CUCM 7.0 & AMD Incompatibility
I was recently able to get my hands on a nice suite of Cisco NFR software to aid in my studies. Items included: CUCM 7.1.3 / Unity Connections 7.1 / CUPS 7.0(5) / UCCX 7.0(1). It also included CUCM 7.0(2a) which is what is outlined on the CCIE-Voice exam blueprint. I was pretty happy about this, since I currently only have CUCM 6.x and wanted to be able to have some hands-on with the actual version that I will be seeing in the lab.
Being like a kid on Christmas, I broke out the CUCM 7.0(2a) DVD and started the install on my VMWare server. This is where it all went wrong. Like getting an awesome new toy, but your parents forgot to buy the batteries.
Remotely find a Server’s Manufacturer and Serial Number
There has too often been a situation that has come up where I have needed to remotely obtain a server’s manufacturer & serial number (parts replacement, TAC case, etc…) and either the documentation that I have is incomplete, or just non-existent.
There are many ways that you can attempt to get this information (ILO/RSA ports, SNMP walks, device monitoring platforms) but the simplist and least time consuming has been to run the following windows script:
Progress Update / Cisco Press Promotion
Well…I don’t really have much progress to report. I have received all of the books that I ordered, and have just barely cracked the cover of End-to-End QoS Network Design. I figure I am going to start off with the topic that is my weakest and work up from there. I am trying to keep my intended time frame for passing the written exam, but the more I procrastinate, the more I feel that it may not happen. But, 3 months is still 3 months and I should be ready by the end of December. Positive thinking is the name of the game.
As for the Cisco Press promotion…
Cisco Press has been running this for a little while now, and this is what I took advantage of to get my latest round of books. They are offering 40% off 3 or more books. They are also throwing in free shipping. Its a pretty good deal if you need to get some “light” reading material.
Accumulating Study Material
I am working on gathering up all of the books/articles that I can find to aid me in studying for the written portion of this adventure. I found a decent article from NetworkWorld outlining a seemingly efficient way to attach the exam. I have also been purchasing books from CiscoPress that are listed on the CCIE-V Book List. I don’t think I am going to get everything outlined, just the ones that will supplement my weaker areas (QoS, CME/CUE, IPCCX).
Any and all relevant links that I come across, I will add to the list in the right sidebar. I will also be adding a few other blogs that I frequent that have been really helpful and informative. On the links page, I will be directly linking useful SRNDs, Administration/Configuration guides, etc from Cisco’s website. I figure if I can gather all of the links/articles/documents in a single place, it will help others down the road in figuring out what they may want to start with.
First Post
I am starting this site to track my progress toward Cisco’s CCIE Voice certification. I know that there are a lot of other CCIE blogs out there, but you never can have too many resources when you are attempting something to this magnitude.
I plan on tracking the amount of time spent studying and the amount of money spent on materials/equipment. I will also be posting anything that I come across online or in my day-to-day activities.
A little background information, I am currently working for a large Telecom provider in their managed care division. I have been working with IPT for the last 5 years and have recently obtained my CCVP and CCNA-Voice.
My long term goal is to have my CCIE-V written exam completed by the end of this year, and the lab taken by the end of 2010.