Certification Watch: Cisco to Update CCIE Exams

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Cisco Systems has announced that its CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) routing and Switching Lab exam will update to IOS version 12.2T effective Aug. 1.

The Cisco Security track will begin testing IOS version 12.2T and PIX version 6.3, and the Service Provider track will begin testing IOS version 12.2T on 2600 routers and IOS version 12.3T on 3600 and 3700 routers, on July 1.

Prior to these dates, candidates may see the new software versions installed in the labs, but will not be presented with questions covering the new features.

Discounted Beta Available for Cisco Optical Written Exam

From April 26 through May 17 the Cisco Systems CCIE program is offering a beta version of a new optical written exam at a discounted price of $50. Passing the written optical exam qualifies a candidate to schedule the Service Provider lab exam.

The beta will be available at testing locations worldwide and may be attempted only once during the 4-5 week beta period. Scheduling opens on April 26.

Cisco Updating Written Security Exam

Candidates taking the CCIE Security written exam on June 1 or later can expect updated content as described in the new Security 2.0 written exam blueprint, which can be found on the Cisco CCIE Web site. The new exam (350-018) will contain more emphasis on standalone IDS, standalone VPN concentrators, VPN/Security Management Systems (VMS), and AES and EAP wireless protocols. Full information on the CCIE security track can be found on Cisco’s Web site.

IBM Releases Fresh Crop of Advanced Tivoli Titles

IBM has released exams for three new IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional certifications covering Tivoli solutions.

Exams are now available for IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional on: Tivoli Enterprise Management Solutions 2004, Tivoli Security Management Solutions 2004, and Tivoli Storage Management Solutions 2004. Each requires passing one associated exam.

Several exams covering older versions of Tivoli products were retired at the same time. IBM certification exams typically cost $125.

Sun Releases Exam for J2EE 1.4

Sun recently released a new certification exam for Sun Certified Web Component Developer for the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition 1.4.

The 1.4 exam (CX-310-081) includes new questions on the Assertion mechanism. Coverage of collections, equals, hashcode, and the wrapper classes have been deepened, so you can expect more detailed questions on these topics. All questions related to AWT and I/O have been removed from the exam.

This exam contains 61 questions and has a time limit of 120 minutes. Although an upgrade exam is in the works, individuals certified on earlier versions are not required to upgrade in order to retain certification.

PMI adds Renewal Fee for Project Management Professionals

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has announced that there will now be a renewal fee of $150 for non-members and $60 for members that must be payed with a certified individual’s application for renewal. Evidence of ongoing professional development will continue to be required.