Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions

Anyone looking to start a career in networking or wishing to achieve the Cisco CCNA Certification.

After completing this course you should be able to:

• Identify the components of a computer network and describe their basic characteristics
• Understand the model of host-to-host communication
• Describe the features and functions of the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS®) software
• Describe LANs and the role of switches within LANs
• Describe Ethernet as the network access layer of TCP/IP and describe the operation of switches
• Install a switch and perform the initial configuration
• Describe the TCP/IP Internet layer, IPv4, its addressing scheme, and subnetting
• Describe the TCP/IP Transport layer and Application layer
• Explore functions of routing
• Implement basic configuration on a Cisco router
• Explain host-to-host communications across switches and routers
• Identify and resolve common switched network issues and common problems associated with IPv4 addressing
• Describe IPv6 main features and addresses, and configure and verify basic IPv6 connectivity
• Describe the operation, benefits, and limitations of static routing
• Describe, implement, and verify virtual local area networks (VLANs) and trunks
• Describe the application and configuration of inter-VLAN routing
• Explain the basics of dynamic routing protocols and describe components and terms of Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
• Explain how Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) work
• Configure link aggregation using EtherChannel
• Describe the purpose of Layer 3 redundancy protocols
• Describe basic WAN and VPN concepts
• Describe the operation of access control lists (ACLs) and their applications in the network
• Configure Internet access using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) clients and explain and configure network address translation (NAT) on Cisco routers
• Describe basic quality of service (QoS) concepts
• Describe the concepts of wireless networks, which types of wireless networks can be built, and how to use Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs)
• Describe network and device architectures and introduce virtualization
• Explain Software-Defined Networks
• Configure basic IOS system monitoring tools
• Describe the management of Cisco devices
• Describe the current security threat landscape
• Describe threat defense technologies
• Implement a basic security configuration of the device management plane
• Implement basic steps to harden network devices
• Discuss the need of network programmability in Enterprise Networks, common programmability protocols, and configuration management tools.
• Introducing AI and ML in Network Operations

Exploring the Functions of Networking

• What is a Computer Network?
• Common Usage of a Computer Network
• Components of a Network
• Characteristics of a Network
• Physical vs. Logical Topologies
• Interpreting a Network Diagram
• Impact of User Applications on the Network

Introducing the Host-To-Host Communications Model

• Host-To-Host Communications Overview
• ISO OSI Reference Model
• TCP/IP Protocol Suite
• Peer-To-Peer Communications
• Encapsulation and De-Encapsulation
• TCP/IP Stack vs OSI Reference Model

Operating Cisco IOS Software

• Cisco IOS Software Features and Functions
• Cisco IOS Software CLI Functions
• Cisco IOS Software Modes  

Introducing LANs

• Local Area Networks
• LAN Components
• Need for Switches
• Characteristics and Features of Switches

Exploring the TCP/IP Link Layer

• Ethernet LAN Connection Media
• Ethernet Frame Structure
• LAN Communication Types
• MAC Addresses
• Frame Switching
• Duplex Communication

Starting a Switch

• Switch Installation
• Connecting to a Console Port
• Switch Components
• Switch LED Indicators
• Basic show Commands and Information
• Implement the Initial Switch Configuration

Introducing the TCP/IP Internet Layer, IPv4 Addressing, and Subnets

• Internet Protocol
• Decimal and Binary Number Systems
• Binary-to-Decimal Conversion
• Decimal-to-Binary Conversion
• IPv4 Address Representation
• IPv4 Header Fields
• IPv4 Address Classes
• Subnet Masks
• Subnets
• Implementing Subnetting: Borrowing Bits
• Implementing Subnetting: Determining the Addressing Scheme
• Benefits of VLSM and Implementing VLSM
• Private vs. Public IPv4 Addresses
• Reserved IPv4 Addresses
• Verifying IPv4 Address of a Host

Explaining the TCP/IP Transport Layer and Application Layer

• TCP/IP Transport Layer Functions
• Reliable vs.Best-Effort Transport
• TCP Characteristics
• UDP Characteristics
• TCP/IP Application Layer
• Introducing HTTP
• Domain Name System
• Explaining DHCP for IPv4

Exploring the Functions of Routing

• Role of a Router
• Router Components
• Router Functions
• Routing Table
• Path Determination
• Cisco Router Models
• Routing Hierarchy on Internet

Configuring a Cisco Router

• Initial Router Setup
• Configuring Router Interfaces
• Configuring IPv4 Addresses on Router Interfaces
• Checking Interface Configuration and Status
• Exploring Connected Devices
• Using Cisco Discovery Protocol
• Configure and Verify LLDP
• Implement an Initial Router Configuration

Exploring the Packet Delivery Process

• Layer 2 Addressing
• Layer 3 Addressing
• Default Gateways
• Address Resolution Protocol
• Host-To-Host Packet Delivery

Troubleshooting a Simple Network

• Troubleshooting Methods
• Troubleshooting Tools
• Troubleshooting Common Switch Media Issues
• Troubleshooting Common Switch Port Issues
• Troubleshooting Common Problems Associated with IPv4 Addressing

