[CONTEST CLOSED] Happy New Year! What are your Networking Resolutions?

[AmyReyes]

UPDATE: this contest has ended. Huge thank you to everyone for sharing your 2023 resolutions! Congratulations to our three randomly selected winners: @DanFletcher, @NetworkDemon, and @AndrejR!

It's time for our annual Resolutions contest!

In last year’s Network Resolutions contest, the community resolved (among many things) to get CCNP certified, get more clients using Meraki, and pass the DevNet Associate exam! It’s wonderful to see such strong interest from this community in continuous learning.

This year, we’d love to hear how your 2022 resolutions went or what network resolutions you want to achieve in 2023! Maybe there’s a way the community can help you?

Three lucky winners will receive some fun Meraki swag!

How to enter

Tell us your Network Resolutions in a comment on this blog post before 9:59am EST on Tuesday, January 17th.

How to win

Once submissions close at 9:59am EST on January 17th, we select three entries at random to win a Cisco Meraki crewneck sweatshirt.

Good Luck!

The Fine Print

• Limit one entry per community member 
• Submission period: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 11am EST through Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 9:59am EST
• Complete rules and eligibility can be found here.

[riles0nic]

Last year I got CCNA certified. I am hoping to follow that up this year.

This year I am taking the ECMS2 course and using the self-study lab documents in a lab environment.

Then I will be taking the Cisco Meraki Solutions Specialist exam. 

[Inderdeep]

Well I am going to be more focused on Cisco SDWAN solutions (Viptela, Meraki), SASE, DevNet and Security. 
Planning for the DevNet and ENCOR Certifications with Azure cloud
Will spend more time in Meraki Community and Learning and help others

[Bandwiches]

Adding our Cisco Catalysts over to the Meraki dashboard, wifi tuning and optimization, tech refreshes to wifi 6, and entertaining/possibly leveraging DNA Center.

[Madhan_kumar_G]

Hi,

In 2022, I have achieved my certifications in MFit1, MFit2, ECMS1, ECMS2, ECSE, CWNA and a sweet CCNP Wireless.

As 2023 New Year Resolution, my one and only target is CCIE Wireless.

Eager to help our community in their certification journey and also looking to team up if you are on the path of CCIE wireless.

[Greenberet]

I want to get my 2nd Expert Certification 😎 and complete my house project =D (There are still 2 MV72X which are ready to be mounted)

[RaphaelL]

I really want to get my ECMS 500-220 done. 

Finish reading all my CCNP/CCIE books. 

Finish my home network + lab

Meet some nice people at Cisco Live in June 🙂 

[KarstenI]

@RaphaelL Last year I missed you, but perhaps we meet this year. (I just declare that I identify as one of the nice people 😀)

And good luck with the rest!

[AldoSalinas]

I'm an entry level user in the Meraki world but my goal for 2023 is to learn as much as i can about WiFi and the tools in Meraki Dashboard to troubleshoot different scenarios. 

[DanFletcher]

2023 is going to be a busy year as I hope to complete the following: 

- Obtain CCNP Data Centre

- Install 2000 MR Access Points

- Install 550 MS switches

- Finish rollout of MX

[JOHNBREEDEN]

We are integrating an acquisitions network with ours and they utilize Meraki switches and we utilize Meraki MX devices.  I want to utilize the API to monitor those systems.  Currently using the API to keep track of the MX devices.

[AndrewCarey]

My Meraki resolution is to finally get CMNA knocked out. Kicking myself for not doing it before the promo equipment went away.

[daconrad]

2023 will be all about automation.  Learning to leverage all the Cisco APIs to interact with the various Meraki and Cisco products/services including the Meraki Dashboard to handle routine tasks, proactive monitoring and remediation.

Overall its going to be an challenging, but fun year. 

[fmorrison42]

"Yo! 2023 is here and I'm pumped to finally tackle some of those network projects that have been sitting on my to-do list. First things first, I'm determined to become Meraki certified. I'm convinced it'll take our network infrastructure to the next level. And, I'm excited to upgrade our gear so we can keep up with the latest and greatest in the industry.

