Maricopa Community Colleges  CNT230   20042-20076 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 12/09/03
CNT230 20042-20076 L+L 4 Credit(s) 6 Period(s)
Cisco Network Troubleshooting
Emphasis on troubleshooting complex network problems by focusing on documenting and baselining a network, utilizing troubleshooting methodologies and tools, and learning effective skills in Layer 1 to 7 troubleshooting. Preparation for the last of four exams leading to the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification.
Prerequisites: CNT200, CNT210 and CNT220, or CCNP Advanced Routing, Remote Access, and Multi-Layer Switching Certification, or permission of instructor.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
CNT230   20042-20076 Cisco Network Troubleshooting
1. Demonstrate baselining of a network. (I)
2. Demonstrate documenting of a network. (II)
3. Explain and list troubleshooting methodologies (III, VI, X)
4. Identify and explain usage of Network Management Tools (IV, VI)
5. Explain critical and non-critical characteristics of physical layer failure problems (V)
6. Characterize optimization problems that exist at the physical layer of a network (V)
7. Demonstrate usage of Cisco IOS show commands and end-system commands in gathering physical layer information (V)
8. Isolate, identify, and troubleshoot physical layer problems in a Cisco-based network. (VI)
9. Explain characteristics of troubleshooting data link layer problems (VII)
10. Demonstrate usage of Cisco IOS show commands and end-system commands in gathering data link layer information (VII)
11. Identify and troubleshoot switched Ethernet problems in a Cisco-switched network. (VIII)
12. Identify and troubleshoot integrated services digital network (ISDN), frame relay, and PPP problems in a Cisco IOS based network (IX)
13. Explain characteristics of isolating and troubleshooting network layer problems (X)
14. Demonstrate troubleshooting of static routes (X)
15. Explain common IGP routing protocol issues, causes, and solutions (XI)
16. Identify and troubleshoot routing information protocol (RIP), open shortest path first (OSPF), intermediate system intermediate system (IS-IS), border gateway protocol (BGP) and Cisco's interior gateway routing protocol (IGRP) & enhanced interior gateway routing protocol (EIGRP) acronyms routing protocols (XI)
17. Explain and troubleshoot redistribution of routing protocols. (XII)
18. Explain characteristics of troubleshooting transport layer problems (XIII)
19. Troubleshoot transport layer problems dealing with transport, access control, and translation issues using Cisco routers. (XIII)
20. Demonstrate resolution of transport layer problems on network hosts (XIII)
21. Isolate and troubleshoot network problems dealing with application layer protocols and issues (XV)
22. Isolate, identify, and troubleshoot complex network problems utilizing Cisco switches and routers. (XIV)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
CNT230   20042-20076 Cisco Network Troubleshooting
    I. Network Baselining
        A. Planning
        B. Identifying criteria
        C. Determining duration
        D. Using the data
        E. Identifying undesired network behavior and thresholds
        F. Predicting long-term performance and capacity trends
        G. Verifying policies
      II. Documenting the Network in a Building-Block Approach
          A. Network configuration documentation
          B. Identifying the components
          C. Identifying commands and applications
          D. Discovering network configuration
          E. Process of creating network documentation
        III. Troubleshooting Methodologies
            A. Using a layered architectural model to describe data flow
              1. Encapsulation and decapsulation
              2. Bits on the physical medium
              3. Network device control information
              4. OSI model versus TCP/IP model
            B. Troubleshooting approaches
              1. General troubleshooting process
              2. Bottom-up/top-down
              3. Divide and conquer
              4. Guidelines for selecting
            C. Gathering symptoms
              1. Network
              2. End-user: hardware and software
              3. Questions to ask
              4. Flow charts
          IV. Network Management Troubleshooting Tools
              A. Network management system frameworks
              B. Knowledge base tools
              C. Performance measurement and reporting tools
              D. Event and fault management tools
              E. Policy management tools
            V. Troubleshooting Problems at the Physical Layer
                A. Failure problems
                  1. Critical connectivity characteristics
                  2. Critical upper layer component operation characteristics
                  3. Non-critical equipment indicators characteristics
                  4. Non-critical power failure characteristics
                  5. Non-critical console messages
                B. Optimization problems
                  1. Performance
                  2. Cabling
                  3. Noise
                  4. Collisions
                  5. Data transmission
                  6. Resources
                  7. Utilization
                  8. Console messages
                C. Commands for physical layer information gathering
                  1. End-system commands: Multiple operating systems
                  2. Cisco IOS show commands
              VI. Identifying and Isolating Problems at the Physical Layer
                  A. Identifying physical layer problems
                    1. Power-related
                    2. Cabling faults
                    3. Hardware
                    4. Collision-based problems
                    5. External interference
                    6. Configuration script errors
                  B. Isolating physical layer problems
                    1. Methodology
                    2. Tools
                    3. Cabling
                    4. Interface configuration
                    5. Operational statistics
                  C. Implementing physical layer solutions
                    1. Methodology
                    2. Commands: IOS and end-systems
                    3. Redundancy
                    4. Support resources
                VII. Characteristics Data Link Layer Problems
                    A. Characteristics
                      1. Data link layer problems
                      2. Effect on upper layers
                      3. Framing and encapsulation errors
                      4. Address mapping errors
