CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure – Super Lab
CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure – Super Lab
The Super Lab is designed to provide CCIE EI candidates with a comprehensive experience and practice platform for the Full Scale Mock CCIE Lab. This challenging assessment is divided into nine distinct sections, each contributing to a holistic understanding of enterprise infrastructure technologies. In this blog post, we will delve into the specifics of these nine sections.
Section 1 : Building the Service Provider Network
In this section, we focus on constructing the Service Provider Network, which includes three key components. You will be tasked with establishing Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs) to route Loopback Networks efficiently. Configuring Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) is crucial for enabling labeled reachability between routers. Additionally, you'll configure iBGP within the Service Provider network, implementing Route Reflectors for scalability. The final step involves configuring external BGP (eBGP) relationships between the Service Providers to ensure comprehensive connectivity.
Section 2 : MPLS VPN Network Setup
Section 2 leverages the Service Provider networks established earlier to configure an MPLS VPN network for a customer. Your responsibilities include configuring Multi-Protocol BGP (MP-BGP) relationships between routers, setting up Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) instances for the Customer Network, and ensuring seamless reachability between Customer Sites. This configuration is a vital step in building the MPLS network, which will subsequently be used for setting up an SD-WAN network between the Customer Sites.
Section 3 : Layer 2 Network Setup
This section concentrates on setting up the Layer 2 network within Branch 4. You will configure Port-Channels, VLANs, and trunks to establish the Layer 2 underlay. You will be responsible for mapping the Physical Topology to Layer 3 (Logical Topology). Mapping the Physical Topology to the Layer 3 Logical Topology forms the foundation for all future configurations in Branch 4.
Section 4 : BGP Configuration
Section 4 is dedicated to configuring eBGP connections to link the sites with Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Advanced features such as multi-pathing and advanced Route Reflector capabilities are part of this section. By the end of this phase, the ISPs will be fully prepared to connect all Branches and HQ.
Section 5 : IGP Configuration & Features
In this section, you will focus on configuring Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs) and enhancing their features. Tasks include configuring both Classic and Named Modes for Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), implementing route summarization, and enabling authentication. For Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), you will configure a multi-area setup, configuring Area Types based on specific requirements.
Section 6 : SD-WAN Implementation and Configuration
Section 6 is dedicated to the implementation and configuration of Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN). This involves registering WAN Edges with Controllers and creating Templates to complete the SD-WAN setup, utilizing the MPLS and Internet Connections configured in previous sections.
Section 7 : SDA Implementation and Configuration
This section focuses on Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) implementation and configuration. You will configure the Fusion Router and Border Switch, enabling onboarding in the DNA Center (DNAC). Border devices will facilitate LAN Automation for Edge Node discovery and onboarding, provisioning them in the SD-Access Fabric. Configuring L3 Handoff and Device Node specifications in the SDA Fabric is a crucial step. The Fusion router will finalize the L3 Handoff configuration initiated by DNAC on the Border Device, enabling HQ to communicate with SD-WAN branches.
Section 8 : Automation with Python Scripts
In this section, you will create Python scripts to automate network tasks such as router backups, user creation on routers/switches, and interface status monitoring across multiple devices.
Section 9 : Multicast Routing and QoS Configuration
Section 9 delves into advanced technologies, covering Multicast Routing using Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) and Multicast Source Discovery Protocol (MSDP). Additionally, you will configure Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms to optimize network utilization, including Policing, Bandwidth Reservation, and Low-Latency Queuing (LLQ).
Conclusion
The Super Lab offers a unique opportunity to integrate and apply diverse technologies, emphasizing the importance of time management during the exam. It also illustrates how dependencies among various technologies can impact different sections of the lab exam.