Over the past several years, switching has evolved from simple Layer 3 switches to switches supporting Layer 4 through Layer 7 features such as, server load balancing, URL inspection, firewalls, VPNs, access-based control, and so on with large port densities. The multilayer switch has become an “all-in-one” component of the network infrastructure. As a result of this evolution, enterprise and service providers are deploying multilayer switches in place of multiple network components such as routers and network appliances. Switching is no longer a part of the network infrastructure; it is now the network infrastructure, with wireless as the latest evolution.
As enterprises, service providers, and even consumers deploy multilayer switching, the need for experienced and knowledgeable professionals to design, configure, and support the multilayer switched networks has grown significantly. CCNP and CCDP certifications offer the ability for network professionals to prove their competency.
CCNP and CCDP are more than résumé keywords. Individuals who complete the CCNP and CCDP certifications truly prove their experience, knowledge, and competency in networking technologies. A CCNP certification demonstrates an individual’s ability to install, configure, and operate LAN, WAN, and dial access services for midsize to large networks deploying multiple protocols. A CCDP certification demonstrates an individual’s ability to design high-performance, scalable, and highly available routed and switched networks involving LAN, WAN, wireless, and dial access services.
Both the CCNP and CCDP certification tracks require you to pass the Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks exam. For the most up-to-date information about Cisco certifications, visit the following website: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/le3/learning_career_certifications_and_learning_paths_home.html.
The goal of this Self-Study Guide is to prepare and aid you in passing the Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks certification exam and assist you in taking the BCMSN course. To accomplish these tasks, this text includes in-depth theoretical explanations of BCMSN topics and provides illustrative design and configuration examples. The theoretical explanations of BCMSN topics include background information, standards references, and document listings from Cisco.com. Each chapter concludes with a lab exercise that assesses, in detail, your knowledge of the subject matter presented.
This book goes beyond just presenting the necessary information found on the certification exam and in the BCMSN course. This book attempts to present topics, theory, and examples in such a way that you truly understand the topics that are necessary to build multilayer switched networks in today’s demanding networks. The examples and questions found in the chapters of this book make you contemplate and apply concepts found in each chapter. The goal is to have you understand the topics and then apply your understanding when you attempt the certification exam or take the BCMSN course.
This book includes several discussions, topics, examples, and extra credit chapters that are not covered on the BCMSN certification test. In addition, it has been our experience that network professionals are missing several key concepts that are necessary not only for certification tests but also for practical application. This book reviews and discusses these key concepts, beginning with Chapter 1, “Introduction to Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks.”
Besides network professionals preparing for the CCNP or CCDP certification exams, this book is an excellent resource for network professionals who want to learn about switching or to discover more about Catalyst switches. In addition, this book serves as a reference book, especially for Catalyst switches running Cisco IOS Software. Individuals at a variety of experience and knowledge levels are able to read this book. The book begins with the basics in Chapter 1 and continues in depth in subsequent chapters. At a minimum, readers of this text should have a basic understanding of networking. No previous certification is a requirement for reading this text, but a CCNA or equivalent level of knowledge is suggested for individuals to take full advantage of the topics covered. Furthermore, this book also covers switching topics found on the CCIE certification exam. The examples in this text are demonstrated on the Catalyst 3550 and 6500 families of switches. As a result, candidates who are preparing for the CCIE certification exam may find this text useful for preparing for the switching portions of the CCIE exam.
Each chapter ends with a summary and review questions to aid you in applying and assessing your understanding of the chapter contents. In addition, chapters that cover Catalyst configurations also include configuration exercises. Most of these exercises are small-scale exercises that can be performed on a single switch. The goal of using small-scale exercises is to enable network professionals to practice the configuration exercises with only a single switch.
Although this book is intended to be read cover to cover, it is designed to be flexible and allow you to easily move between chapters and sections of chapters to cover just specific material that you need more work with. For those who are reading this book for configuration, Chapter 3, “Initial Configuration and Troubleshooting of Cisco Multilayer Switches,” is a prerequisite for any subsequent chapter. For those who are reading this book to learn about multilayer switching network design, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, “The Roles of Switches in Designing Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks,” are prerequisites for any later chapters.
This book is organized such that the fundamentals of multilayer switched network design are covered in the first two chapters. Thereafter, the book continues with a discussion of basic multilayer switch configuration in Chapter 3, followed by discussions of specific design features such as spanning tree, quality of service (QoS), and high availability. This book is organized as follows:
Chapter 1, “Introduction to Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks”—. This chapter opens with several key definitions and discussions pertaining to multilayer switched networks. In addition, the chapter presents the main model for designing multilayer switched networks—the Enterprise Composite Network Model. The chapter concludes with a brief review of each Catalyst switch.
