8/1/2011 -- Cisco's CCDE Practical Exam is offered only a few times each year, and this fall, Oct. 21 has been chosen as the date. In the United States, it will be given at select VUE testing centers in Chicago; San Jose, Calif.; and Raleigh, N.C. only. The cost is $1,400 and registration will close on Oct. 7. The written exam that is part of CCDE certification must be passed before you can register for this one.

Information on the exam topics and what it consists of can be found here.

Oracle Exams Exit Beta
A number of beta exams from Oracle are scheduled to end in August and September. Those that are now running and ending in coming months are:

All Oracle exams are available through VUE testing centers and run between three and to three-and-a-half hours long. More information, including the objectives for each exam, can be found here.

Microsoft 71-158 Hits Beta
Registration for Microsoft's TS: Forefront Identity Manager 2010, Configuring exam is now open. The beta begins Aug. 4 and only a certain number of slots are open (once they are filled, the beta registration will close). Testing is done through Prometric testing centers and the live version is expected before the end of the year. Those registering need to use the code: FIMJ

Objectives for the exam and additional information in it can be found here.

Prometric Adds Rescheduling Fee
On July 15, Prometric changed its exam scheduling policy so that candidates who change the date/time of their Microsoft certification exam within 14 days of the appointed time will be charged a rescheduling fee. Those who change the appointment 15 or more days out will not be charged. The fee varies by country and is currently set at $35 in the United States. A similar fee exists with other exams Prometric offers (such as the CPA).

For more information on the policy as it relates to Microsoft exams, go here.

Certification Book Review: 'CCDA 640-864 Official Cert Guide'
Anthony Bruno and Steve Jordan have done a wonderful job of writing to the Cisco DESGN exam with the new CCDA 640-864 Official Cert Guide (ISBN: 978-1-58714-257-4). The 700-plus pages are divided between 17 chapters, but the ones that truly shine are Wireless LAN Design (chapter 5) and Security Solutions (chapter 13).

In the former, the usual rundown of wireless LAN technologies is followed by an in-depth look at the Cisco Unified Wireless Network and WLAN Design. While I would have liked to have seen more on REAP and H-REAP, this is more than made up for with the coverage of equipment and platforms.

The "security solutions" include the Cisco SAFE architecture, the NAC appliance and IronPort. The coverage is good and the figures are great. Each chapter follows the latest cert guide template -- starting with a "Do I Know This Already?" quiz and ending with a list of references and recommended readings along with key terms and sample questions.

While it is possible to pass the exam without this book, attempting so would be akin to trying to cut wood without a saw. Put this book on you checklist before tacking the DESGN exam, and you'll be glad you did.