A fun with Cisco Call manager 6x – root access to CCM6x box

The blogger is a Networking GEEK [Unlike other computer engineers] and has interest in computers. Linux is his favorite operating system and in free time u would find him compiling kernel and writing Perl/python scripts.  Herecently built a WEB-cache cluster on Linux servers which is a cheap alternative for ISP/rural countries to save some bandwidth on expensive WAN [ You should see the Linux section on this blog for "Tuned SQUID linux Cluster for ISPs"].

Currently he holds the following Qualification(s)

Academic Qualifications

• Masters degree in “Networking & Sys Admin” with DISTINCTION From Charles Stuart University, Australia.
• Masters degree in Maths  from CCS University.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Network Engineering,

And yes … PhD is down the track! having issue with choosing topics! appreciate if anyone can help me.

Vendor Certification

• CCIE in Voice # 21569 [Finished in 9 months]
• ACWE (Alvarion Certified WIMAX engineer)
• CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)
• CCDP (Cisco Certified Design Professional)
• CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
• CCDA (Cisco Certified Design Associate)
• CSPFA(Cisco Secure PIX Firewall Advance)
• CCSA (Check Point Certified Security Administrator)
• SCSA (Sun Certified System Administrator)
• MCSE  (Microsoft Certified System Engineer)

Additional Courses:

• One year Diploma in Computer Software Application
• One month advance level training on MPLS switching From Geneva Switzerland.
• Attended One week Training from RAD in Vietnam on RAD products.
• Attended 4 days training on RADWARE and EXPAND accelerators products
• Attended 3 days training on “Cisco WAAS solution”
• and the list goes on and on …..

In free time, u’ll find him behind his laptop and yes, he loves FROGS and has a little french froggy in his pond.

The next challenge after CCIE for him is to have some swimming lessons to enjoy beautiful Aussie [sharkee] beaches.

Always dreamed about doing this kind of job:

http://www.flixxy.com/helicopter-cable-inspector.htm

He HATES:

1.  Manually rolling up the hose after it been used wash a car or the floor
2. White listing mail server from RBL list.
3. Cooking
4. Domestic talking on Christmas/Boxing day party.

The blogger works in Sydney Australia as a Network Architect and can be contacted.
pushkarbhatkoti[at]gmail.com

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CCIE voice blog

Last BIG achievement – Passed my CCIE voice lab exam in 2008.
This topic I posted on www.voiceie.com when I passed my CCIE voice lab back in 2008.

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Topic: a brand new CCIE voice in SYDNEY – yeah, I passed!
posted July 24, 2008 03:00 AM      Profile for Pushkar Bhatkoti     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post
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I finally got my shiny new CCIE number after studying hard for the past 9 months with my full time job. I studied it by myself, no bootcamp or tution. Here is the details of my journey during these past 9 months, if anyone is interested to know:

In Oct, 2005 I started studying for R&S lab but after a few month of preparation I though its not going to be enough, because I thought end of the day this will be considered as a vendor certification as it is a vendor certification.Then I decided to leave studying for CCIE RnS for a while and started collecting some information about university Master degree (MS).

After researching around on the inetnet and through friends in Sydney, I finally decided to do a Masters Degree in “Networking”. I took an admission in Charles Stuart University Sydney and started studying for Masters degree as a part time basis. I didn’t see any other university was offiering that time MS degree, specially in “Networking” (same field as I am work). I studied for this like a MAD person, get back home from work and then start studying. I didn’t have any social life, friends around, told my Girl friends not to see me during study period. As a result I was able to finish my Masters degree in 1 year and 1 month time. I got masters degree with “DISTINCTION”. I was very pleased by myself after seeing that all hardwork I did has really paid it off.

Thank to my boss at work for putting up with my those small nappies during the day at work.

After finishing my masters degree, I had nothing to do so I thought about getting back to my study and doing CCIE study again. I took a few months break from study and then thought seriously about chosing “the” right CCIE track. Looked through the seek.com.au and did some other initial research on the Internet. I concluded that there is a shorage in “Voice” field. So I decided to choose to do CCIE certification in “Voice”. Many of my friends told me that hey Push this is theh hardest exam of all CCIE, you may not pass it. Some told me that go for it as there are not many people who are certified in CCIE voice. Then I realise, do what I want to do, and finally I choosen CCIE voice horse and started riding on it.

