Using Backup Interfaces

February 11th,2012    by Nicholas

Cisco routers can watch the physical signals on an interface and trigger a backup interface if the primary link fails. The router will automatically drop the call after the primary circuit comes back up:

Router1#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
Router1(config)#interface Serial0/0
Router1(config-if)#backup delay 0 300
Router1(config-if)#backup interface BRI0/0
Router1(config-if)#encapsulation frame-relay
Router1(config-if)#down-when-looped
Router1(config-if)#exit
Router1(config)#interface Serial0/0.1 point-to-point
Router1(config-subif)#ip address 10.1.1.10 255.255.255.252
Router1(config-subif)#frame-relay interface-dlci 50
Router1(config-subif)#exit
Router1(config)#interface BRI0/0
Router1(config-if)#ip address 10.1.99.55 255.255.255.0
Router1(config-if)#encapsulation ppp
Router1(config-if)#dialer idle-timeout 300
Router1(config-if)#dialer map ip 10.1.99.1 name dialhost broadcast 95551212
Router1(config-if)#dialer load-threshold 50 either
Router1(config-if)#dialer-group 1
Router1(config-if)#isdn switch-type basic-ni
Router1(config-if)#isdn spid1 800555123400 5551234
Router1(config-if)#isdn spid2 800555123500 5551235
Router1(config-if)#ppp authentication chap
Router1(config-if)#ppp multilink
Router1(config-if)#exit
Router1(config)#dialer-list 1 protocol ip permit
Router1(config)#end
Router1#

In this example, the primary WAN interface is a Frame Relay connection. However, this would work just as well on just about any kind of interface. The main reason why we used Frame Relay is to show that you have to put the backup commands on the physical interface, not on any subinterfaces or virtual interfaces. If this router loses physical signaling on the serial interface, it will automatically bring up the dial backup. The key to this configuration method is the backup command, which you associate with the primary interface:

Router1(config)#interface Serial0/0
Router1(config-if)#backup delay 0 300
Router1(config-if)#backup interface BRI0/0

In this case, you can see that the backup interface for this serial port is the ISDN interface, BRI0/0. We also included a backup delay command, which specifies two times. The first parameter tells the router how long it should wait before bringing up the backup after it loses signals on this primary interface. In this case, we don't want to wait. If there is a failure, we want the backup to activate immediately. However, in some cases, you might want to delay slightly to save money on backup charges in case the primary comes back again right away. So, if you wanted to wait 15 seconds before dialing, you could configure it like this:

Router1(config-if)#backup delay 15 300

The second number tells the router how long to wait after the primary recovers before dropping the dial connection. In Frame Relay in particular, it can take a minute or more after you see physical signals before there is end-to-end connectivity. So it is important to keep the backup link active until everything has stabilized. Also, sometimes a link will bounce up and down if there are electrical problems. Specifying a sensible delay before dropping the backup link ensures helps with link stability.

We have also included the down-when-looped command on the primary interface:

Router1(config)#interface Serial0/0
Router1(config-if)#down-when-looped

The dial backup will only trigger if this interface line protocol is in a down state. Normally, when you put a circuit into a loopback state for testing, the router considers the interface to be in an up state, but looped. However, in this diagnostic state the circuit will not pass any data. So, by configuring down-when-looped, we ensure that the backup will trigger if somebody runs a loopback test (perhaps unintentionally) on the primary circuit.

In general, we don't recommend using the backup interface method for dial backup. There are many types of WAN problems in which you will lose IP connectivity, but you don't lose physical signaling on the interface. For example, in the Frame Relay case again, there could be a problem in the cloud that causes you to lose your virtual circuit. Or you might be connected to a faulty network termination device that keeps signals active even though it doesn't have a real connection.

There is another important disadvantage to using the backup interface method. The router keeps backup interfaces disabled until it needs to dial. This causes two problems.

First, it means that you have to wait longer to dial because the router has to first establish physical connectivity with the backup network. In the case of ISDN, this can take 1015 seconds.

The second problem is that, with ISDN interfaces, you lose the ability to see the state of the ISDN connection. Normally, if an ISDN interface is connected but not dialed, you can use the show isdn status command to verify that it is talking to the carrier's switch correctly. However, since the backup interface is disabled with the method shown in the current recipe, you can't easily verify that your backup circuit is working without failing the primary circuit.

There is actually an interesting way to get around this last problem, though. Instead of making your backup interface be a physical interface like an ISDN port, as we did in this example, you could make the backup interface be a dialer interfac. In this case, the dialer interface will remain down when the primary is working, but the ISDN interface will still be up. And this means that you will be able to use the various show isdn commands, as you can with the other methods.

