Yesterday I completed Vol1 for the second time. This is part of the strategy to cover the focus lab thoroughly before starting with full labs. I have to admit my opinion of the IPX labs has improved. If I compare this workbook to what else is available there is actually quite a big difference between IPX vol 1 and INE vol 1. IPX covers more topics on the blueprint while INE focus more on L3VPN and Multicast. I guess they both have their place, but for my strategy to cover focus labs before full labs, the IPX vol 1 is better suited. Initially I thought the workbook had a lot of mistakes in, especially when looking at the DLCI numbers, turns out the dynamips configs were the problem. For example the DLCI numbers at R2 all start with one (1), e.g 104,105,106 . This was a bit confusing in the beginning as I thought this was clearly a typo in the workbook. Turns out, the whole workbook use these DLCI’s for R2 so I solved this by changing the dynagen frameswitch configs.
Overall, the workbook does a good job of covering most technologies. Personally I think the multiple QOS labs can be merged into one or two labs. This should easily bring the total labs down to 20. More detail can be added in the Inter-As labs. The 1 to 2 hour labs is a bad idea, merge these in to 3 to 4 hour labs. Dont sell the workbook as 25 labs, which is deceiving, sell it as 50 hours of practice labs.
Last thought regarding vol1: I am glad I started with these.
