Network World: Cisco simulator can help thwart exam cheating

Gambit Communications says its MIMIC Virtual Lab software can help resolve the cheating on Cisco certification tests
By Jim Duffy , Network World , 07/30/2008

A Nashua, N.H., maker of Cisco network simulators says its software can help enterprises make sure they are hiring legitimate Cisco-certified engineers to run their networks.

Gambit Communications says its MIMIC Virtual Lab software, which has been on the market for about four years, can help resolve the recent spate of cheating on Cisco certification tests by enabling enterprises to run network operations candidates through sample scenarios before hiring them. This allows enterprises to screen candidates to ensure they are not hiring fraudulent network operators at handsome salaries.

Cisco recently moved to thwart cheating on certification tests by employing photo identification requirements and a data forensics program. According to Cisco, pilot programs using the new detection methods have already uncovered 1,400 suspected cheaters who hired proxies to take the exams for them.

But Gambit claims the photo and forensics programs only go so far: what about the many unqualified candidates already hired by enterprises prior to the new Cisco enforcement programs?

Sit 'em down and run them through a simulated lab environment, Gambit says.

Gambit's CCNA Virtual LAB software starts at $99 and can be downloaded to a laptop or PC. It creates a simulated environment with seven Cisco devices – Catalyst 2950, 3550 and 6500 switches and 2620, 3640 and 7206 series routers -- and users can type in IOS and SNMP commands to configure devices and protocols.

Test conductors and "students" can replace and establish LAN, WAN, ISDN and serial links, change IP addresses and create virtual LANs with the program, but cannot change the devices themselves. Also, the program is not certified by Cisco but is resold by a Cisco – certified training partner, Tech 2000. Cisco also uses the CCNA Virtual Lab's predecessor, the MIMIC Simulator Suite for IOS, Gambit says.

Gambit says it has 1,000 customers for CCNA Virtual Lab since it was introduced in 2002, including AT&T, IBM, the U.S. Army and several financial firms.