1Head Banger CCIE# 24646
Interview : Ben Edgar
Ben Edgar
Dude it has been cool getting to know you. I have been playing guitar for a long time myself and except for a brief brush with Judy Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Michael Bloomfield I have never gotten close to fame and fortune with music. So, alas, I am the CCIE Agent™ instead. But you have been playing for money and fun and still somehow managed to earn your CCIE. That’s real cool. If I was going to be like the coolest CCIE I would do it in a punk band, you know sort of an Elvis Costello/The Clash fusion band. I already have a groupie to, Bouncy. We broke up but she’s been making eyes again so I might take her back. But this is not about me it’s about you, Ben; sorry I get carried away when I get a chance to talk about myself.
Q: I have often been told that what so many CCIEs like to read about are other CCIEs. It seems we are all at least a little bit voyeuristic. But since you are a CCIE I guess you already know that since you’re so smart. Right?
A: Well… I’ll say I’m persistent- that’s for sure.
Q: You are a guitar player which is awesome. I have a few guitars and each has a story, like the one I have that was commissioned to be built by Charlie Daniels. You know who Charlie Daniels is right? When I was young he was considered a Country Rock/Southern Rock star. Now however he is considered a country and western star. When you get old and you keep playing the same kind of music, what do you think they will call it then?
A: Mellow Jazz…
Q: Let’s get serious for a second. Guitars are really important, and so are CCIEs. Now, if you were a CCIE, and you let some company rent your CCIE number. When this is done I fell that the CCIE has in effect stolen a job from another CCIE. Since you play in two bands don’t you feel guilty that you have taken a job away from another guitar player?
A: Ha. Well, my second band has most of the same band members as my first band, so it’s really just an extension of the same band. Actually, I’m probably doing someone a favour by taking this grossly underpaid job.
Q: What made you decide to go into IT as a career?
A: I decided to get into IT after deciding to leave the music industry. During my time as a Recording Engineer, I gained an appreciation for computers. With that in mind, I decided to take an IT course. During the course, I learnt about System Administration and Networking . It was also during this course that I learnt about the CCIE and decided that I was going to be one someday.
Q: Did you have a mentor when you decided to pursue a career in networking?
A: I didn’t have one when I started working in networking, but I definitely had one when I was pursing the CCIE. I worked closely with Andrew Bruce Caslow during my CCIE preparations. Without his guidance, I would not be a CCIE today.
Q: How many tries did it take to pass the lab?
A: I passed on my second attempt. I feel that I had the knowledge to pass the exam on the first attempt, but the psychological aspects of the exam are what beat me. The exam itself is not only a test of knowledge, but a test of nerves.
Q: Did you cheat? I mean you took a job away from another guitar player so it stands to reason that you have something in you that makes you do bad stuff. So did you cheat on the CCIE lab?
A: Oh, no, I’ve been busted….Ha. There’s no point in pursuing such a test if you are just going to cheat or lie about it, as your article titled “Will the real CCIE Please Stand UP!” illustrates. In the end, you will be found out. As well, for me, the test was a way of proving to myself that I could accomplish something great- something that only a few others can, and have accomplished. So, if I had cheated, I would have only been cheating myself.
Q: I guess I deserved that. But I got my eye on you now. I think we can safely say that you are a decent guitar player. I have been playing with a tune it’s kind of like a blues bit like Blind Mellon Chittlin used to play. Tell me if you think you can add anything to it or get me a recording contract;
DAH DAH DADA
I been down for so long
DAH DAH DADA
My baby won’t sing along
DAH DAH DADA
Been out late at night
DAH DAH DADA
Won’t pass the lab without a fight
DAH DAH BING BING BANG BANG BANG
I got those C-C-C- CCIE LAB BLUES
DAH DAH BING BING BANG BANG BANG
DAH DAH DADA
No end in sight
DAH DAH DADA
I just gotta get it right
DAH DAH DADA
Won’t be no money left
DAH DAH DADA
Paying for this all myself
DAH DAH BING BING BANG BANG BANG
I got those C-C-C- CCIE LAB BLUES
DAH DAH BING BING BANG BANG BANG
Q: Well what do you think?
A: Uhm…No Comment.
Q: If I like add some wah wah and jazz it up I think I could sell it to John Chambers, so have some respect! If you had a chance to play with any guitar legend living or dead who would that be?
A: Oh, man. There are way too many to list in this article, but some that are worth mentioning would include Stevie Ray Vaughn, Wes Montgomery, Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani, and John Petrucci.
Q: Don’t steal my idea by the way I have an attorney. In the recent past there was a lot of grumbling about the CCIE Lab changes. Since you are so smart, do you have any opinion about the growth of the number of CCIEs?
A: The growth in the numbers of CCIEs show how much the preparation material has improved. I personally agree with the change to add the OEQ. As someone that has gone through and passed that version, I have to say that the OEQs are not something to worry about if you know your material. As for the version 4 lab, the preparation material needs time to improve before we will see the numbers of CCIEs start increasing again. The pursuit of the CCIE is not just about getting a number, it’s about the pursuit of knowledge.
Q: What kind of music do you play anyway, like heavy metal death music?
A: I play a range of music, but my bands are based on punk, hardcore, and metal.
Q: Have you ever played Chuck-e-Cheese? You look familiar.
A: Ha Ha. Thanks! Actually that’s one place I haven’t played, but I can say that I have played in a sushi bar in Oxford, Mississippi.
Q: What is your favourite guitar and what kinds do you own?
A: My favourite guitar is my black Les Paul Standard. Someday I’m going to have a black Les Paul Custom. My very own Black Beauty.
Q: Les Paul was a jazz legend he really brought electric guitar music to the modern era. After you burn incense and bow to the man before your gigs, do you ever think about how much music can change people’s outlook on life and love?
A: I think music is very important. Through music, we have the ability to change the world. Music is one thing that people of all backgrounds have in common. Music is the universal language of the world…well that, and TCP/IP.
Q: Don’t get all gooey on me. If the music makes you feel like that how do you get through a song! Tell me do you read the CCIE Flyer?
A: Yes, of course!
Q: Do you like it?
Thanks for the interview