CCNA is one of the most respected Associate level Certification in the world today.
Getting a CCNA will definitely help you to get a better job or at least get your foot into Professional Networking Field. When you meet a person that has CCNA degree you will notice that he or she knows something about Networking.
This article will describe and give you some tips on how to achieve CCNA.
I did it so can you, so lets get started.
Getting ready mentally
First thing you need to do is mentally prepare your self. What I mean by that is that you have to seriously think about on why are you getting CCNA and why do you want to be CCNA certified. You have to firmly decide and believe that you will get CCNA within next 3-6 months or so.
Try to budget your study time well. If you a very social person (like me) you will have to give up some of your social time for the next couple of months.
Your friends and family will understand. Trust me: it is well worth it. Once you get that cert you can make up for the lost social time.
Getting the right study material
Second thing you need to do is to get proper study material.
There is lot of controversy around this and some people go overboard with study guides, books, simulators and such.
I believe that two Cisco Press books INTR and ICND by Wendell Odom are enough as far as the books go. They are really well written and easy to follow. So sign up at http://www.ciscopress.com and get those two books. Make sure you got the latest version.
You will also want to get some kind of a simulator that will let you practice commands and that will also build up your confidence.
You can buy real equipment but that could get expensive. I highly recommend that you become member of Cisco Certification forum.
Forum is huge and you will get lot of helpful answers, tips and advices pretty quick. (I know I did)
Approach and diving deep
There are many different approaches to studying from books but I will tell you about mine. This step will take the most of your studying time.
Before you even start reading any of the books I suggest learning binary math (really easy) and subnetting so you can do it in your sleep.
http//www.learntosubnet.com is excellent resource. -read both books casually once from front to cover (make sure you cover introduction and practice questions too). This will give you good overview.
Install both CD’s that came with books and practices some of the questions. Don’t worry if you get lot of them wrong.
Now, you will ready both books again but this time you will have to read it to truly understand the concept and how things work. Master one chapter and do questions from just that chapter until you sick of it. Then move to the next chapter.
-Once you mastered all chapters do lot of questions and labexercises. Those two CD’s will give you ability to do that.
Schedule the test
You’re not done yet with studying but it is really good to schedule the test after you completed step 3 in this article. Here is why:
If you schedule the test a month in advance right after you completed step 3, you won’t be able to slack and make excuses not to study hard until tests and it is also good to give your self a headline. I have seen people working on their CCNA for 2 years. They master one or two chapters, then they rest for 2 two months and right when they think they are ready for the next chapter, they forget what they have learned in the first chapter.
Read both books one more time to refresh
This is optional, but I highly recommend reading the both books one more time. If you read both books in a three week that will give you one more week before the test to cram which is subject of the next step.
So by now you should’ve read both books three times over. I also suggest re-reading questions and answers from both books one more time.
Cram, Cram and Cram
This is the last part of your study and there is no turning back. Deadline is hanging around your neck like a noose. You should cram Q&A for no more then 10 days before you take the test.
At this point it is really important that you get fresh and different questions then those included with your CD’s. Some people claims that brain dumps or Q&A are bad and evil. I tend to disagree with that. At this point you already firmly grasped the whole CCNA concept and Q&A will only help you. So get some Q&A exam question and cram, cram and cram them for a week.
Don’t use books or CD’s anymore. There is no looking back. No worries, material from the books will return to you at the right time.
-Don’t do any studying a night or a day before the test. Go out with your wife or significant other to a dinner and a movie. Relax. It is very important to relax and get a good night sleep since one of those testing boots could really be intimidating. If you did all the steps above and read books with intention to understand the topics and how stuff works (no pun intended), and not just to pass the test you should be more then ready by now.
We came to an end of this short tutorial. I hope this article give you at least some ideas on how to approach studying for CCNA.
If you fail CCNA first time, don’t get discouraged. You will have more knowledge and confidence when you attempt it the next time then the person who passed it on the first try. Whatever approach you take I wish you good luck and prosper career.
From http://ezinearticles.com.