There is one interesting extra option to the backup interface configuration that can be useful in some situations. In addition to triggering the backup circuit when the primary circuit fails, you can configure the router to trigger the backup circuit when the load on the primary circuit gets heavy. This is a form of bandwidth on demand:

Router1(config)#interface Serial0/0
Router1(config-if)#backup load 75 25

This command trigger the dial backup when the load on the primary interface rises about 75 percent, and deactivates it when the load drops below 25 percent.

Note, however, that to be really useful as additional bandwidth, you have to make sure that the routing over this new connection makes sense. In particular, it doesn't really help much unless the routing protocol sees the two paths as equal and shares the load between them. This will generally require some careful metric tuning in your routing protocol or use of the unequal cost load-sharing features available in some routing protocols. It also may require that the dial backup circuit terminates on the same router as the primary circuit to ensure that two-way load sharing works properly.

CCIE RS Training - For your Earth Course IT Certification

February 1st,2012    by Nicholas

CCIE RS training is supposed for people greatly probable networking specialists and is a wide-ranging studying software. It is actually believed of to quicken your competency to an qualified degree, as providing you the capabilities and coaching to cross this demanding examination. CCIE RS Training would be the simplest way to obtain the Cisco internetwork Knowledgeable Certification.  It's also the perfect degree of certification, that is supplied by Cisco Solutions. IT experts managing gigantic networks and qualified in utilizing Cisco goods want to go an in depth examination to receive this certification.

The CCIE RS coaching is executed at CCIE coaching faculties, that has tutors, lecturers, and boot camps. Within the CCIE, you will find six tracks, especially, Storage Networking, Voice and Wi-fi, Routing & Switching, Service Provider, and Security. This examination is considered to be quite tough and excellent one to clear, providing you with technical experience and dedication. This also makes you a member of an exclusive group of pros, makes your resume look grand, and will increase your credibility.

Moving forward in career will be the ambition of most IT experts. CCIE RS coaching will provide the platform to supply a bonus inside of the job market.  Once you begin in search of higher opportunities in or exterior your company, the CCIE certification will provide help to attain your objective simply on this aggressive world.

You'll have many reasons for taking CCIE RS coaching; getting excessive salary could possibly be considered one of them. Getting this certification will not be a simple work; it takes years, sometimes, to clear the exams. It takes eighteen months and a whole bunch of dollars to clear this test, that's why there's large marketplace for such licensed pros. The plus side to it is really that, with such limited certified professionals and high demand for them, the salaries presented are quite high.

After receiving the CCIE RS coaching, you might be considered of to be an knowledgeable in the networking field. Subsequently, if a tough scenario arises, you might be at all times called in to settle the problem. When you will have this certification, you may be acknowledged worldwide for having high qualification inside of the networking and technology industry.

It happens to be essential to understand the general means of CCIE RS coaching examination, so that you will understand the form of coaching which can be needed. This examination consists of two principal elements, the written, and the lab examination. The written half is of two hours size containing a number of-choice question. You'll be able to sit for the lab examination only if you are successful in the written test.  The lab examination is an eight-hour one that can take a look at your capacity to put collectively networking and software equipment and your troubleshooting ability.  Three years are supplied for passing the lab examination, after which you need to have to reappear for the written test before continuing for the lab test again.

A lot of the candidates showing for any CCIE RS teaching examination do not go on the first attempt. Nonetheless, there is fairly a high price of success inside the second attempt. To enhance the probabilities of success in this test, you should research the subjects that are test specific. One essential issue to be kept in thoughts is that, after receiving this certificate, you should recertify each two years.

Consider learning concerning the expertise in every area as listed within just the Cisco blueprint. It truly is recommended to have not less than four hundred hours of lab follow utilizing a simulated gear as a way to succeed inside the CCIE security lab examination. Dedicate a part of your day in mastering every topic. There is various study materials obtainable available in the market for better understanding of the subjects talked about within the blueprint of Cisco. They assist you to in making ready yourself by way of the aid of structured software. You'll be able to spend money on a good education system, which lets you improve your amount of expertise.

