From: leedzi@yahoo.com
Date: Mon May 21 2007 - 16:05:08 ART
I'm new to the list, and I wanted to get a little bit of feedback about this writeup.
This is the overall methodology that I will be utilizing to pass the lab. Any critique is welcome and appreciated.
CCIE Lab methodology: A structured approach that may very well save my life, because my wife will slay me if I dont pass.
Composed by Lee Dziabczenko
An approach based upon detailed diagramming, two examinations of all tasks before any configurations are made, and show commands to verify that a task is completed before it is marked as completed.
Time breakdown:
1 hour - Phase 1: Analysis and diagramming
6 hours - Phase 2: Configuration and troubleshooting
1 hour - Phase 3: Verification and remediation
This allows for 3.6 minutes to be spent on each individual point during the configuration phase, which means that no more than 10 minutes should be spent on a 3 point task. Increased time allocation in one section must be compensated for in another section.
Phase 1: Analysis and diagramming
1a. Analyze the tasks, reading through each one on a first examination of all requirements. While reading through the first time, look at the diagrams provided to attempt to identify potential issues.
1b. Examine the diagrams provided, and determine whether additional diagrams are needed to accurately complete tasks. 3 minutes spent creating an additional diagram may save 30 minutes while attempting to complete a difficult task. The act of redrawing a diagram to suit the type of diagrams you prefer will create a deeper understanding of the topology and may save additional time while completing the tasks. Every diagram must be verified for accuracy before continuing to create the next.
Diagrams should be created for the following:
Switch ports A map of the interconnections between each switch should be created, with L2/L3 ether channel interfaces noted and VLAN memberships for ports defined. This diagram should be large and as clear as possible, because every stage of the rest of the lab relies on this configuration portion.
IGP A map of the AS/area memberships for each device. A different color should be used for each IGP, and redistribution points and directions should be identified for loop prevention.
BGP This may be drawn on the IGP map to provide an understanding of the relationships between BGP and IGPs, and to identify points where modifications (e.g. next-hop-self) are necessary to obtain complete connectivity. All AS numbers should be noted on each device, and lines should be traced between devices to identify every peering that will be used.
Multicast A map for multicast flow should be created. Only devices and interfaces involved with multicast should be included in the drawing. RPs, RPF issues, necessary tunnel interfaces, etc. should be noted on this diagram to easily identify what type of configurations will be needed. Include basic IGP connectivity on this diagram to identify potential issues.
1c. Analyze the tasks a second time, this time with knowledge of all tasks in mind to view the test in a holistic manner. The diagrams that have been created at this point will have provided a more in depth look at some tasks, and will allow potential configuration issues to be spotted before a single command has even been entered. Identify all sections of the lab that must be completed before continuing to the rest of the lab.
While completing the second pass, create a list of the necessity and/or difficulty of a given section. Each task should be given a Core or Non-Core rating (C or N), and all Non-Core tasks should be assigned an estimate of how many minutes it will take to complete the task. Core tasks are defined as any L2 or L3 task that must be completed properly for the rest of the tasks are attempted. The second pass over the requirements is necessary to spot relationships between configurations. The list created on the second pass will not take more than 5 additional minutes, and will provide a checklist that will be used to track progress. Important points identified at this stage may be noted either on the list created or on the diagrams themselves.
During the analysis phase, it is advisable to write/type notes for any and all potential issues identified. Your mind is at its clearest during this stage of the process, and you may not think of some of the issues you originally identified when you approach a task in the eleventh hour.
The order in which the tasks are presented may be sub-optimal. If necessary, create a short list of what order all core tasks must be completed to satisfy any necessary dependency chains. All core L2 tasks must be completed before any L3 or secondary L2 tasks are attempted. Any task not necessary to establish complete connectivity and routing is considered non-core because it does not have to be in place in order to properly configure all other tasks in the exam.
