Implementing and Operating Cisco® Enterprise Network Core Technologies (Live Online)

The Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) v1.0 course provides you with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills required to design, troubleshoot, and administer complex enterprise network environments spanning both wired and wireless infrastructure. Throughout this course, you will gain expertise in integrating security protocols across enterprise networks and explore advanced network design methodologies utilizing modern solutions, including SD-Access and SD-WAN technologies.

This course prepares you for the 350-401 Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) examination, which serves as a qualifying assessment for multiple advanced certifications:

• CCNP Enterprise
• CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
• CCIE Enterprise Wireless
• Cisco Certified Specialist; Enterprise Core

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain hierarchical network design principles and modern network architecture, incorporating access, distribution, and core layers
• Analyze different hardware and software switching technologies, processing mechanisms, and data structures, including Ternary Content Addressable Memory (TCAM) and Content Addressable Memory (CAM), plus compare process switching, fast switching, and Cisco Express Forwarding approaches
• Diagnose and resolve Layer 2 connectivity challenges involving VLANs and trunk configurations
• Deploy redundant switched network topologies utilizing Spanning Tree Protocol
• Diagnose and fix link aggregation issues using EtherChannel
• Explain key features, metrics, and path selection algorithms of Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP)
• Deploy and optimize Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)v2 and OSPFv3, covering adjacency establishment, packet types, area design, address summarization, and advanced route filtering for both IPv4 and IPv6 networks
• Implement External Border Gateway Protocol (EBGP) for interdomain routing, including path selection strategies and single and dual-homed network designs
• Establish network redundancy using industry-standard protocols such as Hot Standby Routing Protocol (HSRP) and Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP)
• Provision enterprise internet connectivity using both static and dynamic Network Address Translation (NAT) techniques
• Discuss server, switch, and network device virtualization technologies and their benefits
• Configure and deploy overlay network technologies, including Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF), Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE), VPN solutions, and Location Identifier Separation Protocol (LISP)
• Outline wireless networking fundamentals, including Radio Frequency (RF) propagation, antenna engineering, and standards specifications
• Compare different wireless deployment models, from traditional autonomous Access Point (AP) configurations to modern cloud-based approaches operating within Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) architectures
• Analyze wireless roaming capabilities and location-based services in enterprise environments
• Describe how Access Points communicate with Wireless LAN Controllers for software distribution, configuration synchronization, and centralized management
• Configure and validate Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), web-based authentication, and pre-shared key (PSK) methods for wireless client authentication on WLC platforms
• Troubleshoot wireless client connection problems using specialized diagnostic tools and techniques
• Diagnose enterprise network issues using critical services such as Network Time Protocol (NTP), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Cisco IOS IP Service Level Agreements (SLAs), NetFlow analysis, and Cisco IOS Embedded Event Manager capabilities
• Discuss network analysis and troubleshooting tools available for diagnosis, including CLI show and debug commands, plus industry best practices for systematic troubleshooting
• Establish secure administrative access to Cisco IOS devices via Command-Line Interface (CLI), implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), apply Access Control Lists (ACLs), establish Secure Shell (SSH), and address device hardening strategies to protect against legacy, less-secure protocols like Telnet and HTTP
• Establish enterprise-scale administration through Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) implementation, using both local authentication databases and external servers, while evaluating feature advantages
• Discuss enterprise network security framework, detailing the role and importance of VPNs, content protection systems, centralized logging, client-side security measures, personal firewalls, and additional defensive capabilities
• Analyze the purpose, capabilities, features, and operational workflows of Cisco DNA Center Assurance for Intent-Based Networking, including network observability, predictive monitoring, and application performance measurement
• Outline Cisco SD-Access architecture components and capabilities, including control plane nodes, fabric infrastructure, data plane operations, and Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) gateway functions
• Detail Cisco SD-WAN solution architecture, including orchestration, management, control plane, and data plane components and their interactions
• Explain multicast networking concepts and protocols, including Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) versions 2 and 3, Protocol-Independent Multicast (PIM) in dense and sparse modes, and rendezvous point operations
• Discuss Quality of Service (QoS) concepts and functionality, plus explain why QoS implementation is critical in enterprise network environments
• Review Python programming fundamentals, including basic syntax and conditional logic, with practical script creation and analysis
• Describe network automation protocols such as Network Configuration Protocol (NETCONF) and RESTCONF for device management
• Explore Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) available in Cisco DNA Center and vManage platforms

