test-lab-blog

[test-lab-blog]

Quick Update

1. I passed the EMCISA exam (E20-001) several weeks ago.  This actually gives me the right to call myself an "EMC Proven Professional" which is cool but not accurate. lol

2. I made an attempt at the CCNP Route exam, I got a 710/1000 a few weeks ago, I needed at least a 780/1000 to pass.  I just have not been studying like I should.  I have another attempt scheduled for June 15th ( Late Friday Morning).  Wish me luck and I hope I don't attempt to reschedule it again.

3. I've been able to sell a bunch of gear on eBay recently and also off of eBay which is awesome for very good prices so I"m starting to purge and save money for  perhaps a car!  But I'll likely just save the money for the short term.

4. I was told today at work that VCE is looking into starting a champ program at Ingram Micro Technical Support... this is bitter sweet.

[test-lab-blog]

E20-001 and Kindle Touch

1. So I finally sucombed to my desire to own a e-ink book reader.  I settled on the Kindle Touch 6" model.  And I am enjoying it.  I like the fact that it's easy on the eyes, lighter, great battery life and there are fewer distractions on it when compared to a full fledged tablet.  I've had good results sending PDF files (textbooks) to it.  You recieve a free kindle email address that you can send documents to, and if you put the workd 'convert' in the subject heading Amazon will convert the document into the *.AZW ebook format so that it works almost like the paid books you buy, but not exactley.  I believe some features are absent.  All of the books I need to read should be much easier to read on this.

2. Also I recieved my EMCTA training materials (for free from EMC)  which is awesome because I don't think I would have purchased them for $1200 and I could not find the materials online for free either. ( see video )

3. Last week I obtained matching E5530 Quad Core Intel Xeon server processors and on Friday I recieved my 2nd processor heatsink for my Cisco C210 M1 server and installed my 2nd Processor. (see video)

4. My PCU8 remote power cycler came in the mail on Friday too!  I installed it on Saturday and now I can remotely login into my Lantronix SecureConsoleServer and console into the PCU8 and turn my network equipment on and off!!  Which is awesome because I don't want to keep the stuff on all the time (power + noise = badness)

That's it for updates!

P.S. Oh yeah I also attempted to install VMware ESXi 5 and 4.1 on my Intel Server I built a couple weeks ago with an Intel Server board and X3450 processor... still not finished.. I'm running into technical problems.

[test-lab-blog]

First Post

So I got the idea to start a Tumblr from Frankie B.  Seems like a good idea... we'll see how often I update it.  I'm really willing to try just about anything to keep myself on track to meet a bunch of goals I currently have.

Short term Goals: (Next 3 months)

1. Study for and pass Cisco CCNP Switch exam

2. Study for and pass Microsoft MCTS: Active Directory Exam

3. Study for and pass EMC E20-001 Exam ISM Exam

Medium Term Goals (Within next year)

1. Pass CCNP Route (2 of 3 for CCNP cert)

2. Pass one of other MCTS exam required for MCITP: Server Administrator certification (2 of 3 for MCITP cert)

3. Take training course and Pass VCP exam

4. Pass at least one VNX MCTA exam (1 of 2)

OK both my short term and medium term goals look really aggressive.. I hope that through blogging and documenting my progress I can start to make more attainable goals.

I have been spending a lot of time researching and building up my physical test lab the past month or so.  Time is going by so quick.  It's already been 5 months since I passed the CCNA exam and 2 months since I got the VTSP and started working on the VMware and Virtualization helpdesk teams at work.  I feel my goals are aggresive but it feels awesome when I'm able to pull together the 4 disciplines I'm studying... Today I had a great conference call with a VAR and there engineer where I was able to dissuade them the engineer from recommending a 100% virtual desktop environment and use remote desktop services.  I was also able to talk them out of even considering blade servers because there growth and needs did not realize any of the value added by a blade roll-out IMHO.

OK... I'm going to stop in hopes that I'll keep my posts of a readable length.  Holly is here next to me visiting from MA and I should really be taking advantage of the time I have with her when she is here.