**CCNP FAQ** - Please read before posting.

mikej412mikej412 Member Posts: 10,086 ■■■■■■■■■■
in CCNP
CCNP FAQ

Information about the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) -- the required exams and prerequisites -- can be found on the Cisco website.
icon_exclaim.gifCisco Career Certifications & Paths - CCNP

Following are some of the most common questions in our CCNP Forum. If you have the same or similar questions, please read these topics first. If you cannot find the answer your are looking for, or want to know more, don't hesitate to post a reply to one of the following or start a new thread. In case of the latter, please use a clear descriptive title (i.e. more than just "I need help") so others can find answers in our forums more easily.

icon_confused.gif: What Books would you recommend for the CCNP?
icon_arrow.gifBCMSN PDF from Cisco website
icon_arrow.gifCCNP where to start?
icon_arrow.gifCCNP
icon_arrow.gifCiscoPress Information
icon_arrow.gifCCNP Books and general questions
icon_arrow.gifRouting TCP/IP, Volume II
icon_arrow.gifCiscopress
icon_arrow.gifCCNP Lab Books
icon_arrow.gifCCNP Question
icon_arrow.gifNew CCNP self-study materials
icon_arrow.gifBSCI study materials

For the Cisco CCNP Exams, the Cisco Press books are the best, and in most cases, the only books you can find for the exams.
icon_exclaim.gifCisco Press CCNP Books

The official Cisco Course materials and/or Cisco Partner eLearning is an option for those with access.

The Cisco Documentation is another source for studying -- and one candidates for the Cisco Professional Level Certifications should become familiar with.

icon_confused.gif: What order should I take the CCNP exams?
icon_arrow.gifCCNP Sequence ...
icon_arrow.gifCCNP exam order
icon_arrow.gifCCNP Study
icon_arrow.gifSuggestions for CCNP track
icon_arrow.gifHello everyone. Starting to prepare for CCNP
icon_arrow.gifONT and QOS Together or No?

icon_confused.gif: I don’t have any equipment should I buy a Simulator?
icon_arrow.gifDynamips vs. Boson
icon_arrow.gifBoson CCNP 7 for the BSCI exam
icon_arrow.gifNeed a better simulator for BSCI
icon_arrow.gifWhat is dynamips?
icon_arrow.gifDoes Dynamips support Cisco Switches
icon_arrow.gifdynamips
icon_arrow.gifHelp with Dynamips
icon_arrow.gifDynamips - Lab share
icon_arrow.gifDynamips - did i forget something
icon_arrow.gifSDM and lab simulations...

There is a mixed opinion on this and in the end you will have to decide for yourself. Simulators and real labs both have their merits. It's advisable to buy at least some equipment if you plan to put your certs to work and don't have hands-on work experience with Cisco routers and switches. You just can't simulate feeling and connecting cables and connectors.

icon_confused.gif: I want to setup my own home CCNP lab. What should I buy and how do I set it up?
icon_arrow.gifIt Was Going to Happen, Sooner or Later. Slowhand's CCNP Lab
icon_arrow.gifLabs for ONT and ISCW
icon_arrow.gifI have just received my home lab!!! need advise!!!
icon_arrow.gifAnother CCNP home lab setup thread!
icon_arrow.gifCCNP Lab
icon_arrow.gifhi guys, I am new to CCNP and I need some advice.
icon_arrow.gifI purchased a Lab
icon_arrow.gifLab Equipment from ciscokits.com
icon_arrow.gifAnyone built the lab in the BSCI Cisco Press self-study book
icon_arrow.gifIdeal home Lab for BSCI
icon_arrow.gifBCMSN Lab
icon_arrow.gifNeed help building bcmsn ccnp lab
icon_arrow.gifBCMSN Home Lab
icon_arrow.gifIs a 3550 really neccessary?
icon_arrow.giflayer 3 switching question
icon_arrow.giflab home CCNP
icon_arrow.gifNew CCNP exams


For equipment try www.ciscokits.com and www.ebay.com


icon_idea.gifSuggested Cisco Documentation Links
icon_exclaim.gifCisco IOS Feature Navigator

icon_confused.gif: 642-901 Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI)
icon_arrow.gifUsing the Command-Line Interface in Cisco IOS Software
icon_arrow.gifUsing Cisco IOS Software for Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS Interface and Hardware Component Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS IP Application Services Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS IP Addressing Services Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS IP Routing Protocols Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_exclaim.gifCisco IOS BGP Configuration Guide, Release 12.4T
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS IP Switching Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS IP Multicast Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS IPv6 Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS Wide-Area Networking Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS Network Management Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS IP SLAs Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS NetFlow Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_exclaim.gifCisco IOS Optimized Edge Routing Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_exclaim.gifRIP and OSPF Redistribution
icon_exclaim.gifBGP Case Studies
icon_exclaim.gifUsing the Border Gateway Protocol for Interdomain Routing
icon_exclaim.gifUsing Regular Expressions in BGP
icon_exclaim.gifRegular Expressions

