The "War" Begins again! Internetwork Expert major announcement and IPExpert Answer

Yesterday Internetwork Expert made their major announcement. You can check it out at their website. There are some very cool ideas over there. Here´s the direct link to the video:

http://www.internetworkexpert.com/news/corporate_announcement.htm

Today Mr. Matt Brooks from IPExpert just answered IE´s announcement, and I must agree with him in some points, some of the "new" stuff of Internetwork Expert are out there on market for a while at IPExpert... like the CCIE Blog... Well... IPExpert is announcing it for a while now, and since it´s launch it´s a huge success! Here follows the link to the IPExpert answer, I would check it out if I were you, very nice observations:

http://ipexpert.ccieblog.com/2008/10/31/ie_major_announcements/

Also, our biggest friend Mr. MIKE DOWN (yeah!) made a very nice post about this on his blog! By the way, sorry to hear that buddy! Didn´t knew about your house! :( I told you! Come down to Brazil! This is living! :) lol!

Anyway, Mike´s post (and blog) is a "must check out"! Here´s the link:

http://idontwannabeaccie.blogspot.com/2008/10/isnt-it-about-candidate.html

And... you know what?! Who wins at the end?! WE, Customers, Candidates! My wish is that IE, IPExpert, and others keeps on "war" making better products with lower prices! Just imagine if there were only 1 training company out there, what would happen?! Poor materials and high prices would be my guess...

So... watch out for the next events of this "Could War", at least, this one will bring only benefits to us all! :)

OH YEAH! Almost forgot about! Brian said something about Blogs that are not "neutral"... Well... I don´t think that there are blogs and/or bloggers actually bought by companies. I used to have IE´s banner over my blog, and now I do have IPExpert one, and NO ONE ever told me what to write about!

Maybe Brian just quick checked those blogs/bloggers he talked about, and had a feeling about it, I´m sure if he dig a little deeper he will change his opinion!

Tell me something... Who are the "EXPERTS" ?! I my opinion the EXPERTS are the vendors, better yet, the instructors who created the training material... Ok... So... They created the material in a way they know it´s good for us to learn! For instance, what´s the purpose of learning BGP before RIP?! Insane I would say! So... Probably those blogs/bloggers  are in the same situation as I am! I really LOVED the Video on Demand from IPExpert (not only for it´s High Quality, but actually for the idea behind it, you, the instructor a few power point slides and HOURS of information, what else you need?!)

So... to conclude... I´ve chosen to start my preparation with IPExpert Video on Demand... And I´ll finish it before doing anything else. Maybe a couple labs. But, that´s not the point... If my preparation right now is the IPExpert Video on Demand, what else could I blog about?! My cats?! Of course I will blog about those videos I´m watching! I do have Internetwork Expert Class on Demand, Workbooks, and what will happen when I start to use their products and blog about it?! Will IPExpert thinks that IE is buying me up for a few posts?! I don´t think so!

Now you ask me, Brian is lying?! Not at all! This is possible, companies CAN pay people to blog about their products... but what happens to those that are really USING it and ENJOYING it?! What is expected for this guy?! This is something to think about.

Anyway... If I can have a blog at Internetwork Expert WERE I can blog about anything (and I mean, any other company)  I want that would be cool! Otherwise, Blogspot and CCIE Blog are more than enough for me, because here, I´m free to talk about anything that I want! I feel just like in my home... FREE! ;)

PS: I know I´m away from the blog, but things are really CRAZY down here, I promisse I´ll take more time to blog things out! Sorry! :S

Is the new Cisco 360 Training Program a new label to NMC products?!

That one sounded like a joke/hoax a while ago, but now that Cisco just announced the new Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Routing and Switching it doesn´t sound like a hoax anymore!

Of course, until we actually see the Cisco 360 Training Program  in action we can´t assure nothing, but a couple things makes me think they partnered with NMC (NetMasterClass) and NMC products will be re-labeled or re-created/re-written as Cisco Official.

My question is... Why NMC?! Why not IPExpert, why not Narbik, why not Internetwork Expert?!

You may ask me WHY do I think they partnered with NMC... well... easy... First, couple months ago, I just don´t remember where, maybe on Sadikhov Forums or GroupStudy, I´ve saw a post regarding NMC partnering with Cisco.

