Archive by Author
Training in an Alternate Universe
Posted on 25. Jun, 2008 by rivansystems.
So…I’m sitting in the Cisco keynote speech featuring Padmasree Warrior (Cisco’s new CIO) who is talking about the power of collaboration in the world. She was mentioning things like Twitter, vLogs, and Second Life…suddenly, a brilliant idea hits me: training in Second Life?!? Is it possible?
Okay, I admit, up until now, I thought Second Life was going to lead us into the Matrix…where everyone lived in and was controlled by machines. I steered clear of it. But, now I’m thinking - is it possible to deliver live, interactive classes through Second Life? Help me out here second-lifers…Here’s my idea…
Build a “virtual classroom” in second life where “virtual students” can come and see a whiteboard, ask questions, watch live demos on Cisco gear, maybe even do labs themselves? Is it possible? What would it take to make it happen?
This could be really cool…
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New CCNA Certifications: The Cat is Out of the Bag!
Posted on 25. Jun, 2008 by rivansystems.
Finally, on Tuesday afternoon, Cisco announced the new CCNA-level certifications…and they are (drum roll please):
CCNA Security
CCNA Voice
CCNA Wireless
I’m actually creating the CCNA Voice Official Exam Certification Guide for Cisco Press as we speak. I’ve got to tell you - this certification is awesome. It completely fills a much needed gap of knowledge that’s needed before you get into the CCVP program. I can’t speak for the Security & Wireless certs, but in the CCNA Voice, you’ll be learning:
VoIP & Legacy System Integration
CallManager Express setup
Unity Express setup
Basic QoS, Dial-Peers, and other technical nuances
Having this foundation before someone gets into a CCVP will be awesome. Yesterday afternoon, Cisco Press conducted a “podcast video interview” with me about the cert. I’ll post the link as soon as it’s available. I was actually interviewed by none other than Jeff Doyle (the TCP/IP routing genus) - I’m honored! Anyhow, I’m finally free to talk about this stuff, which is relieving. I’m sure I’ll talk plenty about it in my 4:00pm session today at Networkers.
UPDATE: It looks like the Routing and Switching CCNA (the original) will be the prerequisite for all the other CCNA specialties.
UPDATEx2: CCVP and CCSP will now require CCNA Voice and CCNA Security as official prerequisites as of June 2009.
Here’s more information, if you’re interested:
Official Cisco Press Announcement
Cisco’s CCNA Voice Preparation Course
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A Cisco Tip Repository
Posted on 20. Jun, 2008 by rivansystems.
Cisco has converted their “Reader TIPS” from the TAC newsletter into a WIKI. Plenty of cool stuff here:
http://supportwiki.cisco.com/ViewWiki/index.php/Tech_Insights:Homepage
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My New Favorite IOS Command
Posted on 13. Jun, 2008 by rivansystems.
I know I mentioned this command in passing a few posts ago, but this command has become so valuable to me, it needs its own post. It’s the show run | section command. This allows you to define any “major heading” from the IOS configuration and it will filter the running configuration down to just those sections. This is very similar to how the ASA “show run” command works.
For example, I’m working on a book focused around CallManager Express (CME) right now. In CME, you create “ephones” which represent the IP Phones on your network. If I wanted to see the configuration for all my ephones, I can just type:
CME_Voice#show run | s ephone
max-ephones 24
ephone-dn 1
number 1000
ephone-dn 2 dual-line
number 1001
ephone-dn 3 dual-line
number 1003
ephone-dn 10 dual-line
number 1010
huntstop channel
ephone-dn 11
number 1010
preference 1
ephone 1
device-security-mode none
mac-address 0014.1C48.E71A
button 1:10
ephone 2
device-security-mode none
mac-address 0019.D122.DCF3
button 1:11
ephone 3
device-security-mode none
mac-address 0014.A89E.F845
button 1:1 2:2 3:3
ephone 4
device-security-mode none
(FYI - “s” is short for “section”) As you can see, this shows all the sections of running-config that start with “ephone”, which is all my ephones and ephone-dns (their directory numbers). Gotta love it!
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Cisco configuration of DHCP service on a Router or L3 Switch
Posted on 28. Feb, 2008 by rivansystems.
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Knowing the Catalyst 4500 and 6500 switches
Posted on 28. Feb, 2008 by rivansystems.