Does anyone else work on Cisco gear?

[Thermo]

I am just curious if there are other Cisco professionals here.

[Geoff]

I am just curious if there are other Cisco professionals here.

I am good friends with one, but I dont do that myself.

-Geoff

[Trolsk]

We have a ton of Cisco equipment at work (ISP), but I do only safe tasks on it.

[adamjaskie]

I did the CCNA 1 and 2 (Network Basics and Router Configuration) in High School, but I need to find an academy to do the 3 and 4 parts (switches and wans) to get my certificate.

[soloo]

Was just wondering if anybody else was into Cisco on INTPcentral.

I went to an Academy a year ago, after reading that networks were something very in tune with the INTP natural abilities, and I must say I've fallen in love. Got all four CCNA semesters passed, currently preparing for the cert itself. Already in a CCNS class meanwhile.

I mean, if you want:
a) complex systems - Cisco's got it
b) high tech stuff and constant learning - Cisco's got it
c) geekiness and elite skills - Cisco's where it's at
d) a well-paid job (once you go down one or more of the routes) - guess who's got it?
e) flexibility within the sector you work in - you can pick network design, security, voip, storage networks etc.

The snag seems to be that as you advance on the network ladder, you become increasingly irreplaceable to the company, which means that your off-time might not really be true off-time. But I don't really mind, my current job is the same and it is way worse paid than any Cisco-based one when you're certified above CCNA.

Two thumbs and both big toes up when it comes to the Cisco/INTP affair.

I'm a strong to extreme INTP, and I must say this fascination is also strong to extreme.

Cheers.

[Oso Mocoso]

The snag seems to be that as you advance on the network ladder, you become increasingly irreplaceable to the company, which means that your off-time might not really be true off-time. But I don't really mind.

Ha ha. Yeah, but you will eventually. I got to that point, and eventually I was the guy who got the phone call at 4 am when there was a crisis some engineers were having in Germany, the Czech Republic or Japan and they needed someone to fix it. I would get out my groggy "Hello?" and based on the other person's accent, I could immediately tell where they were from. The assholes in the Czech Republic would have no apparent recognition that they were waking me up in the middle of the night. I burned out on that job in about two years.

[soloo]

Ha ha. Yeah, but you will eventually. I got to that point, and eventually I was the guy who got the phone call at 4 am when there was a crisis some engineers were having in Germany, the Czech Republic or Japan and they needed someone to fix it. I would get out my groggy "Hello?" and based on the other person's accent, I could immediately tell where they were from. The assholes in the Czech Republic would have no apparent recognition that they were waking me up in the middle of the night. I burned out on that job in about two years.

Thanks for the reply. If I may ask, what was your (nominal and real ;) ) position within the company? All-around "net wiz" or were you specialized?

I suppose that when you're running a business, a Cisco-certified professional isn't exactly a thing you could brush off saying "whatever, just get me three of those". That, combined with the INTPs usual unwillingness to accept help and the tendency do everything from beginning to end, could indeed land me a job talking to Japanese people ("we got a probrem!") at 4 am. So thanks for the heads-up.

I'll try to remember not to sign up for anything with branch offices all around the world, too.

What did you move on to do after burning out?

[WhiteRaven]

Those who can't, teach.

CCAI, but I let the credentials run out. If I ever get well, I will probably look at getting them back in line again.