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The road to my career in Information Technology started with a simple little action – copying the contents of one floppy disk to another. Simple enough, right?
I remember typing in the “copy *.*” command and wondering how the computer knew what to do when I typed that in.
Later, this little thing called “Windows” came along, and you could now actually click on icons to get things done.
I found that I still liked working from the command line, and through my 10+ years of being both a Cisco certification candidate and instructor, I’ve found that most Cisco admins like the challenge of working at the command line.
Why? Maybe we just like the challenge. After all, anybody can click on a desktop icon, right? ;)
As I often tell students, the exam will have multiple choice answers, but when you’re at the command line, you either know how to do the job or you don’t – there is no “A”, “B”, “C”, or “D” to choose from.
The command line isn’t going anywhere, but the use of GUIs to configure Cisco routers is becoming more and more common. That includes the popular Security Device Manager (SDM), which also happens to be a major part of the CCNP ISCW exam.
Everyone likes to resist change, and using GUIs to configure a router is no exception. I think there’s a fear that working with Cisco routers will somehow become “too easy” and anyone will be able to do it.
Trust me, that’s not going to be the case. No matter how effective the GUI, the time still comes where you’ve got to be able to configure and troubleshoot at the command line.
And once you work with SDM to configure VPNs, place your router in lockdown, and configure an IOS Firewall, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it!
It’s also no coincidence that all of the topics I just mentioned are topics for your ISCW study, and you must be able to work with SDM to configure them.
In my new ISCW Video Boot Camp, you’ll see how to use Security Device Manager to carry out those tasks and a few others as well. We’ll take an in-depth look at the details of SDM that come in handy in the exam room and on the job.
We have two choices when it comes to change – fear it, or embrace it.
By embracing the change and the challenge of using SDM, you make yourself more valuable in the workplace, and you also take a giant step in the direction of CCNP certification!
Chris Bryant (CCIE #12933) has over 10 years of experience in both the practical and theoretical aspects of Cisco and Networking technologies.
Chris’ detailed instruction and passion for teaching will help you pass your CCNP ISCW and other Cisco exams. By utilizing his vast experience and wealth of knowledge you will also develop the hands-on skills that the market demands.
This training covers the 642-825 ISCW — Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Networks CCNP Exam.
Along with 11 hours of video training you will also get a 400 page book including instructor’s notes to help you follow along.
Chris Bryant will lead you through scenarios and plenty of examples that will have you ready to tackle the exam!
Mike Shafer Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Hey Chris,
“I’ve found that most Cisco admins like the challenge of working at the command line.”
Never thought about it being a challenge. More a control factor. With the command line I feel a lot more certain about what result I’m getting then I ever will using a GUI.
Moreover I’ve never seen a GUI that allows anywhere near the granularity of control and speed of entry possible with the command line.
But then I guess the exam won’t really be asking what “I like” now will it?!
Yeah I love Linux too and we’re not talking runlevel 5 either. I’m clearly hopeless….
Dan_CCNA Says:
June 25th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
“As I often tell students, the exam will have multiple choice answers, but when you’re at the command line, you either know how to do the job or you don’t – there is no “A”, “B”, “C”, or “D” to choose from.”
Great point! I recently read a blog string on http://www.cisco.com/go/learnnetspace and the student was concerned about bare minimums to pass.