You can go for online instruction packages from reputed corporations, which provide observe assessments and different helpful services to enhance your skills. CCIE safety can be utilized as a ladder in the direction of success. It is actually accepted as a recognized certification method within just the networking industry worldwide. A CCIE in security will open the gateway towards a shiny career.

way to get CCIE Certification

January 17th,2012    by Nicholas

Greatest CCIE Schooling also, the correctly way for you to get CCIE Certification CCIE Training

There isn't really a need to have an additional competent instruction or program certificates to qualify. The CCIE Stability education is made of a composed examination to qualify and after that the lab test. You happen to be recommended to have in the minimum 3-5 many years of career knowledge earlier than attempting this certification.

The examination for that CCIE Security is of two-hour size with different options. This consists of hundred concerns, which can go over matters equal to program protocols, performing systems, safety technologies, security protocols, and Cisco safety purposes. The exam supplies are supplied to the spot and you are not permitted to usher in exterior reference elements.

Network engineers having a CCIE certificates are taken into consideration because the knowledgeable from the group engineering discipline additionally, the masters of CISCO products and solutions. The CCIE has brought revolution inside the local community field on the subject of technically tricky assignments and possibilities aided by the necessary instruments and methodologies. There is certainly a method which updates and reorganizes the instruments to provide high quality service. You will discover distinctive modes of CCIE Exercise like composed examination preparation and effectiveness centered lab. This will help to bolster the effectivity and common within the market place. CISCO has launched this certification policy in 1993 by using a watch to distinguish the highest gurus in the relaxation.

To be able to be certified, first written examination must be handed once which must cross the lab exam. CISCO at all times tries to apply entirely several CCIE Instruction techniques for higher overall performance. There are a variety of strategies for the CCIE certification. The very first phase for certification will be to pass a two hours lasting pc centered primarily MCQ oriented created examination. For this examination very important payments have to be completed through on the internet. This examination is involved with exam vouchers and promotional codes. The authenticity on the voucher delivering company must be clearly acknowledged to the candidates. The promotional code ought to be accessed appropriately and just in case of fraudulent vouchers as well as promotional codes mustn't appropriate and CISCO won't repay the price. The candidates be required to wait 5 days for the written examination when cost and so they cannot sit for that identical examination for your following one hundred eighty days just in case of recertification.

Which has a view to acquire certified and eligible for the CCIE Instruction some elements are for being remembered properly. When passing the published examination the candidates possess a the majority of 18 months time for seeking the lab exam. In the event the period of time exceeds then the authenticity of the published examination can be invalid. For the 1st timer used to have CCIE certification the prepared exam is available in the type of Beta examination with savings offered. During the Beta period of time the candidates can sit only the moment for the test. The results will come inside of six to eight weeks as a result of the examination is more than.

The following step for your CCIE certification will be the Lab exam. The shortlisted candidates of this composed exam can entirely utilize for the fingers-on lab test. However there are lots of written examination centers of CISCO at the same time Lab examination facilities are minimal. It is an eight hour fingers-on practical based mostly primarily examination whereby the power of troubleshooting and configuring community largely primarily based conditions and application are checked. For your scheduling of Lab examination the shortlisted candidates within the previously written exam must existing the identification amount together with passing rating also, the date of passing.

The fee for Lab examination must be cleared previously than 90 days for the scheduled examination. With out the charge the reservation may perhaps be cancelled. As a result of passing the Lab exam mixed with the penned test the candidates can utilize for that CCIE certification. By considering every one of the points involved together with the pointed out measures, it's possible to get the CISCO certification in hand and be qualified for that CCIE Coaching.

CCIE Lab Examination - Some Useful Strategies and Steering

January 10th,2012    by Nicholas

CCIE Lab Examination - Some Useful Strategies and Steering

Utilising CCIE, industry experts have an opportunity to determine themselves in the discipline of networking. Just a few thousand persons are believed to very clear the CCIE exam. CCIE labs are perceived as to impart huge phase of training environment, which acts for a substantial revenue for candidates.

CCIE examination entails two assessments, which can be a CCIE composed examine together with a CCIE lab exam. In order to endeavor the lab exam, you should clear the authored examination. For those who are not in a very situation to very clear the written examination the first time, make sure you view for just a hundred and eighty days for retaking it. Following clearing the written verify, it can be greatest to build an consider for your CCIE lab test within eighteen months. It you're incapable to obvious the lab examination, then you certainly must re-try within twelve months using a view to take care of the penned examination outcome legitimate.

It's a time prohibit of two hrs and it is completed in diverse take a look at centers across the world. The subjects lined inside the penned exam rely on the specialization or track you end up picking. For support supplier, it's possible you'll decide upon from classes like Cable, DSL, IP Telephony, Dial, Articles and other content materials Networking, Optical, WAN switching, and Metro Ethernet. Every single developed exam is constructed around inside the beta style at a price of $50 USD.