Introducing Basic IPv6

• IPv4 Address Exhaustion Workarounds
• IPv6 Features
• IPv6 Addresses and Address Types
• Comparison of IPv4 and IPv6 Headers
• Internet Contorl Message Protocol Version 6
• Neighbor Discovery
• IPv6 Address Allocation
• Verification of End-To-End IPv6 Connectivity

Configuring Static Routing

• Routing Operation
• Static and Dynamic Routing Comparison
• When to Use Static Routing
• IPv4 Static Route Configuration
• Default Routes
• Verifying Static and Default Route Configuration
• IPv6 Static Route Configuration
• Implement IPv4 Static Routing
• Implement IPv6 Static Routing

Implementing VLANs and Trunks

• VLAN Introduction
• Creating a VLAN
• Assigning a Port to a VLAN
• Trunking with 802.1Q 
• Configuring an 802.1Q Trunk
• VLAN Design Considerations
• Troubleshoot VLANS and Trunks

Routing Between VLANs

• Purpose of Inter-VLAN Routing
• Options for Inter-VLAN Routing
• Implement Multiple VLANS and Basic Routing Between the VLANs

Introducing OSPF

• Dynamic Routing Protocols
• Path Selection
• Link-State Routing Protocol Overview
• Link-State Routing Protocol Data Structures
• Introducing OSPF
• Establishing OSPF Neighbor Adjacencies
• OSPF Neighbor States
• SPF Algorithm
• Building a Link-State Database
• Routing for IPv6

Building Redundant Switched Topologies

• Physical Redundancy in a LAN
• Issues in Redundant Toplogies
• Spanning Tree Operation
• Types of Spanning Tree Protocols
• PortFast, BPDU Guard and BPDU Filter
• Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol
• STP Loop Guard
• STP Root Guard

Improving Redundant Switched Topologies with EtherChannel

• EtherChannel Overview
• EtherChannel Configuration Options
• Configuring and Verifying EtherChannel
• Improve Redundant Switched Toplogies with EtherChannel

Explaining the Basics of ACL

• ACL Overview
• ACL Operation
• ACL Wildcard Masking
• Wildcard Mask Abbreviations
• Types of Basic ACLs
• Configuring Standard IPv4 ACLs
• Configuring Extended IPv4 ACLs
• Verifying and Modifying IPv4 ACLs
• Applying IPv4 ACLs to Filter Network Traffic
• Implement Numbered and Named IPv4 ACLs

Enabling Internet Connectivity

• Introducing Network Address Translation
• NAT Terminology and Translation Mechanisms
• Benefits and Drawbacks of NAT
• Static NAT and Port Forwarding
• Dynamic NAT
• Port Address Translation
• Configuring and Verifying Inside IPv4 NAT
• Implement PAT

Introducing AL and ML in Network Operations

• Basics of AI and ML
• Advanced AI Concepts
• Retrieval-Augmented Generation
• Role of AI and ML in Network Operations

Introducing System Monitoring

• Introducing Syslog
• Syslog Message Format
• SNMP Overview
• Enabling Network Time Protocol
• Configure System Message Logging

Managing Cisco Devices

• Cisco IOS Integrated File System and Devices
• Stages of the Router Power-On Boot Sequence
• Loading and Managing System Images Files
• Loading Cisco IOS Configuration Files
• Validating Cisco IOS Images Using MD5/SHA512
• Managing Cisco IOS Images and Device Configuration Files
• Cisco IOS WebUI

Securing Administrative Access

• Network Device Security Overview
• Securing Access to Priviliged EXEC Mode
• Securing Console Access
• Securing Remote Access
• Configuring the Login Banner
• Limiting Remote Access with ACLs
• External Authentication Options
• Secure Device Administrative Access

Implementing Device Hardening

• Securing Unused Ports
• Infrastructure ACL
• Disabling Unused Services
• Port Security
• Mitigating VLAN Attacks
• Dynamic ARP Inspection
• Mitigating STP Attacks
• Implement Device Hardening

Exploring Layer 3 Redundancy (Self-Study)

• Need for Default Gateway Redundancy
• Understanding FHRP
• Understanding HSRP

Introducing WAN Technologies (Self-Study)

• Introduction to WAN Technologies
• WAN Devices and Demarcation Point
• WAN Topology Options
• WAN Connectivity Options
• Virtual Private Networks
• Enterprise-Managed VPNs

Introducing QoS (Self-Study)

• Converged Networks
• QoS Defined
• QoS Policy
• QoS Mechanisms
• QoS Models
• Deploying End-to-End QoS

Explaining Wireless Fundamentals (Self-Study)

• Wireless Technologies
• Wireless Radio Communication
• WLAN Architectures
• WI-FI Channels
• AP and WLC Management

Introducing Architectures and Virtualization (Self-Study)

• Introduction to Network Design
• Enterprise Three-Tier Hierarchical Network Design
• Spine - Leaf Network Design
• Cisco Enterprise Architecture Model
• Underlay and Overlay Network Concepts
• Cloud Computing Overview
• Network Device Architecture
• Virtualization Fundamentals

Explaining Software-Defined Networking (Self-Study)

