VIRL update 0.9.17
I was a bit slow on this one. I have been very busy of late. VIRL have updated with a feature release. 0.9.17 is an in place upgrade. There is a lot of focus on stability. There is also a…
Integrating vSRX into VIRL
Cisco VIRL is a learning platform which allows you to run real devices. It is built on an OpenStack architecture that allows rapid deployment of instances of NX-OS, IOSv, IOS-XE ASA and vSRX. I am going to show you the…
SPARK: VIRL is launched!
Cisco VIRL Cisco VIRL has been officially release. Cisco VIRL is Ciso’s network topology platform that allows the study, testing, simulation and validation of enterprise and service provider topologies in a lab environment. Built on KVM using OpenStack, this platform…
REVIEW: CCIE RS v5 certification guide ROUGH CUT
SPARK : CCIE RS v5 certification guide ROUGH CUT I am currently working on my CCIEv5 RS. The new blueprint change has added some good new information and removed obsolete technologies from the test. The rough cut of the new…
CISCO VIRL : Terminal Multiplexing
Cisco VIRL : Terminal Mutliplexing There is a built-in console with VIRL. It allows access to the CLI of the network devices that you deploy so you can administer them. In previous build there were some clicky click features. Due…
CCIE Study: My study approach for the CCIE
My study method Approach It is well-known with the content on this blog that I am still working toward my CCIE. With that you need a structured approach. This isn’t a walk in the park and understanding the path ahead…
CCIE Study: EIGRP interface types
I have come across some interesting behaviour at the interface level with EIGRP. Dynamic By default many people use the network command to form a neighbor with EIGRP. This involves sending Hellos to 224.0.0.10 or FE02::A at the default interval…
CCIE Study: Key chain rotation with EIGRP named mode
Key chain rotation with EIGRP named mode Here is a simply topology as per the CCIE RS material provided by INE. The DMVPN network is used a lot within the many examples and demonstrations to learn technologies due to the…
Breaking down a VIRL file
When building a topology within Cisco VIRL it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the file structure. If you’ve been exposed to XML and Cisco config files before (I would hope ALL of you would have) then nothing…
BURST: INE RS v5 base topology with Cisco VIRL
I have uploaded and attached the VIRL file I have made for my studies. It is the ground floor topology that allows potential CCIEs like yours truly to get their hands dirty. To be used in conjunction with the INE…
Cisco VIRL : Where did NX-OS go?
Cisco VIRL allows administrators and network engineers to build network topologies rapidly and validate a variety of use cases on a virtual platform. Superb for change and even better when considering traditionally this used to require physical equipment or ‘guestimation’.…
Cisco VIRL : Autonetkit
Cisco Virtual Internet Routing Lab (VIRL) is a platform that allows administrators and developers the ability to test changes, new technology, or try new architectures in a safe lab environment. This is a fantastic tool for studying the CCIE. It…
CCIE Study: BGP neighbors
I have been configuring a rather large topology within my GNS3 environment of late and it is composed of many peers. At this stage I had a plethora of peelings up. The diagram below highlights a small subset of a…
REVIEW: CCIEv5 Configuration Practice Labs
CCIEv5 Configuration Practice Lab Having a Safari Books Online subscription does have its benefits. Whilst looking for a reference book during the week I noticed that the CCIEv5 Configuration Practice Labs appeared. I felt it was very soon for such…
[SPARK] VMware certification expiry – so what?
VMware certification announced that they are now putting timers on to their certifications and encouraging the recertification of titles. This has caused an uproar amongst the VMware and virtualisation community. Previously VMware certified professions have been able to certify against…
Cisco CCIE v5
As the news spreads the internet and as many people waited and speculated Cisco released the blueprint for the CCIE routing and switching version 5! This is one of the biggest steps forward in my opinion of the CCIE in…
ASA FQDN access-list Part 2
My previous post focused on using access-lists that we based upon Fully Qualified Domain Names. This recently has posed a solution for some works that have been undertaken. Even though it might seem quite straight forward to implement – there…
Cisco DOCCD – the single point of truth
Many are aware I am working on my CCIE. I currently have the written exam lined up and in might sights. Given my enterprise background there are quite a few technologies in which I do not get to deploy quite…
Major network RIP
As I march onwards to the CCIE written the need is apparent that you must understand every trick and caveat of a routing protocol. I have been reading up and working on RIP this weekend and amongst the funny situations…
NX-OS and Cisco Nexus Switching
The data center is ever evolving and in the heart of many is the Cisco Nexus platform. This device series has many different opinions based on who you speak to. Birthed out of a secret project, the Nexus family hit the market…
Network Field Day 4
If you are in IT and not a 9-to-5’er you have most definitely exposed to the ever evolving nature of technology. SDN this, Virtualize that, and to the cloud with the rest. Keeping up with technology that vendors develop without the marketing…
Why must we go to area 0?
OSPF is something that still mystifies me. I know it is a vast and large protocol and I do hope I can dispel something today for you. “Why do other areas need to connect to area 0?” Picture a tree. Nice big…
Why hate on ASA?
The Cisco ASA line has some serious bad juju when mentioned in networking circles. Example of this is of my mentor, Kurt Bales. He is a Juniper champion, JNCIE candidate, and all around network guru. His background lent it self…
Remote Labbing – Lab long and prosper!
Certification requires a lot of lab time. I mean a lot. Hundreds of hours of thorough, insightful, and meaningful labbing. Let alone the time invested behind the CLI of a CCIE certification. There are two routes these days that most…
Cheeky little Question Mark
This morning a post came in via the IPExpert Mailing list. Someone was asking how to put in a ? mark into the password as required by the task. I read this and thought it was rather odd! By default…