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Your probably thinking..yeah right! Actually, I have met a few people that have. How did they do it? I think it was a combination of a lot of reading, a strong background in networking and the class I’m teaching this week. That class, the “CCNP2″ training from Ascolta is a bear, but I’ve actually had people do it.

But why am I making a big deal of this? First, understand that the CCNP2 training covers bot the ISCW as well as ONT content. Then take a look at the topics as defined by Cisco and then I think you’ll understand.

First ISCW:

Implement basic teleworker services

Describe Cable (HFC) technologies.
Describe xDSL technologies.
Configure ADSL (i.e., PPPoE or PPPoA).
Verify basic teleworker configurations.

Implement Frame-Mode MPLS

Describe the components and operation of Frame-Mode MPLS (e.g., packet-based MPLS VPNs).
Configure and verify Frame-Mode MPLS.

Implement a site-to-site IPSec VPN

Describe the components and operations of IPSec VPNs and GRE Tunnels.
Configure a site-to-site IPSec VPN/GRE Tunnel with SDM (i.e., preshared key).
Verify IPSec/GRE Tunnel configurations (i.e., IOS CLI configurations).
Describe, configure, and verify VPN backup interfaces.
Describe and configure Cisco Easy VPN solutions using SDM.

Describe network security strategies

Describe and mitigate common network attacks (i.e., Reconnaissance, Access, and Denial of Service).
Describe and mitigate Worm, Virus, and Trojan Horse attacks.
Describe and mitigate application-layer attacks (e.g., management protocols).

Implement Cisco Device Hardening

Describe, Configure, and verify AutoSecure/One-Step Lockdown implementations (i.e., CLI and SDM).
Describe, configure, and verify AAA for Cisco Routers.
Describe and configure threat and attack mitigation using ACLs.
Describe and configure IOS secure management features (e.g., SSH, SNMP, SYSLOG, NTP, Role-Based CLI, etc.)

Implement Cisco IOS firewall

Describe the functions and operations of Cisco IOS Firewall (e.g., Stateful Firewall, CBAC, etc.).
Configure Cisco IOS Firewall with SDM.
Verify Cisco IOS Firewall configurations (i.e., IOS CLI configurations, SDM Monitor).

Describe and configure Cisco IOS IPS

Describe the functions and operations of IDS and IPS systems (e.g., IDS/IPS signatures, IPS Alarms, etc.)
Configure Cisco IOS IPS using SDM

Then ONT:

Describe Cisco VoIP implementations

Describe the functions and operations of a VoIP network (e.g., packetization, bandwidth considerations, CAC, etc.).
Describe and identify basic voice components in an enterprise network (e.g. Gatekeepers, Gateways, etc.)

Describe QoS considerations

Explain the necessity of QoS in converged networks (e.g., bandwidth, delay, loss, etc.).
Describe strategies for QoS implementations (e.g. QoS Policy, QoS Models, etc.).

Describe DiffServ QoS implementations

Describe classification and marking (e.g., CoS, ToS, IP Precedence, DSCP, etc.).
Describe and configure NBAR for classification.
Explain congestion management and avoidance mechanisms (e.g., FIFO, PQ, WRR, WRED, etc.).
Describe traffic policing and traffic shaping (i.e., traffic conditioners).
Describe Control Plane Policing.
Describe WAN link efficiency mechanisms (e.g., Payload/Header Compression, MLP with interleaving, etc.).
Describe and configure QoS Pre-Classify.

Implement AutoQoS

Explain the functions and operations of AutoQoS.
Describe the SDM QoS Wizard.
Configure, verify, and torubleshoot AutoQoS implementations (i.e., MQC).

Implement WLAN security and management

Describe and Configure wireless security on Cisco Clients and APs (e.g., SSID, WEP, LEAP, etc.).
Describe basic wireless management (e.g., WLSE and WCS). Configure and verify basic WCS configuration (i.e., login, add/review controller/AP status, security, and import/review maps).
Describe and configure WLAN QoS.

Looks pretty rough right? Well, it is. But thats ok. When I teach this class in a week I obviously dont cover every detail of each topic but its a great way to wet your whistle. Especially if you like drinking from a firehose!!! Anyhow, you can find the CCNP2 course information on the Ascolta web site.

As you can tell, I am in for a busy week!

First off I want to thank all of you that follow this blog, either by being subscribed via email, subscribed via RSS, or just as regular vistors to www.globalconfig.net.  In the few months that I have been running this site I have seen it go from 0 to nearly 100 subscribers and about 2,000 views a week.  I wanted to take a few minutes to share some information with you about the changed I plan on making to this blog, as well as the addition of my personal blog found at http://cciestudy.brandonjcarroll.com. 

When i first started this blog I was really planning on using it just for the conveyance of information to my students, seeing as I am a Cisco Certified Instructor.  I eventually started writing about my studies in pursuit of the CCIE Security.  In an effort to add a little differentiation I have decided to move my personal CCIE study blogging to http://cciestudy.brandonjcarroll.com and keep this site for tips, tutorials, and more for the benefit of my students. 

Once I have passed the CCIE Security I will begin posting tips on this blog for those that are studying for the CCIE Security.  For now I will dedicate this blog to my students benefit and mostly write about the CCNA, CCNP, CCSP, and CCNA Specializations, all certifications that I hold, have held, or am considered “Certified” in. 

As I get better at video tutorials I plan on perhaps including them on a more regular basis.  For now, I will post a CCNA tip each week, and will discuss the other certifications as they come up either in my classes or as you, the readers, post comments and ask questions.

If you are following me for my CCIE studies or for anything related to the CCIE please visit my site at http://cciestudy.brandonjcarroll.com and subscribe to my feed there.  Continue to follow this site as well as It will also contain valuable information for your studies. 

Your comments are always welcome and I look forward to hearing from you.

Brandon Carroll