Another thing I'm going to focus on is documenting our network like a pro. I'm going to make a friendly competition out of it with the team and see who can keep it the most organized and up-to-date. With solid documentation, troubleshooting and onboarding new team members will be a breeze.

Automation is also on my radar for 2023. I'm excited to implement some automation magic, like automated software updates and backups. It'll save us time and reduce errors. That way, we can sit back and relax while our network takes care of itself!

And of course, cleaning out that network closet is always a must. It keeps things organized and makes troubleshooting a whole lot easier. I'm excited to see how these projects will improve our network and make our lives easier. Let's do this!"

[Christato_71]

I would like to look into completing ECMS 500-220.

[realNick]

Hello and happy new year to all!

This is actually my first post on this forum, so one my resolutions is to use this forum more!

In 2022 we started using Meraki products and will continue to roll them out to even more places. Most of them are switches for which a colleague and I wrote an automation tool using the meraki api, that drastically reduced the time it takes to deploy these new switches.

I'll be continuing to develop this tool, to support even more use cases tailored to our needs.

Added to that I want to increase my knowledge regarding SD-WAN since I'll be taking over the main operation of our Meraki SD-WAN deployment. 

It's going to be a challenging year, but I look forward to new opportunities. 

[HaniAbuelkhair4]

Finished and passed the ECMS 500-220.

i am Cisco Meraki Solution Specialist now

🙂

[bryanssm]

We deployed SD-WAN using Meraki vMX units last year, but we are doing full tunnel, so we want to look at DIA/breakout options this year using some sort of SWG/SIG solution.

[LENIN]

Last year I got ECMS1 AND 2 certified. I am hoping to follow that up this year.

This year I am taking the CCNA course.

Then I will be taking the CCCNA EXAM. 

[antlac1-cr]

• Open up a new floor in our office building. Of course, rolling out Meraki there. 
• Getting some Cyber Security Certifications
• Setup more network monitoring. 

[ang]

CCNA expires this summer so definitely need to get CCNP.

[TMRoberts]

Well I need to renew CCNA so that's going to be priority 1 at least. In work we also need new switches to add PoE and get rid of some legacy devices and since there's so much backorder we are looking at maybe leveraging any 92** or higher Cisco switches if they are available, since you can now use them with Cloud Monitoring in Meraki. We can get decent hardware in one way or another! After that .... trying to talk them into VoIP evaluation as they are still old PBX. Its a non-profit so they have "what works for now" ....

[Anupam_Grover]

This year I'll be renewing my CCIE certification before end of Feb. And to get a good understanding of ThousandEyes and Cisco DNA before end of the year.

[scampbell]

In 2022 I finished deploying Meraki gear at our satellite locations, leaving just the main office running legacy Extreme switching gear.  If the budget allows I would love to replace and a completely Meraki infrastructure!!    

[Benj]

Hi 2023!

this year I would like to deploy MX SDWAN with full Umbrella SIG integration (Cloud DNS/Proxy/Firewall) for my customers satellite locations.

[KarstenI]

My New Year resolution for this year is to catch up with the previous years resolutions ... 🙂

And with having the term "500-220" multiple times in this thread, I could think of a New Years resolution for @AmyReyes and the Community team: What about the CMSS-badges?

[SpiePaCom]

I want to renew my CCNA and get more into Carrier Business with Nokia

[stubbyd]

I didn't really have a 2022 resolution, but 2023's is quite simple really ... it is to modernise the keeping (or official term "husbandry") of our two tortoises by deploying an external Meraki camera to be bale to remote monitor their enclosure.

Outside of work it's to achieve my 3rd Dan in Tang Soo Do Mu Duk Kwan.

[AndrejR]

I am working in a large enterprise organization that is using Cisco Meraki for a very specifical purpose.