Chapter 2, “The Roles of Switches in Designing Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks”—. This chapter applies the Enterprise Composite Network Model introduced in Chapter 1 and shows you how to build different network topologies based on this model, using specific Catalyst switches, features, and data-link technologies.
Chapter 3, “Initial Configuration and Troubleshooting of Cisco Multilayer Switches”—. This chapter illustrates the basic configuration parameters for any Catalyst switch, including configuring Secure Shell (SSH), the system host name, and management IP addresses.
Chapter 4, “Implementing and Configuring VLANs”—. This chapter covers virtual LANs (VLANs), including discussions on private VLANs, VTP, and 802.1Q trunking.
Chapter 5, “Understanding and Configuring the 802.1D, 802.1s, and 802.1w Spanning Tree Protocols”—. This chapter begins the discussion of spanning tree by covering the standard 802.1D STP specification and the more recent 802.1s and 802.1w STP specifications.
Chapter 6, “Adding Resiliency to Spanning Tree Using Advanced Features and Troubleshooting STP Issues”—. This chapter continues the discussion of spanning tree by covering the 802.1s and 802.1w STP specifications and advanced Cisco STP features such as UplinkFast and Root Guard.
Chapter 7, “Enhancing Network Stability, Functionality, Reliability, and Performance Using Advanced Features”—. This chapter discusses advanced features of Catalyst switches that aid in network stability, functionality, reliability, and performance. Included in this chapter are discussions of aggressive mode Unidirectional Link Detection (UDLD), the Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP), and jumbo Ethernet frames.
Chapter 8, “Understanding and Configuring Inter-VLAN Routing”—. This chapter transitions into discussing Layer 3 switching by covering inter-VLAN routing. This chapter also includes a section on User Datagram Protocol (UDP) broadcast forwarding and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) relaying.
Chapter 9, “Understanding and Configuring Multilayer Switching”—. This chapter builds on the Chapter 1 discussion of multilayer switching by covering the architecture of multilayer switching from a Catalyst switch perspective. Included in this chapter is a discussion of Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF)-based MLS.
Chapter 10, “Understanding and Implementing Quality of Service in Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks”—. This chapter covers quality of service on Catalyst switches for Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching.
Chapter 11, “Deploying Multicast in the Multilayer Switched Network”—. This chapter covers multicasting for both Layer 2 and Layer 3 features. Included in this chapter are discussions of Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) snooping, IGMP version 3, and IP multicast routing.
Chapter 12, “Designing Network Resiliency, Redundancy, and High Availability in Multilayer Switched Networks”—. This chapter covers high-availability component- and network-level options that are available on Catalyst switches. Included in this chapter are discussions of Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP), Hot Standby Routing Protocol (HSRP), Cisco IOS Software Modularity, and Supervisor Engine redundancy.
Chapter 13, “Best Practices for Deploying Cisco IP Telephony Using Cisco Catalyst Switches”—. This chapter briefly covers the requirements for IP telephony in multilayer switched networks. Included in this chapter is a discussion of voice (auxiliary) VLANs.
Chapter 14, “Securing Your Multilayer Switched Network to Minimize Service Loss and Data Theft”—. This chapter covers a critical component of multilayer switched networks: security. This chapter primarily focuses on both control plane (management) security and data plane (traffic) security. Included in this chapter are topics on Layer 2 attacks, Dynamic Address Resolution Protocol Inspection (DAI), and AAA.
Chapter 15, “Introduction to the Catalyst Switching Architectures”—. This chapter builds on material in Chapters 1 and 9 and provides an overview of Catalyst switching architectures.
Chapter 16, “Designing, Building, and Connecting Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks Using Metro Solutions”—. This chapter covers connecting remote data centers over distance. This chapter includes discussions on coarse wavelength-division multiplexing (CWDM) and dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM).
Chapter 17, “Performance and Connectivity Troubleshooting Tools for Multilayer Switches”—. This chapter covers management and performance monitoring techniques of Catalyst switches. Included in this chapter are discussions of the Enhanced Remote SPAN (ERSPAN) feature, the Embedded Event Manager (EEM), and the Network Analysis Module (NAM).
Chapter 18, “Introducing Wireless into the Campus Network”—. This chapter introduces wireless LANs (WLANs), including their components, topologies, usage, and configurations. This chapter includes a comparison of WLANs to wired LANs, a history of wireless, a discussion of RF fundamentals, and an overview of access point (AP) types—autonomous and lightweight.
Appendix A, “Answers to Review Questions”—. This appendix provides answers and explanations for the review questions that appear at the end of each chapter.