Cisco Certification: In What Order Should You Take Your CCNP Exams ?

When you choose to pursue your Cisco Certified NetworkProfessional certification, you've got some decisions to make right at the beginning. Cisco offers a three-exam path and a four-exam path, and you select the order in which you'll take and pass the exams.

While every CCNP candidate has to make their own decision, I'd like to share some thoughts based on my personal experience and the experiences of CCNPs worldwide.

The solid foundation of networking knowledge you built as a CCNA will help you a great deal on your BSCI (Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks, 642-801) exam. This is the most common exam to take first, and I'd recommend you do so as well. While there are some topics that will be new to you, such as BGP, many of the BSCI topics will be familiar to you from your CCNA studies.

The "middle" exams are the BCMSN (Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks, 642-811) and BCRAN (Building Cisco RemoteAccess Networks, 642-821). There is no real advantage in taking one of these before the other, although most candidates take the switching exam, then the remote access exam.

I do recommend you take the CIT (Cisco Internetwork Troubleshooting) exam last. This exam will demand you put into action the skills you have learned while earning your CCNA and passing the first three exams. Again, it's not written in stone and there are always exceptions, but CCNP candidates do seem to have more success on this exam when they take it last.

Should you choose the three-exam path, you'll be taking a Composite exam (642-891). This exam combines the BSCI and BCMSN exams, and it's best to take this one first. It builds nicely with your CCNA skills.

Again, I would take the BCRAN exam after the Composite, and t

he Troubleshooting exam last.

Whichever path you choose, you've chosen wisely in which certification to pursue. The CCNP is a true test of your networking skills, and when you make the decision to go after the CCIE, you'll be glad to have the solid foundation of networking skills your CCNA and CCNP studies gave you. 

5 Minute Guide to ERP

Information technology has transformed the way we live and the way we do business. ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning, is one of most widely implemented business software systems in a wide variety of industries and organizations. In this short article, we'll try to concisely explain the basic yet important concepts relevant to ERP.

What is ERP - ERP is the acronym of Enterprise ResourcePlanning. ERP definition refers to both ERP software and business strategies that implement ERP systems. ERP implementation utilizes various ERP software applications to improve the performance of organizations for 1) resource planning, 2) management control and 3) operational control. ERP software consists of multiple software modules that integrates activities across functional departments - from product planning, parts purchasing, inventory control, product distribution, to order tracking. Most ERP software systems include application modules to support common business activities - finance, accounting and human resources.

ERP Systems - ERP is much more than a piece of computer software. A ERP System includes ERP Software, Business Processes, Users and Hardware that run the ERP software. An ERP system is more than the sum of its parts or components. Those components interact together to achieve a common goal - streamline and improve organizations' business processes.

History of ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is theevolution of Manufacturing Requirements Planning (MRP) II in 1980s, while MRP is the evolution of Inventory Management & Control conceived in 1960s. ERP has expanded from coordination of manufacturing processes to the integration of enterprise-wide backend processes. In terms of technology, ERP has evolved from legacy implementation to more flexible tiered client-server architecture.

Benefits of ERP - ERP software attempts to integrate business processes across departments onto a single enterprise-wide information system. The major benefits of ERP are improved coordination across functional departments and increased efficiencies of doing business. The implementation of ERP systems help facilitate day-to-day management as well. ERP software systems is originally and ambitiously designed to support resource planning portion of strategic planning. In reality, resource planning has been the weakest link in ERP practice due to the complexity of strategic planning and lack of adequate integration of ERP with Decision Support Systems (DSS).

ERP Failures - We couldn't conclude our brief guide to ERP without mentioning ERP failures. The failure of multi-million dollar ERP projects are reported once in a while even after 20 years of ERP implementation. We have identified the four components of an ERP System - 1) ERP software, 2) Business Processes that ERP software supports, 3) Users of ERP systems, and 4) Hardware and Operating Systems that run ERP applications. The failures in one or more of those four components could cause the failure of an ERP project.

The PS3 Games Mystery

The news is out: the PS3 games console is to be launched simultaneously around the globe in November 2006. But despite the grand global launch plan for the PS3 games console, there are doubts about its impact on the market. Even more, game analysts doubt if this global launch can help Sony regain lost market because of the earlier release of Microsoft's Xbox 360. There are also many speculations why the new PS3's launch keeps getting delayed.