2022 we accomplished a sucesfull migration from Cisco ASA to Cisco Meraki for remote workers that are sitting in different locations around the world.

2023 the plan is to onboard the helpdesk and the second line of support into the Cisco Meraki solution, explain how the magic Meraki works and the integrations with other systems such as Cisco ISE, Cisco DNA Center.

[Inventure-M]

Replacing every switch and firewall we can find with Meraki if Meraki can finally deliver with normal leadtimes!

[CptnCrnch]

CCIE recert is calling, need to get my hands on that 10 year plaque 😋

[BeckerIT]

For 2023 I'm looking to Recertify my lapsed CCNA, Get my Meraki EMCS 1, Cleanup/upgrade my Homelab, Get my Fortinet NSE4 and teach myself Python. (so not much to get done this year).

[Massimiliano]

Last year I completed a Service Provider certification track with Professional exam, which took me a lot of time to prepare.
I plan to achieve a certification in Data center track, plus some more in Wireless area. 

Hope to survive to reach these goals, and more. 

[rsirica]

Two years ago I got my CCNA certification. I work for a system Integrator in Italy.Yesterday I finished and passed the ECMS 500-220. i am Cisco Meraki Solution Specialist now.

This year I am involved in a great project: a migration of a great customer onto Meraki Wolrd.

Wish me luck!

[AmyReyes]

@KarstenI YES great callout! CMSS badges are indeed on the list for 2023. Other Community resolutions include: Fun and surprising new contests and challenges, maybe a scavenger hunt or capture the flag?, launching community-based events, and bringing more Meraki employees into the community. 

You all make the Meraki Community a great place to be and work, so thank you for that!

Here's to a great 2023 and all that lies ahead 😎

Keep sharing your resolutions, because we are loving reading them 💚 Feelin' inspired by all that you want to accomplish this year!

[Brash]

I typically don't set new years resolutions but last year I re-certed my CCIE which was a big tick off the list.

Certification wise this year I've got ECMS 500-220 in my sights.

Stretch goal is either CCNP of a different track or potentially an Azure exam given I've been doing a bit of that these days.

[Inderdeep]

good going @Brash , best of luck 

[Inderdeep]

@CptnCrnch : yeah that’s nice man !

[thoffmann_ECKD]

Last Year we solved three simple Networks with Meraki products. This Year we will design and implement an core switching network with one hundred access switches and 100 access points for our customer.

[MartinS]

This is a really big year for us at Highlight.net as we've decided to focus exclusively on Meraki and Cisco. We're really excited about how we can help Cisco customers and partners with their excellent SD-WAN, Switch and WiFi offerings. 💪

[LilyVela]

Although I only have NSE certifications under my belt, my Network Resolutions are to get a better understanding of CCNA Voice! It was a subject I had a lot of difficulty learning, and didn't come as naturally to me during my studies as other CCNA topics 😊 I have yet to start my first official day with Meraki, but I aim to grow as many connections as possible to skyrocket my knowledge 😎 #Merakiterns

[NetworkDemon]

I will go with the DevNet cert this year

[jOMeraki2]

Well I am going to be more focused on Cisco SDWAN solutions (Viptela, Meraki), SASE, DevNet and Security. 
Planning for the DevNet and ENCOR Certifications with Azure cloud
Will spend more time in Meraki Community and Learning and help others

[xaviervalette]

Pass ECMS 500-220 exam to validate the knowledge got thanks to this community! Thanks a lot for that guys! Can't wait to give back what this community gave me 🙂

[EJN]

Sounds basic, but implement VLANs. We are still on a flat network, and while no issues, I believe VLANs are in order.

Would also love to improve cabling and colors... all uplinks same color for example (easier said than done).

[Fabian1]

I'm going to make the ECMS2 this year. Hopefully this will give me some ideas how to improve our network.

[SSAY-AXS]

Hello Evrey One,
First Happy New Year.
For my part I have to recertify my CCNP ENT and SEC before the begining before the beginning of June, and to do this I will to take one technology core exam or Pass any two separate professional concentration exams.
My be 350-901 DEVCOR exam

[rwiesmann]

Hi all, 

I just recertified my CCIE beginning of this year, but most work for it was done in 2022.