Archive for December, 2007
Exam Number
642-453
Associated Certifications
CCVP
Duration
75 minutes (60 questions)
Available Languages
English
Exam Topics
Explain the function and interoperation of voice & video Gateways within an IP Communications network
• Identify and describe the appropriate gateway signaling protocol to meet requirements
• Identify and describe the appropriate digital line protocol to meet requirements
• Identify and describe the appropriate analog line protocol to meet requirements
• Describe the appropriate implementation of drop and insert multiplexing
• Describe DSP functionality
• Describe the different methods of provides fax and modem support
Describe the function and interoperation of Gatekeepers within an IP Communications network
• Describe the function of Gatekeepers
• Describe the interoperation of a Gatekeeper and a Cisco Unified CallManager
• Describe the Gatekeeper Transaction Message Protocol and how it is used
• Describe Dynamic Zone Prefix Registration with a Gatekeeper
• Describe Gatekeeper clustering
Implement a Gatekeeper
• Implement and Configure Gatekeeper to provide call admission control
• Implement and Configure Gatekeeper to provide dial-plan resolution
• Configure a Directory Gatekeeper to provide scalability
• Implement and Configure redundancy between Gatekeeper devices
• Implement and Configure Gatekeeper clustering
• Configure a Gateway to register with a Gatekeeper
• Configure a Cisco Unified CallManager to register with a Gatekeeper
• Verify and troubleshoot Gatekeeper implementations
Implement a Gateway
• Configure and verify PRI connectivity
• Configure and verify BRI connectivity
• Configure and verify CAS connectivity
• Configure and verify Analog connectivity
• Implement SRST to provide High Availability
• Implement media resources on a Gateway
• Implement fax and modem support on a Gateway
• Configure a Gateway to provide DTMF support
• Configure a Gateway to be usable by a Cisco Unified CallManager
Implement a dial-plan
• Describe the components of a dial-plan
• Configure digit manipulation
• Implement call routing
• Implement COR
• Describe how the Gateway matches dial-peers
• Verify and troubleshoot dial-plan implementations
Implement call applications on a Gateway
• Describe how to obtain call applications
• Configure call applications on a Gateway
• Verify and troubleshoot call application implementations
Implement an IP-to-IP Gateway
• Describe the IP-to-IP Gateway features and functionality
• Configure Gatekeeper to support an IP-to-IP Gateway
• Configure IP-to-IP Gateway to provide security
• Configure IP-to-IP Gateway to provide protocol and media interworking
• Configure IP-to-IP Gateway to provide call admission control
• Verify and troubleshoot IP-to-IP Gateway implementations
Exam Number
642-445
Associated Certifications
CCVP
Duration
90 minutes (75 questions)
Available Languages
English
Exam Topics
Perform an installation and initial set up of a Cisco Unified CallManager cluster
• Describe Cisco Unified CallManager cluster relationships
• Describe Cisco Unified CallManager redundancy designs
• Describe the requirements for DHCP, TFTP, DNS, and NTP
• Determine the services necessary to support a Cisco Unified CallManager deployment and enable the appropriate services
• Describe the Cisco Unified CallManager upgrade process
Describe and configure Cisco Unified CallManager to support on-cluster calling
• Explain and configure a Cisco Unified CallManager group
• Configure Cisco Unified CallManager to support Cisco SCCP & SIP Phones
• Configure Cisco Unified CallManager to support 3rd party SIP phones
• Describe the functions of Cisco Unified CallManager regions
• Describe the functions or usage of a device pool
• Explain the purpose of locations
• Describe the purpose and features of SRST and AAR
• Describe and configure RSVP
• Configure a Catalyst IOS Switch to support IP phones
Describe and configure a route plan for Cisco Unified CallManager
• Explain digit analysis
• Describe the functions and usage of CSS and partitions
• Describe and configure route patterns
• Describe and configure route filters
• Describe and configure discard digit instructions, translation patterns, and transformation masks
• Configure Cisco Unified CallManager and gatekeeper to support CAC
• Describe the differences between the various trunk types supported by Cisco Unified CallManager
• Configure intercluster trunks
• Configure Cisco Unified CallManager to utilize a voice gateway