Though Sony claims that the delays were due to digital rights management or DRM troubles, many analysts believe otherwise. Analysts pose more pressing issues as reasons for the PS3 games console's launch delays. Eiichi Katayama, an analyst from Tokyo-based Nomura Securities' Financial & Economic Research, suggests that the delays are probably caused by the slow progress of graphics chip development. Others offer reasons such as insufficiency of appropriate software titles. However, Sony is quick to dismiss these rumors and again reiterated the problem of DRM for their Blu-ray optical drive.

Blu-ray chips provide the new console with removable PS3 storage capacity that is five times bigger than the storage provided by DVDs of older consoles. Reports that PS3's Blu-ray and DRM feature are almost finished make them unlikely causes of delays. According to Katayama, ROM mark and BD+ licensing have already started which make copy protection technology an implausible reason. Analysts believe that if DRM technology really cause the delay, the profit from PS3 games console would not suffer too much. However, if the reasons are as they believe -- graphics chip development -- the sales impact would probably be the worst in Sony's history.

Sony contradicts the analysts' measure of the situation and denies that the delays set the PS3 games console and the company at a disadvantage behind Microsoft and Xbox 360. Xbox 360 hit the stores last year and is still the top gaming console according to market trends. Jennie Kong, Sony's European branch's PR manager, defends the company's strategy and claims that the company doesn't allow itself to be dictated by their competitors' moves. However, history supports the analysts' views of the matter. It can be recalled that Microsoft and Sony had once faced the same situation, only this time, Sony has the advantage with the early release of their PS2 over the first Xbox. Current Analysis' Steve Kovsky reminds that at that time, Microsoft suffered huge losses; clearly, Sony is slated for the same fate with PS3

If Sony pushes for the November 2006 launch, it gives the Xbox 360 a full year sales advantage. However, the PS3 games franchise's problem does not end with the launch's delays. Rumors and news are circulating that even before its game console's launch, Sony is planning to outlaw its resale. Different sources claim that Sony plans to sell the new consoles with their own individual licenses. This effectively prohibits second-hand sales in person or in online shops like http://Amazon.com and http://eBay.com. In essence, buyers are only purchasing the license to use the consoles; Sony still holds the proprietorship of the product. Game analysts comment that this is a logical move, if proven true. Sony would need all the push it can have to increase the sales of individual PS3 units.

The company refrains from making comments about the allegations no licensing. They maintain that all important announcements have been made during the E3 trade show and all other announcements would be made on the PS3 games console launch. This announcement, instead of putting a stop to the rumor mill only fuel the fire. But as it is, there is nothing gamers can do but just play their PS3 games and wait. 

The Value of IT Certifications in Career Development

Information technology (IT) is the branch of engineering dealing with the use of computers and telecommunications, developing and maintaining systems as well as retrieving, storing and transmitting information. Therefore, any person wanting to develop a career in IT should be aware of the value of IT certifications.

Through education and certification, professionals gain the skills, knowledge, and validation needed to be recognized as an expert in diverse products or technologies. MCSE Certification, CCNA Certification, A+ Certification, and SAP Certification are just a few of the many credentials an IT professional may achieve.

Microsoft certification programs are considered to be the major advancement to gain both professional and education background. There are several Microsoft certifications currently available for both onsite or offsite training; being MCSE Certification, one of the most frequently requested certifications.

The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification prove an individual's expertise in designing and implementing the required infrastructure for any type of business solutions based on the Microsoft Windows 2000 platform and Microsoft Windows Server System.

Demand for the network administration job function is another branch of IT, which has grown significantly, the same as candidates applying for this certification, particularly CCNA Certification.

The CCNA certification (Cisco Certified Network Associate) indicates a foundation in apprentice knowledge of networking with certified professionals able to install, configure, and operate WAN, LAN, and dial access services for small networks with 100 nodes or fewer

Operation and configuration services also includes but are not limited to use one but several of the following protocols: Serial, Frame Relay, IP RIP, IP, IGRP, VLANs, RIP, and Ethernet, Access Lists. 

IT Certifications in career development add valuable credentials for IT professionals in a competitive industry where a certification for jobs like these is needed at the same time that learning is necessary due to the constant changing business environments

A+ Certification prove the competency of entry-level service technicians in the computer industry and it is an internationally recognized testing program sponsored by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)

This certification is different from the others because it is not promoted by one company only, but by a whole group of PC manufacturers and other companies in the hardware market and its acceptance as an industry-wide credential offers additional benefits.

The ultimate goal of all IT certifications is in the development of your professional career is validating a specific experience required by the network and systems administrator job role for any small, middle or large company. 

SAP Certification is one of the few credentials in the world of business with additional value only issued to those professionals who demonstrated their abilities by passing demanding, process-oriented exams through rigorous study or direct experience. 