Second... go to NMC Website and try to buy their DoITv2 Workbook! The same Workbook Ethan Banks used, and many others! By the way, it seens to be a WONDERFUL resource, I´ve checked their sample lab, and i liked it very much!

Their VoD also seens to be very good, but, unlike IPExpert or Internetwork Expert, NMC doesn´t have a FULL end-to-end Video-on-Demand program, they do have for some topics, but not for all of them!

The only doubt is... How expensive the new  Cisco Official Workbook will be?! Even better, will I be able to buy only the Workbook or I should get the FULL Training Program?!

By the way, the "old" NMC DoITv2 Workbook was priced at USD 300.00.

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Available November 1^st: Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Routing and Switching

Designed to help high potential network professionals transform into certified network experts, the Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Routing and Switching is the first Cisco authorized learning program for expert training. The Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Routing and Switching prepares networking professionals for the challenges of managing sophisticated networks as well as the configuration and troubleshooting scenarios found on CCIE examinations.

The Cisco 360 Learning Program is a six-month blended learning experience incorporating advanced skills assessments, targeted learning modules, instructor-led training, mentoring and hands-on practice and assessement labs to accelerate expert-level competency. The Cisco 360 Learning Program will be made available through select authorized Cisco Learning Partners.

For more information, visit Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Routing and Switching.

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OSPF Virtual-Links

OSPF Virtual-Links are used to extend Area 0 to routers without direct connection to OSPF Area 0.

A diagram will help us to understand this requirement a bit better:

The link between R1 F0/0 and R2 F0/0 belongs to the Backbone Area, or Area 0. The Frame-Relay connection between R2 S0/0 and R3 S0/0 belongs to the OSPF Area 1. As far as R2 has a direct connection to Area 0 (through it´s F0/0 interface) no Virtual-Links are needed.

BUT, for example, if we create a Loopback Interface in R3, and place this Loopback Interface in OSPF Area 2, what will happen?!

R3 doesn´t have any connections to Area 0, it has connections to OSPF Areas 1 and 2, but not Area 0. Check this new diagram including the newly created Loopback Interface in R3:      

Hmmm... This situation will require the use of Virtual-Links between R3 and R2 using Area 1 as a "connection" to Area 0. In situations like this, where the router (in our case R3) has two or more interfaces in different areas, and none of those interfaces belongs to Area 0, we´ll need to use an OSPF Virtual-Link.

You may ask yourself:  why R3 S0/0 in Area 1 doesn´t need a Virtual-Link connection also?! It´s on the same router as the Area 2 Loopback Interface, so why R3´s Loopback in Area 2 need a Virtual-Link connection, but R3´s S0/0 interface in Area 1 doesn´t?!

The answer is simple, R3 is direct connected to R2 using Area 1, and R2 is connected to Area 0, so it´ll get advertised due to R2 connections! ;)

Without Virtual-Links Area 2 (in this situation) would never get advertised to either R2 and R1!

First, let´s go ahead and configure all routers according to our diagram (except by the Virtual-Links):

R1: int f0/0 ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0 no shut ! router ospf 1 router-id 1.1.1.1 network 192.168.10.0 0.0.0.255 area 0 R2: int f0/0 ip address 192.168.10.2 255.255.255.0 no shut ! int s0/0 encapsulation frame-relay ip address 192.168.11.2 255.255.255.0 frame-relay map ip 192.168.11.3 203 broadcast no shut ! router ospf 1 router-id 2.2.2.2 network 192.168.10.0 0.0.0.255 area 0 network 192.168.11.0 0.0.0.255 area 1 neighbor 192.168.11.2 R3: interface loopback 2 ip address 192.168.12.3 255.255.255.0 ! interface serial 0/0 encapsulation frame-relay ip address 192.168.11.3 255.255.255.0 frame-relay map ip 192.168.11.2 302 broadcast no shut ! router ospf 1 router-id 3.3.3.3 network 192.168.11.0 0.0.0.255 area 1 network 192.168.12.0 0.0.0.255 area 2 neighbor 192.168.11.2

Ok! The above configuration is done, let´s check the OSPF Neighbor Relationship and the IP Routing Tables of our routers:

R1: R1(config)#do sh ip route Codes: C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2 E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2 i-IS-IS, su-IS-IS summary, L1-IS-IS level-1, L2-IS-IS level-2 ia-IS-IS inter area, *-candidate default,U-per-user static route o - ODR, P - periodic downloaded static route Gateway of last resort is not set C    192.168.10.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0 O IA 192.168.11.0/24 [110/74] via 192.168.10.2, 00:00:00, Ethernet0/0 R1(config)#do sh ip ospf neig Neighbor ID  Pri State    Dead Time  Address        Interface 2.2.2.2       1  FULL/DR  00:00:38   192.168.10.2   Ethernet0/0 ================================================================= R2: R2(config)#do sh ip route Codes: C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2 E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2 i-IS-IS, su-IS-IS summary, L1-IS-IS level-1, L2-IS-IS level-2 ia-IS-IS inter area, *-candidate default,U-per-user static route o - ODR, P - periodic downloaded static route Gateway of last resort is not set C    192.168.10.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0 C    192.168.11.0/24 is directly connected, Serial1/0 R2(config)#do sh ip ospf neig Neighbor ID  Pri State    Dead Time  Address        Interface 1.1.1.1       1  FULL/BDR 00:00:30   192.168.10.1   Ethernet0/0 3.3.3.3       1  FULL/DR  00:01:43   192.168.11.3   Serial1/0 ================================================================= R3: R3#sh ip route Codes: C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2 E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2 i-IS-IS, su-IS-IS summary, L1-IS-IS level-1, L2-IS-IS level-2 ia-IS-IS inter area, *-candidate default,U-per-user static route o - ODR, P - periodic downloaded static route Gateway of last resort is not set C    192.168.12.0/24 is directly connected, Loopback2 O IA 192.168.10.0/24 [110/74]via 192.168.11.2,00:00:24,Serial1/0 C    192.168.11.0/24 is directly connected, Serial1/0 R3#sh ip ospf neig Neighbor ID  Pri State        Dead Time  Address      Interface 2.2.2.2       1  FULL/DROTHER 00:01:56   192.168.11.2 Serial1/0

See?! Neither R1 and R2 have the 192.168.12.0/24 Network from Area 2! That´s because R3 is not directly connected to Area 0! To solve that, we´ll need to configure a Virtual-Link between R2 and R3 using Area 1 as a "connection" to Area 0.

The command to do that is: area <area-id> virtual-link <rid of the router in the other end>, for example: R3 will have the following command added to it´s configuration: area 1 virtual-link 2.2.2.2 . The same command (just changing R2´s rid by R3´s rid) needs to be configured in R2. To make things a little bit easier, here follows the configuration:

R2: router ospf 1 area 1 virtual-link 3.3.3.3 R3: router ospf 1 area 1 virtual-link 2.2.2.2

Oh yeah! If you´re unsure about the Router ID (rid) of the router, just issue a show ip ospf command and it´ll show you the Router ID, see below:

R3(config)#do sh ip ospf  Routing Process "ospf 1" with ID 3.3.3.3 Supports only single TOS(TOS0) routes Supports opaque LSA Supports Link-local Signaling (LLS) Supports area transit capability Initial SPF schedule delay 5000 msecs <output omitted>

Now, with the virtual-link configured between R2 and R3, let´s check again the OSPF Neighbor Relationship and the IP Routing Table of all our three routers:

R1: R1(config)#do sh ip route Codes: C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2 E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2 i-IS-IS, su-IS-IS summary, L1-IS-IS level-1, L2-IS-IS level-2 ia-IS-IS inter area, *-candidate default,U-per-user static route o - ODR, P - periodic downloaded static route Gateway of last resort is not set      192.168.12.0/32 is subnetted, 1 subnets O IA    192.168.12.3 [110/75] via 192.168.10.2, 00:00:01, Ethernet0/0 C    192.168.10.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0 O IA 192.168.11.0/24 [110/74] via 192.168.10.2, 00:01:00, Ethernet0/0 R1(config)#do sh ip ospf neig Neighbor ID  Pri State    Dead Time  Address        Interface 2.2.2.2       1   FULL/DR 00:00:38   192.168.10.2   Ethernet0/0 ================================================================= R2: R2(config-router)#do sh ip route Codes: C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2 E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2 i-IS-IS, su-IS-IS summary, L1-IS-IS level-1, L2-IS-IS level-2 ia-IS-IS inter area, *-candidate default,U-per-user static route o - ODR, P - periodic downloaded static route Gateway of last resort is not set      192.168.12.0/32 is subnetted, 1 subnets O IA    192.168.12.3 [110/65] via 192.168.11.3, 00:00:10, Serial1/0 C    192.168.10.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0 C    192.168.11.0/24 is directly connected, Serial1/0 R2(config-router)#do sh ip ospf neig Neighbor ID  Pri State     Dead Time  Address       Interface 3.3.3.3       0   FULL/-   00:00:33   192.168.11.3  OSPF_VL0 1.1.1.1       1   FULL/BDR 00:00:39   192.168.10.1  Ethernet0/0 3.3.3.3       1   FULL/DR  00:01:56   192.168.11.3  Serial1/0 ================================================================= R3: R3(config-router)#do sh ip route Codes: C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2 E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2 i-IS-IS, su-IS-IS summary, L1-IS-IS level-1, L2-IS-IS level-2 ia-IS-IS inter area, *-candidate default,U-per-user static route o - ODR, P - periodic downloaded static route Gateway of last resort is not set C    192.168.12.0/24 is directly connected, Loopback2 O    192.168.10.0/24 [110/74] via 192.168.11.2, 00:01:41, Serial1/0 C    192.168.11.0/24 is directly connected, Serial1/0 R3(config-router)#do sh ip ospf nei Neighbor ID  Pri State    Dead Time  Address       Interface 2.2.2.2       0   FULL/-   00:00:19   192.168.11.2  OSPF_VL1 2.2.2.2       1   FULL/BDR 00:01:47   192.168.11.2  Serial1/0

AH! Much better! Now ALL routers have ALL OSPF Routes in their IP Routing Tables! Our "hero" Virtual-Link solved our problem!

Another really usefull tip is... sometimes when you issue a show ip ospf virtual-link the output shows that the Virtual-Link is UP, but you see no communication going on, neither a OSPF Relationship established... well... sometimes that happens, to make sure that the Virtual-Link is "really" working, issue a show ip ospf virtual-link command and see if the output is just a portion of what it´s supposed to be (that will indicate a not working virtual-link) or if you have the full output. That can also be a temporary situation (while the link gets up). See the example of a BAD and a GOOD Virtual-Link output:

Virtual-Link with Problems (BAD): R2(config-router)#do sh ip ospf virtual-link Virtual Link OSPF_VL0 to router 3.3.3.3 is up   Run as demand circuit   DoNotAge LSA allowed.   Transit area 1, via interface Serial1/0, Cost of using 64   Transmit Delay is 1 sec, State POINT_TO_POINT,   Timer intervals configured, Hello 10, Dead 40, Wait 40, Retransmit 5     Hello due in 00:00:06 ================================================================= Working Virtual-Link (Good): R2(config-router)#do sh ip ospf virtual-link Virtual Link OSPF_VL0 to router 3.3.3.3 is up   Run as demand circuit   DoNotAge LSA allowed.   Transit area 1, via interface Serial1/0, Cost of using 64   Transmit Delay is 1 sec, State POINT_TO_POINT,   Timer intervals configured, Hello 10, Dead 40, Wait 40, Retransmit 5     Hello due in 00:00:08     Adjacency State FULL (Hello suppressed)     Index 2/3, retransmission queue length 1, number of retransmission 1     First 0x65593B80(11)/0x0(0) Next 0x65593B80(11)/0x0(0)     Last retransmission scan length is 1, maximum is 1     Last retransmission scan time is 0 msec, maximum is 0 msec     Link State retransmission due in 2986 msec

To finish, another useful command (not only to Virtual-Links, but to OSPF), is the show ip ospf interface brief. This command will show you a brief of all OSPF configured interfaces, with some other nice things to know!

R2#sh ip ospf interface brief Interface   PID   Area  IP Address/Mask  Cost  State Nbrs F/C Et0/0        1     0    192.168.10.2/24   10    DR    1/1 Se1/0        1     1    192.168.11.2/24   64    BDR   1/1

Seens a bit easier now, don´t you think?! :) I do!

