So…..with my SWITCH exam scheduled for a couple of weeks from now, it’s time to knuckle down for some serious prep work. This is going to be a mixture of reading, lab exercises and practice questions. To give this some structure and ensure I cover everything off I thought it would be a good idea to document it so I can tick off each bit as I go along. Here’s the plan:
Monday 5th March:
- read CCNP quick ref guide – chapter 1 – Campus Network Design
- read SWITCH portable command guide chapter 1 – Analysing Campus Network Designs
- take Boson Practice exam A and review incorrect answers
Tuesday 6th March:
- read CCNP quick ref guide – chapter 2 – VLAN Implementation
- read SWITCH portable command guide chapter 2 – Implementing VLANS in a Campus Network
- Lab 2-1, Static VLANS, VLAN Trunking, and VTP Domains and Modes
- Lab 2-2, Configuring EtherChannel
Wednesday 7th March:
- read CCNP quick ref guide – chapter 3 – Spanning Tree
- read SWITCH portable command guide chapter 3 – Implementing Spanning Tree
- Lab 3-1, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Default Behavior
- Lab 3-2, Modifying Default Spanning Tree Behavior
- Lab 3-3, Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Behavior
- Lab 3-4, Multiple Spanning Tree
Thursday 8th March:
- read CCNP quick ref guide – chapter 4 – InterVLAN Routing
- read SWITCH portable command guide chapter 4 – Implementing InterVLAN Routing
- Lab 4-1, Inter-VLAN Routing with an External Router
- Lab 4-2, Inter-VLAN Routing with an Internal Route Processor and Monitoring CEF Functions
- Lab 4-3, VLANs, VTP, and Inter-VLAN Routing Case Study
Friday 9th March:
- read CCNP quick ref guide – chapter 5 – Implementing High Availability
- read SWITCH portable command guide chapter 5 – Implementing a Highly Available Network
- !!!! GO TO THE PUB AND WATCH THE GAME !!!!
Saturday 10th March:
- read CCNP quick ref guide – chapter 6 – First Hop Redundancy
- read SWITCH portable command guide chapter 6 – Implementing a FHRP solution
- take Boson Practice exam B and review incorrect answers
- Lab 5-1, Hot Standby Router Protocol
- Lab 5-2, IP Service Level Agreements in a Campus Environment
Sunday 11th March: !!!! DAY WITH FAMILY !!!!
Monday 12th March:
- read CCNP quick ref guide – chapter 7 – Campus Network Security
- read SWITCH portable command guide chapter 7 – Minimising Service Loss and Data Theft
- Lab 6-1, Securing Layer 2 Switches
- Lab 6-2, Securing Spanning Tree Protocol
- Lab 6-3, Securing VLANs with Private VLANs, RACLs, and VACLs
Tuesday 13th March:
- read CCNP quick ref guide – chapter 8 – Voice and Video in a Campus Network
- read SWITCH portable command guide chapter 8 – Accommodating Voice and Video in a Campus Network
- Lab 7-1, Configuring Switches for IP Telephony Support
- Lab 7-3, Voice and Security in a Switched Network – Case Study
Wednesday 14th March:
- read CCNP quick ref guide – chapter 9 – Wireless LAN’s in a Campus Network
- read SWITCH portable command guide chapter 9 – Integrating Wireless LAN’s into a Campus Network
- Lab 7-2, Configuring a WLAN Controller
- take Boson Practice exam C and review incorrect answers
Thursday 15th March:
- TBC – study weak areas
Friday 16th March:
- TBC – study weak areas
Saturday 17th March:
- TBC – study weak areas
Sunday 18th March: !!!! MOTHER’S DAY !!!!