CCIE Enterprise: How to Study SD-Access Without Breaking The Bank

Summary

The video discusses a Cisco webinar about the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Lab exam, focusing on building and studying lab environments. It highlights the high hardware requirements for software-defined access (SDA) and provides cost-effective alternatives for preparation. The presenter recommends resources like Tim McConaughey's workbooks, Lab Minutes' free videos, and Kbits.live subscription for extensive SDA content. For hands-on practice, DevNet's DNA Center sandbox is suggested. The video aims to help candidates prepare affordably, without investing in expensive hardware, and invites viewers to share additional resources or feedback.

Takeaways

• 📅 Cisco hosted a webinar on building your own lab for the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Lab Exam on April 8th, 2021.
• 💻 Hardware requirements for the lab are quite high, with the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) needing 8 CPUs and 64GB RAM, and the DNA Center requiring 88 virtual CPUs and 256GB RAM.
• 🖥️ Emulating Catalyst 9000 series switches is not possible, so physical switches are necessary, which are expensive for personal labs.
• 💵 SDA (Software-Defined Access) constitutes 12-15% of the exam but is the most costly component due to hardware requirements.
• 📚 Tim McConaughey's Leanpub books are recommended for learning SDA underlay configuration, costing $19 for the full bundle.
• 🎥 Lab Minutes offers free videos on SDA fundamentals, providing a cost-effective way to learn about DNA Center.
• 📺 KBits.live offers a $100 yearly subscription with extensive videos on SDA and SD-WAN, providing in-depth training.
• 🔧 Cisco DevNet Sandbox provides free, hands-on access to DNA Center for clicking around and basic interactions.
• 🤔 For those with access to necessary hardware through work or other means, the video may not be as useful.
• 💡 The video suggests a budget-friendly approach to studying SDA: using Leanpub books, Lab Minutes videos, KBits.live subscription, and DevNet Sandbox access, totaling around $140.

Q & A

What was the primary focus of the Cisco CCIE webinar mentioned in the transcript?

The primary focus of the Cisco CCIE webinar was on building your own lab and beyond, specifically for the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Lab exam.

What were some of the hardware requirements discussed for software-defined access (SDA)?

The hardware requirements discussed included the Identity Services Engine (ISE) with 8 CPUs and 64 GB of RAM, and the DNA Center appliance with 88 virtual CPUs and 256 GB of RAM.

Why are Catalyst 9000 switches necessary for the SDA part of the lab?

Catalyst 9000 switches are necessary for the SDA part of the lab because there are no images available to emulate these switches, and DNA Center virtualization is not officially supported.

What percentage of the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Lab exam does SDA cover?

SDA covers approximately 12 to 15% of the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Lab exam.

What are some resources recommended for studying SDA on the CCIE lab exam?

Recommended resources include Tim McConaughey's books on SDA underlay configuration, Lab Minutes videos on SDA fundamentals, and KBits.live's subscription plan for comprehensive video courses.

What is the cost of the Leanpub bundles by Tim McConaughey for studying SDA?

The cost of the Leanpub bundles by Tim McConaughey for studying SDA is $19 for the full bundle.

What does the Lab Minutes video series offer for free?

The Lab Minutes video series offers free videos on SDA fundamentals, which can be watched without creating an account.

What is the annual subscription cost for KBits.live and what does it include?

The annual subscription cost for KBits.live is $100, and it includes a course on implementing SDA as well as numerous other videos, including those on SD-WAN.

What alternative to physical lab setup does the transcript mention for hands-on practice?

The transcript mentions the DevNet Sandbox for hands-on practice, where users can access the always-on sandbox to click around and explore DNA Center.

Why might someone prefer using the recommended resources over setting up a full physical lab?

Someone might prefer using the recommended resources over setting up a full physical lab due to the high cost and resource requirements of purchasing hardware like Catalyst 9000 switches and DNA Center appliances, making the recommended resources a more affordable and practical option.