• Describe and configure a SIP trunk
• Describe and configure Forced Account Code and Client Matter Code
Given a list of IP phone features, configure the Cisco Unified CallManager to support the given feature set
• Configure MeetMe conferencing and conferencing resources
• Configure Music-on-hold
• Configure soft-key and IP phone button templates
• Configure multiple calls per line appearance
• Configure hunt groups
• Configure IP phone services
• Configure extension mobility
• Configure MRGs and MRGLs
• Configure Presence
Secure an IP telephone network
• Describe the threats to an IP Telephony network
• Describe the components used to mitigate threats to an IP telephony network
• Describe the process of communicating with the Cisco Unified CallManager Server in a secure manner
• Describe and configure authentication and encryption between Cisco Unified CallManager and endpoints
• Configure Multi-Level Administration
• Configure toll-fraud prevention
• Describe the process and configuration of IP phone hardening
Given a specific set of IP telephony applications and tools, configure Cisco Unified CallManager to support the applications
• Configure Cisco Unified CallManager BAT and TAPS to bulk add/manage phones/users
• Install and use Disaster Recovery System to backup publisher
Monitor and manage an IP telephony network
• Describe the use of Real-Time monitoring tool
• Describe the use of Cisco IPT Platform Administration
• Use the CLI to manage and monitor the Cisco Unified CallManager
• Describe and use the Dialed Number Analyzer to troubleshoot call routing issues
• Describe the process of filtering, managing, and retrieving Logs
• Describe and manage Call Detail Records
Exam Number
642-444
Associated Certifications
CCVP
Duration
90 minutes (60-70 questions)
Available Languages
English
Exam Topics
Perform an installation and initial set up of a CallManager cluster
• Describe CallManager cluster relationships
• Describe CallManager redundancy designs
• Configure DCHP, TFTP and NTP
• Determine which CallManager services are necessary and make sure the appropriate services are enabled
Configure Call Manager to support a call between any two endpoints on-cluster and off-cluster
• Explain the function of a CallManager group
• Describe the functions and usage of CSS and partitions
• Configure a route plan
• Explain digit analysis
• Describe and configure route patterns to route or block calls
• Explain route filters
• Explain discard digit instructions, translation patterns, and transformation masks
• Describe the functions of CallManager regions
• Describe the functions or usage of a device pool
• Explain the purpose of locations
• Configure CallManager and gatekeeper to support CAC
• Desribe the purpose and features of SRST and AAR
• Configure intercluster communications
• Configure voice gateways
Given a list of IP phone features, configure the CallManager to support the given feature set
• Configure call forward
• Configure MeetMe conferencing and conferencing resources
• Configure Music-on-hold
• Configure soft-key and IP phone button templates
• Configure multiple calls per line appearance
• Configure IPMA
• Configure Malicious Call ID
• Configure hunt groups
• Configure IP phone services
• Configure extension mobility
• Configure MRGs and MRGLs
• Configure other CallManager features and services
Secure an IP telephone network
• Explain Secure RTP and other components that help protect a CIPT network against threats
• Securing the CallManager Server - best practices/recommendations
• Describe the Cisco SAFE network design
• Configure SSL
• Configure IPSec
• Configure CallManager to use certificates
• Configure MLA (multi-level admin)
• Configure toll-fraud prevention
• Describe hardening IP phones
Given a specific set of IP telephony applications and tools, configure CallManager to support the applications
• Configure IP soft phone/IP communicator
• Install and configure BAT and TAPS to bulk add/manage phones/users
• Describe Call Detail Records and methods to extract
• Install and use BARS to backup publisher
Monitor and manage an IP telephony network using Internal Server Tools
• Describe the use of Serviceability tool
• Describe the use of Real-Time monitoring tool
• Describe the tools inherent in the operating system and database, and also provided by Cisco, to monitor CallManager operation
Exam Number
642-426
Associated Certifications
CCVP
Duration
90 minutes (54 questions)
Available Languages
English
Exam Topics
