Thread: Failed CCNA:DC DCICN 640-911

I am not sure if I was just not in the right state of mind, didn't take the exam seriously because I have passed CCNA and work at a NOC, or if the OCG written for 640-911 falls short and I trusted it too much to do the job. I am usually a decent test taker, and I have not failed a single test (school or certs) in my entire life...at least as long as I can remember it.

I just left a review on Amazon, and the rest of this essentially is a copy-and-paste, but will hopefully provide a tip for those using Odom and Hintz's OCG for DCICN 640-911;

Avoid it.

The 640-911 exam included topics such as different features that Nexus 2K, 5~7K supports and licenses that each come with. I don't know if I am exaggerating, but I think I may have had dozen or two questions related to vPC, vDC, FCoE, VXLAN, N2K, N5~7K, MDS, and FEX. All of these, I was expecting to learn in 640-916.

I'm not sure why Cisco approved and decided that this book can serve as the Official Certification Guide for 640-911 exam. I would not recommend using this book even as a secondary material, let alone primary material. Just study for CCNA (100-101, 200-101), skip some topics that are not covered in CCNAC if you are comfortable with CCNA material, and read Nexus products data sheet, license types, or some other Cisco books that cover DC material. Know basic facts such as how each features such as routing protocol or SVI must be enabled first by "feature" command, different default user modes that Nexus supports, along with other few random facts and you have basically taken all that is offered from this book that ICDN1 does not offer. I assume that the lack of necessary contents comes from objective of the 640-911 exam resembles that of a ICDN1, and just added "Nexus" at the end of each sentences;

1.0 Describe How a Network Works - 15%
2.0 Configure, Verify and Troubleshoot a Switch with VLANs and Interswitch Communications Using Nexus - 21%
3.0 Implement an IP Addressing Scheme and IP Services to Meet Network Requirements in a Medium-Size Enterprise Branch Office Network Using Nexus - 12%
4.0 Configure, Verify, and Troubleshoot Basic Router Operation and Routing on Cisco Devices Using Nexus - 52%


I don't know, I'm pretty bummed out. Not sure if I should even bother with DC track at this point.

Sorry to hear it. Sometimes I think having the OCGs really limits people from branching out and learning and gives them a false sense of security. I learned a lot more on my CCIP where there weren't really any dedicated exam books by reading all sorts of material.

Originally Posted by networker050184

Sorry to hear it. Sometimes I think having the OCGs really limits people from branching out and learning and gives them a false sense of security. I learned a lot more on my CCIP where there weren't really any dedicated exam books by reading all sorts of material.

That is a really good point, and I think the use of words "false sense of security" is really right on the dot.

It was a good learning experience in a way, and I know now to change my approach and method studying when it comes to not only for passing a certification exam, but learning a subject in general.

I just wish that this lesson didn't cost me $250

Originally Posted by bharvey92

Sat this exam today - and passed second time around. I feel your pain and you are spot on. This exam is not covered in the 640-911 guides and videos (as I found out 1st time around).

Go back to the drawing board, go through the CCNPC CBT nugget videos and DCICT CBT Nugget videos and the DCICT book and that will help you pass!

Good luck - you've got it next time.

Comrade!

Yeah, I had to get rid of the feeling of defeat the next day. I need the cert to move on to better things

Thanks! and congrats on the pass

Another failure checking in. 738/818. I'm genuinely interested in the DC track, but I only took this because my R&S expires this month :/. I booked the exam Wednesday morning, read Lammle's book/did all the labs and practice questions from it, hoping that my admittedly weak R&S skills woudl be enough. Well, I was close, eh?

I think with adequate sleep (I haven't had proper nights sleep all week, gotten worse since I scheduled the exam and started cramming), some labbing and general refershery I could pass it with no problem....

Originally Posted by Alex90

Sorry to hear you guys didn't make it first time round.

Are you guys doing any sort of labbing for the DC exams? The DC track is on my list of a million and one things to do but I'm interested in the best way to get hands on experience.

I guess unless you do it day to day for your job then VIRL or rack time is the best option. I have Nexus and UCS at work so I suppose that's a start. Any way I have to get the CCNP RS, CCNA Collab, CCNP Collab out of the way before I do any DC stuff so that gives me about 18 months to think of a solution

Regroup, focus on your weak points and you will get it second time round!

I didn't do a single lab. And thats probably what bit me. Like I said, I took my CCNA 3 years ago and haven't touched that stuff since, for a variety of reasons. I decided to take the DC exam last minute, after contemplating between ccna:sec and just not renewing for the last month or two. Deciding to take DC was an impulse. I think i did really well all things considered.

c'est la vie

next time i'll do better

Originally Posted by jack84ie

Hey Guys just reading the comments.

So is the CBT Nuggets 640-911 Videos Enough for the 640-911 Exam ? i would i need to cover the 640-916 Videos aswell ?

Definately watch both 911 AND 916 several times. I was kicked in the balls by product specific knowledge that was covered much more in depth in the 916 nugget.

Also check out IP Expert's CCNA:DC content. It's pretty frecing awesome. Watch the nuggets first, though.