8/16/2005 -- Cisco announced it will be updating its Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) lab exams Jan. 1, 2006 to reflect “current networking practices,” it said on its Web site. No new technologies will be added to the exams.

The following changes are planned:

• CCIE Routing and Switching written and lab exams will no longer include the following protocols or media types: DLSW, IS-IS, ISDN, PPP-over-Ethernet and ATM.
• CCIE Security lab exams will no longer test on ISDN technology, and ATM will no longer be used as a Layer 2 transport protocol for WAN connectivity.
• CCIE Voice lab exams will no longer use ATM as a Layer 2 transport protocol for WAN connectivity.

The CCIE Service Provider lab exams, however, will continue to test on ATM and IS-IS, as they are widely deployed in service provider networks.

Cisco also announced last Tuesday that all CCIE Routing & Switching (R&S) lab locations will begin using the Cisco 3825 Integrated Services Router, which will eventually phase out the current Series 2600 and 3600 models, starting Jan. 1, 2006. The new routers support Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces.

The CCIE R&S labs will also be upgrading the IOS to 12.3 mainline for the Cisco 2600 and 3600 Series routers, 12.4 mainline for Cisco 3700 and 3800 Series routers, and 12.2 for Cisco Catalyst 3550 switches.

Cisco recommends that all CCIE R&S candidates taking exams Jan. 1, 2006, or later be familiar with the updated IOS and equipment, although “the installations to replace the routers will take place over several weeks and it is possible some candidates may not see the new equipment in their exams,” it said on the Cisco Web site. -Dan Hong

(Editors Note: Story updated on 08/22/2005 to include more information about recent equipment and operating system changes.)