At the beginning of my study I started studying 2-6 hours per week for CCIE voice written after june2007. Bought a few books – call manager, unity best practice etc.

I passed the voice “written” exam in august 2007. After passing the written exam, a real challange for me was to arrange the real lab gears for practicing for the LAB exam.

There were a few vendor where I could go and book the online racks but I decided to build my own so that I can put more hours whenever I want and convenience to use without scheduling and waiting. The challenge for me was to arrange routers switches, servers and softwares for the home lab. It took 2 months to arrange routers, servers for unity, call manager etc. I build them from screach. You can have a look of my unity, ccm installation process on my blog. It took me hours to install and build home lab.

I actually started practicing and studying for my lab from nov, 2007 and binded up my study on 20th of July,2008. I passed the lab on 20th July, 2008 in Sydney. I did it in 9 months only. When I got my lab result my eyes were in tears and I can’t believe that again I got success after 3 failed attempts.

I have logged about 1700+ hours of labbing and studying. I did 80% labbing and 20% studying through various medium e.g. forums, workbook, study partners from all over the world and cisco.com/unvercd etc.

I know you’d not believe this but just let you know the truth. I am very honest stating that I didn’t sleep properly for the past last 4 months [April-July].

I used to get back to home form work at 6pm then start labbing until next day 3-4am. I slept 3-4 hours per day. Got up at 7AM, have shower, brekkie and go to work at 8AM.
This scheduling worked for me but of course there was a BIG drawback of this is. Due to not sleeping enough, in the middle of week I used to collapse completely. On weekend I did something like 16-20 hours. I still remember, a few days in a week I labbed without sleeping and then straight went in the shower and had my brekkie and went back to work. Yeah I was crazy!!

I had success last year – doing masters with hard work so I was sure if I work like that this year, I am going to get this CCIE voice as well and at the end of the day, hard work paid off.

Thanks to everyone who’ve helped me.

Special thanks to my boss, and my employer for supporting me – yes they paid for my all 4 attempts and about $30K for my lab gears [lucky me].

Oh yeah, the proctor at Sydney lab is very helpful [ mind u, that doesn't mean that he gives you the solutions]. I have read many threads on GS or other forums saying that proctor changes configuration on router/switches during lunch break or something like that. Hey, the fact is that the proctor goes with you to have his lunch as well during lunch break so who is there to change the configs? all hoax! Also, in Sydney lab proctor were very helpful in provide the DocCD docs [the link which were not working]. Thanks Scott for your help and I won’t forgot those nice eggs sandwiches at the cafe.

Now I will take a few weeks break before I start R&S track.

Here is the list of my study materials;
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This forum [voiceie.com] was very helpful and was the main tool of my study, along with cisco.com/univercd] for my study.

IM study mates; this is a must tool for everyone, make your MSN/yahoo study partner. This helps when u run into trouble and your available resources gets short. U can instant ask the question to your study mates. I had 2-3 good full time 24/7 study mates. without them I couldn’t have done it.

FYI, I never attended any bootcamps or institute for VoIP training. I am working in IT for the past 8 years [mainly in R&S, firwalls, iptel stuffs] so it was easy for me to nail all topics of voice exam.

Apart from above, I used ccbootcamp’s volume#1 and technology workbook. the technology workbook was helpful when i was starting to study. so for new aspirant its good to use ccbootcamp’s technology workbook. Thanks Brad and Avner for such a wonderful quick reference book.

Also bought a few books on call manager, gw/gatekeeper but found them helpless. If you are thinking to buy one of those books, i would rather advise to buy ccbootcamp’s technology book.

Those books still on my self and badly need dusting. [Razz] )

Remember, you’ve to come up with many scenarios as possible.

The last thing is, never give up. If you fail ride on the horse again. I used to have 1 week break and get back on the routine study. If time permits, I will be on this forum and will contribute to other guys who are still on the journey. Keep the hard work up and one day you all will get your CCIE#.

