My CCDE Journey

Earning my CCDE certification (CCDE 2026::37) was one of the hardest things I have done in my professional life. Not because the topics are impossibly complex, but because the exam requires a depth and breadth of design knowledge that takes real time and effort to build. And also because, at 52, learning takes longer than it did at 30.

This article is a candid description of my journey to get there: two attempts at the written exam, three attempts at the practical exam, two bootcamps, a LOT of reading and perseverance.

One of the most common questions I get from CCDE candidates is: “What should I read?” and “Where should I start?”
This post is the CCDE reading list I actually used to pass the CCDE written (400-007) and practical exams. I have organized everything into my O’Reilly playlist, publicly accessible, so you can follow it directly if you have an O’Reilly subscription.

This list includes full books, individual chapters, and video courses. Some chapters were selected for their specific content, while the video courses provide a complementary perspective on subjects covered in the books.

I recently passed the CCDE practical exam at Cisco Live. I am now CCDE #2026::37. During my preparation, I gathered insights from fellow candidates, seasoned CCDEs, and instructors, including Zig Zsiga, Russ White, Orhan Ergun, Mark Holm, and others. I combined them with my own experience on exam day: it took me three attempts to pass, so I have some experience. This post is my attempt to distill all of that into a practical guide for anyone sitting for the CCDE lab.