Apply the Cisco recommended methodology used to determine general Unified communications system problems and issues
• Describe the steps that can be used to identify a problem with a given unified communication system
• Identify tools that can be used to identify and isolate problems
• Correlate events (using traces, logs, and monitoring tools to identify the problem)
• Parse and interpret trace logs and system logs
Troubleshoot call setup issues
• Troubleshoot PSTN call setup issues
• Troubleshoot intersite call setup issues
• Troubleshoot intrasite call setup issues
Troubleshoot registration issues
• Troubleshoot issues with endpoint registration
• Troubleshoot issues with gateway registration
• Troubleshoot issues with gatekeeper registration
Troubleshoot database issues
• Troubleshoot database replication issues in CallManager 4.x
• Troubleshoot database replication issues in CallManager 5.x
• Troubleshoot 3rd party LDAP synchronization issues
Troubleshoot application issues
• Troubleshoot voicemail integration
• Troubleshoot CTI integration issues
• Troubleshoot IP phone XML services
Troubleshoot media resources
• Troubleshoot music on hold
• Troubleshoot conference bridges
• Troubleshoot transcoders
• Troubleshoot MTP
Troubleshoot voice quality issues
• Troubleshoot echo
• Troubleshoot dropped calls
• Troubleshoot audio quality issues
Troubleshoot security issues
• Troubleshoot authentication issues
• Troubleshoot certificate issues
Exam Number
642-432
Associated Certifications
CCVP
Duration
75 minutes (55-65 questions)
Available Languages
English
Exam Topics
Describe the similarities and differences between PSTN and VoIP including call transport, call signalling and bandwidth requirements
• Identify PSTN characteristics, transport
• Explain TDM and statistical multiplexing as it relates to telephony
• Identify VOIP characteristics, transport
• Compare operation of PSTN call signalling to VoIP call signalling
Configure a router so that a basic IP Telephony call can be completed
• Configure dial-peer settings for VoIP or POTs
• Configure POTs ports (FXS and FXO)
• Configure E&M
• Explain default dial-peer
• Explain matching inbound/outbound dial peers
• Configure hunt groups
• Explain digit collection, consumptions and manipulations
• Configure gateway/gatekeeper
• Configure call signalling
Troubleshoot a basic IP telephony configuration
• Use show/debug commands to troubleshoot invalid dial-peer configurations
• Use show/debug commands to troubleshoot invalid port configuration and operation
• Use show/debug commands to troubleshoot invalid signalling configuration
• Use show/debug commands to troubleshoot invalid hunt-group configurations
• Use show/debug commands to troubleshoot invalid digit manipulation
Successfully integrate a basic IP telephony network into the existing PSTN network
• Explain port requirements for connection to a PBX
• Explain signalling requirements for connection to a PBX
• Choose correct connection type between PBX and VoIP networks
• Compare and contrast a traditional dial plan to a VoIP Dial Plan
• Identify telephony infrastructure terms (ie. LEC, CLEC, RBOC, ILEC, IXC)
Converse with traditional TDM support personnel using their terminology
• Identify TDM signaling
• Identify port and line types
• Identify addressing signalling
Describe the basic operation and components involved in a VoIP call
• Explain RTP, RTCP, cRTP
• Explain H323
• Explain MGCP
• Explain SIP
• Explain E&M
• Describe the process of analog to digital conversion
• Describe the process of compounding and compressing
• Explain the process of packetization (frames, codec types)
• Choose the appropriate codec for a given situation
• Explain the function/operation/purpose of call-legs
• Explain voice quality considerations
• Explain the purpose and value of QoS
Successfully connect a basic VoIP net to the PSTN
• Choose the correct gateway connection to the PSTN
• Determine proper signalling options
• Describe digit manipulation
• Explain E164 addressing
Exam Number
642-691
Associated Certifications
CCIP
Duration
90 minutes (60-70 questions)
Available Languages
English
Exam Topics
Technology
• Understand and explain Core MPLS technology and concepts
• Understand and explain MPLS VPN technology and concepts
• Understand and explain basic BGP concepts and operations
• Understand and explain how to Scale IGP and BGP in Service Provider Networks
Basic Implementation & Configuration
• Explain and implement Frame-mode MPLS operations on Cisco IOS Platforms
