CCIE Service Provider Version 4 Written and Lab Exam Comprehensive Guide
CCIE Service Provider Version 4 Written and Lab Exam Comprehensive Guide
About the Book
This independently-authored study guide represents the author's personal journey to achieving the CCIE Service Providing Version 4 certification. Given the shortage of other study materials for this exam, the author created this book while studying for the test in real-time. It contains nearly 3,000 pages of in-depth and realistic lab tests, complete with configuration examples and diagrams. The book covers the vast majority of the CCIE SPv4 blueprint, plus other relevant Service Provider advanced technologies. The book is designed primarily for service provider professionals interested in passing both the CCIE SPv4 written and lab exams. Other network professionals, such as enterprise architects, will find value in this book as the core routing/switching concepts are inherent in any network. Below is an incomplete list of topics covered in this book: BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, EIGRP, RIP, PIM, MPLS, RSVP-TE, TE-FRR, Segment Routing (SR), L2VPN variations such as E-LINE/E-LAN/E-TREE, L3VPN, Provider Edge to Customer Edge (PE-CE) Routing Techniques, Multi-VRF CE, Ethernet VPN (EVPN), Inter-AS MPLS, Carrier Supporting Carrier (CSC), Internet routing (peering/transit), Service Provider security, Next Generation Multicast VPN (MVPN), Quality of Service (QoS), NetFlow, SNMP, EEM, IPv6 Neighbor Discovery Deep-Dive, IPv6 Transition, IP Fast-Reroute (IP-FRR), seamless/unified MPLS, Ethernet OAM tools (CFM, OAM, E-LMI), ITU-T Y.1731 Performance Monitoring, MPLS OAM, IP SLA and Object Tracking, Broadband Network Gateway with PPP over Ethernet (BNG with PPPoE), Non-stop Forwarding and Graceful Restart (NSF/GR), NBAR, NAT444, NAT464, Time Synchronization protocols, and more.
Note that almost all topics have corresponding labs, even minor topics. All configurations and source diagrams are available via Leanpub "Extras" download links when the book is purchased. Another "Extra" included with the purchase is a free CCIE/CCDE Evolving Technologies guide for the SP version 4.1 written exam.
Bundles that include this book
Reader Testimonials
Nathan Wall
Senior ISP Network Engineer (CCIE #43851 ** RECENTLY PASSED SPV4.1 **)
I can only say bravo. Finally a document that is geared directly towards the CCIE-SP track (both written and lab) that actually has very solid and deep content. I would highly recommend this product. Coupled along with quality content/diagrams/configurations are deep level verify/debug/packet inspections to help the user better understand [the technology]. This book is worth every penny as this content should help fill any gaps left by a lack of existing training materials.
Leonid Danilov
Network Engineer (CCIE #56280 *NEWLY PASSED CCIE SPV4*)
This book is an all-in-one Swiss Army knife to both the CCIE Service Provider written and lab exams. I chatted with Nick on a regular basis during my studies for technical support. This direct support from the author during my preparation was the key to passing the lab on my first attempt. I highly recommend this resource for everyone pursuing his or her CCIE SP.
Esteban Serrano
Senior Cisco TAC Engineer (CCIEx2 #37332)
**RECENTLY PASSED SPV4 LAB EXAM** Only [few] people in the world have passed CCIE SP after the version change last year … there was no real "one place to go" to find all you needed to prepare you for the task … We now have this option available with shows, debugs and multiple scenarios in complex topologies, super recommended. Written by one of few double CCIEs in the world who manage to pass this CCIE on it latest version. Worth your time and money!!!
Alejandro Rivera
SP Network Engineer (CCIE #56238 **NEWLY PASSED SPV4**)
A new hope was conceived when I read Nick Russo’s CCIE SPv4 review. Without hesitation, I bought the book on Leanpub . Nick was totally accessible for any inquiries and also an important influence, which [helped] my preparation. Using Nick’s CCIE SPv4 guide allowed me to look at many possible scenarios useful for the CCIE SP preparation and also enabled me to gain solid understanding of real life network designs and deployment alternatives, I believe this to the greatest value.
Elsayed Nada
Network Engineer (CCIE #43079 RS/SPv4 **RECENTLY PASSED**)
This book is a must if you are thinking about going down the CCIE SP path. It contains many different scenarios for all technologies in the CCIE SP blueprint and more. The book walks you through the verifications of the technology step by step. Also, it contains scenarios that are not documented elsewhere. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn ISP technologies in detail as it will help you think differently when it comes to different ways of implementing the technology.
