Cisco Certified Architect: How to Complete the Journey from CCIE to CCDE to CCAr

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Bill Parkhurst Distinguished Engineer Elaine Lopes Exam Product Manager

Agenda
Overview CCIE, CCDE and CCAr The BIG Picture Technology Architecture Examples from the Real World Certification Process and Preparation

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Overview: CCIE and CCDE Tracks

Routing & Switching
Expert level knowledge of networking across LAN and WAN interfaces and variety of routers and switches Solve complex connectivity problems to increase bandwidth, improve response times, maximize performance, and support global operations

Security
Expert level knowledge of security and VPN solutions Demonstrate in-depth understanding of Layer 2 and 3 network infrastructure; Solid understanding of Windows, Unix, Linux and HTTP, SMTP, FTP and DNS

Voice
Expert level knowledge of Cisco Voice over IP (VoIP) products and solutions Capable of building and configuring complex end-to-end telephony network, troubleshooting and resolving VoIP-related problems

Design
Expert level knowledge of network design principles for the Layer 2 and 3 network infrastructure Capable of assessing and translating network business requirements into technical designs

Data Center
Expert level knowledge of Data Center Technologies, including DC infrastructure, storage, compute and virtualization Capable of building, configuring, and troubleshooting an end-to-end virtualized Data Center using Cisco DC technologies
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Service Provider
Expert level knowledge of IP fundamentals and technologies Expertise in building an extensible service provider network Expert level knowledge to troubleshoot and maintain complex service provider networks

SP Operations
Expert level knowledge of SP IP NGN technologies Capable of troubleshooting SP networks, managing SP processes (incident, fault, change, configuration, and performance), and knowledge of NMS technology

Wireless
Expert level knowledge of WLAN technologies Provides next step for individuals interested in a career in managing or working with Cisco wireless technologies

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Cisco Certified Design Expert

CCDE No pre-requisites 2-hour written exam
Design Theory Protocol Operation Technology Operation

8-hour scenario-based practical exam

Analyze design requirements Develop network designs Implement network design Validate and optimize network design

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Cisco Certified Architect

CCAr Highest-level Cisco certification Valid CCDE CCAr Application and Interview Board Exam CCAr Focused on
Infrastructure (Technology) Business requirements and Long Term Architecture Conflict resolution and communication skills

Not focused on
Technology implementation Detailed deployment Processes and standards Application, enterprise, IT or solutions architect
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Cisco Certified Architect - Definition

A Cisco Certified Architect gathers the business requirements and technical objectives necessary to produce a blueprint for an integrated, large-scale, complex, possibly global network. He or she can translate business parameters and objectives into functional requirements for a network design. In addition, Cisco Certified Architects can clearly communicate and advocate proposed network architectures which meet both business and technical requirements.

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History
CCIE to CCDE to CCAr
CCIE Program Introduced CCIE Design Introduced and Retired CCDE Program Development (with Cap Gemini) CCDE Program On Hold CCDE Program CCAr CCAr CCDE Development Introduced Development Introduced CCDE v2

1993

2000

2002

2004

2007

2008

2009

2010

2012

The CCIE Program begins where other vendors' certification programs leave off," said John Chambers, Cisco senior vice president.

The industry is moving from products to solutions to architectures

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Agenda
Overview CCIE, CCDE and CCAr The BIG Picture Technology Architecture Examples from the Real World Certification Process and Preparation

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The Big Picture

Conceptual

Logical

Physical

Customer

Architecture
What and Why

Design
How

Implementation
With What

Business Requirements and Constraints

(Use Cases)

Functional Specification
(Properties of the network to support the use cases)

Design
(A realization of the architecture)

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The Big Picture

Logical

Physical

Without an architecture a Design is just a guess

Design
How

?
Design
(Realization of the ?)

Implementation
With What

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Architecture Design and Deployment

Three Phases of the Cisco Lifecycle Services Approach

Architecture CCAr Design CCDE

Overlap Overlap

Deployment CCIE

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Definitions
Product
An individual piece of hardware or software

System
One or more products (hardware and software) that serve a specific requirement

Technical Solution
The application of one or more systems to meet a business requirement.

Design
An integrated set of solutions that meet the business requirements of the customer

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Architecture Which One?

Business Architecture
The business strategy, governance, structure, and key business processes of the organization

Technology (Infrastructure) Architecture

A blueprint for an integrated, large-scale, complex, network environment

Solution Architecture
Description of how the functional elements of a solution are assigned to their constituent sections or subsystems, and how they interact.

Product Architecture
Description of how the functional elements of a product are assigned to their constituent sections or subsystems, and how they interact.

