self study sdh certification

[gauthierla]

Hi guys,

I plan to prepare for 642-321 certification (optical SDH). Knowing that I'm beginner in optical network (I got some basics) but I've a good network background (CCNA), do you that's reasonable to prepare by myself ?If yes, which book do you recommand ? Is it a mandatory to do labs with ONS routers ?

Thank you.

[JoshGH]

For anyone with access to Cisco Learning Connection (any CCNA or above I believe), you can access a number of online courses for free following the links off of the Optical Specialist page. This will provide you some good insight into the basics of SONET/SDH and fiber optic communication.

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le41/le82/le51/learning_certification_type_home_extra_level.html

I recommend Cisco Press's Optical Network Design and Implementation book. It covers the basics of fiber optics as well as SONET/SDH, DWDM and provisioning on the 15454 as well.

http://www.ciscopress.com/title/1587051052

Also, http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/optical/ps2006/tsd_products_support_series_home.html includes lots of useful information on network setup, timing, design, etc, as well as links to all documentation for all software revisions.

Honestly, I would not recommend self-study as a sole preparation method. I worked on a 15454 SONET network for 3 years before attending a training bootcamp at Global Knowledge. SONET is not like regular networking at all so your CCNA experience will really only help as far as connecting the ONS to an IP network for management.

Hope this helps give you some direction,

Josh

[fi72231]

Hi,

As Josh mentioned Cisco Press's Optical Network Design and Implementation book is a very good book. I red the book and took 642-321 exam and passed it.

To be honest, I have really deep backgroung from the optical networking, but still I would say that this book is really good to read for everyone interested in all optical nwing.

This book gives you "almost" everything you need to pass the exam, but experience helps as usual ;-)

rgds,

Jp