• Software-Defined Networking
• Traditional versus Software-Defined Networks
• Software-Defined Network Layers
• Introducing Cisco Catalyst Center
• Cisco Catalyst Center Dashboard and Tools
• Introducing Cisco SD-Access
• Introducing Cisco Catayst SD-WAN
• Introducing Cisco Meraki

Introducing Network Programmability (Self-Study)

• Traditional Network Management
• Network Automation and Programmability
• Network Automation Use Cases
• Model-Driven Programmability
• Data Encoding Formats
• JavaScript Object Notation
• Extensible Markup Language
• YAML Data Serialisation Standard
• Network Management Protocols
• Configuration Management Tools Overview
• Ansible
• Terraform

Examining the Security Threat Landscape (Self-Study)

• Security Threat Landscape Overview
• Malware
• Hacking Tools
• DoS and DDoS
• Spoofing
• Reflection and Amplification Attacks
• Social Engineering
• Evolution of Phishing
• Password Attacks
• Reconnaissance Attacks
• Buffer Overflow Attacks
• Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
• Vectors of Data Loss and Exfiltration
• Other Considerations

Implementing Threat Defense Technologies (Self-Study)

• Information Security Overview
• Firewalls
• Intrusion Preventions Systems
• Protection Against Data Loss and Phishing Attacks
• Defending against DoS and DDoS Attacks
• Introduction to Cryptographic Technologies
• IPsec Security Services
• Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security
• Wireless Security Protocols

Labs:

• Discovery 1: Get Started with Cisco Command-Line Interface (CLI)
• Discovery 2: Observe How a Switch Operates
• Discovery 3: Perform Basic Switch Configuration
• FAST Lab 1: Implement the Initial Switch Configuration
• Discovery 4: Inspect TCP/IP Applications
• Discovery 5: Configure an Interface on a Cisco Router
• Discovery 6: Configure and Verify Layer 2 Discovery Protocols
• FAST Lab 2: Implement an Initial Router Configuration
• Discovery 7: Configure Default Gateway
• Discovery 8: Explore Packet Forwarding
• Discovery 9: Troubleshoot Switch Media and Port Issues
• Discovery 10: Troubleshoot Port Duplex Issues
• Discovery 11: Configure Basic IPv6 Connectivity
• Discovery 12: Configure and Verify IPv4 Static Routes
• Discovery 13: Configure IPv6 Static Routes
• FAST Lab 3: Implement IPv4 Static Routing
• FAST Lab 4: Implement IPv6 Static Routing
• Discovery 14: Configure VLANs and Trunk
• FAST Lab 5: Troubleshoot VLANs and Trunk
• Discovery 15: Configure Inter-VLAN Routing
• FAST Lab 6:  Implement Multiple VLANs and Basic Routing Between the VLANs
• Discovery 16: Configure and Verify Single-Area OSPF
• Discovery 17: Configure and Verify EtherChannel
• FAST Lab 7: Improve Redundant Switched Topologies with EtherChannel
• Discovery 18: Configure and Verify IPv4 ACLs
• FAST Lab 8: Implement Numbered and Named IPv4 ACLs
• Discovery 19: Configure a Provider-Assigned IPv4 Address
• Discovery 20: Configure Static NAT
• Discovery 21: Configure Dynamic NAT and Port Address Translation (PAT)
• FAST Lab 9: Implement PAT
• Discovery 22: Configure and Verify NTP
• FAST Lab 10: Configure System Message Logging
• Discovery 23: Create the Cisco IOS Image Backup
• Discovery 24: Upgrade Cisco IOS Image
• Discovery 25: Secure Console and Remote Access
• Discovery 26: Enable and Limit Remote Access Connectivity
• FAST Lab 11: Secure Device Administrative Access
• Discovery 27: Configure and Verify Port Security
• FAST Lab 12: Implement Device Hardening
• Discovery 28: Log into and Monitor the WLC
• Discovery 29: Configure an Open Wireless Network
• Discovery 30: Define a RADIUS Server and Enable SNMP and Syslog
• Discovery 31: Configure a WLAN to Use WPA2 PSK

Attendees should meet the following prerequisites:

• Basic computer literacy
• Basic PC operating system navigation skills
• Basic internet usage skills
• Basic IP address knowledge

Recommended as preparation for the following exams:

•  200-301 -  Cisco Certified Network Associate Exam (CCNA)

This course covers network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP Services, security fundamentals and verification of Cisco Networks and is a great starting point for those starting their Cisco career certification journey. The following courses are recommended for further study.

• CLFNDU - Understanding Cisco Collaboration Foundations
• DCFNDU - Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations
• ENFNDU - Understanding Cisco Enterprise Foundations
• SPFNDU - Understanding Cisco Service Provider Network Foundations
• WLFNDU - Understanding Cisco Wireless Foundations

Alternatively should you wish to progress to the professional level then you may wish to review

• CLCOR - Implementing and Operating Cisco Collaboration Core Technologies
• DCCOR - Implementing and Operating Cisco Date Center Core Technologies
• ENCOR - Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies.
• SCOR - Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies
• SPCOR - Implementing and Operating Cisco Service Provider Network Core Technologies