Daniel Dib
Senior Network Architect (CCIE #37149/CCDE #20160011)
I have never seen anything quite like it with the amazing level of detail and how he was able to write about topics in detail that weren't available anywhere else. I would highly recommend CCIE SPv4 candidates to consider this book both for certification purposes but also to become experts in the field ... This is at the time of this writing the most comprehensive study guide out there for the SPv4 and none of the other training vendors have anything close to this.
Steven Jjeke
Senior Network Engineer, CCIE #54750
*RECENTLY PASSED CCIE SPV4* [Nick’s] workbook is a game changer, to me at least, for two major reasons: 1) I don't know of any other provider or book that has the entire blueprint in one place. 2) I have two other workbooks that I bought from other providers. In one, the content depth is good but there are a lot of topics missing, [while] the other is shallow. Personally, [this guide was] invaluable to me because of the frustration I was getting looking around for good documentation.
Davide Barbaro
Network Engineer (CCIE #56474, NEWLY PASSED SPV4)
I was in contact with Nick since I begin my CCIE Sv4P preparation. I was asking Nick different questions every day and his book gave me the opportunities to review and understand concepts that are not widely known or documented. This book has helped me to pass the CCIE SPv4 lab exam.
Luke Bibby
Senior Serivce Provider Engineer (CCIEx2 #45527)
Having passed the CCIE SPv4 lab earlier this year, I can wholeheartedly say that this book is an absolute gem and a great resource for anyone studying for the CCIE SP or wanting to learn about SP technologies in expert detail. The book is geared towards learning by doing, with plenty of examples, show/debug output, use cases, and easy to understand explanations for every technology on the CCIE SPv4 blueprint. This workbook is massively comprehensive; all CCIE training vendors should take note.
Malcolm Booden
Senior Network Architect (CCDE 20170037)
I used Nick’s CCIE SP book as a framework to solidify some key service provider technologies and concepts, whilst preparing for the CCDE practical exam. The format of the workbook is excellent where it sets the scene for each technology section with a brief description around use cases and purpose, before multiple labs exploring different deployment and verification scenarios. I’m now using it for CCIE Service Provider preparation. Kudos on a fantastic, well-structured learning resource.
Marcin Kurek
Senior ISP Engineer (CCIE #46576) *** RECENTLY PASSED SPV4 ***
I've been studying for the new CCIE SP [for] a couple of months now. I picked up quite a few books along the way, but none of them covered so many aspects of the blueprint in one place. The book is well written, explanations are clear and easy to follow. Nick heavily relies on labs, so most statements are immediately backed up by config snippets and console outputs. I use the book on a daily basis now and I'm convinced it will greatly increase chances of passing both written and lab exams.
David Raney
Technical Sales Consultant (CCIE #24900)
Nick's book is great addition to my standard reading list for the CCIE SP track. It is helping me fill the gaps for the more obscure technologies on the written and prepare my own labs for the advanced sections of the practical. The advantage of using his book is the time savings required to research the individual written topics as well as identify your strong and weak points. These allow for more focused attention on those weak spots.
David Dydson-Dzissah
Senior Network Engineer (CCIE #51355)
This book is the most powerful material I have ever laid my hands on. It blew my mind the amount of treasure hidden in this book. It takes on a whole new meaning with the SP technology. Every topic on each technology is fully covered into details with configuration samples and topologies; debug outputs with highlighted sections to help you identify what to look for ... Comparing this comprehensive book to the big name providers … this is the best [money] ever spent. It is a MUST have book.
Kim Pedersen
Senior ISP Engineer (CCIEx2 #29189)
Interested in the intricacies of Service Provider technology? Studying for your CCIE Service Provider lab? If your answer is Yes to any of these, then check out on this excellent book! I highly recommend it for anyone interested in details on service provider technologies! It gives you explanations along with configuration examples that will make it easier to understand than reading a ton of different configuration guides. Very few books on the market has the quality feel that Nick's book does.
Rob Riker
Senior Network Engineer and CCIE Instructor (CCIE #50693)
This book came out at just the right time. There is no complete training for SP right now. This book is the SP bible and is the most complete, accurate and detailed comprehensive guide available. As a CCIE instructor, I commend Nick on his level of detail, which is needed to understand the technologies to the expert level. I am using this resource as I prepare for the CCIE SPv4 written and lab, as well as ensuring I have a deep understanding of the technologies when I teach them.
