Hi again, Hilmar.

>I teach networks at the Cisco Networking Academy (CCNA program), so I learned
>much of the theory - of parts of the technologies you mention. I don't know
>much about BGP, since that is covered in a more advanced course (CCNP), which
>is not taught at my local academy.


BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is usually used between central offices and large
ISPs. I could write a short spiel on the subject, but to save time and space
here on UT, I'll just provide a wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BGP .
As a ham radio operator, I've always been interested in telecommunications,
anywhere from simple transmitters and receivers to 802.11[a-z], spread-spectrum
communications, satelites, and gigibit ethernet... (And may the list continue until
I'm dead and burried :^).


As a matter of fact, I would highly recommend to all here on UT to get an
amateur radio (ham) license. Your local technical community will most definately
be hanging out there, and it is really kewl when you can grab your mic, speak up
and say, "Anyone here on the frequency know the port number for ssh?" and have
just about everyone listening come back with "22" :^).


I have a question, Hilmar. Is the CCIE still chewing up and spiting out just
about everyone who takes the exam? Here in the States, the exam lasts about
5 days. They throw you into a room filled with switches, routers, fiber, network
analyzers and just about every cable in existance and then hand you a paper
notebook, saying you have so many days to build this particular network.
If I remember correctly, you have to get something like 98% of it correct or
you fail immediately. Also, after the hardware exam, you have to take a very
difficult written exam and pass it with a 95 or better or you're history. The
exam costs around $10,000.00 US, and no refunds. I don't know if this is hearsay
or not, but I've heard of PhD electronic engineers and physicists failing the exam
on the first try. When you here that there are only 3500 or so CCIE's world wide,
making anywhere from $300-$500 an hour, you have to wonder if the hearsay is
actually close to the truth or flat-out accurate :^).

Later, dewd...

Randall