9/21/2004 -- Cisco Systems recently announced that it will be launching a new Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert written exam: Service Provider Metro Ethernet.

The new exam will qualify candidates for the CCIE Service Provider lab exam.

While no live date has been set, the exam will debut in beta format for $50 (U.S.) at Prometric and Pearson Vue testing centers worldwide on Oct. 1. Those who pass the beta will earn credit toward lab qualification and/or recertification, the company said. The beta is scheduled to end Oct. 22.

Cisco also plans to release a new version of its CCIE Optical written exam. The 2.0 exam will go live in testing centers worldwide on Oct 1. The company recommends that candidates currently preparing for the Optical written check out the blueprints for the new 2.0 exam on Cisco's Web site.

More information on both of these announcements can be found here. -Becky Nagel