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!