Cisco SD-WAN Firewall Step-by-step
Dec 28, 2021
In this blog post, we want to show how to enable a zone-based firewall on the Cisco SD-WAN platform. The example continues on the topology in the Direct Internet Access article. We introduced an additional site to demonstrate that the configuration applied doesn’t affect inter-site traffic.
Read MoreCisco SD-WAN Packet Capture
Nov 27, 2021
Packet capture provides a way of getting a copy of the packets traversing a router. This can be useful for troubleshooting purposes when you want to see if the packets are being received or sent by the router via the expected interface.
Read MoreCisco SD-WAN Direct Internet Access (DIA) Step by Step
Nov 20, 2021
SD-WAN deployments use the Internet as the transport to replace WAN networks traditionally designed to leverage centralized Internet access via the data center. Direct Internet Access (DIA) refers to the configuration when Internet-facing traffic breaks out directly from the branch router.
Read MoreCisco SD-WAN CLI vs. vManage Mode
Oct 2, 2021
Cisco SD-WAN devices can be either in vManage or CLI mode. In vManage mode, the configuration is performed on vManage and then pushed to the device. Local configuration changes are not allowed. In CLI mode, changes are performed locally on the device. vManage mode is the preferred and recommended option for most SD-WAN implementations. However, you can occasionally switch devices into CLI mode to perform specific tasks.
Read MoreCisco SD-WAN IPsec Tunnel Configuration
Jul 11, 2021
This blog post describes configuring a site-to-site IPsec VPN tunnel from a Cisco SD-WAN IOS-XE-based router to a non-SD-WAN device.
Read MoreAWS Route 53: How To Enable Private DNS
May 30, 2021
This blog post describes how to enable private DNS resolution in AWS VPC, which is used internally within a VPC or from an on-premises network. We also cover different DNS integration options between AWS VPC and on-premises networks.
Read MoreCisco IP SLA IOS-XE
Feb 7, 2021
Cisco IP Service Level Agreements (SLAs) is a proprietary feature available on Cisco routers and switches, which actively generates monitoring traffic, processes replies, and measures network performance.
Read MoreConfigure and Verify Single Area OSPFv2
Jan 28, 2021
The basic configuration of OSPF requires only a couple of commands. However, to understand how the protocol works an exam candidate must learn OSPF components, some of them are complex. CCNA exam tests knowledge of OSPF operation in a single-area network.
Read MoreAzure Network Security Groups Explained
Jul 9, 2020
This blog post provides overview of Azure security concepts such as NSGs and security rules, as well as practical step-by-step examples on how to implement and validate their configuration.
Read MoreAzure VNet Route Selection
Jul 1, 2020
This article starts with discussing VNet peering, and also then dives into additional topics not covered in the first part of the article, such as Azure route tables, network routes and best route selection process.
Read MoreImplement and Manage Virtual Networking
Jun 22, 2020
In this blog post, we will explore the basics of Azure Virtual Networking. The target audience of this article is the candidates preparing for the Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate exam (AZ-104).
Read MoreInterpret JSON Encoded Data
Jun 14, 2020
In this blog post, we will provide an introduction to Python components and scripts in the context of Cisco certification.
Read MoreInterpret Basic Python Components and Scripts
Jun 8, 2020
In this blog post, we will provide an introduction to Python components and scripts in the context of Cisco certification.
Read MorevSphere 7.0 Editions
Jun 2, 2020
vSphere 7 is available from April 2020. It is available in the same editions as vSphere 6.7 except for vSphere Platinum edition. As with vSphere 6.7, a support and subscription contract (SNS) is required.
Read MoreDescribe characteristics of REST-based APIs
May 30, 2020
In this blog post, we will discuss REST-based APIs. We will also demonstrate how to use such APIs with step-by-step scenarios using a Cisco virtual router running on the ESXi platform.
Read MoreExplain the role of DHCP and DNS within the network
May 18, 2020
In this blog post, we will cover the role of 2 important services – DHCP and DNS. The CCNA exam includes the following topics that we will explore in detail..