                      5. Critical characteristics
                    B. End-system commands
                      1. Common end-system commands MS Windows/UNIX/Mac
                      2. Cisco IOS commands
                  VIII. Troubleshooting a Switched Ethernet Network
                      A. Spanning tree protocol
                      B. Ethernet
                      C. VLAN tunneling protocol (VTP)
                      D. Etherchannel
                    IX. Troubleshooting WAN problems at the Data Link Layer
                        A. Troubleshooting ISDN
                          1. Framing errors
                          2. Switch types
                          3. Integrated services digital network (ISDN) primary rate interface (PRI) and basic rate interface (BRI)
                          4. Dialer problems
                          5. Debugging
                        B. Troubleshooting frame relay
                          1. Troubleshooting steps
                          2. Show commands
                          3. Encapsulation
                          4. Point-to-point and multipoint
                          5. Subinterface
                        C. PPP and Layer 2 considerations
                          1. Link control protocol
                          2. PPP authentication
                          3. IP split horizon
                          4. Open shortest path first (OSPF) in non-broadcast multi access (NBMA) environment
                          5. Excessive fragmentation
                      X. Troubleshooting at the Network Layer
                          A. Troubleshooting network layer problems
                            1. Isolating methodology
                            2. Static routes, dynamic routing, summarization, redistribution, and combinations
                          B. Troubleshooting static routes
                            1. Classful lookups
                            2. Intermediate addresses
                            3. Route optimization
                            4. Recurring installation and deletion
                            5. Discard routes
                          C. IGP routing protocol issues
                            1. Network or neighbor statements
                            2. Layer 1 or 2 interface down
                            3. Distribute-list
                            4. Access list blocking
                            5. Passive interface
                        XI. Troubleshooting Network Layer Routing Protocols Problems
                            A. Troubleshooting RIP
                              1. Common problems
                              2. Isolate symptoms
                              3. Resolution
                            B. Troubleshooting IGRP
                              1. Common problems
                              2. Isolate symptoms
                              3. Resolution
                            C. Troubleshooting EIGRP
                              1. Common problems
                              2. Isolate symptoms
                              3. Resolution
                            D. Troubleshooting OSPF
                              1. Common problems
                              2. Isolate symptoms
                              3. Resolution
                            E. Troubleshooting IS-IS
                              1. Common problems
                              2. Isolate symptoms
                              3. Resolution
                            F. Troubleshooting BGP
                              1. Common problems
                              2. Isolate symptoms
                              3. Resolution
                          XII. Troubleshooting Redistribution Problems
                              A. RIP
                              B. IGRP/EIGRP
                              C. OSPF
                              D. IS-IS
                              E. BGP
                            XIII. Technology Characteristics of Troubleshooting at the Transport Layer
                                A. Technology characteristics
                                  1. User Datagram Protocol
                                  2. Transport Control Protocol
                                  3. Access Control Lists
                                  4. Static/Dynamic IP network address translation
                                  5. Network Basic Input Output System (NetBIOS) and NetBios Extended User Interface (NetBEUI)
                                B. Troubleshooting issues on the router
                                  1. Common issues with Access control lists (ACLs)
                                  2. Common issues with Internet Protocol (IP) Network address translation (NAT)
                                  3. Useful information
                                C. Troubleshooting issues on network hosts
                                  1. Common issues with IP networks
                                  2. Gathering information on Windows/UNIX machines
                                  3. Common issues with NetBIOS networks
                              XIV. Troubleshooting Complex Network Systems
                                  A. Identifying complex problems
                                  B. Disassembling and isolating the problem
                                  C. Solving the component problems
                                  D. Issues dealing with NAT and Access Control Lists
                                XV. Cisco Layer 1 - 7 Troubleshooting
                                    A. Troubleshooting the application layer
                                      1. Eliminating Layers 1 – 4
                                      2. Isolating application layer problems
                                      3. Identifying and accessing support resources
                                      4. Correcting problems
                                    B. Gathering information
                                      1. Common TCP/IP commands and utilities
                                      2. Cisco IOS commands
                                      3. Logs
                                      4. Protocol analyzers
                                      5. Network management systems
                                    C. Troubleshooting TCP/IP application layer protocols
                                      1. Client-server systems
                                      2. Terminals and consoles
                                      3. Web traffic 4 Electronic mail
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