CCNP

Oct 18 2009   6:09AM GMT

CCIE Routing and Switching Official Certification Guide to be released in November 2009

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
CCIE Routing and Switching Official Certification, CCIE, Routing, Switching, Cisco Press, Rough Cuts, LAN Switching, CCNA, CCNP Books, CCNP, Cisco Press authors, Wendell Doman, Rus Healy, Denise Donohue, Cisco, Cisco Press Books, CCIE Routing and Switching Official Certification Guide, OSI model, bridging, IP and IP Routing protocols, Add new tag

I was just accessing the rough cuts for the Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching Official Certification Guide, 4^th Edition. I had a great first impression. I had a chance to read “LAN Switching” part. It was a great firsthand experience. This segment is organized well and the approach is similar to CCNA, CCNP books, starts with a brief introduction and then the most useful section of Cisco Press Books “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz followed by “Foundation topics and “Foundation Summary”.

 

Pic Courtesy: Cisco Press

 

The Cisco Press authors Wendell Odom, Rus Healy and Denise Donohue did a credible job; I liked the way they presented the topics, since I spent most of my time on Switching I really enjoyed the “LAN Switching” part. Though I am familiar with most of the things they were talking but it was great experience to refresh my info.

 

The CCIE Routing and Switching Official Certification Guide 4^th Edition is to be released on 19^th of November 2009 by Cisco Press, they are offering great discount do check Cisco Press web site for more details, but make sure you registered yourself to Cisco Press website to get more discount. Once the book released I will try to write a review on this book.

 

Sep 14 2009   9:16PM GMT

Review for the CCNP BSCI Official Exam Certification Guide, Fourth Edition

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
CCNP, BSCI, Review for the CCNP BSCI Official Exam Certification Guide, Fourth Edition, Cisco Press, Cisco Press Books, Cisco Certifications, BSCI Review, CCNP BSCI 642-901, Boson, BSCI electronics books, CCNP Study Guide, Cisco Learning, 642-901, CCNP Practice exams, CCNP Exams, BSCI practice exams

I am always inspired by the Cisco Press books which are my only source for my career success. When it comes to certification study guides, Cisco Press leads from the front.  In this article I will try to review the CCNP BSCI Official Exam Certification Guide, Fourth Edition, this study guide is a first and final step towards your CCNP success.

Sep 5 2009   8:07AM GMT

Review for CCNP BCMSN Official Exam Certification Guide (4th Edition)

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
CCNP, CCNP BCMSN, CCNP Books, Cisco BCMSN (642-812) exam, CCNP BCMSN Official Exam Certification Guide, CCNP Official Certification Library, Cisco Press, Review for CCNP BCMSN Official Exam Certification Guide, Yasir, Boson Exams, HSRP, GLBP, David Hucaby, Router, Supervisor and Power redundancy, Switching, Switches, Router Supervisor and Power redundancy, Cisco Exams, CCNP Preparation

 

Hi folks, as I received a CCNP Official Certification Library, fifth edition thanks to Cisco Press (Jamie) for the great support lending on me all the time. To brief about the CCNP Official Certification Library, fifth edition is a comprehensive package for the four Cisco CCNP exams BCMSN, BSCI, ISCW and ONT. Starting from this post I will try my best review all the four Certification books comes with the CCNP Official Certification Library, fifth edition thanks. To start with I will go with the CCNP BCMSN Official Exam Certification Guide, fourth edition.

The CCNP BCMSN Official Exam Certification Guide, fourth edition is a true guide for preparing for the Cisco BCMSN (642-812) exam. The author David Hucaby did a wonderful job by the explaining the material in short concise way that facilitates easy learning.

The CCNP BCMSN Official Exam Certification Guide, fourth edition is divided into six parts , each part is well written and  more over its easy to understand. The most liked chapter for me is the Router, Supervisor and Power redundancy. Thanks to David Hucaby, I was able to migrate our network from HSRP to GBLP succefully. He explained the concept very well like I said it’s really easy to understand.

The CCNP BCMSN Official Exam Certification Guide, fourth edition does have the Scenarios for final preparations  There are nine scenarios covering wide range of concepts and are helpful not only from the exam point of view but also it can be used to troubleshoot the problems in real networks faced by some folks.

One more amazing thing I liked in the CCNP BCMSN Official Exam Certification Guide, fourth edition is the practice exams which are handful for the folks who has little exposure to real world networks, but it’s always recommend to have some hands on experience with Switches configuration and analysis.

Overall an excellent guide which can leads you to taste the success of passing Cisco BCMSN (642-812) exam. I would rate this guide 4.5 out of 5.

May 24 2009   7:52AM GMT

Cisco Enhances Certification Online Support tool

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Certification Online Support tool, Cisco Certification Online Support tool, Cisco Certifications, CCNA, CCIE, CCNP

On May 1, 2009, Cisco announced the new Certification Online Support tool; the Online Support tool is now available in English, Japanese, Spanish, and Chinese. In addition to the new languages, the Support tool introduced new functionality. The latest version of the Certification Online Support tool includes a new support home page, a Top Answers section, and upgraded search capabilities with easy to find answer navigation.

Mar 31 2009   6:02AM GMT

CCNP in a week?

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
CCNP, CCNP Blog, Cisco Press Author

Dear Friends I came across a blog post by Cisco Press author Brandon Carroll’s with a title” Can you knock out half of the CCNP in a week?”  For CNNP certification aspirers its worth reading this post which can be accessed at http://www.globalconfig.net/2009/03/30/can-you-knock-out-half-of-the-ccnp-in-a-week/

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 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.

Aug 9 2008   6:35AM GMT

Cisco’s Come Back Program

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Cisco, Certifications, CCNA, CCIE, CCNP, Cisco Tips, Cisco Learning, CCDA, CCNA Voice, CCNA Security, CCNA Wireless, Pearson

Now there is a good news for networking professionals who are aspiring for Cisco Certifications.  You can retake the exams for free under Cisco “Come Back” program.

Cisco and Pearson VUE have partnered to give networking professionals the opportunity to re-invest in their careers with the Cisco “Come Back” program, but this offer expires soon. You may have let your Cisco certification lapse, but now’s a great time to come back.

Register now to take any Cisco certification exam at the regular price, and—if you need it—you’ll get a retake exam for FREE!*. Both exams must be taken before this offer expires on October 15, 2008, so it’s important that you schedule your exam soon, in order to allow adequate time for you to take advantage of the free retake.

Visit www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/comeback for more details or to schedule your Cisco exam.

Wishing you the best on your career investment,

Jun 30 2008   6:28AM GMT

Good Bye CCNA Prep Center. CCNP Prep Center

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Switches, Cisco, Routers, Certifications, CCNA, CCIE, CCNP, Cisco Tips, Cisco Learning, CCDA

Do you know Cisco is closing the CNNA Prep Center,CCNP Prep Center, Certifications Community Site and the Cisco Learning Connection sites and will not be accessible after July 25, 2008. They came up with a new portal known as Cisco Learning Network which has lot of resources, which are helpful to achieve CCNA,CCNP and much more. Wow what a commitment from Cisco.You can access the new site by following this link Cisco Learning Network.