All You Need To Know About Proxy Sites

The proxy server connects the computer you use and the Internet. The Internet is used for accessing information, as we all know, and the proxy server helps with checking the information. With a proxy server, the information you try to access, will first get transmitted to that and only then reach your computer. 

With proxies, one will talk about the security one needs while using the Internet as well as increasing the speed if you are downloading files. There are anonymous proxy servers, which could help you hide the IP address. With this, anyone trying to gain access to your computer through the Internet may not be able to do so. 

Anonymous proxies can be used for any web pages, including free email sites. Proxies will help you transfer files at a faster speed, and also connect you to the Internet at a faster pace. Any kind of information you need will be instantly given to you. The most important advantage of proxies, is your privacy. It protects you from malicious Internet users. 

Proxy sites will also allow you to surf the web without anyone's knowledge. This is especially useful for secret agencies and government organizations. It will help you redirect the request for information that you have asked for, thereby making you anonymous. There are even three types of proxy servers, and they are transparent, anonymous and high anonymity.

The first one is applicable only for high transfer, the second may quote that you are using a proxy, but the third allows you to be completely anonymous. Using proxies is claimed to be legal, as there are people even offering these services to the public. These servers are very similar to web servers. There is no such rule that the Internet has to be used only in a certain way, as it is for public use. 

Thus anyone can use proxies, if they think they feel vulnerable with the use of the Internet. This is a great way to maintain privacy with the other users. But we also need to be careful of certain proxies. They may be associated with hackers. 

It is not at all difficult to get a proxy list. It is easily available on search engines, and anyone needing that can obviously gain access to them as soon as they need. While one may not be immediately familiar with the use of the proxies, a little time and research will help the user become familiar very easily. 

Satellite Internet Is Another Option For Accessing The Internet

Satellite internet is another way for computer users to access the Internet if they do not have access to cable or DSL. Dial up is so out dated and slow that people are looking for alternatives ways to access the Internet. With the availability of the satellitehigh-speed broadband connection, many people in rural areas are now able to access the World Wide Web. This was not possible for many people until a few years ago when satellite started offering high-speed Internet connections to their customers. You might remember that Direct TV offered satellite televisionfirst and soon after offered its customers Hugesnet, which has a satellite high-speed broadband connection. 

Although Hugesnet and Direct TV are two different companies, they work together to bring customers one solution to the high costs of cable and DSL. With DSL, you need a telephone line and with cable, you need to have their specified service package for television in order to get the Internet. Both of these options are expensive for the average user. With Hugesnet and Direct TV, you get the service you need in one package and do not need a telephone in the home or any specific TV packages. 

The high-speed broadband connection is faster than cable or DSL and costs about the same when you compare prices to additional services you need with cable and DSL. Although the start up cost might be a little more, you will still save more money in the first year by having Hugesnet satellite Internet. You need the larger dish that needs to point into the southern hemisphere without obstructions to have Direct TV and Hugesnet. The nice thing is that sometimes they offer free installation. This is true for existing customers as well, where as cable only offers the specials to new customers.

If you need an Internet connection, you will find that Hugesnet satellite Internet gives you everything you need. You get faster speeds, which means your download and upload times are faster. If you download large files ormusic files, you want something that delivers the speed. High-speed Internet not only delivers the speed, but it delivers alternatives to slow connections you have with cable and DSL. Your Internet is always connected. You just have to open your browser and you are ready to go. With DSL, you have to sign into an account and then wait to connect. 

When you need the Internet and you live in a rural part of town, you can now have the Internet, which may not have been available before. You have your television and Internet needs all with one dish. The advantages of having the satellite Internet outweigh the start up cost, which some might consider a disadvantage. Your connection is always secure and you have no worries of losing your connection as you do with cable or DSL. If you need an Internet connection and Direct TV, you can have a technician come to your home to access your needs before signing any agreements. Just another service you do not receive from cable or DSL. 

All-seeing Eye: The History Of Video Surveillance

There are eyes everywhere, and they do not belong to humans. In today's fast-paced modern world, video surveillance has become as essential to society as security guards and gateways. Mention video surveillance and the average Joe will instantly associate the term with video cameras mounted in banks and department stores or videotapes of an erring spouse marked as Exhibit A in a messy divorce proceeding. 

The history of video surveillance is as complex as the system behind it. In fact, it goes back much farther in time than most of us realize. Press reports indicate that as early as 1965, United States police have been using video surveillance in public places. By 1969, police cameras had been mounted in strategic areas of the New York City Municipal Building. This set a strong precedent, and it was not long before the practice spread to other cities and police officers kept close watch on key areas, with the use of CCTV, or closed circuit television, systems. 