Nicolas Vallet
Senior Network Engineer (CCIE #35675)
I love this workbook, I did half [so far]. I am still amazed how you could gather all this knowledge alone considering the small amounts of books and other existing training about many of the service provider specific topics.
Jason Pollard
Network Architect (CCIE #52498)
I just would like to say I think [the author] did an awesome job on the book! The level of detail and configurations for all the topics is amazing and shows how gifted [the author is] to be able to create something like this [by himself]. I have my CCIE in R&S (took me sometime ...) and it would have been nice to have a study guide for that track as well.
Table of Contents
1. SP architecture concepts 13
1.1.2 Neighbor Discovery details 16
1.2 Broadband Aggregation (BBA) 41
1.2.1 PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE) technology 42
1.2.2 Multi-service PPPoE and LAC/LNS architecture 70
1.3 MEF Ethernet Services Definitions (MEF 6.2) 93
1.4.1 Route-Switch Processor (RSP) and Route Processor (RP) 94
1.4.3 Switching fabric / backplane and forwarding model 95
1.4.4 Multicast forwarding and hierarchical replication 96
1.4.5 Satellite operations (remote linecards) 96
3.1.1 Packet over SONET/SDH 96
3.1.3 Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) 98
3.2 IP connectivity to the customer 99
3.2.1 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) 99
4. Virtualization concepts 100
4.2 Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) 101
4.3 Software Defined Networking (SDN) 101
6. Describe BGP path attributes 105
7. Describe MPLS forwarding and control plane mechanisms 107
7.1 Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) 107
7.3 MPLS IP and MTU minor options 170
8. Describe MPLS advanced features 200
8.2 Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) 212
8.3 MPLS Transport Profile (MPLS-TP) 213
8.4.1 Option A (Back to back VRF exchange) 258
8.4.1.3 MVPN – GRE (Profile 0) and mLDP (Profile 1) 292
8.4.1.5 Confederation variation 314
8.4.1.6 Carrier Supporting Carrier (CSC) variation 325
8.4.2 Option B (ASBR VPNv4/v6 eBGP) 331
8.4.2.3 mVPN – GRE (Profile 0) 379
8.4.2.4 MVPN – mLDP (Profile 17) 404
8.4.2.6 Confederation variation 427
8.4.3 Option C (ASBR eBGP + Label, RR VPNv4 eBGP) 452
8.4.3.3 MVPN – GRE (Profile 0) 512
8.4.3.4 MVPN – mLDP (Profile 17) 519
8.4.3.6 Confederation variation 563
8.4.4 Option AB Inter-AS hybrid (AKA Option D) 581
8.4.4.3 MVPN – GRE (Profile 0) and mLDP (Profile 1) 615
8.4.5 Confederation variation 627
9. Describe multicast P2MP TE 627
10. Describe EVPN (EVPN and PBB-EVPN) 627
11. Describe IEEE 802.1ad (QinQ), IEEE 802.1ah (Mac-in-Mac), and ITU G.8032 (REP) 646
11.2 802.1ah MAC in MAC (Provider Backbone Bridges) 648
11.3 Ethernet Ring loop-prevention 648
11.3.1 Cisco Resilient Ethernet Protocol (REP) 648
12. Describe broadband forum TR-101 VLAN paradigms (N:1 and 1:1) 675
13. Describe QoS link fragmentation (LFI), cRTP, and RTP 685
14. Describe Multichassis/Clustering High Availability (HA) 694
14.1 High Availability (HA) Demonstration (NSF/NSR/GR) 696
15. Describe Layer 1 failure detection 737
17. Describe backscatter traceback 740
18. Describe lawful-intercept 740
20. Describe DDoS mitigation techniques 740
21. Describe network event and fault management 741
22. Describe performance management and capacity procedures 741
23. Describe maintenance and operational procedures 744
24. Describe the network inventory management process 745
25. Describe network change, implementation, and rollback 745
25.1 Processes and best practices 745
26. Describe the incident management process based on the ITILv3 framework 750
27. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot advanced BGP features 751
27.1 Additional Paths (add-path) and Prefix Independent Convergence (PIC) 751