Prerequisites:

• Working knowledge of Enterprise LAN implementation
• Foundational understanding of Enterprise routing protocols and wireless network connectivity
• Basic proficiency with the Python programming language

Target Audience:

• Intermediate-level network engineers
• Network administrators with enterprise responsibility
• Network support specialists
• Help desk professionals advancing their technical skills

Course Topics and Structure:

• Analyzing Cisco Enterprise Network Architecture
• Evaluating Cisco Switching Path Technologies
• Deploying Campus LAN Connectivity Solutions
• Constructing Redundant Switched Topologies
• Implementing Layer 2 Port Aggregation
• Mastering EIGRP Configuration and Operation
• Deploying and Fine-tuning OSPF
• Optimizing OSPF Performance
• Integrating EBGP in Enterprise Networks
• Deploying Network Redundancy Protocols
• Implementing NAT in Enterprise Environments
• Introducing Virtualization Protocols and Advanced Techniques
• Understanding Virtual Private Networks and Logical Interfaces
• Mastering Wireless Networking Principles
• Evaluating Wireless Deployment Architectures
• Implementing Wireless Roaming and Location Services
• Understanding Wireless Access Point Operations
• Managing Wireless Client Authentication Methods
• Diagnosing Wireless Client Connection Problems
• Integrating Multicast Protocols in Enterprise Networks
• Implementing Quality of Service Standards
• Deploying Enterprise Network Services
• Utilizing Network Diagnostic and Analysis Tools
• Securing Infrastructure and Device Access
• Implementing Access Control and Authentication Systems
• Evaluating Enterprise Network Security Architecture
• Leveraging Automation and Assurance in Cisco DNA Center
• Deploying Cisco SD-Access Solutions
• Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Architecture
• Fundamentals of Python for Network Engineers
• Exploring Network Programmability Interfaces and Protocols
• Utilizing APIs in Cisco DNA Center and vManage Platforms

Hands-On Lab Exercises:

• Examining CAM Operation and Function
• Evaluating Cisco Express Forwarding Behavior
• Diagnosing VLAN and Trunk Configuration Issues
• Optimizing Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Deploying Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)
• Setting Up Multiple Spanning Tree Protocols
• Diagnosing EtherChannel Problems
• Establishing Multi-area OSPF Deployments
• Implementing OSPF Tuning Parameters
• Applying OSPF Optimization Strategies
• Deploying OSPFv3 for IPv6
• Configuring and Testing Single-Homed EBGP Connections
• Implementing Hot Standby Routing Protocol (HSRP)
• Configuring Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP)
• Deploying Network Address Translation
• Configuring and Verifying Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF)
• Creating and Verifying Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) Tunnel Connections
• Establishing Static Virtual Tunnel Interface (VTI) Point-to-Point Tunnel Links
• Configuring Wireless Client Authentication in Enterprise Environments
• Diagnosing Wireless Client Connection Issues
• Setting Up Syslog for Network Event Logging
• Configuring and Validating Flexible NetFlow
• Implementing Cisco IOS Embedded Event Manager (EEM)
• Troubleshooting Network Connectivity and Analyzing Traffic with Ping, Traceroute, and Debug
• Configuring and Verifying Cisco IP Service Level Agreements
• Implementing Standard and Extended Access Control Lists
• Configuring Control Plane Policing
• Deploying Local and Server-Based AAA
• Creating and Troubleshooting Python Scripts for Network Tasks
• Exploring JSON Structures and JSON Processing in Python
• Utilizing NETCONF via SSH for Device Management
• Using RESTCONF with Cisco IOS XE Platforms