Pushkar Bhatkoti
CCIE#21569 (voice) Posts: 469 | From: Sydney City | Registered: Sep 2007  |  IP: Logged

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Nguyen (Guru)
Member # 21762
Rate Member     posted July 24, 2008 03:14 AM      Profile for Nguyen     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Let me be the first to Say…. Nobody on here deserves this more…

Congratulations Pushkar… Great Work.. [Smile] Fantastic! There is hope for the rest of us! Posts: 107 | From: Minneapolis | Registered: Mar 2007  |  IP: Logged

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shangs Guru

Member # 24966

Member Rated:    posted July 24, 2008 04:18 AM      Profile for shangs     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Awesome man! Congrats! This is well deserved. Posts: 129 | From: In my lab…rocking out configs in MN | Registered: Mar 2008  |  IP: Logged

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rimonv Member
Member # 16832

Member Rated:    posted July 24, 2008 07:10 AM      Profile for rimonv     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Congratulations!

Do you feel like there was something you did different in your passing attempt that you did not do in your previous attempts?

Also, would you mind sharing your strategy?

Thanks,

Rimon Posts: 22 | From: Houston | Registered: Aug 2005  |  IP: Logged

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jcounter Member
Member # 19501

Rate Member     posted July 24, 2008 07:17 AM      Profile for jcounter     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Way to go Push!!!! what an accomplishment!! I hope to follow in your footsteps soon!!

Congrats Mate!

jc Posts: 20 | From: AK | Registered: Jul 2006  |  IP: Logged

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nate922 Member

Member # 18556

Rate Member     posted July 24, 2008 07:58 AM      Profile for nate922     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Push.

Congrats mate. Well deserved!!!
You’re one of the knowledgeable guys on the forums and I want to say thanks for your posts.

Relax, get ur life back and start drinking!!!

Posts: 15 | From: Sydney, Australia | Registered: Mar 2006  |  IP: Logged

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ccie_fever Specialist
Member # 23551

Member Rated:
posted July 24, 2008 08:28 AM      Profile for ccie_fever     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Congratulations mate. Posts: 66 | From: new jersey | Registered: Oct 2007  |  IP: Logged

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sahil Specialist

Member # 25119

posted July 24, 2008 03:20 PM      Profile for sahil     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post oh man!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Im so happy to read this note.
great job man!!!!! now, you know where the pub is,knock yourself out.lol

cheers
-sahil Posts: 87 | From: sydney | Registered: Mar 2008  |  IP: Logged

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boonchin.ng Guru

Member # 20552
Member Rated:
posted July 24, 2008 07:39 PM      Profile for boonchin.ng     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Congratulations!

Very well deserved Mr. 21569

Posts: 179 | From: Singapore | Registered: Nov 2006  |  IP: Logged

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Romero Guru

Member # 23927

Member Rated: posted July 24, 2008 08:30 PM      Profile for Romero     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Congratulations Push !!!

Now, you have time to sleep properly [Smile]

Posts: 101 | From: Mexico | Registered: Dec 2007  |  IP: Logged

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zondack Specialist

Member # 24679

Rate Member     posted July 25, 2008 12:12 AM      Profile for zondack     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Congrats Push. Well done….

Posts: 57 | From: Dubai | Registered: Feb 2008  |  IP:

Logged

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adal Guru

Member # 1794 posted July 25, 2008 06:22 PM      Profile for adal     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

first of all Congratulations!

I’m curious as to how did you manage to sleep only 4 hrs per day ? Posts: 147 | From:

L.A | Registered: Mar 2002  |  IP: Logged

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kb80 Member

Member # 19298

Member Rated: posted July 26, 2008 02:37 PM      Profile for kb80     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Congrats Push. Much deserved. Hoping to have similar results myself next week [Smile] .

Posts: 46 | From: Canada | Registered: Jun 2006  |  IP: Logged

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Kingsway Specialist

Member # 19670

Rate Member     posted July 26, 2008 07:09 PM      Profile for Kingsway     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

congrates Pushkar!