27.2 BGP RT-filter unicast / IPv4 RT-filter feature 818
27.3 BGP RR-group and Selective RT Retention 823
27.4 Accumulated IGP attribute 841
27.4.2 AIGP with cost-communities and BGP confederations 847
27.5 Cost-Community / Point Of Insertion (POI) 850
27.7 BGP Multicast VPN (MVPN) Theory 881
27.8 BGP Link State AF and Path Computation Element (PCE) 884
28. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot MVPN 890
28.1 Profile 0: Default MDT − GRE − PIM C−mcast Signaling (Traditional Draft-Rosen) 891
28.1.1 PIM-ASM in the core 893
28.1.2 PIM-SSM in the core 905
28.1.3 PIM-Bidir in the core 915
28.2 Profile 1: Default MDT − MLDP MP2MP − PIM C−mcast Signaling (Basic mLDP) 924
28.3 Profile 3: Default MDT − GRE − BGP−AD − PIM C−mcast Signaling 951
28.4 Profile 6: VRF MLDP − In−band Signaling 960
28.5 Profile 7: Global MLDP In−band Signaling 969
28.6 Profile 8: Global Static − P2MP−TE 980
28.7 Profile 9: Default MDT − MLDP − MP2MP − BGP−AD − PIM C−mcast Signaling 987
28.8 Profile 10: VRF Static – P2MP TE - BGP−AD 993
28.9 Profile 11: Default MDT − GRE − BGP−AD − BGP C−mcast Signaling 1000
28.10 Profile 12: Default MDT − MLDP − P2MP − BGP−AD − BGP C−mcast Signaling 1011
28.11 Profile 13: Default MDT − MLDP − MP2MP − BGP−AD − BGP C−mcast Signaling 1030
28.12 Profile 14: Partitioned MDT – MLDP P2MP – BGP-AD – BGP C-mcast signaling 1061
28.13 Profile 17: Default MDT – MLDP P2MP – BGP-AD – PIM C-mcast signaling 1080
29. Describe and optimize multicast scale and performance 1094
29.1 Inter-AS Multicast and Multicast Source Discovery Protocol (MSDP) 1094
29.2 Multicast Only Fast Re-Reroute (MoFRR) 1158
29.3 Protecting mLDP LSPs with Fast Re-Reoute (FRR) 1173
30. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot MPLS QoS models and related features 1233
30.3 Pipe (AKA long pipe) 1238
30.4 QoS Policy Propagation through BGP (QPPB) 1240
30.5 QoS specifics on IOS XRv 1246
30.6 Network Based Application Recognition (NBAR) summary and configurations 1251
30.6.1 NBAR Custom Protocols 1253
30.6.3 NBAR Attributes with HTTP 1262
30.6.5 NBAR Protocol Discovery 1268
31. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot MPLS TE / QoS mechanisms 1270
31.1 MPLS RSVP-TE (General) 1270
31.1.1 TE Topology (TED) construction and RSVP-TE signaling 1270
31.1.3 Directing traffic into TE tunnels and tunnel stitching 1338
31.2 TE Fast-ReRoute (FRR) and rapid provisioning 1363
31.2.1 Link (NHOP), Node (NNHOP), and Path protection – Manual 1363
31.2.2 Automatic tunnels (with OSPF) 1401
31.3 CBTS (IOS) and PBTS (XR) 1451
31.4 DiffServ-aware Traffic Engineering (DS-TE) 1469
31.4.1 Pre-standard Model 1470
31.4.2 IETF Russian Dolls Model (RDM) 1490
31.4.3 IETF Maximum Allocation Model (MAM) 1500
31.4.4 Per-VRF TE techniques 1507
32. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot E-LAN and E-TREE (extended to general L2VPN) 1540
32.1 MPLS encapsulated L2VPN 1540
32.1.1 Static configuration 1540
32.1.1.2 Advanced PW features (CW, Status, etc) 1562
32.1.1.3 E-LAN and E-TREE (VPLS) 1574
32.1.1.4 Multisegment PW (MS-PW) switching 1598
32.1.1.5 EVC rewrite operations 1622
32.1.2 BGP auto-discovery for VPWS/VPLS 1632
32.1.3 Hierarchical VPLS (H-VPLS) 1664
32.1.3.1 MPLS in the Access Network 1664
32.1.3.2 QinQ in the Access Network 1681
32.2 IP encapsulated L2VPN 1688
32.2.2 E-LAN and E-TREE using OTV 1714
33. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot Unified MPLS and CSC 1731
33.1 Carrier Supporting Carrier (CSC) 1731
33.1.3 MVPN (Profile 0 with SSM) 1759
33.2 Unified (seamless) MPLS 1780
33.2.1.3 MVPN (mLDP profiles 1 and 17) 1816
33.2.1.4 Inter-area TE and TE-FRR 1824
33.2.2.3 MVPN (mLDP profiles 1 and 17) 1856
33.2.2.4 MPLS TE and TE-FRR 1859
34. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot LISP 1870
35. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot GRE and mGRE-based VPN 1902
