger network topologies
(potentially 20+ routers) while also improving the reliability of the exam environment.
Utilizing virtual routers and switches will remove dependencies on specific hardware
platforms.
The CCIE lab exam now consists of three specific sections, namely:
• Troubleshooting
• DIAG
• Configuration
Both Troubleshooting and Configuration utilize virtual devices whereas DIAG does
not. The lab is a total of 8 hours. The time allocated to Troubleshooting is 2 hours,
DIAG is 30 minutes and Configuration is 5 hours and 30 minutes. There is an optional
30 minutes extra in both Troubleshooting, but any extra amount utilized in that
section will be subtracted from the Configuration section. On the flip side, any time,
up to 30 minutes saved in the Troubleshooting section will be added to the
Configuration section. The DIAG section is fixed at 30 minutes. So as has always been
the case, time is off the essence when taking the Lab exam.
Where to go from here?
If you are just starting your CCIE certification journey...stick with the core protocols
and concepts noted above and you will be fine whether taking version 4 or 5 of the
Lab exam. If you are 75% of the way through your studies, just continue what you
have been doing and don't freak out about the looming deadline. Just pace yourself
to successfully cross the finish line before June 14th, 2014. If you are working
towards completing your CCIE certification on the version 4 lab, remember to
schedule your lab date far in advance as dates are sure to fill up as June 14th, 2014
gets closer. Best of luck!
The below article was our original article commenting on many of the CCIE rumors.
CCIE R&S Exam Update Coming?
As I am sure many of you know, there has been increased chatter about an upcoming
CCIE version 5 update. Although many people thought there would be an
announcement in June 2013 at Cisco Live US event, that did not happen. So with the
current CCIE Routing & Switching blueprint 4 and a half years old, it makes it much
more likely there may be an announcement released sometime this November 2013
by Cisco. Why is that? Well on the January 2014 Cisco Live Milan program there is a
session titled “CCIE Routing & Switching version 5”.
As with most Cisco exam changes, you will more than likely have 6 months to test on
the existing blueprint before it is officially retired. So if you are studying for your
current CCIE certification, you will want to probably target scheduling your exam
prior to April of 2014 as soon as possible so you are sure you be able to secure a lab
date. As if you wait too long such as after the official announcement, you might find

5. there was a mad rush and all the dates you could have taken it are now filled.
There has been lots of speculation that Cisco will virtualize the entire CCIE lab. If you
recall, in the version 4 CCIE lab, Cisco introduced a virtualized environment for the
troubleshooting portion of the exam running IOU. So it would not be out of the
realm of possibility that Cisco extends that to the Configuration portion of the CCIE
exam. This will give Cisco almost an infinite pool of configurations to create your
exam experience from as they are no longer tied to a particular piece(s) of hardware.
It will also allow Cisco to more easily tweak the exam experience based on changes
that are happening in the real world.
Another change we are hearing whispers about are the lab sections themselves.
Historically there has been a configuration portion of the exam in which you were
provided 6 hours to complete. Additionally there is a troubleshooting portion that is
2 hours in duration. As you probably have seen with the advent of the TSHOOT exam
in the CCNP series and the enhanced focus on troubleshooting in the CCNA
certifications, it seems Cisco might augment the Troubleshooting portion of the CCIE
exam with a Diagnostic portion on the exam or it might even be its own section of
the exam. I guess we will have to wait and see. But it seems like Cisco wants to make
sure their CCIEs sharpen their skills in troubleshooting Cisco’s products and not
simply focus on the design and configuration of corporate environments. This will
probably mean that simple configuration tasks on the exam will be minimized while
you will be tasked with shaping and tweaking Multi-cast, QoS and the like.
But I would suggest that you don’t worry about it too much as with proper
preparation you will do just fine. So what should you do if you are in the early stages
of your CCIE exam prep? Don’t panic and remember that R&S is R&S. The core of
Routing and Switching did not change overnight. You just want to be a little more
selective on the topics you study. I would venture to say that 80 to 90% of the topics
will stay the same like OSPF, BGP, STP, and IPv6. So what might drop from v4 to v5 of
the CCIE exam? I would guesstimate Zone-Based Firewalls, RIPv2, Frame-Relay, WCCP,
and there is debate over PfR. Also the IOS will change from 12.4(yes, it is still based
on 12.4 that was sunset over 18 months ago) to 15.x on both the routers and
switches. So what is a candidate to be added to the CCIE v5 exam update? DMVPN to
replace Frame-Relay, possibly ISIS, Embedded Packet Capture, IPSec and there will
probably be an emphasis on IPv6 in general.

6. Now not to complicate things, but some people are speculating as we mentioned
above that the entire lab will be virtualized and that includes the switches. So if that
is the case, that might take some switching features you may have historically seen
on the exam out of the equation such as the various SPANs, PVLANs, DHCP Snooping
and QinQ Tunneling. But if for some reason Cisco does decide to use real switches in
the new CCIE v5 blueprint, you might see some 3560-X switches or if we get lucky the
3850 as it seems to be the current favorite on the block.
So if you are just starting your CCIE certification journey...stick with the core
protocols and concepts noted above and you will be fine to transition to the new
blueprint. If you are 75% of the way through your studies, just continue what you
have been doing and don't freak out about the looming deadline. Just pace yourself
to successfully cross the finish line before April 2014. Best of luck!
Refer to http://www.certificationkits.com/ccie-update/
More Related Cisco CCIE Topics:
Cisco Announced CCIE R&S Version 5