IPExpert BIG Announcements! (With nice opportunities!)

Hmmm... I´ve stepped away for a couple weeks due to a very critical project to take care off and in my return we do have some big news!

The long awaited CCIE Blog from IPExpert was finally released! So cool man! Not a blogspot, wordpress or something like that! It´s a sacred place for CCIE´s and CCIE Candidates! You can create a blog, add your existing one, read, comment, everything related to the CCIE and technical topics you may want to!

There´s also some GREAT opportunities in this newsletter which you must check it out!

--  IPExpert October Newsletter --

October 20, 2008

IPexpert is a BETTER VALUE than Internetwork Expert... from the IT Industry's Leading Provider of Third-Party Validation

LAUNCHED: CCIEblog.com: Create Your CCIE Blog or Add Your Existing Blog to the Directory for Great Visibility

OCTOBER SPECIALS... Two Weeks Left! Courses, Products and Rack Time

COMING 2009: IPexpert University -- Apply to Join Our Team!

2009 Public Course Schedule Released, Private On-Sites Available

IPexpert's Self-Study Workbooks are a MUST HAVE for CCIE Prep

Are You Located in Europe, Asia or Australia? Read This...

Exhaust Your 2008 Training Budget Before It's Too Late

CCIE Security Blended Learning Solution Now Shipping

Aggressive Discounts for Proctor Labs Rack Sessions -- ONLY 2 Weeks Left!

NEW: CCIE Voice Video on Demand Boot Camp (High-Definition!)

FREE Upgrade: CCIE Voice Audio Lecture on Demand (20 HOURS, iPod-Ready)

IPexpert-Sponsored Study Groups (all CCIE tracks)

Words from Your Peers: Actual CCIEs Tell You What Worked for Them

Developers Needed for CCDE and CCIE Wireless

Free Online vLectures -- Register Now!

Cisco CCIE "360 Degree" Program Announced

CCIE Security: Lab Blueprint Change Announced

IPExpert Special, must hurry up!

IPExpert is doing a wonderful job  helping candidates to achieve their goal, get CCIE Certified! Blended Learning Solutions is a POWERFUL tool to that (I really loved the approach IPExpert used, man, really, you don´t feel sleepy, or get bored, it´s like a regular bootcamp class, you must check it out), and for this week (and this week only), they do have this VERY NICE Special offer for their "Social Friends"!

Right now I can´t attend a bootcamp (for two main reasons, 1 - I´m not ready yet, even knowing I can buy it now, but attend it at a later date, and 2 - A travel to USA is not in my  "budget" right now), but the price is great! I paid more for my last CCNP course than they´re charging for this awesome bootcamp.

BUT! I´ll be able to enjoy the Proctor Labs promotion!  That is making all the difference in my studies! Hands on, is exactly what I need right now!

In fact, you all know that I´m a bit "away" from the blog for the last couple weeks, but be cool, next week will be way better for me. Too many projects to implement at the same time, consuming all my energy right now (I´m working almost  18hours/day for the last couple weeks), but that will end by next wednesday for sure, and I´ll back to my normal study/blogging routine! Thanks GOD!

I still amazed of how my wife still recognizing me! I´m spending more time at office than at home! If I keep doing that, eventualy she´ll lock me out! lol! :)

Anyway, you´ll be redirect to this IPExpert Promotion by Clicking Here. Act now and save HUGE $$! :) I will!

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Special Offers for our "Social Network" Friends

Here are 1-Week ONLY specials (valid now through next Friday, Oct. 17) for our followers on Twitter, LinkedIn, OSL and the Training Advisor Blog...

Boot Camp Special:

• ONLY $2,999 for any 2008 5-Day Boot Camp (R&S, Voice, Security, Service Provider)
• To take advantage of this special pricing, email Amy (ahelton@ipexpert.com) for instructions.

Self-Study Product Special:

• 50% OFF the Blended Learning Solution (R&S and Voice)... a $1,000 savings!
• 10% OFF any other IPexpert product, any track!
• To take advantage of this offer, email sales@ipexpert.com for instructions.

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* Notices:

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