November, 2008

Nov 29 2008   12:51PM GMT

Networking Professionals good news from Cisco to recertify your Cisco Certifications

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Cisco, Certifications, Cisco Certifications, CCNA, CCIE, CCNP, CCDE, Cisco Learning, CCDA, CCNA Voice, CCNA Security, CCNA Wireless, Cisco News, Cisco Systems, Recertify

Cisco has extended the recertification for the networking professionals whose certifications are lapsing soon. With this special offer you start recertifying by taking an exam at the regular prick and if you don’t succeed in your first attempt no need to panic , you’ll get a second opportunity to pass the exam that too free.

Picture Courtesy:Cisco Systems.

So, what’s holding you back?
Cisco exams are challenging—that’s one of the reasons they’re so highly valued by IT professionals and employers alike. Because Cisco certification is an investment in your future, we’re offering you a way to help secure your investment. To get details on this special offer and sign-up for a risk-free exam, visit www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/recertify today.Click here to view the Cisco recertification policy.  http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/learning_about_recertification.htm 

How to Recertify

Renewal requires certification holders to register for and pass the appropriate Cisco recertification exam(s). In order to recertify, exam requirements must be met prior to the certification expiration date. Individuals with an expired certification(s) must repeat the entire certification exam process in order to regain their certification(s). Visit the Cisco Career Certifications Tracking System to check the status of your certification(s).

• CCENT, CCNA, CCDA certifications
• CCNA Voice, CCNA Security, CCNA Wireless
• CCNP, CCDP, CCIP, CCSP, CCVP certifications
• Specialist certifications
• CCIE certification
• Cisco Sales Expert designation

Next Steps

• Start now and prepare with the help of an authorized Cisco Learning Partner or through self-study material from Cisco Press.
• Use the Learning Locator to locate a course near you.
• If you are a Cisco Partner employee, you may use the Partner E-Learning Connection to prepare for your recertification exam(s).
• Register and pass the certification exam(s) with Pearson VUE. Register by phone or by using Pearson VUE’s online registration system at www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/.

Nov 29 2008   5:56AM GMT

Cisco announces Winners of the Digital Cribs Video Contest for Aspiring Filmmakers

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Cisco, Cisco Contest, Digital Cribs

Dear Friends

As we all aware Cisco conducted a digital crib contest and now the much awaited results are announced and the Winners are

Brand Winners:

 1) Robin Glass for the film “Robin Glass - Digital Crib” (Brazil)

2) Ankur Kapoor for the film “Jasmit Digital Crib” (India)

3) Mark Brindle for the film “Mike Cotton” (United Kingdom)

4) Spike McKenzie for the film “Travis’s Digital Crib” (Australia)

5) Dr. Babu Sundaram for the film “Enga VeeduCHD” (United States)

6) CJ Bruce for the film “DigiCrib(AustinScott)” (United States)

7) Jake Wehrman for the film “Roscoe Wright” (United States)

Paul Eduard Schneider for the film “Moving on Fast” (Romania)

9) Jacinta Britton for the film “Mafs DC” (Australia)

10) Dawn Natalia for the film “Larry Natalia’s Crib” (United States)

Viewer’s Choice Winners:

1) Regina Gelfo for the film “Tech Geek Warehouse” (United States)

2) Matthew Collins for the film “Andrew’s Digital Crib” (United States)

3) Jethro Patalinghug for the film “Digital Cribs/Henry Lim” (Phillipines)

4) Alan Gonzalez for the film “Cinthya’s Digital Crib” ( Mexico)

5) Alessandro Merletti de Palo for the film “Public Digital Crib” (Italy)

6) Vivek Rathi for the film “Mixed Media Painting” (India)

7) Chris Hughes for the film “The House That Geek Built” (United States)

Lukasz Pruchnik for the film “Arnaud’s Digital Crib” (United States/France)

9) Patrick Smith for the film “A Japanese Digital Crib” (United States/Japan)

10) Varala Aanand for the film “Long Battle with Short” (India)

 

Nov 26 2008   5:59AM GMT

What is Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) ?

