Effective January 4, 2010, the CCIE® Service Provider, Storage, and Wireless Lab Exams will add a new type of question format in a section called Core Knowledge. In this new section, candidates will be asked a series of four open-ended questions which require a short written response be entered into the computer - typically several words. The questions will be randomly drawn from a pool of questions on topics eligible for testing. Candidates can review the topics by visiting the CCIE track information on Cisco.com or Cisco Learning Network. No new topics are being added as a result of this change. Candidates will have up to 30 minutes to complete the Core Knowledge section and may not return to it once they have moved on. A passing score on the Core Knowledge section is required to achieve certification. Core Knowledge questions were implemented on Routing and Switching labs in February 2009, Security labs in June 2009, and Voice labs in July 2009, and allow Cisco to maintain strong exam security and ensure only qualified candidates are awarded CCIE certification. Candidates with exam dates January 4, 2010 or later should expect to see th enew question format on their lab exam.

To find out more information regarding updates to the CCIE Lab and scoring format, please click here to go to the CCIE Q&A section.

Fast Lane is proud to announce our new Wireshark course offerings

Wireshark (formerly called Ethereal ) is an open source software project, and is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL). You can freely use Wireshark on any number of computers without license keys or fees; all source code is freely available under the GPL. Because of this, it is very easy for people to add new protocols to Wireshark, either as plug-ins, or built into the source code.

For reasons mentioned above, the Wireshark Analyzer is one of the most widely used protocol analyzers, and is the de facto standard across many industries and educational institutions. By attending one or more of the Fast Lane developed courses below, participants will acquire knowledge and experience about detailed analysis and troubleshooting of typical network protocols and applications with specific focus on switched Ethernet, TCP/IP networks and TCP/IP based applications.

Click on the course title below for complete course information and schedule details.

• Packet Analysis with Wireshark Analyzer (PAW)
• Advanced Packet Analysis with Wireshark Analyzer (APAW)
• Packet Analysis Power Workshop (PAPW)

The Learning Center at the Fast Lane Community Site continues to grow with the addition of the new Cisco Wireless Assessment Tests. If you are preparing for any of the Cisco Wireless Career Certifications...test your knowledge first!

The Cisco Wireless Assessment Tests allow students to verify their knowledge in order to check

• Areas to focus on in preparation for their Certification exam
• If their current skills are at optimal levels for successfully passing their certification exam(s)

Log in to the Learning Center at the Fast Lane Community Site to access this and other assessment tests available to you. Registration to the Fast Lane Community Site is needed to access the Learning Center. If you haven't already, you can register now.

For the second year in a row, Fast Lane has been included in the annual Top 20 IT Training Companies list.

Cary, NC, October 21, 2009 –TrainingIndustry.com announced today the second annual Top 20 - IT Training Companies. TrainingIndustry.com continuously monitors the IT training marketplace looking for the best providers of IT training services. As part of our commitment to the industry and service to our community members and website visitors, we announce Top Company Lists to help buy-side organizations searching for the right training partner. This year's list only includes IT training companies who provide training services beyond their own company's IT related products.

Selection to this year's Top 20 Companies in the IT Training Industry was based on the following criteria:

• Commitment to the IT training industry
• Industry recognition and innovation
• Talent of corporate leadership and professional staff
• Revenue generated or company size
• Potential for growth in IT training services
• Strength of clients
• Demonstrated leadership in shaping the IT training Industry
• Geographic reach

"We are pleased to announce TrainingIndustry.com's second annual Top 20 List for the IT Training market. IT Training continues to represent one of the largest content segments of the training industry," said Ken Taylor, Chief Operating Officer of Training Industry, Inc. "Our list of Top 20 companies highlights the best in class organizations focused on the IT skills marketplace."

"TrainingIndustry.com's review committee worked to ensure a comprehensive view of the IT training sector to include companies that demonstrate outstanding capabilities in the design, delivery and management of training services," said Doug Harward, Chief Executive Officer of Training Industry, Inc. "Companies recognized are those that focus on providing great training programs and lead the market in their approach."

The 2009 Top IT Training Companies list is intended for the buyer of training services, to help in the procurement process when evaluating a vendor. Consistent with our mission to create a more efficient marketplace for learning we hope you find this list an aide to your selection process.

Fast Lane Instructor Jerome Henry receives CCIE Wireless Certification - over 90 have tried to pass the CCIE Wireless Written and Lab exams since beta testing began at Cisco last month. So far, only three individuals have been awarded the highly sought certification. Two are team members of the CCIE Wireless design team. The third, and only certification awarded outside of Cisco's team, is Fast Lane Instructor Jerome Henry.

The Cisco CCIE Wireless certification validates that a professional has the expertise to design and manage wireless networks and to make mission-critical and business-critical wireless network decisions. It confirms that you have the job skills and technical knowledge required of an expert-level network IT practitioner.

Jerome has developed and is teaching the new CCIE Wireless Written Boot Camp and CCIE Wireless Lab Boot Camp. Jerome also developed the IUWVN and IUWMS courses in the new CCNP Wireless certification, as well as the IUWNE course for the CCNA Wireless certification.

The Learning Center at the Fast Lane Community Site continues to grow with the addition of the CCIE 360 Assessment Test. If you are preparing for your CCIE Routing & Switching or considering the CCIE 360 program/workshops...test your knowledge first!

The CCIE 360 Assessment Test allows students to verify their knowledge in order to check

• Areas to focus on in preparation for their CCIE exam
• If their current skills are at optimal levels for attending a CCIE workshop or participating in the CCIE 360 program

Log in to the Learning Center at the Fast Lane Community Site to access this and other assessment tests available to you. Registration to the Fast Lane Community Site is needed to access the Learning Center. If you haven't already, you can register now.

Virtualization is changing the way business operates by converting IT resources into shared services that can be structured and re-structured to improve efficiencies and scaled quickly. It is no longer a question of whether virtualization is vital to business, but how to harness the power of this ever changing technology infrastructure. A well-designed data center will increase business agility, enhance efficiency and improve resilience.