Cisco ISR G2s 1900/2900/3900 presentation was interesting...

I'm sitting in an ISR G2 presentation and some really cool things with the G2s.

Couple cool things:

- pretty significant performance increase, up to 5x then G1s

- Service Module (SM) replaces Network Module (NM) and the software is decoupled from the hardware. Meaning you can get an SM and install different things like WAAS or Wireless Controller, etc.

- miniusb as a console port (still comes with the regular rj45 console too)

- New IOS packaging - Data, UC, and Security - The IOS tree has shrunk into a bush :) No more Adv this or that... just 3 packages, pretty flat. Each G2 is loaded with a universal IOS image, then an activation lic. (serial and product ID = softward activation lic.) gets installed. New functionality can be switched on with a SAL. Cisco License Manager, Router Call Home, and manual copy and install and the PAK (product act. key) can be purchased through web

- IOS 15 M and T which are follow on to 12.4 Mainline and T.

- ISM replace AIM (and older AIMs for G1s won't be installable on the G2s

Working on Cisco WAAS...

I'm currently working on deploying Cisco WAAS, Wide Area Application Services, for WAN optimization and it's really good to get back on the console. The NME-WAE 502 and the 512 appliances are pretty straight forward, "setup" guides you through the initial configuration process, a few design decisions need to be made like in-line or off-path... overall I'm enjoying my new role.

The only downside, less time for CCIE SP studies... I guess I'll have to revise my schedule if I want to keep on track.

Last week in my current role.

So it looks like this will be my last week in my current role as a Design Engineer.

Things I loved about being a Network Design Engineer:

• Creativity: It's what made my job most enjoyable, to think of "out of the box" solutions at times or to explore new technologies (or new to me atleast)
• Flexibility: As long as I met my deadline and set expectations before hand, I was pretty flexible on how I got my work done.
  
• The Business Aspect: or better yet the Soft Skills, I enjoyed conversing with non-technical people, like sales and such, and explaining the more technical aspects of my designs
• The Spectrum: I tend to think of Design as a very wide pool but shallow, I was exposed to a slew of vendors and technologies but only scratched the surface by understanding their uses

Things I look forward to as an Implementation Engineer:

• Configuration: I miss being on the command line and the instant gratification when something I've configured works!
• The Details: I like implementing configurations or service that I believe I know how they work. I like know the little details and the "knobs" that tweak a design.
• Control: I like feeling the "power" of controlling an entity.
• Marketablity: I think as an Implementation Engineer I'll be more marketable in the industry, after all, knowing how something works and making that something work are two different things.

So here's to the future, can't wait to see what new opportunities arise!

What do you do when...

So I'm slated to move into a new role at my company BUT when I spoke with the manager to discuss compensation, he informed me that it was possible for an adjustment. Now that the paper work is done, it looks like HR is saying it's a lateral move for me so no adjustment allowed. What do I do? Do I go and take that chance for the experience or do I stay comfortable and safe and probably have more time for another CCIE?

Any thoughts?