Posts: 70 | From: Asia | Registered: Jul 2006  |  IP: Logged

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Pushkar Bhatkoti
Elite

Member # 23144

Member Rated:    posted July 27, 2008 07:36 AM      Profile for Pushkar Bhatkoti     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Hi Nguyen, shangs , rimonv, jcounter, nate922, ccie_fever, sahil, boonchin.ng, romero, zondack, adal

thanks guys for your kind words.

rimonv said “Also, would you mind sharing your strategy?”

rimonv, good question,
I am happy to share this to this forum, may be that can help you guys. Remember holding CCIE# doesn’t mean that I have become a voip masters -that concept is totally wrong. I am still learning and will keep learning. Most guys you here knows your stuffs very well but just been unlucky to get the #.

for who want to see my stratedgy and the way I used to do the task may go to the following URL;
http://pushkarbhatkoti.wordpress.com/

-Pushkar Bhatkoti
CCIE voice #21569 Posts: 469 | From: Sydney City | Registered: Sep 2007  |  IP: Logged
Pushkar Bhatkoti
Elite

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Member # 23144
Member Rated:    posted July 27, 2008 07:44 AM      Profile for Pushkar Bhatkoti     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

I’m curious as to how did you manage to sleep only 4 hrs per day ?
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Hi Adel,
Thanks.
As I said I used to collapse in middle of the week.
It was quite easy to do

monday – started labbing at 6pm to 3 am nextday
tuesday – 3am to 7am sleeping hours
tuesday – 8;30 to 5pm work then get home
on the way home I use to have a quick 30 minutes nap on the train.

The day I collapsed, that used to be wed or thrusday. I used to get home at 6 and then went to bed to have a quick nap but nap used to convert into deep sleep. When I wake up I found it was 2am or 3am. Then I used to do a quick little tailored labs.

-Pushkar Posts: 469 | From: Sydney City | Registered: Sep 2007  |  IP: Logged

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Pushkar Bhatkoti
Elite

Member # 23144

Member Rated:
posted July 28, 2008 01:17 AM      Profile for Pushkar Bhatkoti     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Hoping to have similar results myself next week [Smile]
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KB80 – best of luck mate. I bet you’ll beat the beast this time to death!

Cheers!

-pushkar Posts: 469 | From: Sydney City | Registered: Sep 2007  |  IP: Logged

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CCIE Voice 81
Member

Member # 24111

Rate Member     posted July 28, 2008 11:51 PM      Profile for CCIE Voice 81     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Congrats Man. You rock……

Enjoy you well deserved vacation. lolz Posts: 30 | From: UnKnown | Registered: Dec 2007  |  IP: Logged

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iewannabe

Member # 560

Rate Member     posted July 29, 2008 05:48 PM      Profile for iewannabe     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Mate,

First of all well done!!!

I have read your posts in this forum for sometime…I can see that you deserve to carry the badge!!!

Its about time you pass the exam…
I am pretty sure that you will get back your “investment” in a very short time…voice market in Aussie is burning hot… [Smile]

I will also be having my 4th attempt on 7th of August in Sydney, hopefully this time will be the last time, same like yours…

RD
#12498 (R/S,Sec) Posts: 40 | From: Sydney | Registered: Jan 2002  |  IP: Logged

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Pushkar Bhatkoti
Elite

Member # 23144

Member Rated:
posted July 29, 2008 05:52 PM      Profile for Pushkar Bhatkoti     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Thanks iewannabe for your nice words.

now this is your TRUE turn!

cheers mate

-push Posts: 469 | From: Sydney City | Registered: Sep 2007  |  IP: Logged

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Himalayas
Lil Newbie

Member # 25269

Rate Member     posted July 30, 2008 12:40 PM      Profile for Himalayas     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Hi Pushkar,

Congratulations!

Your postings are very helpful. I need some help.

I have been for 4 times for the test but there are some things i dont understand why I get low marks in particular sections. For examples I got 100% in vlan campus design for first two times, third time I got 40% and fouth time i got 67% and all my phones were registered. I did not do anything less or extra in last two attempts. The problem is that I would do exactly the same next time. Would you please guide me where I am going wrong? Posts: 1 | From: London | Registered: Apr 2008  |  IP: Logged
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Pushkar Bhatkoti
Elite

Member # 23144

Member Rated:
posted July 30, 2008 04:43 PM      Profile for Pushkar Bhatkoti     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Hi Himalayas,
historically, similar concern has been [and still is] around for long time.