In one week I will start a certificate of advanced study in Photovoltaik....nothing to do with IT but still interesting.

DevNet Associate could be something towards the end of 2023.

So this is a fantastic outlook for 2023! 

[Gsintes]

This year i would like to win any of your Meraki Swag!!! I tried a lot last year, but im not a lucky guy so this year i hope more success!!!

[KarstenI]

@Gsintes I have to disappoint you, also this year the socks are mine ...

(No, better luck this year, everyone running a Meraki network deserves Meraki Swag!)

[MerryAki]

I don't think that certificates are so necessary.

My experience with the virtual CMNA was disappointing last year^^ nobody told me that I have to retake another virtual eCMNA<>CMNA, that's waste of time

Instead I plan to visit a few large conferences in the field of IT Security/Cloud Technologies, this year the ITSA in Nuremberg will be my first time.

[KRobert]

This year we are going to focus on our core so Nexus work for me! In my personal achievements, I am striving for more cloud certs with the Azure 104 cert! 

[Inderdeep]

Good Luck you guys  @KRobert @rwiesmann 

[redsector]

Recently changed a warehouse and replaced old network hardware with Meraki devices:

22 new accesspoints  (TT_AP1 to 16)  are MR46E with wallmounted with the "big ears" Narrow Patch (MA-ANT-3-F6) and accesspoints TT_AP17 to 20 are ceiling mounted accesspoints with external bendable antennas Bendable Dipole (MA-ANT-3-B6). They are connected to two MR225-24P.

 

[redsector]

2023 a newly rebulit and reconstructed office floor with 3.800 square meters will be created with 26 * CW9164I-MR accesspoints and 10 * MS225-48LP switches. I am really excited.

[redsector]

I am eager to learn API programming for to manage my Meraki networks in a better way. Mayby Meraki offers lessons for this?

[prokken]

I hope we get a deal to sell our customer a Meraki SD-WAN solutions over 140 sites in Europe and I will implement it.

[Ojas]

Acquire at least 15 new Meraki customers in Cisco H2 and maximize the full stack adoption.

[pjc]

To get serious with Meraki API's (have so far only dabbled a bit) - I know they can and will save me precious time !

[Dillon2]

My resolution is to finish our Knowledge Base, and start on creating Training.

Cisco Meraki has been amazing for our Support Team, and we are excited to start getting everyone CMNA, CMSS Certified.

I would like to take my CMSS test, and then standup a training class to get our support team started as well.

In conjunction we are building a lab which will house our CMNA and CMSS training gear.

[NJNetworkGuy100]

I hope this year to finally get that CCNA I've kept putting off.  Then hopefully quickly follow up with the Meraki certification...

I'm also hoping to take my Python API scripting up to another level....daily backups of settings/configs across all networks in multiple orgs, checking for standard configs on networks across an org, single script to setup new networks and devices....

[AmyReyes]

UPDATE: this contest has ended. Huge thank you to everyone for sharing your 2023 resolutions! Congratulations to our three randomly selected winners: @DanFletcher, @NetworkDemon, and @AndrejR!

[Inderdeep]

Congratulations to the winners @DanFletcher, @NetworkDemon, and @AndrejR!

[KRobert]

Yes! Congratulations to @DanFletcher, @NetworkDemon, and @AndrejR!

[NetworkDemon]

Thanks !

[shokri]

Hi Team,

I don't think that certificates are so necessary.

My experience with the virtual CMNA was disappointing last year^^ !!

VIVA Meraki 🙂

[NetworkDemon]

@AmyReyes : When can i get the award Tshirt ?

[AmyReyes]

Hi @NetworkDemon I sent you a link via Postal.io to confirm your mailing address and claim your prize. It looks like that link has since expired. I'll connect with you via DM to get your information and resend it!