I am currently still reviewing some basic and fundamental technology on ethernet switching, which I claimed to be still knowing it after not getting in touch for more than 18 months.

True to many people said that "you don't use it, you lose it". Now for me, the 'losing' is in the 'doubt' stage.

I know that when you play around with switchport trunking, you can choose to have the port to negotiate or not-negotiate the link to the adjacent switch. Yet when I saw the output of '802.1q', 'n-802.1q', 'isl', and 'n-isl', somehow I doubted myself about the meaning of 'n-' shown from 'show interface trunk'.

Then I recalled that those prefix is due to the 'negotiated' settings in the switch port. "Ahhh, now I remember!"

Ok, back to class ...

I have enrolled in Internetwork Expert's CCIE R&S 2.0 program as of today!!! Due to some work-related schedules, I could only get the self-paced option (bootcamp was being considered, but I have to plan my schedule properly before enrolling in any bootcamps).

After several preparations in the past and attempts (yet still failed), I am taking this one last sip (blow???), to attain my CCIE number.

Several challenges already on board, but I will write it up once I have passed the lab exam. One thing for sure, I will not miss the (written) date line again this time.

(Yup, long story short, after the last attempt, I missed the 12-months period and thus my previously-passed written expired)

Will this going to be one last blow of preparation for the sake of getting R&S number? We'll see and ... stay tuned!!!