Each VoD attempts to address a specific configuration task related to link-layer technologies deployed using the Cisco IOS and examine all possible options related to the specific task. This "options analysis" learning and problem solving approach is often exhibited in the form of options analysis decision tree diagrams, such as the following examples, with the description of each of the VoD Blocks of this series.
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Interface Classification and Configuring Point-to-Point Links
- Interface Classification and Configuring Point-to-Point Interfaces Part-1 (18 minutes)
- Configuring Point-to-Point Interfaces Part-2 (14 minutes)
- Configuring Point-to-Point Interfaces Part-3 (14 minutes)
- Configuring Point-to-Point Interfaces Part-4 (11 minutes)
- Configuring Point-to-Point Interfaces Part-5 (10 minutes)
This set of three VoD's introduces an interface classification method along with a recommended study approach to cover all possible link-layer technologies that might be encountered in the Routing and Switching CCIE lab.
After this introduction, the remaining two parts of this Block focus on configuring logical point-to-point interfaces, namely GRE and IPIP tunnel interfaces.
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Comparing the Cisco Catalyst Layer 2 versus Layer 3 Port Configuration Options
- Comparing the Cisco Catalyst Layer 2 versus Layer 3 Port Configuration Options Part-1 (9 minutes)
- Comparing the Cisco Catalyst Layer 2 versus Layer 3 Port Configuration Options Part-2 (14 minutes)
This VoD block provides an excellent learning starting point for Cisco Catalyst 3550 and 3560 studies. The block examines the issues related to making the following fundamental configuration decision regarding Cisco Catalyst switch ports: Should the port be configured as a (1) Layer 2 switch port or (2) Layer 3 routed port?
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Configuring Access Ports on a Cisco Catalyst Switch
- Configuring Access Ports on a Cisco Catalyst Switch Part-1 (18 minutes)
- Configuring Access Ports on a Cisco Catalyst Switch Part-2 (11 minutes)
- Configuring Access Ports on a Cisco Catalyst Switch Part-3 (9 minutes)
- Configuring Access Ports on a Cisco Catalyst Switch Part-4 (9 minutes)
This VoD Block builds off the previous Block. When a Cisco Catalyst port has been identified as a Layer 2 switchport, the next implementation decision will be selecting from the following two types of Layer 2 ports: (1) will the port be configured as an access port or (2) will the port be configured as a trunk port. This block investigates the issues involved with configuring a Cisco Catalyst port as an access port. It will begin with access port basics. It transition to extending a single VLAN to multiple switches using access ports and SVI interfaces. It will end with a discussion on 802.1X.
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Configuring Cisco Catalyst Port Speeds, Duplex Settings and UDLD
- Configuring Cisco Catalyst Port Speeds, Duplex Settings and UDLD Part-1 (16 minutes)
- Configuring Cisco Catalyst Port Speeds, Duplex Settings and UDLD Part-2 (11 minutes)
This block addresses the physical port a range of configuration options related to setting and negotiating port speeds and port duplex settings. The Block ends with a discussion on UDLD.
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Configuring VTP
- Configuring VTP Part-1 (16 minutes)
- Configuring VTP Part-2 (9 minutes)
- Configuring VTP Part-3 (13 minutes)
- Configuring VTP Part-4 (8 minutes)
This Block introduces the VLAN Trunking Protocol. It reviews all three of modes of operation. It explains issues related to VTP advertising VLANs throughout a specified domain of Cisco Catalyst switches. It also addresses the different versions of VTP as well.
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Configure Trunk Ports
- Using DTP to Dynamically Configure Trunk Ports Part-1 (14 minutes)
- Using DTP to Dynamically Configure Trunk Ports Part-2 (9 minutes)
- Statically Configuring Cisco Catalyst Trunk Ports Part-3 (14 minutes)
- Statically Configuring Cisco Catalyst Trunk Ports Part-4 (16 minutes)
- DTP Negotiation Part-5 (12 minutes)
This Block builds upon the last four Cisco Catalyst VoD Blocks. After covering access port as well as physical port implementation issues, it is time to learn about configuring trunks. This block addresses the following sections of the options analysis diagram. Emphasis on this VoD Block is on using DTP to dynamically negotiate trunk ports.
The Block later continues to the subject of trunking, by discussing how to statically set a Cisco Catalyst trunk port. To compare and contrast static trunk configuration with dynamic trunk negotiation, this Block provides extensive coverage of the 'debug dtp packet' utility.
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Configuring 802.1Q and the Native VLAN
- Configuring 802.1Q and the Native VLAN Part-1 (17 minutes)
- Configuring 802.1Q and the Native VLAN Part-2 (18 minutes)
This Block covers a range of issues associated with configuring the native VLAN for 802.1Q trunking. Scenarios include issues related to configuring the native VLAN between a router and a switch, as well as issues related to configuring the native VLAN between two Cisco Catalyst switches.
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Configuring EtherChannel
- Configuring EtherChannel Part-1 (15 minutes)
- Configuring EtherChannel Part-2 (9 minutes)
- Configuring EtherChannel Part-3 (14 minutes)
- Configuring EtherChannel Part-4 (9 minutes)
This block examines a range of the configuration options related to implementing EtherChannel. It begins with static configurations of EtherChannel for sets of trunked ports, followed by access ports and ending with routed ports. After static configurations are explained, the discussion moves onto dynamic EtherChannel negotiation using PAgP and LACP.
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Configuring Spanning Tree
- Configuring Spanning Tree Part-1 (15 minutes)
- Configuring Spanning Tree Part-2 (12 minutes)
- Configuring Spanning Tree Part-3 (16 minutes)
- Configuring MSP Part-4 (14 minutes)
- Configuring RSTP Part-5 (13 minutes)
This Block begins with a tutorial of the fundamentals of Spanning Tree. It then covers Cisco Catalyst specific configuration issues such as configuring a bridge ID, understanding 802.1T modifications to the Bridge priority field, root port selection, and designated port election. Detailed use of 'debug spanning events' is provided to better understand Spanning Tree.
Accompanying each of the 9 Blocks, is a "Spot-the-Issues" on-line quiz utility. You can attain a 'soft assessment' of what you have learned in each Block by taking these "Spot-the-Issues" quizzes. After receiving your quiz score, review the question by question explanations generated in the report. This report provides explanations to the quiz answers as well as links back to the VoD that covered the subject related to the quiz question.