Phase 2: Configuration and Troubleshooting
General requirements - Complete all tasks for a section before moving to another section. Never attempt to work on multiple sections simultaneously, even if some tasks are interrelated. You only get points for sections that are 100% complete, so individual sections must be verified to be complete before continuing to another.
Use show commands during each portion of a configuration to verify that the individual portions of the command were entered correctly. Upon completion of a section, use all necessary show commands and examine the running config to verify that the configuration you applied precisely meets the requirements given. After completing the configuration of a section, you may find that your original interpretation of the question along with the solution you implemented does not fully address the requirements given.
Save your configuration upon completion of every section.
Before configuring any portion of a section, re-examine the issues that you identified during the analysis stage to keep them in mind during any configuration steps. Upon completion of any task, note that the section was completed on the list of tasks that you created earlier.
Keep your eye on the clock. This section of the exam must end when there is only one hour left. If you have not verifiably completed at least 80 points worth of configurations by the time you have 1 hour left, continue until you are sure that over 80 points have been completed. If you cannot easily figure out how to accomplish the tasks in a section that isnt a core L2/L3 task, decide whether it is worth the time to pursue the task to completion or whether you should complete other tasks and return to the more difficult tasks when you are done with all other tasks.
2a. Complete all core L2/L3 configurations necessary to obtain basic connectivity on any segment of the network. This will include all VLAN configurations, trunking, Frame Relay, P2P, bridging, L2 and L3 ether channels, STP, etc. Non-core L2 configurations may also be completed during this stage if they are not time consuming or difficult. The point of this phase is to build the foundation that the rest of the configurations will rely upon.
2b. Complete all core L3 IGP configurations. This is defined as all tasks necessary to establish routing throughout your network as defined by lab requirements. This will include all IGP tasks, redistribution, traffic engineering, and static routing. Necessary security configurations should be examined before completing this section, because security requirements may alter the way you will have to apply your IGP configurations.
2c. Complete all BGP configurations.
2d. Reboot all of your equipment. Take a bathroom break or get a glass of water while the equipment reboots to clear your head. Upon completion of the reboot, verify that all neighbor relationships properly establish for all routing protocols. Remediate any issues related to the establishment of neighbor relationships after the reboot.
2e. Complete all Multicast configurations. Use RTR to verify that multicast is functioning as desired.
2f. Complete all IPv6 configurations.
2g. Complete all security configurations. After completing any security task that could potentially affect routing, verify that routing is properly occurring on any segments that were modified.
2h. Calculate how much time you have remaining, keeping in mind that one hour must be reserved at the end of the test to verify configurations. If you have not completed all sections of the exam you can still easily pass as long as you have completely verified that the sections you have configured are configured properly. With this in mind, complete the easiest remaining tasks first to accumulate as many points as possible in a minimal amount of time. After the easiest tasks are complete, complete any remaining tasks in any order of operation necessary to properly establish dependency chains between tasks. Stop this section and take stock of your progress when you have one hour remaining.
Phase 3: Verification and Remediation
This should be the final hour of the exam. During the Configuration and Troubleshooting phase of this process, every individual section should have been verified for accuracy and whether the solution completely met the given requirements. The purpose of this phase is primarily to verify that later configurations that were applied did not damage the effects of configurations applied earlier in the lab.
3a. Reboot all of your equipment.
3b. Verify that all necessary L2/L3 connectivity has remained, and was not damaged in any way due to security or other configurations. Quickly check the routing tables of each IGP and BGP on every device. Verify that all neighbor relationships in all routing protocols are properly establishing.
3c. Verify that Multicast and any other non-core communication is properly operating, and not damaged due to security or other configurations.
3d. Remediate any issues identified during the verification process. You must allot a significant timeslot to remediation on the chance that a core configuration has been damaged.
3e. With any time that you have remaining, verify that all access lists, route filters, or any other configurations are all properly applied. There is no such thing as having too much time remaining with nothing to do you can check and double check your configurations with any remaining time you have.
3f. Open your email inbox after you leave the exam to find that you have passed.
3g. Celebrate as desired. Repeat step 3g as many times as needed.
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