Lesson Link Layer

Buy Lesson Link Layer »

Not only will the subject of Link Layer connectivity be covered these video on demand modules, the "issue spotting/options analysis" problem solving approach will be presented and applied as well. Adopting this problem approach is useful for solving minimally described CCIE level problems. Once this problem solving approach is adopted and internalized, a student will be able to formulate an "opening moves" strategy for any and all Link Layer configuration and troubleshooting tasks that may be encountered.

This self-paced Lesson Module provides a set of three complementary learning resources:

Seven hours of video on demand instruction on Link-Layer Technologies
Supplementary "Spot-the-Issues" soft assessment quizzes
Two hands-on labs focused on the subject of configuring Link-Layer Technologies.

The absolute centerpiece of this Lesson Module is the Link-Layer video on demand instruction. The following split screen format of each Video on Demand module provides the powerful learning experience of looking over a CCIE's shoulder while he both configures and explains the operation of Link Layer technologies:

It is absolutely essential for a CCIE candidate to master Link Layer connectivity issues. This topic is an indispensible core topic in the Routing and Switching CCIE lab. All other internetworking technologies operate over the Link-Layer connections.

In the context of the Cisco 360 Three Phase CCIE Lab Preparation Roadmap, this Link Layer Lesson Module is recommended to be used during Phase One of this Roadmap. Furthermore, it is recommended that this Lesson Module be purchased in conjunction with the following other Cisco 360 Lesson Modules:

Frame-Relay
IGP Routing Protocols
BGP

When these three other Lesson Modules are purchased along with this Link Layer Lesson Module, a complete set of self-paced learning content is supplied for the core foundational topic of attaining universal IPv4 unicast connectivity. The topic of attaining universal IPv4 unicast connectivity is at the center of the Routing and Switching CCIE lab.

For students planning to attend the Cisco 360 Advanced Workshop I class (CIERS1), it is highly recommended that this Link Layer Lesson Module, along with all three other Lesson Modules listed above, be used before attending class.

You will download all content for this Lesson Module on your own computer. Therefore, you will be able to view and access the content without being connected to the Internet. Also, it must be noted that you will need to also download the LockLizard DRM viewer in order to access the content of this Lesson Module.

Duration:

Seven Hours of Video on Demand modules divided into ten blocks Each VoD is approximately 15-30 minutes in length. For each block, a set of supporting "Spot the Issues" Soft Assessment Quizzes are provided. Two Hands-on Technology Focused Practice Labs dedicated to the subject of the Link Layer technologies covered in this Lesson Module.

Target Audience

This self-paced Lesson Module is for technical professionals who need to master CCIE level problems involving Link Layer technologies that involve:

Configuring Logical GRE or IPinIP Tunnels
A range of foundational Catalyst 3560 configuration tasks
Developing a problem solving approach to apply to minimally described Link Layer configuration tasks

Lesson Module Objectives

Upon completion of this self-paced Lesson Module, you should be able to formulate well defined mental simulations to perform the following Link Layer tasks with the customary minimally described parameters commonly found in CCIE Level tasks.

Configure a GRE/IPinIP Tunnel
Provision a Catalyst Port
Configure All Variations of Trunking
Configure EtherChannel
Configure All Variations of Spanning Tree

Lesson Module Prerequisites

Following are the prerequisites for using this Lesson Module

A CCNP level of understanding of foundational Link Layer technologies as well as:

The ability to perform the configuration basics to implement a GRE or IPIP Tunnel
Be able to configure foundational Catalyst features when given explicit instructions on how to do so.

To view the contents of this Lesson Module, download the LockLizard DRM viewer to be able to view the VoD modules.

To locate Cisco courses that cover the listed prerequisites, go to the Cisco Training & Events web page found here

Lesson Module Outline

The VoD’s in this Lesson Module cover the following topics

BLOCK-0: Interface Classification and Configuring Point-to-Point Links (5 VoD's)

Performing a General Classificaiton of Interfaces
Addressing Point-to-Point Interface Configuration Issues
Conguring a GRE Tunnel Interface
Configuring an IPIP Tunnel Interface
Addressing Recursive Routing Issues with Logical Tunnels

BLOCK-1: Comparing the Catalyst Layer 2 versus Layer 3 Port Configuration Options (2 VoD's)

Comparing Configuration Issues Between Routed and Switched Ports Part-1
Comparing Configuration Issues Between Routed and Switched Ports Part-2

BLOCK-2: Configuring Access Ports on a Catalyst Switch (4 VoD’s)

Configuring Access Ports on a Catalyst Switch Part-1
Configuring Access Ports on a Catalyst Switch Part-2
Configuring Access Ports on a Catalyst Switch Part-3
Configuring Access Ports on a Catalyst Switch Part-4

BLOCK-3: Configuring Catalyst Port Speeds, Duplex Settings and UDLD (2 VoD's)

Reviewing Port Speed and Duplex Setting Options
Reviewing the UDLD Configuration Options

BLOCK-4: Configuring VTP (4 VoD's)

Introduction to VTP
Review of Different VTP Modes
Configuring VTP Part-1
Configuring VTP Part-2
VTP Pruning

BLOCK-5: Configuring Trunk Ports (5 VoD's)

Using DTP to Dynamically Configure Trunk Ports Part-1
Using DTP to Dynamically Configure Trunk Ports Part-2
Statically Configuring Catalyst Trunk Ports Part-1
Statically Configuring Catalyst Trunk Ports Part-2
DTP Negotiation

BLOCK-6: Configuring 802.1Q and the Native VLAN (2 VoD's)

Statically Configuring Catalyst Trunk Ports Part-1
Statically Configuring Catalyst Trunk Ports Part-1

BLOCK-7: Configuring EtherChannel (4 VoD's)

Configuring EtherChannel Part-1
Configuring EtherChannel Part-2
Configuring EtherChannel Part-3
Configuring EtherChannel Part-4

BLOCK-8: Configuring Spanning Tree (5 VoD's)

Configuring Spanning Tree Part-1
Configuring Spanning Tree Part-2
Configuring Spanning Tree Part-3
Configuring MST
Configuring RSTP

Lab Outline

An absolutely mandatory activity for any CCIE level learning activity is performing hands-on practice. This Lesson Module contains two hands-on labs focused on the Link-Layer topics covered in the enclosed VOD’s. Each of these two hands-on technology focused scenarios consists of:

A Scenario written with CCIE Level configuration tasks
A Detailed Answer Key
The web-based and highly interactive Mentor Guide

Lab Topology

The following minimal topology is required to perform the Link Layer Lesson Module’s hands-on technology focused labs.

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.

Interface Classification and Configuring Point-to-Point Links
Comparing the Cisco Catalyst Layer 2 versus Layer 3 Port Configuration Options
Configuring Access Ports on a Cisco Catalyst Switch
Configuring Cisco Catalyst Port Speeds, Duplex Settings and UDLD
Configuring VTP
Configuring Trunk Ports
Configuring 802.1Q and the Native VLAN
Configuring EtherChannel
Configuring Spanning Tree

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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.