network infrastructure design principles and fundamentals for large networks. A CCDE can demonstrate an ability to develop solutions which address planning, design, integration, optimization, operations, security, and ongoing support focused at the infrastructure level. CCIE Collaboration The Voice track covers advanced topics in subjects such as Quality of Service, MGCP, Call Manager (Cisco's VoIP PBX), Cisco Unity Connection (Cisco's Voice Messaging platform), Unity Express, Unified Contact Center Express, Cisco Unified Presence Server, Cisco's HWIC-4ESW, and the 3750-24PS. Most candidates pass after three or four lab attempts, but some have required more than six. Many have reputed that the lab exam seems as much a test of time management and planning as of technical expertise. The widely dissimilar platforms used sets the Voice lab exam apart from other CCIE lab exams. One must make configurations on the Windows Server environment, a CallManager web-based GUI, and the IOS command line. As such, it involves a lot of back-and-forth fine tuning between the numerous platforms. In May 2013, Cisco announced it will retire the CCIE Voice track and introduce the new CCIE Collaboration track, including new topics such as virtualization, Jabber instant messaging and video. After protest from current and aspirant CCIE Voice holders, whom argued that the differences remain too few to warrant retiring the track with no option to transition to the new track, Cisco offered a transition path for existing Voice holders. The Collaboration written exam may have availability starting from November 21, 2013. The lab exam will transition from Voice to Collaboration on February 14, 2014. CCIE Data Center Cisco has announced the September availability of a CCIE Data Center certification, which certifies the expert-level skills required to plan, prepare, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot complex data center networks. The CCIE Data Center written exam will be available Sept. 3, 2012; the lab exam should have availability in October. CCIE Security The Security track covers advanced topics in subjects such as ASA, FirePower, IOS security, Wireless Security, Content Security, Antimalware Protection and many others. CCIE Service Provider The Cisco CCIE Service Provider (CCIE SP) certification validates expert level skills required of a Network Engineer to configure, build, troubleshoot, and optimize a complex highly available Service Provider IP NGN core infrastructure. Candidates preparing for CCIE SP certification possess thorough knowledge in IP core, aggregation/edge, and remote access technologies, Layer 2 and 3 VPNs, plus managed services traversing an IP core network.