The CCIE lab test is exclusive in nature, as it's an eight-hour examination, which assessments the ability from the candidate to configure and troubleshoot networking equipment. Cisco has higher degree of kit in its CCIE labs to be used around the lab exams. The blue print from the lab examination is available on its web-site. The lab examination isn't offered in the least Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

A normal CCIE R&S lab examination contains a two-hour hassle-taking pictures section by which you might be presented a collection of tickets for preconfigured networks within the CCIE labs. You need to have the ability to identify and resolve the faults. You can proceed towards the configuration part subsequent to you end the troubleshooting part.

A sound passing score is critical to try a CCIE lab exam. Cisco uses the help of proctors to guage the candidates during the preliminary rounds in its CCIE Lab Exam located worldwide. Factors are awarded when a criterion is met and grading is completed implementing some computerized tools. The outcomes of a lab examination are mirrored within forty eight hrs. A move/fail is projected within the end consequence and in case of a fail, the areas where you are lacking behind are talked about so as to put together properly earlier than a re-try.

Cisco stands out inside the subject of networking by providing a CCIE certification so that you can pursue your education as well as get acknowledged by a reputed organization. The CCIE Labs examination can be utilized being a platform to challenge your capability in varied tracks provided by Cisco. Attempting a lab test requires rigorous instruction and high sense of understanding. The CCIE labs kind step one to your large potential career.

Greatest CCIE Schooling

January 7th,2012    by Nicholas

There isn't a will have to have an alternative qualified exercise or training course certificates to qualify. The CCIE Safety coaching is made up of a published examination to qualify after which the lab test. You might be proposed to obtain with the minimum 3-5 decades of work skills earlier than wanting this certification.

The examination for the CCIE Safety is of two-hour duration with numerous options. This is made of hundred concerns, which can go over topics equivalent to software program protocols, doing work programs, protection technologies, basic safety protocols, and Cisco basic safety purposes. The exam supplies are offered around the spot and you simply aren't allowed to usher in outdoors reference resources.

Network engineers having a CCIE certificates are thought about since the pro with the community engineering self-control as well as the masters of CISCO programs. The CCIE has brought revolution within just the community marketplace relating to technically tough assignments and choices while using the necessary instruments and methodologies. There is certainly a software which updates and reorganizes the instruments to provide fine quality company. You will discover varying modes of CCIE Education like composed examination preparation and effectiveness primarily based lab. This may help to reinforce the effectiveness and standard of this marketplace. CISCO has launched this certification coverage in 1993 by having a look at to tell apart the very best authorities from your relaxation.

So as to be certified, to start with created examination should always be handed once which needs to cross the lab exam. CISCO at all moments tries to use fully various CCIE Training procedures for greater efficiency. There are a variety of ways for that CCIE certification. The first phase for certification will be to move a two hours lasting computer based mostly principally MCQ oriented created exam. For this exam critical payments need to be completed via web-based. This examination is affiliated with exam vouchers and promotional codes. The authenticity of the voucher furnishing firm must be properly acknowledged on the candidates. The promotional code must be accessed effectively and in the event of fraudulent vouchers in addition to promotional codes should not acceptable and CISCO won't repay the cost. The candidates should wait around five days for your composed examination as a result of payment and they can not sit for the similar test for that subsequent 100 eighty days in case of recertification.

That has a see to get licensed and eligible for your CCIE Training some things are to get remembered properly. Following passing the published examination the candidates have a a lot of 18 months time for hoping the lab examination. In the event the time period exceeds then the authenticity with the penned exam might be invalid. For that first timer utilized to own CCIE certification the authored exam is obtainable in the form of Beta examination with special discounts readily available. With the Beta period of time the candidates can sit only the moment for your examination. The results will occur inside six to 8 weeks just after the examination is over.

Another stage for the CCIE certification often is the Lab exam. The shortlisted candidates in the composed examination can solely apply for that fingers-on lab exam. Although there are several authored examination centers of CISCO on the other hand Lab test amenities are limited. It's an 8 hour fingers-on useful primarily based principally examination wherein the ability of troubleshooting and configuring community principally based mostly situations and applications are checked. For the scheduling of Lab examination the shortlisted candidates on the earlier prepared examination will need to current the identification amount along with passing rating and the date of passing.