Read MoreDetermine how a router makes a forwarding decision
May 10, 2020
In this blog post, we will discover how a Cisco router selects the best route to use for packet forwarding.
Read MoreDescribe Characteristics of Network Topology Architectures
May 3, 2020
We wrote a blog post about 2-tier and 3-tier campus network architecture, which is one of the topics of the older version of the CCNA exam. The content is still relevant, so we will provide only summary information here for completeness. Other topics that will be covered in this post include data center leaf-and-spine architecture, WAN topologies, small office/home office networks, and comparison between on-premises and cloud environments.
Read MoreDescribe Wireless Principles CCNA
Apr 27, 2020
The new CCNA exam now includes topics from the discontinued CCNA Wireless exam. We will divide these topics into several blog posts – this one will focus on radio fundamental topics and the following posts will cover SSIDs, security protocols, and encryption.
Read MoreCompare Physical Interface and Cabling Types CCNA
Apr 18, 2020
Physical interface and cabling types is another topic from the current CCNA exam blueprint. Network engineers must know what the physical connectivity options exist, understand their limitations in speed and bandwidth. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is another related and important topic, as many critical devices are now dependent on network-delivered power.
Read MoreCisco DNA Center
Apr 11, 2020
This article describes the role and functions of Cisco DNA Center in the context of CCNA exam blueprint requirements.
Read MoreExplain Role and Function of Network Components – Part 3 – Routers, Firewalls, and IPSs
Apr 5, 2020
This is the third article about the roles and functions of different network components (click on the links for the first and second parts). In this part we will discuss operations of devices deployed on the network edge – Routers, Firewalls and Intrusion Protection Systems (IPSs).
Read MoreExplain Role and Function of Network Components – Part 2 – Cisco Access Points and WLCs
Mar 30, 2020
This is the second part of the series of articles about the roles and functions of different network components. In this part, we will discuss the operations of Cisco Wireless Access Points (APs) and Cisco WLAN Controllers (WLCs). The purpose of this blog post is to explain what a Cisco-based wireless network consists of and how these elements interact with each other.
Read MoreExplain Role and Function of Network Components – Part 1
Mar 25, 2020
This blog post provides an overview of different network components and their role and functions. The article’s target audience is CCNA candidates and students looking for introductory information about computer network components. In this first post of the 3-article series, we will start by exploring the functions of endpoints and servers. Then the section about LAN switches will follow focusing on the difference between Layer 2 and Layer 3 switch operation.
Read MoreCisco Clock Timezone Configuration
Mar 22, 2020
This article provides sample Cisco configuration commands for popular cities using “clock timezone” and “clock summer-time” commands. It also aggregates information about different time zones and their daylight saving dates.
Read MorevSphere ESXi Networking Guide – Part 3: Standard Switches Configuration ESXi 6.7
Feb 22, 2020
This is the third part of the vSphere ESXi Networking Guide. In the previous post, we’ve created three virtual switches and assigned uplink ports to them. In this post we will add port groups and VMKernel ports to the vSwitches. The examples in this article are based on the ESXi version 6.7.
Read MorevSphere ESXi Networking Guide – Part 2: Standard Switches Configuration ESXi 6.7
Feb 9, 2020
This is the second part of the vSphere ESXi Networking Guide. In the previous post, we’ve discovered basic concepts and components of vSphere ESXi Standard Switches. This article shows how to create vSwitches step-by-step. The examples provided in the following sections are based on ESXi version 6.7.
Read MoreHowTo: VMware PowerCLI Installation on Windows
Feb 3, 2020
This is a how-to article on how to perform VMware PowerCLI installation on Windows. PowerCLI is a module for Windows PowerShell, however, it also supports macOS and Ubuntu running PowerShell Core 6.x.
Read MorevSphere ESXi Networking Guide – Part 1: Standard Switches
Jan 30, 2020
This is part 1 in the vSphere ESXi Networking Guide series which will cover theory, operation, and configuration for different components of vSphere Networking.