• Explain and implement Cell-mode MPLS operations on Cisco IOS Platforms
• Explain and implement BGP Route Selection Using Policy Controls on Cisco IOS Platforms
• Explain and implement BGP Route Selection Using BGP Attributes on Cisco IOS Platforms
• Explain and implement Customer-to-Provider Connectivity with BGP on Cisco IOS Platforms
• Explain and implement BGP Transit Autonomous System on Cisco IOS Platforms
• Explain and implement IBGP connectivity using BGP Route Reflectors on Cisco IOS Platforms
• Explain and implement BGP Confederations on Cisco IOS Platforms
Advanced Configuration
• Explain and implement Advanced BGP Configuration on Cisco IOS Platforms
• Explain and implement MPLS VPN operations on Cisco IOS Platforms
• Explain and implement OSPF inside an MPLS VPN
Exam Number
642-661
Associated Certifications
CCIP
Duration
90 minutes (50-60 questions)
Available Languages
English
Exam Topics
Introduction to BGP
• Given a network scenario, identify appropriate BGP usage and its limitations
BGP Session Establishment
• Given a typical BGP network scenario, describe the concept of BGP neighbors and the neighbor session establishment procedures
BGP Route Processing
• Given a diagram of an operational BGP network, describe interdomain route processing, route propagation and BGP path selection
Basic BGP Configuration
• Given a network consisting of multiple domains, successfully configure BGP
Monitoring and Troubleshooting BGP
• Given a configured BGP network, verify proper operation and perform the steps necessary to correct basic BGP configuration errors
Route Selection Using Policy Controls
Multi-Homed BGP Networks
• Given a customer scenario where connections to multiple ISPs must be supported, describe the need for influencing BGP route selection
AS-Path Filters
• Given a customer scenario where connections to multiple ISPs must be supported, successfully configure BGP to influence route selection using AS path filters
Prefix-List Filters
• Given a customer scenario where connections to multiple ISPs must be supported, successfully configure BGP to influence route selection using prefix-list filters
Outbound Route Filtering
• Given an operational BGP network, use outbound route filtering to minimize the impact of BGP routing updates on router resources
Route-Maps as BGP Filters
• Given a typical BGP network, correctly configure BGP to influence route selection using route maps
Implementing Changes in BGP Policy
• Given a typical BGP network, configure the route-refresh feature to minimize the impact of expediting BGP policy updates
Route Selection Using Attributes
BGP Path Attributes
• List BGP path attributes and functionality of each attribute Influencing BGP Route Selection with Weights
• Given a customer scenario where multiple connections must be supported, successfully configure BGP to influence route selection using the weight attribute
BGP Local Preference
• Given a customer scenario where multiple connections must be supported, successfully configure BGP to influence route selection using the local preference attribute
BGP Multi-Exit-Discriminator (MED)
• Given a customer scenario where multiple connections must be supported, successfully configure BGP to influence route selection using the Multi-Exit-Discriminator (MED) attribute
BGP Communities
• Given a customer scenario where multiple connections must be supported, successfully configure BGP to influence route selection using BGP community attributes
Customer-to-Provider Connectivity with BGP
Customer Connectivity Requirements
• Describe the requirements to connect customer networks to the Internet in a service provider environment
Static Routing Toward the Customer
• Given a service provider network, implement customer connectivity using static routing
BGP Customer Multi-Homed to a Single Service Provider
• Given a customer scenario where multiple connections to a single ISP must be supported, implement customer connectivity with BGP
BGP Customer Multi-Homed to Multiple Service Providers
• Given a customer scenario where connections to multiple ISPs must be supported, implement customer connectivity with BGP
BGP Transit Autonomous System
Transit Autonomous System Functions
• Describe the function of a transit autonomous system and the need for IBGP IBGP and EBGP Interaction in a Transit AS
• Given a transit autonomous system, describe the interaction between EBGP and IBGP in relation to relevant BGP attributes
Packet Forwarding in Transit Autonomous Systems