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Architecture
Components

Customer Relevance

Technology Architectures Solutions Systems Products Technology Integration

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Agenda
Overview CCIE, CCDE and CCAr The BIG Picture Technology Architecture Examples from the Real World Certification Process and Preparation

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Architecture Examples
Connected Stadiums

Connected Stadium
Wireless Access Ticketing Stadium Vision
Unified Communications
Unified Communications Manager Unified IP Phone

Technology Architecture

Physical Security

Point of Sale

Use Case Solutions Systems

Digital Signage
Digital Content Manager Encoders Transcoders Demodulators Digital Media Player Stadium Vision Director

Network Infrastructure
Video Distribution Switch Access Switch Core/Distribution Router Multicast Traffic Separation

Products

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Connected Stadiums
Infrastructure Architecture Considerations Regulatory Environment
MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, etc. State and local Payment Card Industry - PCI

Scalability
Wireless Video Stadium Vision

Access Constraints
Ticketing Vendors Wireless
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Architecture Examples
Connected Energy Networks
Wide Area Monitoring and Control System Networks Trans-Regional Networks Interchange Networks Control Area Networks Enterprise Networks Inter-control Center Networks Inter-Substation Networks Intra-Substation Networks Urban Field Area Networks Neighborhood Area Networks Intra-Substation Networks Rural Field Area Networks Electric Vehicle SubNetworks Intra-Substation Networks

Distribution Automation SubNetworks

Residential Networks
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Building Networks

Private Microgrid Networks

In-vehicle Networks
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Connected Energy Networks

Infrastructure Architecture Considerations Regulatory Environment
North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection NERC CIP State Utility Commissions

Scalability
Data Smart Meters Routing

Response Times
Teleprotection Phasor Measurement Unit - PMU
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Agenda
Overview CCIE, CCDE and CCAr The BIG Picture Technology Architecture Examples from the Real World Certification Process and Preparation

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Skills
Gather, clarify, analyze requirements
Business requirements Technical requirements Align business and technical goals and direction Perform cursory rough estimations for new or changing requirements and/or informal whatifs and requests Devise a solution Perform risk analysis (Technologies, Security, Legal, Dependencies)
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Create a road map

Create a migration and transition strategy

Convey decisions and rationale

Communicate to a business audience Communicate to a technical audience

Demonstrate technical expertise

Develop functional specification for network

Preparation
There are no formal training programs for CCAr
Assumption is the CCAr candidate brings into the program the required experience and expertise

Experience is key
Lead or co-lead more than one reasonably complex technology architecture project Work with the customers senior leadership on both the business and technical sides

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Summary
Distinct differences exist between CCIE, CCDE, and CCAr
Much time/effort/input spent in developing the Architect certification

Details about CCAr

Relationship between architecture, design, and implementation Important Skills:
Gathering, clarifying, and analyzing requirements Developing functional specification for network Creating a road map Conveying decisions and rationale Demonstrating technical expertise

Process, Evaluation and Preparation

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Certification Process
Step One Application and Interview Submit payment USD $3,750 Submit application materials: resume, networking architecture project, supporting project materials, agreement to resume and project verification, NDA
Observe Exam Topics and Evaluation Criteria

Step Two Board Exam Submit payment USD $11,250 Develop and defend an architecture which supports a given set of business requirements
Applicant receives the scenario, prepares and submits a solution Applicant presents findings and proposed solution to board panel of judges Board introduces a scope change to which the applicant must respond

Participate in phone interview process

Panel of judges determine if submission meets criteria for admission to Board Exam
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Selective process; not all applicants are expected to qualify for Board Review

Panel of judges determine if solution meets criteria to grant the Cisco Certified Architect certification
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Evaluation
CCIE
Candidates are evaluated on performing a series of tasks Specific and well defined outcomes (end-state)

CCDE
Good and distracter information is provided to set the context, and candidate is evaluated for making solid decisions within that context Multiple valid outcomes are possible (end-state and branches)

CCAr
Judged by a 3-person committee of CCArs Each judge makes an individual decision regarding the candidate within established criteria Judgments follow strict scoring rubrics

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Recertification
CCAr certification is valid for 5 years To stay current, on the last 24 months before the expiration deadline the CCArs need to:
Contribute to CCAr exam development; and Participate as judge on the Application and Interview process for 2 candidates (if not approved to progress to the Board Exam, OR on both Application and Interview and Board Exam for 1 candidate

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References
CCAr https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/cisco_certified_architect Blueprint: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-6356 CCDE https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccde Practical blueprint https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccde/practical_exam?tab=studylearn Written blueprint https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccde/written_exam?tab=2 Cisco Press http://www.ciscopress.com

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