The associated fee for Lab examination should be cleared earlier than 90 days belonging to the scheduled test. With out the charge the reservation will probably be cancelled. Soon after passing the Lab test combined along with the created exam the candidates can apply for the CCIE certification. By contemplating many of the details linked aided by the stated procedures, it's possible to obtain the CISCO certification in hand and be competent for the CCIE Education. CCIE Training

Setting the DSCP or TOS Subject

January 6th,2012    by Nicholas

The solution to this condition relies on the type of customers distinctions you desire to produce, as well the edition of IOS that you are operating inside of your routers.

There has to be a little something that defines the different sorts of page views that you just want to prioritize. Generally speaking, the easier the distinctions are in making, the better. It is because every one of the tests take router assets and introduce processing delays. The most common policies for distinguishing around visitors kinds use the packet's input interface and straight forward IP header important information like as TCP port figures. The subsequent examples indicate how to set an IP Precedence value of fast (2) for all FTP regulate visitors that arrives through the serial0/0 interface, and an IP Precedence of priority (one) for all FTP data customers. This distinction is possible as a result of FTP command visitors takes advantage of TCP port 21, and FTP data usages port 20.

The newest technique for configuring this employs course maps. Cisco very first introduced this attribute in IOS Model 12.0(five)T. This method number one defines a class-map that specifies how the router will discover this kind of site traffic. It then defines a policy-map that really makes the changes for the packet's TOS area:

Router#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#access-list 101 permit any eq ftp any
Router(config)#access-list 101 permit any any eq ftp
Router(config)#access-list 102 permit any eq ftp-data any
Router(config)#access-list 102 permit any any eq ftp-data
Router(config)#class-map match-all ser00-ftpcontrol
Router(config-cmap)#description branch ftp control traffic
Router(config-cmap)#match input-interface serial0/0
Router(config-cmap)#match access-group 101
Router(config-cmap)#exit
Router(config)#class-map match-all ser00-ftpdata
Router(config-cmap)#description branch ftp data traffic
Router(config-cmap)#match input-interface serial0/0
Router(config-cmap)#match access-group 102
Router(config-cmap)#exit
Router(config)#policy-map serialftppolicy
Router(config-pmap)#description branch ftp traffic policy
Router(config-pmap)#class ser00-ftpcontrol
Router(config-pmap-c)#set ip precedence immediate
Router(config-pmap-c)#exit
Router(config-pmap)#class ser00-ftpdata
Router(config-pmap-c)#set ip precedence priority
Router(config-pmap-c)#exit
Router(config-pmap)#exit
Router(config)#interface serial0/0
Router(config-if)#ip route-cache policy
Router(config-if)#service-policy input serialftppolicy
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#end
Router#

For before IOS versions, in which class-maps have been not for sale, you have got to work with policy-based routing to change the TOS industry in a very packet. Making use of this policy on the interface tells the router to implement this policy to check all incoming packets on this interface and rewrite those that match the route map:Router#configure terminal

Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#access-list 101 permit any eq ftp any
Router(config)#access-list 101 permit any any eq ftp
Router(config)#access-list 102 permit any eq ftp-data any
Router(config)#access-list 102 permit any any eq ftp-data
Router(config)#route-map serialftp-rtmap permit 10
Router(config-route-map)#match ip address 101
Router(config-route-map)#set ip precedence immediate
Router(config-route-map)#exit
Router(config)#route-map serialftp-rtmap permit 20
Router(config-route-map)#match ip address 102
Router(config-route-map)#set ip precedence priority
Router(config-route-map)#exit
Router(config)#interface serial0/0
Router(config-if)#ip policy route-map serialftp-rtmap
Router(config-if)#ip route-cache policy
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#end
Router#

Ahead of you can easlily tag a packet for extraordinary cure, you have to have an extremely crystal clear strategy of what different types of visitors require special therapy, together with exactly what sort of amazing treatment they are going to might need. From the example, we've got chose to give a distinctive priority to FTP visitors received on the distinct serial interface. We present simple methods to do that implementing both the old and new configuration ways.
This may show up to become a relatively synthetic instance. Upon all, why would you treatment about tagging inbound targeted traffic that you have currently obtained from a low-speed interface? Realistically, one of several most crucial concepts for applying QoS inside a network is that often you ought to constantly tag the packet as early as you possibly can, preferably with the edges of this network. Then, since it passes throughout the network, just about every router only needs to examine the tag, and isn't going to need to do any added classification. In this instance, we'd ensure the FTP targeted visitors returning inside the other path is tagged through the first router that gets it. So the outbound targeted visitors has previously been tagged, and it is a waste of router resources to reclassify the outbound packets.