• Describe the function of an IGP in forwarding packets through an autonomous system
Configuring a Transit Autonomous System
• Given a BGP network scenario, successfully configure an autonomous system to act as a transit backbone
Monitoring and Troubleshooting IBGP in Transit AS
• Given a configured BGP transit network, verify proper operation and perform the steps necessary to correct basic IBGP configuration errors
BGP Route Reflectors
Introduction to Route Reflectors
• Describe the function and operation of route reflectors in a BGP environment
Network Design with Route Reflectors
• Based upon established route reflector design rules, describe the concept of hierarchial route reflectors and their requirements
Configuring and Monitoring Route Reflectors
• Given an existing IBGP network, configure and verify proper operation of route reflectors to modify IBGGP split-horizon rules
Advanced BGP Configuration
Limiting the Number of Prefixes Received from a BGP Neighbor
• Given a typical BGP network, successfully configure BGP to limit the number of prefixes received from a neighbor
AS-Path Prepending
• Given a typical service provider network with connections to multiple autonomous systems, use AS-Path prepending to influence the return path selected by the neighboring autonomous systems
BGP Peer Group
• Given a typical BGP network, use BGP peer groups to share common configuration parameters between multiple BGP peers
BGP Route Flap Dampening
• Given a properly configured BGP network, use route flap dampening to minimize the impact of unstable routes
Scaling IGP and BGP in Service Provider Networks
Common Routing Issues in Service Provider Networks
• Describe common routing concerns of service provider networks
Optical Networking Designs
• Describe the scalability issues of using OSPF and IS-IS as interior gateway protocols in a service provider network and list solutions for each
Scaling BGP in Service Provider Networks
• Describe common scalability issues when using BGP in a service provider network and list solutions for each
Exam Number
642-642
Associated Certifications
CCIP, CCVP
Duration
90 minutes (45-55 questions)
Available Languages
English
Exam Topics
IP QoS Fundamentals
• Given a description of a converged network, identify problems that could lead to poor quality of service and explain how the problems might be resolved
• Define the term Quality of Service (QoS) and identify and explain the key steps to implementing QoS on a converged network
IP QoS Components
• List and explain the models for providing Quality of Service on a network
• Explain the purpose and function of the DiffServ model
• Describe the basic format of and explain the purpose of the DSCP field in the IP header
• Define and explain the different per hop behaviors used in DSCP
• Explain the interoperability between DSCP-based and IP-precedence-based devices in a network
• Given a list of QoS actions, correctly match the QoS actions to mechanisms for implementing QoS and identify where in a network the different QoS mechanisms are commonly used
Modular QoS CLI and Auto-QoS
• Given a network requiring QoS, explain how to implement a QoS policy using MQC
• Explain how AutoQoS is used to implement QoS policy
Classification and Marking
• Explain how link layer and network layer markings are used to define service classes and the different applications represented by each of these service classes
• Given a network and a description of QoS issues, use MQC CLI commands to classify packets
• Given a network and a description of QoS issues, use class-based marking to assign packets to a specific service class
• Describe the function of Network Based Application Recognition
• Describe the purpose of pre-classification to support QoS in various VPN (IPSEC, GRE, L2TP) configurations
• Describe QoS trust boundaries and their significance in LAN based classification and marking
• Identify the different classification and marking options available on Cisco L2 and L3 switching platforms
Congestion Management Methods
• List and explain the different queuing algorithms
• Explain the components of hardware and software queuing systems on Cisco routers and how they are effected by tuning and congestion
• Describe the benefits and drawbacks of using WFQ to implement QoS
• Explain the purpose and features of Class-Based WFQ (CBWFQ)
• Explain the purpose and features of Low Latency Queuing (LLQ)
• Identify the Cisco IOS commands required to configure and monitor LLQ on a Cisco router
