Yes, it is coming…… CCIE Wireless version 3.0
During CiscoLive-Melbourne event I got opportunity to talk to few Cisco guys about next version of CCIE wireless exam. Based on those informal discussion, we can expect next version of the CCIE Wireless lab exam blue print may release within this year (Nov-Dec time frame). This is inline with normal 3 year life cycle for a given CCIE lab exam version & Q2-Q3 2014 may be the last time we can take v2.0 exam (as CCIEW v2.0 lab exam starts from Nov 2011 onwards) .
What would be there in v3.0 exam ? Even though there are no official answer to this yet we could guess what is coming. “Converged Access” is key topic in this year’s Cisco Live event & I would think following will be definite additions to v3.0
1. Cisco 3850 & 5760 Controller
2. Cisco ISE
3. Cisco Prime 2.x
4. IOS based Controller software 8.x
5. 3600 AP
What does this mean to us who are studying for v2.0 exam. If you are already studying now target to get it done within next 12-18 months. As you know average person will go for this tough task 3-4 times you have to plan this now. This will give you a good chance to clear the CCIE Wireless exam without worried about learning v3.0 stuff.
Even if you start now, this is good enough time frame to clear this exam. But you have to have absolute dedication to clear this within time period like this.If you are thinking to start your studies towards end of this year, then I would suggest plan for v3.0 straight away.
Again finding training material will be really hard for this new version. Usually vendors will take 6-12 months preparing material for next version of CCIE wireless lab exam from the day Cisco officially announce this.
mrn-cciew 
Hi Rasika,
First of all thank you for the work that you have been putting into this blog it is an excellent source of information. I was wondering if you have any new information on IE-Wireless v3 if it’s coming and when? I am planning to kick of my IE-Wireless study in around May this year, although it is possible i will get my answer at Cisco Live this year.
Thanks!
Unfortunately I do not have any new information. In this November, 3 year cycle is over for v2.0. I would expect they will announce v3.0 in this year.
Yes sometime during a Ciscolive, you may able to get a latest information. If I get I will post it here.
HTH
Rasika
Hello Rasika
First of all, thanks for this unreal website. That’s a great piece of work.
Do you know if it’s possible to take the written exam v2.0 and then do the lab exam v3.0 or do they have to be the same version?
Yes, you can do that.
Do your written v2.0 & in case if they change the lab to 3.0 you are able to do lab in v3.0
Even they announce v3.0 lab (not sure when, sometime this year I would expect it), they will give ~6 month times before retire v2.0, so you should have good enough time to do it in v2.0 as well.
HTH
Rasika
Hello Rasika
Just found out about your blog this week and honestly I’ve picked a lot of info regarding CCIE-W. I’ve already started studying CCNA Wireless and will start the CCNP soon. Looking forward, I also wanted to start building my own CCIE lab, but my worry is about the upcoming lab v3.0. What do you think is the best prep at this point in time? Thank you. :))
Hi Paulo,
Still no confirmation on when CCIE-W 3.0 comes, so for you I think target your CCNP first & by the time you finish it, you will have more clarity on CCIE-W 3.0
HTH
Rasika
Hi Rasika, thank you for your great site!
we are in the middle of 2014 and there is no news about CCIEW 3.0. i wonder if cisco will realese the new version until 2015. anyway i’m planning to be CCIEW, but i don’t know if is a good idea prepare 2.0, because Cisco can announce 3.0 before 2015.
i’m not sure if i start study now if i will get on date to 2.0, so i don’t know what to do.
i will apreciate your opinion.
Regards!
Hi Juan,
Yes, it doesn’t seem like v3.0 is coming (as predicted). I heard people booked their v2.0 lab Feb-Mar 2015. This mean you have enough time to go for v2.0
I would think even v3.0 comes it will be beyond mid 2015
HTH
Rasika
Looks like Cisco itself is struggling with positioning these newest Wireless avatars (5760/3850’s etc)…i had came across situations where Cisco itself is advising to stick with time-tested Cisco 550x controllers..maybe things are changing too fast..
That’s true, I agree with you
hi rasika!
thank you very much for your reply!
i will try 2.0. i’m negotiating with my company for the equipments to setup the lab.
thanks
I was looking for information regarding the v 3.0 version when I came across with your blog and for a moment there you scared me. 5760… the horror…
The 5760 are just plain gruesome. In fairness, it works fine most of the time but it has some serious problems that shouldn’t happen in a company with such experience in wireless as Cisco.
Hi Vasco,
Do not take it serious, Based on the information I had that time, I thought this is going to happen, but time proved it is not the case,no real talks about v3.0 now, it may come future & converged access may be part of it, or may not be
If you planning to do CCIEW, still you have time to do it in v2.0 lab. That is my advice.
HTH
Rasika
Hi there,
Congratulation on successful blog, it is really good!
Since you are in it for some time I thought that maybe you can answer my questions.
Wireless become more and more important and in my mind will play important role over next few years to come. So I intend to start my study sometime this year.
Two things that I’m worried about are QoS and Multicast. I have about two years of experience in WLAN deployement and during this time I have deployed around 50 sites with WLAN, very basic though, so I don’t have much experience with QoS and Multicast. What materials would you recommend for that part to get myself ready in this topic and become comfortable on the exam?
Also, I heard about ISE, ACS, MSE. Are they extensively used during the exam?
Regards
Hi
If you read QoS & multicast related posts in my blog, you can get an good understanding of the topic. Then do small scale lab setup to verify those concepts (VLC player can be used to test multicast & packet sniffer would help on QoS)
Only ACS, WCS & MSE there in lab exam (no ISE), they are not used intensively, but without basic knowledge how to configure them, you cannot pass this lab exam.
HTH
Rasika
Rasika,
Looks like CCIE wireless version 3 is officially announced on ciscos website. They are to implement 5508 as well as 5760s. Great blog by the way!
Thanks,
LPerera3
Thank you…
Rasika,
Any idea why this is no longer for sale at ciscopress.com? CCIE Wireless Exam (350-050) Quick Reference. I can’t find this in print anywhere and now the .pdf isn’t available.
Thanks,
James
Try this
http://www.amazon.com.au/CCIE-Wireless-350-050-Quick-Reference-ebook/dp/B007URDMB0
HTH
Rasika
Hi Rasika…
FIrst of all your blog is Excellent . i Have referred your Blog and did a N Number of Fine tuning in My wireless Network 🙂 . Your explanation’s are always great..
We Have a big Wireless Network(Around 30 Controllers around the Globe, with prime and now ISE coming). i am Now Focusing now to get my CCNP wireless or CCIE wireless Done.
I am more of visual learner. Is there a VOD (Video materials ) available for CCIE wireless 3.0 or CCNP Wireless ?
i tried and found only CCNA video Nuggets from cbt. if u can provide me the list of video materials available, i can choose one and start my journey
Safwan
As far as I know, only Jeff Rensink (Previously with IPX as CCIEW instructor) have VoD series for CCIEW level.
Here is the link for his website.
https://networkdojo.com/
HTH
Rasika