Countless organizations in actual fact consider this idea of marking on the edges one phase even more, and remark just about every received packet. This assists to guarantee that users are not requesting specific QoS privileges which they are not permitted to own. Having said that, you need to be thorough of this mainly because it can in certain cases disrupt respectable markings. For instance, a real-time software could use RSVP to reserve bandwidth in the network. It truly is significant that the packets for this application have the appropriate Expedited Forwarding (EF) DSCP marking or perhaps the network might not deal with them accordingly. Still, you also really don't like to let other non-real-time applications from this same exact supply have the similar EF priority level. So, if you're heading to configure your routers to remark all incoming packets with the edges, be certain that you figure out what incoming markings are legitimate.

In that situation, the routers are operating DLSw to bridge SNA customers as a result of an IP network. Therefore the routers by themselves definitely create the IP packets. This creates an additional problem merely because there's no incoming interface. So that recipe takes advantage of localized policy-based routing. The fact the router produces the packets also offers it an essential benefit for the reason that it does not have to consider any DLSw packets that might just happen to go through.

The advantages within the more recent class-map solution are not noticeable in such a instance, but one of many very first gigantic benefits appears in order for you to make use of the greater fashionable DSCP tagging scheme. As the more mature policy-based routing approach will not right help DSCP, you may have to pretend it by environment both the IP Precedence and also TOS separately as follows.

Router(config)#route-map serialftp-rtmap permit 10
Router(config-route-map)#match ip address 115
Router(config-route-map)#set ip precedence immediate
Router(config-route-map)#set ip tos max-throughput

In this case, the packet will wind up with an IP Precedence value of immediate, or 2 (010 in binary), and TOS of max-throughput, or 4 (0100 in binary).

Doing the same thing with the class-map method is much more direct:

Router(config)#policy-map serialftppolicy
Router(config-pmap)#class serialftpclass
Router(config-pmap-c)#set ip dscp af21

Class-maps may also be valuable later on this chapter when we talk about class-based weighted fair queuing and class-based site traffic shaping.
It is important to notice that all the way through this whole instance, we have only set a special value into your packet's TOS or DSCP field. This, by itself, isn't going to have an effect on how the packet is forwarded because of the network. To try and do that, you have got to make certain that as every single router while in the network forwards these marked packets, the interface queues will react appropriately to this related information.

Lastly, we should notice that despite the fact that this recipe reveals two helpful tips of marking packets, making use of Dedicated Access Fee (Car or truck) benefits. Automobile tends for being alot more successful on bigger velocity interfaces.

CCIE RS Training, Adjusting Local Preference Values

January 3rd,2012    by Nicholas

When BGP routers within an AS exchange information about a particular route using iBGP, they include the Local Preference value. All of the routers in the AS are then able to use this value to decide how to weight this route versus other BGP routes to the same destination. BGP consults the Local Preference value early in the route selection process, before even the AS Path attribute. So this provides an extremely useful and flexible way of forcing particular routes to use particular paths. Routers do not include Local Preference information when exchanging routes through eBGP connections.
A common example would be if you had two connections to an external network and you wanted to ensure that one was the primary path and the other was a backup. Suppose further that one of the routers in the AS handles the primary path and a second router handles the secondary path. The first example shows how to globally increase the Local Preference values of all routes received by one of these routers:
Router1(config)#router bgp 65500
Router1(config-router)#bgp default local-preference 200
Now all of the external routes that this router handles will have a Local Preference value of 200. If you can reach a particular prefix through more than one path, the other routers in this AS will prefer to use the one with the highest Local Preference value. The default Local Preference is 100.
The following output shows two paths to the network 10.0.0.0/8. This router learned the first route through iBGP from another router. You can see from the LocPrf column that this route has the default Local Preference value of 100:
Router2#show ip bgp
BGP table version is 4, local router ID is 172.18.5.3
Status codes: s suppressed, d damped, h history, * valid, > best, i - internal
Origin codes: i - IGP, e - EGP, ? - incomplete

Network Next Hop Metric LocPrf Weight Path
* i10.0.0.0 172.18.5.2 100 0 65510 65531 i
*> 192.168.2.5 0 65520 65531 i
Router2#
This router learned the second route through eBGP, so it doesn't have a Local Preference value. The router treats any missing Local Preference values as if they had the default value of 100. Note that although BGP has a route selection rule that prefers eBGP routes to iBGP routes, this rule is consulted after the Local Preference is, but for now the Local Preference values are equal. So, all other things being equal, this router prefers to use the more direct route that it learned itself, which is indicated by the ">" character at the beginning of the line.
Now we will change the default Local Preference value on the other router to 200, using the bgp default local-preference command as shown above:
Router2#show ip bgp
BGP table version is 4, local router ID is 172.18.5.3
Status codes: s suppressed, d damped, h history, * valid, > best, i - internal
Origin codes: i - IGP, e - EGP, ? - incomplete

