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Course ID: CSI-HO-010
Course Description:
Service providers today are faced with many challenges in terms of customer demand, including an ongoing need for value-added services. Conventional IP packet forwarding has several limitations, and more and more service providers are realizing that something else is needed. Not only must they be concerned with protecting their existing infrastructure, but they must also find ways to generate new services that are not currently supportable using existing technologies.
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a high-performance method for forwarding packets through a network. It enables routers at the edge of a network to apply simple labels to packets. This practice allows the edge devices – ATM switches or existing routers in the center of the service provider core – to switch packets according to labels, with minimal lookup overhead. MPLS integrates the performance and traffic management capabilities of data link Layer 2 with the scalability and flexibility of network Layer 3 routing. When used in conjunction with other standard technologies, it allows service providers the ability to support value-added features that are critical for their networks.
The course is a combination of knowledge training, systems analysis, with hands-on exercises using Cisco routers and Cisco IOS, revealing the details of MPLS in a swift, comprehensive, and understandable way.
Audience:
The target audience for this course is anyone in Engineering, Test, Customer Support, Technical Marketing, or even Sales and Marketing that requires a solid and complete understanding of the fundamental operations of Multiprotocol Label Switching and desires hands-on skills that can be applied to their job function.
Ideal candidates are:
* Network Design Engineers that need to understand MPLS services and applications
* Network Management individuals that are providing element and network management tools
* Technical sales individuals that must be able to correlate features with functionality
* Technical marketing individuals that want more than just a basic understanding of MPLS
* Certification Track individuals that need to expand their knowledge and studies
* Network Administrators
1-Day Instructor Led Hands On Lab Class
Available in either Web Based delivery or On-Site Delivery
Course Objectives:
To develop a "hands-on" skill set targeted at MPLS networking in the following key areas:
* Describe basic MPLS frame-mode architecture and identify how it supports applications that are used to address the drawbacks in traditional IP routing
* Describe the LDP process by explaining label allocation, label distribution, label retention, label convergence, and PHP in frame mode MPLS
* Identify the Cisco IOS command syntax required to successfully configure, monitor, and troubleshoot MPLS operations on frame, and switched WAN interfaces, given a diagram of a typical MPLS network solution
* Describe the MPLS peer-to-peer architecture and explain the routing and packet forwarding model in this architecture
Course Outline:
Part 1:
* The Groundwork
* Overview and Introductions
* Introduction to MPLS
* The Problems MPLS Solves
* LAB: Accessing the Lab Network
Part 2:
* Basic MPLS Concepts
* MPLS Labels and Label Stack
* MPLS Applications
* LAB 2: Installing an IGP
* Label Assignment and Distribution
* Typical Label Distribution in Frame-mode MPLS
* MPLS Label Allocation, Distribution, and Retention Modes
* LDP Neighbor Discovery
* Configuring Frame Mode MPLS on Cisco IOS Platforms (up to page 3-22)
* LAB 3: Installing and verifying MPLS
Part 3:
* MPLS Optional Capabilities
* LAB 4: Disabling TTL Propagation
* LAB 5: Constraining Label Distribution
* Monitoring Frame Mode MPLS on Cisco IOS Platforms
* Troubleshooting MPLS Networks
* LAB: Troubleshooting Lab
Course Prerequisites:
This course to appeal to anyone needing the skills and knowledge of MPLS. The ideal student will have some experience in networking and operations, with knowledge of IP addressing and routing. All students must attend with a lap-top computer in order to interface to the Router Lab. If the course is held at a classroom where computers are available, the Lap-top computer will not be required.
Course Materials:
Students will be provided with a Course Student Guide and a Lab Guide. Also, a lab system for configuration and labs will be provided.
Related Content:
This course is part of the CellStream "101 Series" Courses. This course should be taken prior to any 201, 301, or 401 classes. Related to this course and a great next step is the IPv4 Routing 101 class. After this class, if interested in the next generation IP, you should consider the Hands On IPv6 class.