Carefully consider the exam topics Cisco has posted on its website as you study, particularly for clues to how deeply you should know each topic. Beyond that, you cannot go wrong by developing a broader knowledge of the subject matter. You can do that by reading and studying the topics presented in this book. Remember that it is in your best interest to become proficient in each of the CCNP subjects. When it is time to use what you have learned, being well rounded counts more than being well tested.
Table I-1 shows the official exam topics for the BCMSN exam, as posted on Cisco.com. Note that Cisco has historically changed exam topics without changing the exam number, so do not be alarmed if small changes in the exam topics occur over time. When in doubt, go to cisco.com, click Learning and Events, and select Career Certifications and Paths.
Table I-1. BCMSN Exam Topics
Exam Topic | Part of This Book Where Exam Topic Is Covered |
|---|
Technology | |
|---|
Describe the Enterprise Composite Model used for designing networks and explain how it addresses enterprise network needs for performance, scalability, and availability | Part I |
Describe the physical, data link, and network layer technologies used in a switched network, and identify when to use each | Part I |
Explain the role of switches in the various modules of the Enterprise Composite Model (Campus Infrastructure, Server Farm, Enterprise Edge, Network Management) | Part I |
Explain the function of the Switching Database Manager (specifically Content Addressable Memory [CAM] and Ternary Content Addressable Memory [TCAM]) within a Catalyst switch | Part II |
Describe the features and operation of VLANs on a switched network | Part II |
Describe the features of the VLAN trunking protocols, including 802.1Q, ISL (emphasis on 802.1Q), and Dynamic Trunking Protocol | Part II |
Describe the operation and purpose of managed VLAN services | Part II |
Describe how VTP versions 1 and 2 operate, including domains, modes, advertisements, and pruning | Part II |
Explain the operation and purpose of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) on a switched network | Part II |
Identify the specific types of Cisco route switch processors, and provide implementation details | Part III |
List and describe the operation of the key components required to implement inter VLAN routing | Part III |
Explain the types of redundancy in a multilayer switched network, including hardware and software redundancy | Part III |
Explain how IP multicast operates on a multilayer switched network, including PIM, CGMP, and IGMP | Part III |
Describe the quality issues with voice traffic on a switched data network, including jitter and delay | Part IV |
Describe the QoS use of a voice VLAN to handle voice traffic | Part IV |
Implementation and Operation | |
Configure access ports for static and multi-VLAN membership | Part II |
Configure and verify 802.1Q trunks | Part II |
Configure and verify ISL trunks | Part II |
Configure VTP domains in server, client, and transparent modes | Part II |
Enable Spanning Tree on ports and VLANs | Part II |
Configure Spanning Tree parameters, including port priority, VLAN priority, root bridge, BPDU guard, PortFast, and UplinkFast | Part II |
Implement IP technology on a switched network with auxiliary VLANs | Part IV |
Configure and verify router redundancy using HSRP, VRRP, GLBP and SRM | Part III |
Configure Fast EtherChannel and Gigabit EtherChannel to increase bandwidth for interswitch connections | Part II |
Planning and Design | |
Compare end-to-end and local VLANs, determine when to use each | Part I |
Design a VLAN configuration with VTP to work for a given specific scenario | Part II |
Select multilayer switching architectures, given specific multilayer switching needs | Part III |
Describe the general design models when implementing IP telephony in a switched network environment | Part IV |
Troubleshoot | |
Troubleshoot common VLAN problems on a switched network | Part II |
Tune and troubleshoot Spanning Tree Protocol on a multilayer switched network to enhance network performance, prevent network loops, and minimize downtime | Part II |
Identify interVLAN routing performance and scalability issues, and propose solutions | Part III |
Verify and troubleshoot interVLAN routing on a switched network | Part III |
Identify voice VLAN issues at the network access layer | Part IV |