Analog Beginnings 

Video cassette tapes are largely responsible for popularizing video surveillance. The analog technology used in video cassette recording gave decision-makers a ground-breaking insight: it is possible to preserve evidence on tape. 

In 1975, England installed video surveillance systems in four of its major underground train stations. At the same time, they also started monitoring traffic flow on major highways. The United States followed suit during the 1980s, and though it had not been as quick as England in utilizing video surveillance, it made up for lost time by widely instituting video surveillance systems in public areas. 

Digital Multiplexing and Subsequent Developments 

One drawback to analog technology was that users had to change the tapes daily. This was remedied in the 1990s, with the introduction of digital multiplexing. Digital multiplexer units had features like time-lapse and motion-only recording, which saved a great deal of tape space. Additionally, it enabled simultaneous recordings on several cameras.

The next advancement, digitalization, featured compression capability and low cost, thereby allowing users to record a month's worth of surveillance videos on hard drive. Additionally, digitally recorded images are clearer and allowed manipulation of images to improve clarity. 

9/11 and the Internet 

The events of September 11, 2001 changed the public's perception of video surveillance. Software developers created programs that enhance video surveillance. Facial recognition programs is one of these programs. Using key facial feature points, recorded faces are compared to photographs of terrorists and criminals. 

In May 2002, facial recognition software was installed on the computer video surveillance cameras at Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. That same year, SmartGate was installed at the Sydney International Airport in Australia. SmartGate is an automated border crossing system for airline crew members. The system scans crew members' faces, compares these to passport photos, and confirms identity in less than ten seconds. 

In December 2003, the Royal Palm Middle School in Phoenix, Arizona installed face recognition video surveillance. This is a pilot program for registering sex offenders and tracking missing children. 

To all these developments, the Internet is the cherry on top. It revolutionized video surveillance by removing all impediments for viewing and monitoring anywhere in the world. 

Clearly, humankind has created better and more refined means for video surveillance. Smaller, sleeker, and more powerful video surveillance systems come out in the market nearly every month. Satellites bounce signals around the world. There are, indeed, eyes everywhere, and several of them are in the sky. 

Someone is always watching. 

Rent Video Games- Save Yourself Time and Money

The ability to rent video games from home without leaving the house has always been a true dream of mine. Not only does renting video games online keep you busy, but it can be very satisfying knowing you can rent as many titles as you want at anytime and generally receive them within a day or two.

Here are some Video Game Rental Statistics you might find interesting:

•"U.S. consumers spent $633.6 million renting video games in 2001, and a record-breaking $6 billion buying video gamesoftware (including PC software)."

But why are people renting video games instead of buying? I guess I can't say gamers are not buying video games.

"The U.S. computer and video game software sales grew four percent in

2004 to $7.3 billion -- a more than doubling of industry software."

But why rent games? I would estimate that people rent for 4 primary reasons.

1.The convenience

2.Its cheaper

3.Able to test games

4.Time sensitive

Convenience is truly a luxury worth having these days. People are looking for ways to save time and effort. Everything these days has to be fast and easy. Online video game rental companies provide that and much more. First of all and most important they deliver the game right to your front door. No more wasting your gas going to your favorite rental store, only to find out that thegame you wanted is no longer available and won't be available until you make that drive again. Gas is too expensive these day, who wants to spend all that money driving to a video store when you can easily accomplish the same task on your home computer

Second of all it's simple alot cheaper. The average video store charges from $4.00 to $6.00 dollars per video game rental. That could get expensive, specially if you're renting numerous titles per week. Most of the well known game rental clubs like GameFly, Gottaplay, Intelliflix and RentZero only charge $12.95 to $19.95 per month for unlimited video game rental. So let's say you rent 2 titles per week at the local video store. That equal around $30.00 dollars per month compared to $12 to $13 dollars per month with the online alternative. This is a large savings at the end of the month.

Now here is the greatest part. Have you ever purchased a video game and just hated it. You can't just return the game, you're stuck or you have to exchange it in for store credit. So you just have to suck it up and move on to the next game, which might not live up to your standards. Renting video games online gives you the chance to test the game first before you purchase. The companies will even allow you to purchase the games at discount rates and just keep the game if you enjoy it that much.

You can keep the games as long at you like just pay the monthly fee. If you want to play 6 to 7 games a month or more you can just pay the one time monthly fee and be done with it. You don't even have to pay for postage. That's a deal that I can get use to. 