Network Next Hop Metric LocPrf Weight Path
*>i10.0.0.0 172.18.5.2 200 0 65510 65531 i
* 192.168.2.5 0 65520 65531 i
Router2#
As you can see, the Local Preference value has changed to 200 for the iBGP route. So this router now prefers the iBGP route. You can see more detail by specifying the prefix with this command:
Router2#show ip bgp 10.0.0.0/8
BGP routing table entry for 10.0.0.0/8, version 4
Paths: (2 available, best #1, table Default-IP-Routing-Table)
Advertised to non peer-group peers:
192.168.2.5
65510 65531
172.18.5.2 from 172.18.5.2 (172.18.5.2)
Origin IGP, localpref 200, valid, internal, best
65520 65531
192.168.2.5 from 192.168.2.5 (172.21.1.1)
Origin IGP, localpref 100, valid, external
Router2#
This clearly shows that the router interprets the missing Local Preference value as 100 on this router. If we now change the default value on this router to 75, you can see that it will use this new value instead when the value is missing:
Router2#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router2(config)#router bgp 65500
Router2(config-router)#bgp default local-preference 75
Router2(config-router)#end
Router2#clear ip bgp *

Router2#show ip bgp 10.0.0.0/8
BGP routing table entry for 10.0.0.0/8, version 2
Paths: (2 available, best #2, table Default-IP-Routing-Table)
Advertised to non peer-group peers:
192.168.2.5
65520 65531
192.168.2.5 from 192.168.2.5 (172.21.1.1)
Origin IGP, localpref 75, valid, external
65510 65531
172.18.5.2 from 172.18.5.2 (172.18.5.2)
Origin IGP, localpref 200, valid, internal, best
Router2#
Notice that we had to clear the BGP peers and wait until they reconnected for this change to take effect. Also notice that, by chance, the router displays the routes in the opposite order. There is no particular significance to this ordering. The route that entered the AS via eBGP on this router (Router2) now has a Local Preference value of 75, while the route that entered via Router1 has a Local Preference of 200, which we configured earlier in this recipe.
You can also use route maps to define different Local Preference values for different individual routes. This gives you a finer granularity, even allowing you to manually balance the load between these links by forcing some routes through one path and the rest through the other path.
The second example shows how to use a route map to adjust Local Preference values:
Router1(config)#ip prefix-list LOW_LP_PREFIXES seq 10 permit 172.22.0.0/16
Router1(config)#route-map LOCALPREF permit 10
Router1(config-route-map)#match ip address prefix-list LOW_LP_PREFIXES
Router1(config-route-map)#set local-preference 50
Router1(config-route-map)#exit
Router1(config)#route-map LOCALPREF permit 20
Router1(config-route-map)#exit
Here we have defined a prefix list that just matches the prefix 172.22.0.0/16. Whenever the route map sees a route that matches this prefix list, it sets the Local Preference value for this route to 50.
We have included an empty clause at the end of the route map, which simply passes all other routes unchanged. Every route map ends with an implicit deny all. So if we didn't include this, the router would simply drop any prefixes that didn't match the first clause.
Then we invoke this rule by using the standard route-map option to the neighbor command:
Router1(config)#router bgp 65500
Router1(config-router)#neighbor 192.168.1.5 remote-as 65510
Router1(config-router)#neighbor 192.168.1.5 route-map LOCALPREF in
Notice that we are applying this route map to all incoming routes received from this specific eBGP peer. Now you can see that this particular route has a local preference value of 50:
Router1#show ip bgp 172.22.0.0/16
BGP routing table entry for 172.22.0.0/16, version 5
Paths: (2 available, best #2, table Default-IP-Routing-Table)
Flag: 0x208
Advertised to non peer-group peers:
192.168.1.5
65510 65531
192.168.1.5 from 192.168.1.5 (172.25.26.55)
Origin IGP, localpref 50, valid, external
65520 65531
172.18.5.3 from 172.18.5.3 (172.18.5.3)
Origin IGP, localpref 75, valid, internal, best
Router1#
Note also that the other iBGP router is still using the Local Preference value of 75 that we configured a moment ago. CCIE RS Training