• Describe and explain the different queuing capabilities available on the Cisco Catalyst 2950 Switch
Congestion Avoidance Methods
• Describe the drawbacks tail drop as a congestion control mechanism
• Describe the elements of a RED traffic profile
• Describe Weighted Random Early Detection and how it can be used to prevent congestion
• Identify the Cisco IOS commands required to configure and monitor DSCP-based CB-WRED
• Explain how ECN interacts with WRED in Cisco IOS
Traffic Policing and Shaping
• Describe the purpose of traffic conditioning using traffic policing and traffic shaping and differentiate between the features of each
• Explain how network devices measure traffic rates using single rate or dual rate, single or dual token bucket mathematical models
• Identify the Cisco IOS commands required to configure and monitor single rate and dual rate CB-Policing
• Identify the Cisco IOS commands required to configure and monitor percentage based CB-Policing
• Explain how the two rate limits, average rate and peak rate, can be used to rate limit traffic
• Identify the Cisco IOS commands required to configure and monitor CB-Shaping
• Identify the Cisco IOS commands required to configure and monitor Frame Relay adaptive CB-Shaping on Frame Relay interfaces
Link Efficiency Mechanisms
• Explain the various link efficiency mechanisms and their function
• Identify the Cisco IOS commands required to configure and monitor CB header compression
• Given a list of link speeds and a specific delay requirement, determine the proper fragment size to use at each link speed and identify the typical delay requirement for VoIP packets
• Identify the Cisco IOS commands required to configure and monitor Multilink PPP with Interleaving
• Identify the Cisco IOS commands required to configure and monitor FRF.12
QoS Best Practices
• Explain the QoS requirements of the different application types
• List typical enterprise traffic classes then identify the delay, jitter, packet loss and bandwidth requirements of each traffic class
• Explain the best practice QoS implementations and configurations within the campus LAN
• Explain the best practice QoS implementations and configurations on the WAN customer edge (CE) and provider edge (PE) routers
Exam Number
642-611
Associated Certifications
CCIP
Duration
90 minutes (55-65 questions)
Available Languages
English
Exam Topics
MPLS Fundamentals
• Explain basic core MPLS technology and concepts
• Explain the function of MPLS Labels and Label Stack
• Identify MPLS Applications
MPLS Operation
• Describe the characteristics and behaviors of Label Distribution in Frame-mode MPLS
• Explain Convergence in Frame-mode MPLS
• Describe the characteristics and behaviors of Label Distribution over LC-ATM Interfaces and VC Merge
• Describe the features of MPLS Label Allocation, Distribution, and Retention Modes
• Explain the process of LDP Neighbor Discovery
Frame-Mode/Cell-Mode MPLS Implementation, Configuration and Troubleshooting
• Identify the functions of CEF Switching
• Explain and configure Frame-mode MPLS on Cisco IOS platforms
• Monitor MPLS on Cisco IOS platforms - Frame-mode interfaces
• Troubleshoot Frame-Mode MPLS configurations on Cisco IOS Platforms
• Explain and configure Label-Controlled ATM MPLS
• Explain and configure LC-ATM MPLS over ATM Virtual Path
• Monitor LC-ATM MPLS on Cisco IOS platforms
MPLS Virtual Private Networks Technology
• Describe the characteristics and functions of Virtual Private Networks
• Describe Overlay and Peer-to-Peer VPNs
• Explain Major VPN Categorization
• Describe MPLS VPN Architecture
• Describe the MPLS VPN Routing Model
• Explain the process of MPLS VPN Packet Forwarding
MPLS VPN Implementation, Configuration and Troubleshooting
• Explain MPLS VPN Mechanisms supported on Cisco Platforms
• Configure VRF tables
• Configure MP-BGP Session between PE routers
• Configure Small Scale Routing Protocols
• Monitor MPLS VPN Operation
• Configure OSPF as the Routing Protocol
• Configure BGP as the Routing Protocol
• Troubleshoot basic MPLS VPN configuration errors
Complex MPLS VPNs
• Describe the advanced VRF Import/Export Features
• Explain the characteristics of Overlapping VPNs
• Explain the features of Central Services VPNs
• Describe Managed CE Router Service
Internet Access from a MPLS VPN
• Explain VPN Internet Access Topologies
• Describe VPN Internet Access Implementation Methods
• Describe the methods to Separate Internet Access from VPN Service
• Internet Access Backbone as a Separate VPN