Computer Games

 A keyboard, mouse and joystick are all you need to play computer games. You can add headphones and speakers to get sound. You can also go for driving wheels if you are playing racing games. You need the latest version of the Windows operating system to install computer games on your computer. However, game developers are trying to run computer games even on Mac and Linux operation systems. They are coming up with versions compatible with Mac and Linux programs. Before installing computer games on your PC, you have to make sure that your computer fulfills certain requirements to run the games properly. Memory, hard drive space, Internet connection speed, operating system, CPU speed and video card memory – all need to be in proper order so as to facilitate smooth and hassle-free installation of computer games.

Computer games are available on dedicated game-console platforms, such as the Gamecube, Xbox and PlayStation 2. Nevertheless, the most challenging aspect of computer games is to keep pace with the ever-changing PC hardware market. New CPUs and graphics cards are coming up every day. The initial versions of computer games require minimum hardware requirements. But the updated versions may need a faster processor or improved graphics card. That's why older PCs can't run the latest computer games at all. Computer games are trying hard to match you with the always-changing hardware segment. 

Another addition to the computer games is networked multiplayer systems through Internet or LAN connections. They have become a necessity in racing games and other games that require real-time strategy. Computer has come a long way from the era of Spacewar in 1960, when the games were only text-based. However, with the introduction of the mouse, the text has been replaced with graphics. Computer game developers are always trying to infuse some new features to make the games more sophisticated. 

Cisco CCNA - CCNP Certification: OSPF E2 vs. E1 Routes

OSPF is a major topic on both the CCNA and CCNP exams, and it's also the topic that requires the most attention to detail. Where dynamic routing protocols such as RIP and IGRP have only onerouter type, a look at a Cisco routing table shows several different OSPF route types.

R1#show ip route

Codes: C - connected, S - static, I - IGRP, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP

D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area

N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2

E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2, E - EGP

In this tutorial, we'll take a look at the difference between two of these route types, E1 and E2.

Route redistribution is the process of taking routes learned via one routing protocol and injecting those routes into another routing domain. (Static and connected routes can also be redistributed.) When a router running OSPF takes routes learned by another routing protocol and makes them available to the other OSPF-enabled routers it's communicating with, that router becomes an Autonomous System Border Router (ASBR). 

Let's work with an example where R1 is running both OSPF and RIP. R4 is in the same OSPF domain as R1, and we want R4 to learn the routes that R1 is learning via RIP. This means we have to perform route redistribution on the ASBR. The routes that are being redistributed from RIP into OSPF will appear as E2 routes on R4:

R4#show ip route ospf

O E2 5.1.1.1 [110/20] via 172.34.34.3, 00:33:21, Ethernet0

6.0.0.0/32 is subnetted, 1 subnets

O E2 6.1.1.1 [110/20] via 172.34.34.3, 00:33:21, Ethernet0

172.12.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks

O E2 172.12.21.0/30 [110/20] via 172.34.34.3, 00:33:32, 

Ethernet0

O E2 7.1.1.1 [110/20] via 172.34.34.3, 00:33:21, Ethernet0

15.0.0.0/24 is subnetted, 1 subnets

O E2 15.1.1.0 [110/20] via 172.34.34.3, 00:33:32, Ethernet0

E2 is the default route type for routes learned via redistribution. The key with E2 routes is that the cost of these routes reflects only the cost of the path from the ASBR to the final destination; the cost of the path from R4 to R1 is not reflected in this cost. (Remember that OSPF's metric for a path is referred to as "cost".) 

In this example, we want the cost of the routes to reflect the entire path, not just the path between the ASBR and the destination network. To do so, the routes must be redistributed into OSPF as E1 routes on the ASBR, as shown here. 

R1#conf t

Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.

R1(config)#router ospf 1

R1(config-router)#redistribute rip subnets metric-type 1

Now on R4, the routes appear as E1 routes and have a larger metric, since the entire path cost is now reflected in the routing table.

O E1 5.1.1.1 [110/94] via 172.34.34.3, 00:33:21, Ethernet0

6.0.0.0/32 is subnetted, 1 subnets

O E1 6.1.1.1 [110/100] via 172.34.34.3, 00:33:21, Ethernet0

172.12.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks

O E1 172.12.21.0/30 [110/94] via 172.34.34.3, 00:33:32, Ethernet0

O E1 7.1.1.1 [110/94] via 172.34.34.3, 00:33:21, Ethernet0

15.0.0.0/24 is subnetted, 1 subnets

O E1 15.1.1.0 [110/94] via 172.34.34.3, 00:33:32, Ethernet0

Knowing the difference between E1 and E2 routes is vital for CCNP exam success, as well as fully understanding a production router's routing table. Good luck in your studies!