CCNP ENCOR Exam Notes

The CCNP Enterprise ENCOR (Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies) exam covers a wide range of core networking concepts and technologies. Here's a detailed breakdown of the key topics:

1. Architecture

• Network Design Principles: Understand fundamental network design concepts, including scalability, reliability, availability, and performance.
• Tiered Network Design: Recognize and differentiate between Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 network layers.
• Network Capacity Planning: Assess network capacity requirements and plan for future growth.
• Redundancy and High Availability: Implement and troubleshoot redundancy mechanisms like HSRP, VRRP, and EIGRP.
• Wireless Network Design: Understand WLAN design principles, including deployment models, client density, and location services.
• SD-WAN Solutions: Learn about Cisco SD-WAN solutions, including SD-WAN control, SD-WAN solutions and limitations.
• SD-Access Solution and Design: Understand the concepts and design considerations for Cisco SD-Access solutions.

2. Virtualization

• Device Virtualization: Understand concepts of device virtualization, including virtual switching and different types of hypervisors.
• Data Path Virtualization Technologies: Learn about technologies like VRF, IPsec, and GRE tunneling for network virtualization.
• Network Virtualization: Understand network virtualization concepts, including VXLAN and LISP.

3. Infrastructure

• Layer 2 Technologies:
  • Understand and troubleshoot 802.1q protocols.
  • Troubleshoot EtherChannels.
  • Configure and verify common Spanning Tree Protocols (RSTP, MST) and enhancements.
• Layer 3 Technologies:
  • Compare routing concepts of EIGRP and OSPF (advanced distance vector vs. link state, load balancing, path selection, path operations, metrics, 1 and area types).   1. cloudsynergy.in cloudsynergy.in
  • Configure simple OSPF environments, including summarization.
  • Explore eBGP concepts.
  • Configure and troubleshoot policy-based routing.
• Wireless Technologies:
  • Understand Layer 1 concepts like RSSI.
  • Learn about different antenna types and AP modes.
  • Configure and troubleshoot access point discovery, Layer 2 and Layer 3 roaming, and wireless connectivity issues.
• IP Services:
  • Configure and troubleshoot NAT/PAT.
  • Implement and troubleshoot hop redundancy protocols like VRRP.
  • Understand and configure Network Time Protocol (NTP).
  • Configure and troubleshoot multicast protocols like IGMP v2/v3.

4. Network Assurance

• Diagnose Network Problems: Utilize various tools and techniques to diagnose and troubleshoot network issues.
• Configure NetFlow and Flexible NetFlow: Implement and configure NetFlow and Flexible NetFlow for network traffic monitoring.
• Configure SPAN/RSPAN/ERSPAN: Configure and utilize SPAN, RSPAN, and ERSPAN for network traffic analysis.
• Configure IPSLA: Configure and utilize IPSLA to monitor network performance and availability.
• Cisco DNA Center Workflows: Understand and utilize Cisco DNA Center workflows for network management and troubleshooting.
• Configure NETCONF and RESTCONF: Configure and utilize NETCONF and RESTCONF for network programmability and automation.

5. Security

• Device Access Control: Implement and configure authentication and authorization using AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting).
• Infrastructure Security Features: Configure and utilize security features like Control Plane Policing (CoPP) and ACLs.
• REST API Security: Understand and implement security measures for REST APIs.
• Wireless Security Features: Configure and troubleshoot wireless security features like WebAuth, EAPOL, PSK, and 802.1x.
• Network Security Design Components: Understand and implement network security design components, including threat defense, network access control with 802.1X, WebAuth, and MAB, endpoint security, TrustSec, MACsec, and Next-Generation Firewall.

6. Automation

• Basic Python Components and Scripts: Understand basic Python concepts and be able to write simple Python scripts for network automation.
• Build a Valid JSON-Encoded File: Understand and create JSON-encoded files for data exchange and automation.
• High-Level Principles and Benefits of a Data Modeling Language: Understand the benefits and principles of using data modeling languages for network automation.
• APIs for Cisco DNA Center and vManage: Understand and utilize APIs for Cisco DNA Center and vManage for network programmability and automation.
• Interpret REST API Response Codes and Results in Payload Using Cisco DNA Center and RESTCONF: Interpret and analyze REST API responses from Cisco DNA Center and vManage.
• Construct an EEM Applet: Understand and construct EEM applets for event-driven network automation.
• Compare Agent vs. Agentless Orchestration Tools: Compare and contrast agent-based and agentless orchestration tools like Ansible, Chef, and Puppet.

This comprehensive outline provides a solid foundation for your CCNP ENCOR exam preparation. Remember to refer to the official Cisco documentation and study guides for the most up-to-date information and detailed objectives. Good luck with your studies!

Zero Trust is a security model that discards the traditional “castle and moat” approach to network security. Instead of implicitly trusting devices and users within the network perimeter, ZTA assumes that any device or user, whether inside or outside the network, could be compromised.

Key Principles:

• Never Trust, Always Verify: Every access request, regardless of origin, must be explicitly verified and authorized.
• Least Privilege: Users and devices are granted only the minimum necessary access to perform their required functions.
• Continuous Monitoring and Adaptation: Security policies and access controls are continuously monitored and adjusted based on real-time risk assessments and threat intelligence.
• Data-Centric Security: Focuses on protecting sensitive data, regardless of its location.

Core Components:

1. Policy-Based Authentication:
   • What it is: Strong authentication methods are enforced for every access request, regardless of location.
   • Examples:
     • Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Requires multiple forms of verification (e.g., password, biometrics, one-time codes).
     • Continuous authentication: Regularly re-authenticates users and devices to ensure ongoing trust.
   • Goal: To ensure that only authorized entities can access resources.
2. Authorization:
   • What it is: Defines which actions specific users or devices are permitted to perform on specific resources.
   • Examples:
     • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Assigns permissions based on a user’s role within the organization.
     • Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC): Grants access based on a combination of attributes (user, device, location, data sensitivity, etc.).
   • Goal: To restrict access to only the necessary level for each individual or device.
3. Least Privilege Access:
   • What it is: The principle of granting users and devices only the minimum necessary privileges to perform their required tasks.
   • Benefits:
     • Reduces the potential impact of a successful attack.
     • Minimizes the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
     • Improves overall security posture.
   • Implementation: Involves carefully reviewing and adjusting user permissions and access rights on an ongoing basis.

Benefits of ZTA:

• Enhanced Security: Reduces the risk of data breaches, lateral movement of threats within the network, and insider threats.
• Improved Agility: Enables organizations to adapt quickly to changing business needs and security threats.
• Better Visibility: Provides greater visibility into user activity and network traffic, enabling proactive threat detection and response.
• Stronger Compliance: Helps organizations comply with various security regulations and industry standards.

In Summary:

Zero Trust is a fundamental shift in security thinking that emphasizes continuous verification, least privilege access, and a focus on protecting data regardless of location. By implementing ZTA principles, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture and better protect their valuable assets.

Ref: Checkout the CCNP ENCORE and CCNP ENARSI practice tests