Switching Deployment Advanced – Cisco – (Instructor Led / Physical)

The Cisco Advanced Switching Deployment course is designed for professionals who have a basic understanding of networking and Cisco switching concepts and are looking to deepen their expertise in advanced switch configurations and deployments. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the course content:

1. Advanced Network Design and Architecture

• Hierarchical Network Design:
  • Understanding the three-tier architecture (Core, Distribution, Access).
  • Best practices for designing scalable and resilient network topologies.
• Data Center Design:
  • Principles of data center network design.
  • Introduction to data center switching concepts (e.g., UCS, Nexus switches).
• Virtualization and SDN:
  • Overview of network virtualization and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) concepts.
  • Introduction to Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) and its benefits.

2. Advanced VLAN and Switching Technologies

• Advanced VLAN Configuration:
  • Configuration of Private VLANs (PVLANs) and VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP).
  • Implementing VLAN Access Control Lists (VACLs) for additional security.
• EtherChannel and Link Aggregation:
  • Configuring EtherChannel (LACP and PAgP) for increased bandwidth and redundancy.
  • Best practices for load balancing and fault tolerance.
• Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG):
  • Introduction to MLAG for improving network resilience and redundancy.
  • Configuration and deployment of MLAG in Cisco environments.

3. Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Enhancements

• Advanced STP Concepts:
  • Detailed study of STP variations (e.g., Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP)).
  • Tuning STP parameters for optimal performance and network stability.
• BPDU Guard, Root Guard, and PortFast:
  • Configuring STP features to enhance network stability and prevent unauthorized switches from affecting the STP topology.
• Cisco’s Rapid PVST+ and MST:
  • Advanced configuration and troubleshooting of Rapid PVST+ and MST for large-scale networks.

4. Layer 3 Switching and Routing

• Inter-VLAN Routing:
  • Configuring Layer 3 switches for Inter-VLAN Routing.
  • Understanding and implementing routed ports versus switched virtual interfaces (SVIs).
• Advanced Routing Protocols:
  • Configuring and optimizing routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, EIGRP) on Layer 3 switches.
  • Implementing route redistribution and path control techniques.
• Static and Dynamic Routing:
  • Advanced configuration of static routes and dynamic routing protocols for complex network environments.

5. Network Security and Access Control

• Advanced Port Security:
  • Implementing and configuring advanced port security features (e.g., dynamic ARP inspection, IP Source Guard).
  • Securing access to network switches and preventing unauthorized access.
• ACLs and QoS:
  • Implementing advanced Access Control Lists (ACLs) for traffic filtering and security.
  • Configuring Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize critical network traffic and manage bandwidth.
• Secure Switching:
  • Implementing security features such as 802.1X authentication, MAC address filtering, and DHCP snooping.

6. Troubleshooting and Performance Tuning

• Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques:
  • Using Cisco tools and commands for diagnosing complex network issues (e.g., show, debug, traceroute).
  • Analyzing switch performance and identifying bottlenecks.
• Monitoring and Reporting:
  • Implementing network monitoring tools and techniques (e.g., SNMP, NetFlow).
  • Generating and analyzing performance reports for network optimization.

7. High Availability and Redundancy

• High Availability Solutions:
  • Configuring and deploying high availability features (e.g., HSRP, VRRP, GLBP) for network resilience.
  • Understanding and implementing redundant switch configurations.
• Failover and Recovery:
  • Best practices for failover scenarios and network recovery procedures.
  • Ensuring minimal downtime and maintaining service availability.

8. Practical Labs and Real-World Scenarios

• Hands-On Labs:
  • Practical exercises for configuring advanced switch features, VLANs, EtherChannel, and Layer 3 routing.
  • Simulated troubleshooting scenarios to practice diagnosing and resolving complex network issues.
• Case Studies and Deployment Scenarios:
  • Real-world case studies to apply learned concepts in practical scenarios.
  • Deployment strategies for various network architectures and requirements.