Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR)

The Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies 1.4 course is designed for networking professionals aiming to enhance their skills in core enterprise network technologies. This course covers key areas such as network automation, security, and troubleshooting, equipping learners with the practical tools needed to optimize network performance. Learning objectives include mastering the implementation of routing and switching protocols, understanding network design considerations, and applying security measures effectively. Through hands-on labs and real-world scenarios, participants will gain invaluable experience in managing enterprise networks, ensuring they are well-prepared for industry challenges. This comprehensive training not only boosts technical proficiency but also enhances career opportunities in the IT landscape.

Day 1 – Enterprise Network Architecture & Switching Foundations (8 hours)

Morning (4 hrs):

• Introduction: Course overview, learning objectives, lab environment setup
• Enterprise network architecture: access, distribution, core layers; hierarchical design model.
• Switching foundations: hardware vs software switching, CAM/TCAM concepts, process switching, fast switching, Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF).
  Afternoon (4 hrs):
• Layer 2 connectivity: VLANs, trunking, inter-VLAN routing
• Redundancy in switched networks: Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid STP (RSTP), Multiple STP (MST)
• Lab 1: Configure VLANs, trunk links, verify switching paths, investigate CAM/TCAM entries.

Day 2 – Routing Protocols & Overlay Technologies (8 hours)

Morning (4 hrs):

• Routing fundamentals: EIGRP (for both IPv4 & IPv6) – metrics, path selection, summarization
• OSPFv2 and OSPFv3: adjacencies, areas, route filtering, summarization, optimization.
  Afternoon (4 hrs):
• External BGP (eBGP): inter-domain routing, single vs dual-homed, path selection
• Overlay/virtualization technologies: VRF, GRE, VPNs, LISP.
• Lab 2: Configure and verify multi-area OSPF, implement eBGP, set up VRFs and GRE tunnels.

Day 3 – Wireless, Services, and Network Services (8 hours)

Morning (4 hrs):

• Wireless networking fundamentals: RF/antenna concepts, wireless standards, AP/WLC architectures, deployment models (autonomous vs controller-based).
• Wireless client authentication: EAP, WebAuth, PSK; roaming and location services.
  Afternoon (4 hrs):
• Network services & infrastructure features: NAT (static & dynamic), HSRP/VRRP for redundancy, IP SLA, NetFlow, Embedded Event Manager (EEM) for monitoring/troubleshooting.
• Lab 3: Configure wireless client authentication, test roaming; configure NAT, HSRP, VRRP, IP SLA.

Day 4 – Security, Automation & SD-Overlay Technologies (8 hours)

Morning (4 hrs):

• Infrastructure security: Device hardening (SSH, ACLs, RBAC), AAA (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting), content security, endpoint security, personal firewalls.
• Quality of Service (QoS): Concepts, classification, marking, queuing in enterprise networks.
  Afternoon (4 hrs):
• Automation & programmability: Basic Python scripting, JSON, NETCONF/RESTCONF, APIs (e.g., for Cisco DNA Center, Cisco vManage).
• Software-defined overlay technologies: Cisco SD‑Access and Cisco SD‑WAN architecture (control, data, management planes).
• Lab 4: Write simple Python/JSON scripts, invoke RESTCONF; configure SD-Access/SD-WAN overlay scenarios.

Day 5 – Troubleshooting, Monitoring, HA & Course Wrap-up (8 hours)

Morning (4 hrs):

• Monitoring and troubleshooting: Use of show/debug commands, logs, SNMP, IP SLA, EEM, NetFlow; fault isolation in wired, wireless, overlay networks.
• High availability (HA) & scalability: Redundant architectures, device/state/site-level HA, upgrade/rollback procedures.
  Afternoon (4 hrs):
• Comprehensive lab: end-to-end scenario combining switching, routing, wireless, security, overlay, automation.
• Review key exam topics for Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise core exam (350-401).
• Q&A, final assessment, next-steps guide.