The Cisco Learning Network

In this episode of the Cisco Learning Network Podcast, Tanner Swift is joined by CCIE Collaboration Exam Product Manager Kashif Zeeshan, along with Ade Kehinde-Idowu and Charanjeet Singh, also known as CJ, for a focused discussion on preparing for the CCIE Collaboration lab exam. Together, they explore how the CCIE Collaboration exam is evolving, including the addition of AI-focused components, and take a closer look at the design module — where candidates need to think beyond configuration and approach questions from a full solution architecture perspective. Ade shares his personal experience preparing for and passing the updated CCIE Collaboration lab with Webex Calling integration, including practical advice on practice labs, timing, troubleshooting, documentation, and building confidence through repetition. CJ then breaks down a design-focused preparation framework using global dial plan and UCM call routing examples, showing how candidates can connect technical concepts to real customer requirements and business outcomes. The conversation also covers Webex Calling migration, design-module mindset, hands-on preparation, and how AI can support studying — while reinforcing the importance of official documentation, lab practice, and real-world architectural thinking. Subscribe to the Cisco Learning Network Podcast for more conversations about Cisco certifications, emerging technologies, and the future of IT.

An announcement about updates to the Cisco Certified Design Expert or CCDE certification was made in June of 2024. Find out what’s changed about the CCDE Exam Topics from Exam Program Manager Mark Holm as he sits down with Cisco Learning Network Community Manager Matt Saunders. Together, they discuss concepts like network optimization to meet the demands of a network due to heavy requests from things like artificial intelligence.

Beginning August 20, 2024, the CCNA exam topics will include Generative AI, Cloud Network Management, and Machine Learning. In this episode of “What’s the Deal with?” Cisco Learning Network Community Manager Matt Saunders and Lead Technical Advocate Kareem Iskander discuss what the deal is with Cisco’s decision to include AI in the CCNA, and the specific details of the exam topics that have changed. If you have a tech topic that you’d like Matt and Kareem to cover, please leave us a comment on this episode, or on the Cisco Learning Network: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/podcasts

We’re continuing our series, “Women in Tech” in honor of International Women’s month by speaking with Rita Younger, the Practice Lead of Data Center Networking at a global technology service provider. Rita speaks with Learning and Certifications Marketing Specialist Stef Garraffa about her journey into a career in tech, the role of AI in the evolution of the field of networking and networking security, and the importance of mentoring and empowering women in IT.

In this installment of our series for International Women’s Month, we’re speaking with Denise Donohue – Business Architect, Cisco Press Author, and Cisco Certified CCIE holder since the early 2000s. Denise speaks with Learning and Certifications’ Marketing Manager Stef Garraffa about her experiences facing gender bias throughout the span of her thirty-year career. She also provides her advice for others who may be facing gender bias in their own careers.

“It took me quite a while to understand that it was about the mindset, too. It was about how do you handle, for instance, anxiety?” That’s what Principle Engineer David Peñaloza’s advice is to people who are interested in passing the Cisco Certified Design Expert, or CCDE certification. David recently passed this expert-level exam and shared his story with Cisco Learning Network Community Manager Matt Saunders in this episode. He shares valuable lessons learned throughout his journey, including how to best prepare, the personal challenges he faced, and how to enjoy and live in the moment. https://blogs.cisco.com/learning/the-journey-to-ccde-a-personal-story