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!

1. Architecture

• Network Design Principles
  • Scalability: The ability of a network to grow and handle increasing traffic demands without significant performance degradation. This involves planning for future growth in users, devices, and data volumes.
  • Reliability: The ability of the network to continue functioning even in the face of failures (e.g., hardware failures, link failures).
  • Availability: The percentage of time that the network is operational and accessible to users. High availability is crucial for mission-critical applications.
  • Performance: Network performance metrics include latency, jitter, and throughput. Designing a network to meet performance requirements is essential for applications like voice and video.
• Tiered Network Design
  • Tier 1: Core layer of the network. Provides high bandwidth and low latency connectivity between different parts of the network. Often consists of high-end routers and switches.
  • Tier 2: Distribution layer. Connects the core layer to the access layer and provides routing and switching functions.
  • Tier 3: Access layer. The point where end-user devices connect to the network. Includes switches, wireless access points, and other devices.
• Network Capacity Planning
  • This involves analyzing current network traffic patterns and predicting future needs.
  • Key factors to consider:
    • Number of users and devices
    • Applications used (e.g., email, video conferencing, cloud services)
    • Bandwidth requirements of different applications
    • Expected growth in traffic over time
• Redundancy and High Availability
  • Redundancy: Implementing multiple paths for data to flow in case of failures. This ensures that the network remains operational even if a component fails.
  • High Availability: Techniques to minimize downtime and ensure continuous network operation.
  • Examples:
    • HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol): Provides redundancy for routers.
    • VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol): Another protocol for router redundancy.
    • EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol): A routing protocol that supports load balancing and fast convergence.
• Wireless Network Design
  • Deployment Models: Different ways to deploy wireless networks, such as centralized, distributed, and mesh.
  • Client Density: The number of wireless devices connected to an access point.
  • Location Services: Technologies that allow for the location of wireless devices within the network (e.g., Wi-Fi positioning system).
• SD-WAN Solutions
  • SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network): A technology that virtualizes WAN connections by directing traffic over the most optimal path, regardless of the underlying transport (e.g., MPLS, broadband, 4G/5G).
  • SD-WAN Control: A centralized platform that manages and orchestrates SD-WAN deployments.
  • SD-WAN Solutions and Limitations: Understanding the benefits and limitations of different SD-WAN solutions, including performance, security, and cost.
• SD-Access Solution and Design
  • SD-Access: Cisco's software-defined access solution that simplifies network management and improves security.
  • Key Concepts:
    • Intent-based networking: Defining desired network outcomes and allowing the network to automatically configure itself.
    • Segmentation: Dividing the network into smaller, more secure segments.
    • Automation: Automating many network tasks, such as provisioning and troubleshooting.

Zero Trust Explained:

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