Because this method used a route map, you can easily construct rules that would change the Local Preference values based on a large variety of different parameters. You could do this to give a higher or lower Local Preference value, based on whether or not the route passes through a particular remote AS:
Router1(config)#ip as-path access-list 17 permit _65531_
Router1(config)#route-map LOCALPREF permit 25
Router1(config-route-map)#match as-path 17
Router1(config-route-map)#set local-preference 75
Router1(config-route-map)#exit

Transparent Firewall Mode

May 20th,2011    by Emison

Traditionally, Cisco firewalls have operated by performing Layer 3 (IP address) operations. Naturally, the stateful inspection process can look at higher layers within the IP packets being examined. But the firewall itself has maintained its own interface IP addresses and acted as a router or gateway to the networks that connect to it. This is called CCIE routing and switching firewall mode.

Beginning with PIX 7.0 and FWSM 2.2(1), a Cisco firewall can be configured to operate in transparent firewall mode. The firewall appears to operate as a Layer 2 device without becoming a router hop or a gateway to the connected networks. This is also known as a Layer 2 firewall or a stealth firewall, because its interfaces have no IP addresses and can't be detected or manipulated. Only a single management address can be configured on the firewall.

As a Layer 2 device, a transparent mode firewall can be dropped or wedged into an existing network, separating the inside and outside without changing any existing IP addresses. This is commonly called bump in the wire because the firewall doesn't break or segment the IP subnet along a wireit more or less becomes part of the wire. This makes a new installation very straightforward.

You can think of a transparent mode firewall as a type of transparent bridge, where packets are bridged from one interface to another based only on their MAC addresses. The Cisco CCIE firewall maintains a MAC address table from received packets, containing the source MAC address and the source interface. The firewall can forward a packet by knowing the location or the egress interface of the destination MAC address.

CCIE R&S Bootcamp

July 21st,2010    by Nicholas

Candidates that are planning on moving to the top of the IT world will inevitable come across the CCIE exam. To those who aren’t aware the CCIE is the top CISCO certifications in the networking job market. Once you pass the CCIE the world will be open to you. As online companies are growing and people are moving away from traditional brick and mortar businesses the need for IT engineers is still strong. You may have heard of corporate downturns in place like the USA, however in other countries the demand is emerging and strong. If you think that you are up to the CCIE challenge then now is the time to enrol in a CCIE R&S Boot Camp.

The CCIE R&S (Routing and Switching) Boot Camp has been created to help those who may be certified in the areas of CCNA or CCNP rise to the knowledge level needed to pas the CCIE lab exam. Candidates will be educated in necessary protocols, yet not from the ground up. All CCIE R&S Boot Camp applicants are expected to have a firm foundation of the Cisco command line as well as global Inter-networking protocols that are needed to be a Cisco expert. People who enroll in a CCIE R&S Boot Camp do so as they need to polish up their skills, to further be prepared for the 8 hour lab exam.

Some people have in depth on the job experience that allow them to be ahead of the class, then there are others who are weaker in their comprehension and need the longer time a 20 day boot camp has to offer. Regardless all CCIE R&S Boot Camps are designed to find each student’s weakness and work to bring everyone up to speed. Some of the boot camps will actually perform a mock CCIE exam, this is exactly like the 8 hour Cisco exam and you will be given similar rules and challenges. This testing time can help a candidate decide if they are ready to sit for the actual exam, if not they will know what areas they need to work on to get up to speed.

A Real CCIE R&S Boot Camp Challenge

Candidates will be expected to sit in the lab many times up to 10 hours a day, for some people concentrating this long may be a challenge. These practice sessions are sometimes carried on after the class terminates as students stay longer to work with equipment and complete class “homework”. Throughout the class time a CCIE certified instructor will be there with you to show you things and in depth details about every aspect of the material. At no point will you feel like you are not having an answer to your question s there is a qualified instructor whose job is to work with you closely. This is easy to understand when you see our one-on-one CCIE R&S Boot Camp.

Gaining and Certifying Advanced Skills

June 5th,2010    by Emison

CCIE status certifies an individual’s networking skills at the expert level. Candidates who pass the a written qualification exam and a hands-on lab exam receive a CCIE certification from Cisco and may use the CCIE designation on their business cards.
The CCIE is awarded in three tracks:CCIE Routing and Switching
Communications and Services
Security
To help candidates prepare for the certification exams, Cisco provides the following services and publications:
Leader-led courses, through Cisco Learning Partners CCIE Practice Labs, through authorized Cisco Learning
Partners
Cisco Interactive Mentor Expert Labs, through the CIM
Program
CCIE Development Series, published by Cisco Press