Book excerpt: In-depth, super-realistic lab prep for the Cisco CCDE v3 Practical Exam CCDE demonstrates your expert-level ability to design networks correctly from the outset, so they're easier to manage and scale for years to come. The CCDE v3 update makes this credential more valuable than ever, but high-quality, cost-effective lab training has been extremely scarce. CCDE v3 Practice Labs fills that gap, coaching you through essential preparation for the scenario-based Cisco CCDE Practical Exam v3. Martin James Duggan draws on 20+ years of experience designing global Cisco networks, mentoring colleagues at world-class networking organizations, and personally contributing to Cisco's CCDE exam updates. His three highly realistic scenario-based labs are carefully designed to match the real exam's complexity and format and are supported with detailed debriefs explaining why the correct answers are right and the “distractors” are wrong. Duggan presents an insider's overview of the updated exam blueprint, offering indispensable guidance for approaching an intense 8-hour exam unlike any you might have experienced. Throughout, he focuses on “why,” not just “how”—helping you develop the right mindset, fully evaluate your readiness, and integrate missing knowledge you need to succeed. Show you can design high-value solutions that reflect the “big picture,” business strategy, and real-world constraints Validate your ability to collaborate with and delight key stakeholders Quickly capture key design insights from the information customers provide Practice integrating diverse transport, control plane, virtualization, security, wireless, automation, and data center technologies covered by CCDE Discover what you don't know—and need to know—in order to pass Get expert strategies for overcoming the Practical Exam's unique challenges