Here is my journey to start learning network programmability and automation, and how I get the Cisco network programmability specialist certification (300-550 exam). In this post, I give you the links towards all the resources which I used to study.
Continue reading “My journey to network programmability and automation”
After being six times at Cisco Live Europe between 2009 and 2016, this year my management allowed me to go to Cisco Live US. I registered last week and now I am starting to see some rumors about the customer appreciation event (CAE) and the keynote speakers.
Continue reading “Cisco Live US 2018 – CAE and keynote speakers [updated]”
On Cisco routers, by default the BGP protocol will not do load-sharing – and even less unequal cost load-sharing – across multiple links, for traffic to the same eBGP destination with different AS-path. Let’s see how we can change this.
Continue reading “BGP load sharing and unequal cost load sharing”
I passed the CCIE R&S written exams version 4.0 and 5.0, studied for the lab exams for both versions with workbooks and mock labs from many vendors such as INE, IPexpert (closed today), Narbik Kocharians / Micronics Training and Cisco expert-level training. I attempted the CCIE R&S lab exam once on version 4.0 and three times on version 5.0. Now I would like to share with you my experience about the CCIE strategy and especially the mistakes to avoid to have the best chance to get your numbers.
The Cisco Embedded Event Manager or Cisco EEM is a software component of Cisco IOS, IOS-XR, and NX-OS that provides real-time network event detection and onboard automation.
EEM allows you to automate tasks, perform minor enhancements and create workarounds and can makes life easier for network operators by tracking and classifying events that take place on a network device and providing actions options for those events.
Recently, a customer called me to configure Netflow on these routers because he just installed NetFlow Analyzer software from ManageEngine. This software is an “all in one” NetFlow collector, database, WebUI software, able to build pretty nice reports.
In my opinion, Netflow is one of the absolutely required software to have a good visibility when you operate a network. Continue reading “Cisco Flexible Netflow configuration”
Cisco Meraki access-points can operate as mesh repeaters, which allows them to extend the wireless network range. Since repeaters also support wired clients plugged into their wired interface, a repeater can be used to bridge a remote LAN segment back to the main network.
This article explains how the LAN can be extended via a wireless bridge, including limitations and requirements. There are 3 supported designs for extending the LAN via wireless mesh. Continue reading “Extending the LAN with a Meraki wireless mesh link”
Configuring a LACP link aggregation, EtherChannel, or port-channel, or Eth-trunk between Huawei and Cisco switch is something very common. But since the configuration syntax between the two vendors is different, it can be confusing.
In this article, I will show how to configure a LACP port-channel – called Eth-trunk on Huawei – properly between a Cisco catalyst switch running IOS or IOS-XE and a Huawei switch, model 6700 in this case.
Continue reading “Building a LACP port-channel between Cisco and Huawei switch”
Wireless mesh networking is included and enabled by default in every Cisco Meraki AP. The goal is to create a self-healing network that is resilient to cable and switch failures.
But, how does it works exactly?
How does an AP choose between the existing neighbors?
How can we monitor the status and performances of a mesh link?
And as it is enable by default, is it possible to deactivate this feature?
A Cisco C2960X stack can have up to 8 members, however there is only one master on the stack. Adding a switch to the stack without taking a few precautions can have disastrous consequences.
Continue reading “How to add a switch to an existing Cisco C2960X stack without breaking everything”
This morning, I received a notice about a Cisco Meraki MX firmware upgrade planned for a security appliance I have in my lab. Continue reading “Cisco Meraki MX Static IP assignment via Dashboard”
The GUI application to use Cisco VIRL, VM Maestro, comes with a basic internal Telnet and SSH client called “Cisco Terminal”.
If, like me, you want to use the rock-solid SecureCRT as terminal emulator client, you need to change the the VM Maestro preferences. Continue reading “How to setup Cisco VIRL, VM Maestro to use SecureCRT as default terminal”
As I took four times the CCIE lab exam in Brussels, I am happy to share my experience of the exam location, the test room, how to get there and the nearby hotel. Continue reading “Taking the CCIE lab exam in Brussels”
