JNCIP Study Guide

Now that you know a lot about the JNTCP, we need to provide some more information about this text. We begin with a look at some topics and information you should already be familiar with and then examine what topics are in the book. Finally, we discuss how to utilize this resource and the accompanying CD.

What You Should Know Before Starting

If you are familiar with networking books, you might be a little surprised that Chapter 1 starts with routing configuration. Rather than beginning with the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model common to books in our industry, we instead dive headfirst into the details of a typical JNCIP-level configuration task involving the establishment of an out-of-band management network and initial system configuration. This philosophy of knowing the basics is quite ingrained in the Juniper Networks Education courseware and certification exams, so we follow that assumption.

This means that you should be knowledgeable and conversant in the following topics in the context of Juniper Networks M-series Routers or T-series Routing Platforms. Please refer to other Juniper Networks Study Guides published by Sybex for assistance in gaining this knowledge.

• The basic components of the Juniper Networks routers, including hardware composition and the operation of JUNOS software

• M-series and T-series interfaces, both permanent and transient

• JUNOS software protocol-independent properties, which include static, aggregate, generated, and martian routes

• JUNOS software routing policies, including route filtering, route redistribution, and routing attribute modification

• JUNOS software support of the Routing Information Protocol (RIP)

• JUNOS software support of the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol

• JUNOS software support of the Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS) protocol

• JUNOS software support of the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), in both its internal (IBGP) and external (EBGP) forms

Scope of the Book

While this book does provide the reader with a 'feel' for the JNCIP-M exam, doing well on the exam will also involve getting some hands-on experience with M-series and T-series routers to practice the scenarios covered in each chapter. This book serves as a guide to readers who have access to a test bed that is specifically designed for JNCIP exam preparation. However, this book was also written so that adequate preparation can be achieved when the reader combines on-the-job experience with a careful study of the tips and examples contained in this book. The bottom line is that hands-on experience is critical in gaining the proficiency and troubleshooting skills required to successfully pass the JNCIP-M exam.

This book provides the reader with sample configuration scenarios that closely parallel those used in the actual JNCIP-M exam. At the time of writing, this book completely addressed all aspects of the production JNCIP-M exam. In fact, many of the configuration scenarios actually exceed the difficulty level of the current exam so that readers may be better prepared for their certification attempt.

Note 

The operational output and configuration examples demonstrated throughout this book are based on JUNOS software version 5.2R2.3.

What Does This Book Cover?

This book covers design, configuration, and troubleshooting skills that are commensurate with the knowledge and skill set expected of a JNCIP-M candidate. The material closely parallels the actual JNCIP-M environment, in that each configuration example is characterized as a series of requirements and restrictions with which the resulting configuration and network behavior must comply. The reader is walked through each configuration scenario with equal emphasis placed on the correct configuration syntax and on the operational mode commands used to confirm proper operation, as defined by the restrictions placed on each configuration task. In many cases, the reader is made privy to tips and tricks that are intended to save time, avoid common pitfalls, and provide insight into how the JNCIP-M exam is graded. Knowing the techniques that are used by the exam proctors to assess the state of the candidate's network will often allow the candidate to correct his or her own mistakes before it is too late!

Each chapter begins with a list of the lab skills covered in that chapter, with the chapter body providing detailed examples of how the corresponding functionality can be quickly configured and verified. A full-blown case study typical of what the JNCIP-M candidate will encounter in the actual exam is featured near the end of each chapter. Each case study is designed to serve as a vehicle for review and as the basis for lab-based study time. Solutions to the case study configuration requirements and tips for verifying proper operation are provided at the end of each case study. Each chapter ends with review questions to highlight (and therefore prevent) mistakes that are commonly seen when JNCIP exams are graded.

The book consists of the following material:

• Chapter 1 provides detailed coverage of initial system configuration and related network management tasks. This type of configuration is typical of that normally performed on a brand-new system, and these tasks are characteristic of how the JNCIP-M candidate will usually begin their testing day.

• Chapter 2 focuses on the configuration and testing of popular interface types including Ethernet, ATM, and Packet Over Sonet (POS) interfaces running PPP or Frame Relay.

• Chapter 3 adds the OSPF Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) to the mix. Various applications of OSPF, including authentication, route redistribution, stub and not-so-stubby areas (NSSA), and route aggregation are covered.

• Chapter 4 covers the Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS) routing protocol. Where possible, this chapter attempts to mirror the applications and features demonstrated for the OSPF routing protocol.