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Network Security, DHCP, Switches, Cisco, ARP, Switching, Cisco Tips, Cisco Learning, DHCP Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection, DAI, Security Features, IP to MAC

Dynamic ARP inspection is a security feature which validates ARP packet in a network. Dynamic ARP inspections validates the packet by performing IP to MAC address binding inspection stored in a trusted database (the DHCP snooping database) before forwarding the packet. Dynamic ARP intercepts, logs, and discards ARP packets with invalid IP-to-MAC address bindings. This capability protects the network from certain man-in-the-middle attacks.

Dynamic ARP inspection ensures that only valid ARP requests and responses are relayed.

The switch performs these activities:·        

Intercepts all ARP requests and responses on untrusted ports ·        

Verifies that each of these intercepted packets has a valid IP-to-MAC address binding before it updates the local ARP cache or before it forwards the packet to the appropriate destination·        

Drops invalid ARP packets

Nov 22 2008   12:56PM GMT

How to configure DHCP Snooping in a Cisco Catalyst Switches.

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Networking, DHCP, Switches, Cisco, Switching, Routing and Switching, CCNP, Cisco IOS, Cisco 2960, Cisco 2950, HSRP, Cisco 6500, Cisco Tips, Cisco 3560, Cisco Learning, Server Security, Cisco 3750-E, Cisco 3560-E, IOS commands, Cisco Systems, Cisco 6500 Series Catalyst Switch, Cisco 6503, Cisco Catalyst 6503-E Switch, Cisco Catalyst 6506-E Switch, Cisco Catalyst 6509-V-E Switch, Cisco Catalyst 6509-E Switch, Cisco Catalyst 6513 Switch, DHCP Snooping, Configuring DHCP Snooping, 802.1 Q, Trunk Ports

 So here we go, with the configuration of DHCP snooping on a Cisco Switch. This feature protects the network by allowing the Cisco Switches to accept DHCP response message only from the authorized servers connected to the trusted interfaces in a Cisco Switch.

All Switch to  Switch connections are configured as 802.1 1Q Trunk ports.

IP Address and HSRP Details for the Core Switches  From the above scenario we have two Cisco 6513 Series Switches as a Core/ Distribution with three VLANS one for management of Switches VLAN 50,VLAN 100 for all the servers and VLAN 101 for clients. Two Cisco 3560 Series Switches as Server Farm Switches and a Cisco 3560 Series Switch as an Access Switch.There are two DHCP servers with an IP address 10.0.1.100 and 10.0.1.101 connected with Server Farm Switches with HP NIC teaming. We configure DHCP Snooping based on above scenario. 

The first step to configure DHCP Snooping is to turn on DHCP snooping in all Cisco Switches using the “ip dhcp snooping” command. 

All Cisco Switches (config)#ip dhcp snooping  Second step is to configure the trusted interfaces, from the above scenario all trunk ports are configured as trusted ports as well as the interfaces G0/7,(ITKESF01 50.0.0.6),  G0/17,(ITKESF02 50.0.0.7),  G0/9 ITKESF01 50.0.0.6)  and G0/18 ITKESF02 50.0.0.7)  connected to DHCP servers with IP 10.0.1.100 and 10.0.1.101. Lets configure all trunk ports in ITKEBB01 

ITKEBB01(config)#interface range  gigabitEthernet 3/21 - 23

ITKEBB01 (config-if)#ip dhcp snooping trust 

Now let’s configure all trunk ports in ITKEBB02 

ITKEBB02(config)#interface range  gigabitEthernet 3/21 - 23 ITKEBB02 (config-if)#ip dhcp snooping trust 

ITKEBB02 (config)#interface gigabitEthernet 3/16

ITKEBB02 (config-if)#ip dhcp snooping trust 

Now let’s configure the trusted ports for the DHCP servers  

ITKESF01(config)#interface gigabitEthernet 0/7

ITKESF01 (config-if)#ip dhcp snooping trust 

ITKESF01(config)#interface gigabitEthernet 0/17 ITKESF01 (config-if)#ip dhcp snooping trust 

ITKESF02(config)#interface gigabitEthernet 0/9

ITKESF02 (config-if)#ip dhcp snooping trust 

ITKESF02(config)#interface gigabitEthernet 0/18 ITKESF02 (config-if)#ip dhcp snooping trust 