Read MoreCisco SD-Access Components
Nov 11, 2019
I’ve posted earlier overview articles about Cisco’s WAN and Data Center software-defined technologies – Cisco Viptela SD-WAN and ACI. Now it’s time to explore the solution for LAN. Cisco SD-Access is the evolutionary step in how campus networks are built and operated. In this blog post, we will discover components of Cisco SD-Access, namely control and data plane elements.
Read MoreCisco ACI Concepts
Oct 27, 2019
In this blog post we will explore Cisco ACI fabric components and provide high-level overview of important Cisco ACI Concepts. We will not be looking into configuration workflows, which will be a topic for another post.
Read MoreAWS Networking Introduction – Part 2
May 6, 2019
The part 1 of this article introduced basic AWS concepts, such as VPCs, subnets, route tables and Internet gateways. This post provides information on connectivity outside of a VPC.
Read MoreAWS Networking Introduction – Part 1
Apr 4, 2019
In this article, we introduce basic AWS Networking Concepts, such as Subnets, Route Tables, Elastic IPs, and Internet Gateways...
Read MorevCenter Server 6.7 Installation and Configuration
Feb 13, 2019
vCSA is a virtual machine and can be deployed on ESXi hosts running version 5.5 or later. Depending on size of the vSphere deployment and whether you plan to install vCenter appliance into existing environment or starting new one, you have an option to install vCSA with embedded or external Platform Services Controller.
Read MorevSphere 6.7 ESXi Host Installation and Configuration
Feb 3, 2019
To install an ESXi host you will need to verify that the hardware meets minimum requirements. The server platform also must be supported and listed in VMware Compatibility List.
Read MorevSphere 6.7 Editions, Licensing, Architecture and Solutions
Jan 24, 2019
VMware vSphere 6.7 licensing is based on physical CPU count of the hosts. Every edition requires Support and Subscription contract purchase. License key has edition and quantity information encoded in it. These keys are not tied to a specific hardware and can be assigned to multiple hosts, as long as the number of CPUs are within licensed limit.
Read MoreConfigure SNMP on Cisco Devices
Dec 27, 2018
This article contains information on how to enable SNMP agents on different Cisco devices, including IOS, IOS-XE, and NX-OS-based.
Read MoreCisco Routers Performance
Dec 9, 2018
In this blog post I will summarize available information on Cisco ISR and ASR performance. The following platforms will be covered: ISR G2, ISR 1100, ISR 4000, ASR 1000.
Read MoreConfigure, Verify, and Troubleshoot IPv6 Addressing
Nov 18, 2018
To configure IPv6 in IOS, as with IPv4, addresses need to be assigned to interfaces. You can assign a single link-local address and multiple global addresses. In comparison to IPv4, IPv6 unicast routing is disabled by default and needs to be globally enabled.
Read MoreIPv6 Addressing Scheme
Nov 11, 2018
IPv6 addresses are 128-bit long. An address is divided into 8 groups each containing 4 hexadecimal digits. Groups are separated from each other by colons. Each group is 16-bit long and called hextet.
Read MoreCompare and Contrast Collapsed Core and Three-Tier Architectures
Nov 3, 2018
Compare and Contrast Collapsed Core and Three-Tier Architectures
Read MoreDescribe The Effects of Cloud Resources on Enterprise Network Architecture
Oct 28, 2018
CCNA Routing and Switching exam has this topic in the blueprint, which I will try to cover in this blog post
Read MoreCisco VPC (Virtual Port Channel) Basics
Oct 1, 2018
VPC or Virtual Port Channel is a Cisco proprietary feature available on the Nexus platform. Two switches of the same model can be combined into a VPC pair, which can establish a single EtherChannel, also known as a link aggregate or a port channel, across both switches to a third switch or server.
Read MoreCisco TCL multiple commands at once
Sep 25, 2018
You may need to apply several commands on a Cisco device when some of the earlier commands can prevent later commands to be delivered. For example, one may need to move an external interface of a remote router to a different VRF. The moment the command that changes VRF delivered, the router removes IP address on the interface and the interactive terminal will not be able to send the remaining commands.
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