35.1 P2P GRE tunneling and GRE features 1902
35.2 Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN) basics 1916
36. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot IPv6 transition mechanisms 1976
36.3 Dual stack lite (DS-lite) 2035
36.4 IPv6 tunneling over IPv4 networks 2037
36.4.1 GRE / Manual IPv6 tunnels 2038
36.4.2 6to4 automatic tunnels 2041
36.4.3 6 Rapid Deployment (6RD) 2045
36.4.4 Intra-Site Automatic tunnel Addressing Protocol (ISATAP) 2052
36.5 IPv4/IPv6 Internet Access over MPLS using NAT44 2055
37. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot end-to-end fast convergence 2092
37.1 Loop Free Alternate (LFA) for IPv4 2092
37.2 Loop Free Alternate (LFA) for IPv6 (XR Only) 2136
37.3 Convergence optimizations for BGP 2148
37.4 Convergence optimizations for IGPs 2174
38. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot multi-VRF CE and advanced VRF techniques 2194
38.1 Multi-VRF CE (VRF-Lite) 2195
38.1.2 OSPF and sham-links 2198
38.1.3 EIGRP and Site-of-Origin (SoO) 2233
38.1.5 BGP and Site-of-Origin (SoO) 2266
38.3 VRF selection for traffic leaking 2314
38.5 L3VPN import/export maps 2338
38.6 Half-Duplex VRF (HDVRF) 2350
38.7 BGP Local Convergence (VRF Local Protection) 2363
39. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot Layer 2 failure detection 2377
39.1 Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) 2377
39.2 Uni-Directional Link Detection (UDLD) 2388
40. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot Layer 3 failure detection 2396
40.1 Individual Protocol Hello packets 2396
40.2 Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) 2415
41. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot control plane protection techniques 2444
41.1 Control Plane Policing (CPP) in XE and Local Packet Transport Services (LPTS) in XR 2444
42. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot logging and SNMP security 2461
43. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot timing 2461
43.1 Network Time Protocol (NTP) 2462
43.2 1588v2 (Precision Time Protocol(PTP)) 2480
43.3 Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) 2482
44. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot SNMP traps, RMON, EEM, and EPC 2483
44.2 Remote Monitor (RMON) in XE and logging correlation in XR 2490
44.3 Embedded Event Manager (EEM) 2503
44.4 Embedded Packet Capture (EPC) 2512
45. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot port mirroring protocols 2522
45.1 Switch port analyzer (SPAN) 2522
45.3 Encapsulated RSPAN (ERSPAN) 2530
46. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot Netflow and IPFIX 2534
46.1 Flexible Netflow (FNF) 2536
47. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot IP SLA 2549
47.1 Basic IP SLA probes, responders, features, and configurations 2549
47.2 UDP-jitter and VOIP codec probes 2560
47.3 Advanced ICMP probes 2566
47.5 Ethernet probes including ITU-T Y.1731 Basics and Performing Monitoring (PM) 2577
47.6 Miscellaneous probes 2603
47.7 Aggregated statistics, history, group scheduling, and miscellaneous features 2610
47.8 Enhanced Object Tracking (EOT) 2622
47.10 IOS-XR IP SLA and EOT 2643
48. Describe, implement, and troubleshoot MPLS OAM and Ethernet OAM 2667
48.1 MPLS ping, MPLS traceroute, and VCCV 2667
48.2 MPLS LSP Monitor (MPLSLM) / LSP Health Monitor 2690
48.3 Ethernet Management Tools (CFM, OAM, and E-LMI) 2703
48.3.1 Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) (802.3ag) 2703
48.3.2 Ethernet OAM (IEEE 802.3ah) 2733
48.3.3 Ethernet Local Management Interface (E-LMI) (MEF.16) 2748
48.3.4 Ethernet CFM, OAM, E-LMI, and Y.1731 on CSR1000v (Comprehensive) 2766
49. Service Provider security best practices (Comprehensive) 2794
49.1 Control plane security best practices 2795
49.2 Management plane security best practices 2831
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