• Chapter 5 begins our journey into the BGP protocol by detailing the configuration and testing of the Interior Border Gateway Protocol (IBGP) in full mesh, confederation, and route reflection applications. BGP-related routing policy and route attribute manipulation are introduced in this chapter.

• Chapter 6 details the configuration and operational analysis of Exterior Border Gateway Protocol (EBGP) and provides a healthy dose of routing policy in the context of a service provider's network.

This book is written to mimic the actual JNCIP-M exam by having the reader add layers of complexity and increased functionality to a common network topology with each successive chapter. The decision to use a fixed topology allows the reader to focus on the 'task at hand' instead of having to constantly adapt to new connectivity and address assignments. This layering approach helps to familiarize the reader with how the exam is structured, and also helps to reinforce the relationships between the various network protocols and applications that are covered.

How to Use This Book

This book can provide a solid foundation for the serious effort of preparing for the JNCIP-M exam. To best benefit from this book, we recommend the following study method:

• Read (and understand) the companion Juniper Networks Study Guides, such as the JNCIA Study Guide (Sybex, 2003), which are designed to prepare you for the lab-based nature of this book.

• When possible, you should gain access to a test bed of Juniper Networks M-series and/or T-series routers-preferably one that matches the topology used throughout this book. Accessing some routers is better than none, so get your hands on as many routers as you can. This book was designed to simulate the experience of actually working with Juniper Networks routers as closely as possible, recognizing that there is a substantial cost associated with the construction of a JNCIP-M test bed. Combining on-the-job experience with a careful analysis of the examples provided in this book will prepare you for the JNCIP-M exam.

• Follow along with the chapter body configuration examples and make sure you understand how network operation is validated against the scenario's requirements through the use of operational commands.

• Do not move on to the next chapter until you are confident that you can perform the case study configuration found at the end of each chapter in the time frames suggested-without the use of manuals and without any serious operational problems in the resulting network.

• Make sure you understand the answers to all the review questions at the end of each chapter. These questions are designed to prevent common mistakes!

• Use the JUNOS software documentation set for researching related information as needed. The documentation set for JUNOS software version 5.2 is included on the accompanying CD.

To learn all the material covered in this book, you'll have to apply yourself regularly and with discipline. Try to set aside the same amount of time every day to practice router configuration and network testing, and select a comfortable and quiet place to do so. If you work hard, you will be surprised at how quickly you demonstrate a professional level of proficiencies in the configuration and testing of networks based on JUNOS software and M-series/T-series platforms. Before you know it, you'll be finished with your JNCIP and on the way to becoming a JNCIE. Good luck and may the force be with you!

What's on the CD?

We worked very hard to provide some really great tools to help you with your certification process. The accompanying CD contains the following:

Complete Router Configurations

The companion CD contains complete router configurations for the case studies found at the end of each chapter. The configurations are available in PDF for printing, and as plain-text files for loading into your own routers. Depending on the situation, you may need to edit the configuration to suit the specific interface types and addressing used in your test bed.

JNCIP Study Guide in PDF

Sybex is also offering the Juniper Networks Certification books on their accompanying CDs so you can read the books on your PC or laptop. The JNCIP Study Guide is on this CD in Adobe Acrobat format. Acrobat Reader 5.1 with Search is also included on the CD.

This will be extremely helpful to readers who travel and don't want to carry a book, as well as to readers who find it more comfortable to read from their computer.

JUNOS software Documentation in PDF

Finally, the Juniper Networks documentation set for version 5.2 is included on the CD so that you can read these manuals on your PC or laptop. The documentation set is in Adobe Acrobat format. Acrobat Reader 5.1 with Search is also included on the CD.

About the Author and Technical Editors

Harry Reynolds, JNCIE #3, CCIE #4977, is the curriculum development manager and a Senior Education Services Engineer at Juniper Networks Inc. He has written numerous training courses and has presented data communications and internetworking training classes for the last 15 years for a variety of organizations. His e-mail address is [e-mail].

Jason Rogan is a Senior Engineer with Juniper Networks Inc. and Manager of the Juniper Networks Technical Certification Program (JNTCP). He is JNCIE #8 and a Juniper Networks Authorized Instructor.

Peter Moyer is a network consultant with the Professional Services group at Juniper Networks Inc. He holds a B.S. in Computer and Information Science from the University of Maryland and is JNCIE #2 and CCIE #3286. He can be partially blamed for the construction of the industry's toughest and most valuable IP networking exam, the JNCIE.

Josef Buchsteiner is a Senior Network Support Engineer with Juniper Networks Inc. in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He is JNCIE #38.