Yes, I failed. I think it’s pretty typical when you’re at Cisco Live, stay out drinking and smoking cigars until 1am, then sit the exam at 8am. Considering the situation I put myself in, I wasn’t very optimistic about the exam. I figured maybe a 40% chance I would pass since I didn’t really even study. Are you sensing a theme of ill-preparedness and self-sabotage? Yeah, me, too.

Cisco Live is obviously the biggest networking event of the year, and Cisco likes to use all the attention to show off some of their new gear. I must say I was impressed with the Enterprise offerings including the 6807-XL, the 6880-X, the 4451-X, and the Sup 8-E for the 4500-E. Those boxes definitely gave me a bit of a tingle when I was checking them out, but my eyes opened up when I saw the 3850. The Catalyst 3850 is the next version of the 3k line of switches and the successor to the 3750-X.

While walking through the World of Solutions, we ran across a big black truck with lots of antennas all over it. It was obviously an emergency communications vehicle of some kind, but I was really surprised to see it was a Cisco truck. It turns out that Cisco has a Tactical Operations group that was formed to provide disaster responders with much-needed communications for FEMA, state EMA, fire, police, medical, etc.

I’m all set up to go to Cisco Live in Orlando this year. Good thing, too, since I couldn’t make it to San Diego last time. It’ll be a great and fun time as usual, and I’m quite excited.

I quit my job…by design.  I start a new gig on Tuesday and am getting back to the world of Cisco.  As a last nod to Juniper, I decided to use an exam voucher I had and take the JNCIS-ENT exam.  Easy pass. The content…