CCNP 5.0: Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Networks (ISCW)

NDG has worked closely with the Cisco CCNP lab team to develop NETLAB+ compatible labs for ISCW.

ISCW is supported by one or more of the following NETLAB+ pods:

• Cuatro Router Pod (CRP)
• Basic Router Pod Version 2 (BRPv2) PARTIAL
• Basic Router Pod Version 1 (BRPv1) PARTIAL

The supported lab list (below) provides a list of CCNP 5.0 ISCW compatible labs and the pod types that can be used for each lab.

• For CCNP, we have added the Cuatro Router Pod (CRP), a four router version of Basic Router Pod Version 2.
  • CRP provides the greatest lab coverage for CCNP5.0 ISCW.
  • CRP is required in order to complete the case studies.
  • All labs that work on BRPv1 and BPRv2 will also work on CRP.
• The routers used must meet minimum IOS requirements specified by the curriculum. The following recommendations are based on the official CCNP 5.0 equipment list (available on Academy Connection):
  • Cisco 2811: ISR Advanced IP Services K9 IOS (S28NAISK9-12410)
  • Cisco 2801: ISR Advanced IP Services K9 IOS (S280AISK9-12410)
  • Cisco 1841: Advanced IP Services K9 IOS (S184AISK9-12410)
• On CRP and BRPv2 router R1 should be a Cisco 2800. A Cisco 2811 is recommended (according to the CCNP Equipment List).
• Skills exams are contained in separate lab package and are enabled in the class settings separately from the core CCNP 5.0 ISCW labs. This allows instructors to defer access to the exams until the end of the course.

Enabling the Labs

To enable the ISCW labs and pod types, check the box for "AE CCNP ISCW V5.0 English" in the class settings. This must be done for each class requiring access to the ISCW labs.

You may also allow the class to make "pod-only" reservations on a Cuatro Switch Pod. To enable pod-only reservations, check the box for "AE CCNP Pod Reservations (no labs)" in the class settings.

These reservations are not tied to specific lab exercises. Therefore, the pod will be configured using the default network configuration. Please note however, not all ISCW labs use the default network configuration and must be completed by selecting the correct lab exercise (see the following discussion).

Using the Labs

Always select the correct lab exercise for the lab being performed. Students or teams should schedule the correct lab exercise from the catalog. NETLAB+ will only show those labs for which the required pod type is available. A lab that works on different pod types may appear more than once if your system is so equipped. Instructors should select the correct lab from the Exercise tab during instructor-led lab reservations. This can be done as many times as needed during the reservation.

Importance of Choosing the Correct Lab Exercise

Several of the labs may differ from the standard pod topologies. This is handled by NETLAB+ Dynamic VLAN Mapping technology. Always select the correct lab exercise for the actual lab. This insures that NETLAB+ will set up VLANs on the control switch such that lab devices and PCs are placed in the correct LAN segment for the exercise being performed. Selecting the correct exercise will also make the completed lab output easier to find in the archive.

Supported Lab List

Required Software List

CCNP 5.0 ISCW labs require certain software must be installed on the PCs. The following is a list of the required software. If possible, we suggest installing Windows 2003 server on all PCs in the pods and preloading all of the installer executable files for the software on the list. If it is not possible to have Windows 2003 installed on all the PCs, we suggest installing it on at least one, preferably PC1a for CRP and BRPv2.