Now let’s configure the trunk ports  Access Switch ITKEAS01 

ITKEAS01(config)#interface range  gigabitEthernet 0/49 - 52

ITKEAS01 (config-if)#ip dhcp snooping trust 

Finally we are going to configure VLANS for DHCP snooping DHCP snooping will used on all the VLANs (VLAN 100 & 101)except management VLAN 50 . Also we will limit the requests rate received in the Access Switch (ITKEAS01)  ALL SWITCHES(config)# ip dhcp snooping VLAN 100,101 

ITKEAS01(config)#interface range  gigabitEthernet 0/1 - 48

ITKEAS01 (config-if)#ip dhcp snooping limit rate 20

Displaying the DHCP snooping  

For further reference please do check this article from Cisco about DHCP snooping.

Nov 22 2008   7:22AM GMT

Why should we consider implementing DHCP Snooping?

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Networking, Security, DHCP, Switches, Cisco, Switching, Cisco 2960, Cisco 2950, Cisco 6500, Cisco Tips, Cisco 3560, Cisco 3750-E, Cisco 3560-E, Err-disable, Cisco Systems, Cisco 6500 Series Catalyst Switch, Cisco 6503, DHCP Snooping

Dear FriendsIn my previous post I was discussing about the DHCP Snooping, it may be hard to believe a DHCP sever can lead to lot troubles in your network. Consider a host sends out DHCP discovery packets, it listens for a DHCP offers packets and accepts the first available offer from a DHCP server. Guess what happens if the host gets a DHCP offer from a rouge DHCP server? The host could end up with using rouge DHCP server with an IP address and the default gateway. The host cannot access any of the resources from your network. 

Yes we can prevent this with DHCP snooping thanks to Cisco. DHCP snooping classifies interfaces as either trusted or untrusted. DHCP messages received on trusted interfaces will be permitted to pass through the Cisco switch, but DHCP messages received on untrusted interface in a Cisco Switch results in putting the interface into error disable state. Configuring DHCP snooping in a Network is quite troublesome job but I will try to make things easier for you by using a scenario, which hopefully I am going post soon.

Nov 20 2008   7:54AM GMT

What is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Snooping?

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Network Security, Security, DHCP, Switches, Cisco, Switching, Cisco 2960, Cisco 6500, Cisco Tips, Cisco 3560, Cisco 3745, Cisco Systems, Cisco 6500 Series Catalyst Switch, Cisco 6503, Cisco Catalyst 6503-E Switch, Cisco Catalyst 6506-E Switch, Cisco Catalyst 6509-V-E Switch, Cisco Catalyst 6509-E Switch, Cisco Catalyst 6513 Switch, DHCP Snooping

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Snooping is a security feature which filters untrusted DHCP messages, this security feature can protects the devices on the network from associating with an unauthorized DHCP server. When the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Snooping feature is enabled on a Cisco Switch , the Cisco Switch builds a table of MAC address, IP address lease time , binding type and interface information. In coming posts I will try to explain to how to enable and configure the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) snooping security feature in a Cisco Switch.

Nov 17 2008   5:16AM GMT

In which slot shall we install the Supervisor Engine in Cisco 6500 Series Catalyst Switches -Series2

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Switches, Cisco, Switching, Routing and Switching, Cisco 6500, Cisco Tips, Network Troubleshooting, Cisco Systems, Cisco 6500 Series Catalyst Switch, Cisco Catalyst 6506-E Switch, SUP720, Supervisor Engine

Dear Friends in one of my previous post I did explained in which slot the Supervisor Engine SUP720  to be installed in a Cisco 6500 Series Switches. Now let’s proceed further and figure out in a Cisco Catalyst 6506-E Switch, in a Cisco Catalyst 6506-E Switch the  Supervisor Engine SUP720 is either installed in slot 5 or 6.