In my blog, I have given a few example why you’d loose points. I think that will answer your question.

also if you have a chance get a copy of Networkers 2006 techtorials and go through that.

hth

-pushkar Posts: 469 | From: Sydney City | Registered: Sep 2007  |  IP: Logged

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Brad Admin

Member # 1

Member Rated:
posted July 30, 2008 04:46 PM      Profile for Brad     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Congrats!!! Posts: 1174 | From: vegas | Registered: Jan 2002  |  IP: Logged

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adal Guru

Member # 1794

posted July 30, 2008 05:24 PM      Profile for adal     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Push , I’ve read so many times that the Proctors gives no partial points on questions.

so why do you say that we might be losing points on some questions?

that does not makes sense to me, so if the whole enchilada is about to make it work, it should not matter how you do it .

OTH probably getting a 67% in a area is totally meaningless and that does not really reflect how good you answered that question.

pls clarify this point.

Posts: 147 | From: L.A | Registered: Mar 2002  |  IP: Logged

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boonchin.ng Guru

Member # 20552

Member Rated:
posted July 30, 2008 11:51 PM      Profile for boonchin.ng     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

hmm, I think Push wanted to say lost points in a Technology Section. Is true that no partial points will be given for a Question.

Meaning, Cisco might group Question 1 and Question 2 under Section CallManager Express. Assuming Question 1 weight is 2 points and Question 2 weight is 3 points. And in the exam you only got Question 2 correct hence your overall score for CME section would be 60%

HTH Posts: 179 | From: Singapore | Registered: Nov 2006  |  IP: Logged
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Pushkar Bhatkoti
Elite

Member # 23144

Member Rated:
posted July 31, 2008 04:39 PM      Profile for Pushkar Bhatkoti     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Adal – I think boonchin have explained it.

Boonchin – thanks. [Frown]

-push Posts: 469 | From: Sydney City | Registered: Sep 2007  |  IP: Logged

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Ten-Voice
Guru

Member # 23072

Rate Member     posted August 06, 2008 03:02 PM      Profile for Ten-Voice     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Congrats! I felt like the Last of the Mohicans.

Posts: 147 | From: Los Angeles, CA |
Registered: Aug 2007  |  IP: Logged
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Pushkar Bhatkoti
Elite

Member # 23144

Member Rated:
posted August 06, 2008 07:00 PM      Profile for Pushkar Bhatkoti     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Congrats! I felt like the Last of the Mohicans.
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Humm….don’t worry, u will get there..

I have to learn now how to play the “puter” games.
I never did that before and now I have time to that.
Any tips?

***shrug****

push
#21569 Posts: 469 | From: Sydney City | Registered: Sep 2007  |  IP: Logged
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maddox Jr Member

Member # 25512

Rate Member     posted August 08, 2008 10:09 AM      Profile for maddox     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post Hi Push,

First of all I would like to congratulate you for your Great achievement ” CCIE Voice Exam” . Well done! Also thanks a lot for your excellent job to share with us CCIE Voice LAB experience as well QoS and the other awesome materials. Posts: 5 | From: New York | Registered: May 2008  |  IP: Logged

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keeptryin
Elite

Member # 23324

Member Rated:
posted August 12, 2008 10:17 AM      Profile for keeptryin     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Hard work is the only thing which pays off! You deserve it and you achieved it, job well done bro!!!

Posts: 280 | From: world | Registered: Oct 2007  |  IP: Logged
Pushkar Bhatkoti
Elite

Member # 23144
Member Rated: posted September 10, 2008 05:01 PM      Profile for Pushkar Bhatkoti     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post

Thanks Keeptrying & maddox.

-push Posts: 469 | From: Sydney City | Registered: Sep 2007  |  IP: Logged
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Pushkar Bhatkoti
Elite

Member # 23144