Nov 12 2008   12:56PM GMT

Solution for %IP-4-DUPADDR: Duplicate address error log in your Cisco 6500 Switches running HSRP

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Switches, Cisco, Switching, Routing and Switching, Cisco IOS, WebEx, Hot Standby Router Protocol, HSRP, Cisco 6500, Cisco Tips, Cisco Learning, Network Troubleshooting, Cisco Systems, Cisco 6500 Series Catalyst Switch, Cisco Catalyst 6513 Switch, Cisco Support, TAC

Dear Friends In my previous post I was talking about the HSRP error generated in Cisco 6513 Switches with a Duplicate IP Address. I did open a TAC case with Cisco Systems. I should first of all salute Cisco for the great support to solve this issue.  Cisco TAC Engineer Mr. Pradeep was in constant touch with me in this case to resolve the issue. The best part of their support is the use of technology. Mr. Pradeep initiated a Web Ex meeting with me and spent more than hour to check step by step.  He helped me a lot and did learned lot of things from Cisco TAC team, like how to approach the problem and what measures should be taken to trouble shoot any problem. Finally we came to the conclusion there are no bugs or errors in the IOS we are using. There are no problems either in hardware or in the current configuration.I would like to quote the solution provided Mr. Pradeep TAC Engineer, Cisco Systems “Let me summarize this issue. You told me that there is one Trojan affected PC/ Host, which is connected to your access switch. Further, you got some duplicate IP address messages on your core switch. During troubleshooting, I have checked and verified that the Cisco’s Switches are working fine. Their configurations were correct. Generally duplicate IP addresses can be impounded by “broken HSRP links” or “incorrect DHCP pool configuration”, or by misconfiguration of switches or STP. I found that this entire setup is configured correctly. Furthermore, I would like to inform you that Cisco’s IOS cannot resolve Trojan issue on any PC. PC has got its own Operating System, and IOS can work only and only on “Cisco’s device”

 So now it’s quite clear if you face this kind of problem make sure the infected PC is removed from the network and make sure it s free from any sort of Trojans or Virus.

Nov 12 2008   5:27AM GMT

Cisco IT Security Forum: An Interactive Online Conference

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Cisco, IT Security, Cisco Learning, Cisco News, On Line Conference, Cisco Events

Dear Friends

 

Today at 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time there is an IT Security Forum. It’s an online Interactive conference. Cisco is committed to share information you will find indispensable in managing threats.

 The following speakers are expected to take part in this online conference.

Bob Bragdon Publisher, CSO Magazine Chris Christiansen Program VP, IDC - Security Products and Services Group Michael Hall Chief Information Security Officer, DriveSavers Data Recovery, Inc. Mike Helinsky Director of Information Technology Operations, Brooks Rehabilitation Mark Hogan Chief Information Officer, Cleveland Airport System Bob Russo General Manager, PCI Security Standards Council John Stewart Vice President and Chief Security Officer, Cisco Marie Hattar Vice President of Network Systems and Security Solutions, Cisco Christopher Burgess Director, Senior Security Advisor, Corporate Security Programs Organization, Cisco Dave Goddard Vice President, Technical Support, Cisco Patrick Peterson Vice President of Technology, IronPort Systems, a Cisco Business Unit Fred Kost Director, Security Solutions Marketing, Cisco

 

 

The IT Security Forum will feature:

• Cisco executives John Stewart, Chief Security Officer, and Marie Hattar, VP, Network Systems and Security Solutions, on virtualization and collaboration
• A review of PCI Data Security Standard v 1.2
• Exclusive data leakage survey results
• 2008 Cisco Annual Security Report preview
• Panel discussions with industry leaders
• Virtual exhibit floor where you can interact with Cisco experts

Please do register to this online conference and make use of this opportunity. 

Nov 12 2008   5:18AM GMT

Cisco Gifts Mega Router – Cisco Aggregation Services Router 9000 (ASR 9000)

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Routers, Routing, Cisco News, ASR 9000, Aggregation Services Router, Mega Router

Today, Cisco announced a little something to help clear the way. The world’s largest maker of networking equipment unveiled a new member to its growing family of routers custom-made for the Information Age. Known as the Cisco Aggregation Services Router 9000 (ASR 9000), the company says the machine has six times more capacity and is four times faster than any other router in its class. In fact, the company says, the brawny router is more powerful than any other competing router, period.

  

Pic Courtesy: Cisco

The ASR 9000 also includes new technologies for proactively managing notoriously challenging video signals. It makes corrections and ensures picture quality for ultra-clear high-definition TV and other video services, Cisco executives say.

For more details check the press release from Cisco.