icon_confused.gif: 642-812 Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN)
icon_arrow.gifCatalyst 3560 Switch Software Configuration Guide, Rel. 12.2(44)SE
icon_arrow.gifCatalyst 3550 Multilayer Switch Software Configurtion Guide, Rel. 12.2(25)SEE
icon_arrow.gifCatalyst 2960 Switch Software Configuration Guide, Rel. 12.2(44)SE
icon_arrow.gifCatalyst 2950 Desktop Switch Software Configuration Guide, 12.1(11)EA1
icon_arrow.gifConfigure IOS Catalyst Switches to Connect Cisco IP Phones Configuration Example
icon_arrow.gifConfiguring HSRP
icon_arrow.gifConfiguring VRRP
icon_arrow.gifConfiguring GLBP
icon_exclaim.gifUsing HSRP for Fault-Tolerant IP Routing

icon_confused.gif: 642-825 Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Networks (ISCW)
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS Broadband and DSL Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS Multiprotocol Label Switching Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS Security Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_exclaim.gifIncreasing Security on IP Networks

icon_confused.gif: 642-845 Optimizing Converged Cisco Networks (ONT)
icon_exclaim.gifCisco IOS Quality of Service
icon_exclaim.gifInternetworking Technology Handbook - Quality of Service (QoS)
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS Quality of Service Solutions Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
icon_exclaim.gifQuality of Service for Voice
icon_arrow.gifCatalyst 2950 Switch - Configuring QoS
icon_arrow.gifCatalyst 2960 Switch - Configuring QoS
icon_arrow.gifCatalyst 3550 Multilayer Switch - Configuring QoS
icon_arrow.gifCatalyst 3560 Switch - Configuring QoS
icon_exclaim.gifCatalyst 2950 Series Switches Quality of Service (QoS) FAQ
icon_exclaim.gifQuality of Service on Catalyst 2900 XL and 3500 XL Series Switches Frequently Asked Questions
icon_arrow.gifAdaptive Frame Relay Traffic Shaping for Interface Congestion
icon_arrow.gifFrame Relay Queueing and Fragmentation at the Interface
icon_arrow.gifMQC-Based Frame Relay Traffic Shaping
icon_arrow.gifAutomation for Quality of Service Deployments: Cisco AutoQoS
icon_arrow.gifAutoQoS for Voice Over IP (VoIP)
icon_arrow.gifFAQ on Cisco Aironet Wireless Security
icon_arrow.gifWireless LAN Connectivity using an ISR with WEP Encryption and LEAP Authentication Configuration Example
icon_arrow.gifCisco Wireless Control System Configuration Guide, Release 4.1
icon_arrow.gifQoS on Wireless LAN Controllers and Lightweight APs Configuration Example
icon_arrow.gifWireless Virtual LAN Deployment Guide
icon_exclaim.gifVoIP Overview (Flash)
icon_exclaim.gifInternetworking Technology Handbook - Voice/Data Integration Technologies
icon_exclaim.gifPhysical and Virtual Voice Interfaces Overview
icon_arrow.gifCisco IOS Voice, Video, and Fax Configuration Guide, Release 12.2


icon_idea.gifOther Cisco Resources
icon_exclaim.gifCCNP Prep Center
icon_exclaim.gifCertification Exam Tutorial
icon_exclaim.gifCisco Learning Connection - Network Fundamentals
icon_exclaim.gifCisco Learning Connection - Routers
icon_exclaim.gifCisco Learning Connection - Switches
icon_exclaim.gifCisco Learning Connection - IP Routing
icon_exclaim.gifCisco Learning Connection - Routing Protocols
icon_exclaim.gifCisco Learning Connection - Wireless
icon_exclaim.gifCisco Learning Connection - Security and VPN
icon_exclaim.gifCisco Learning Connection - Voice and Unified Communications
icon_exclaim.gifCisco on Cisco Technology Tutorials
icon_exclaim.gifUsing the Technical Support and Documentation Website


icon_exclaim.gifNDA and Forum rules

If you have any more questions feel free to reply to this topic. Do not ask about or mention the topics of the SIM(s) or discuss any required steps for specific SIM(s). Everything related to the CCNP objectives that cover something that can be configured, implemented, verified, troubleshot, etc, is a possible topic for the CCNP exam. You need to know them all, not just the ones Cisco happens to have currently in their exams, or someone else got last week. icon_wink.gif
Ten9t6 wrote:
All,

First I want to say welcome to the Cisco section of TechExams. Let me know if you have any questions during your visit. We have some very knowledgeable members that are more than willing to help you out.

BUT...

We do have some rules. It is ok to talk about areas that are good to focus, (like the blueprint for the test) but it is not ok to state what questions or sims you had (To be more clear....do not say I had two on OSPF and one on Underwater Basket Weaving..Yes, I know that is not getting specifics...but you should not be mentioning these at all. It is not my NDA or TechExams NDA...it is what you signed w/ Cisco.) icon_wink.gif If you can't face the question or the sim, without a heads up, your not ready for the exam.

Again, welcome to the forum. Learn as much as you can. Help when you can help. And please watch what you post.

Thanks...
Ten9t6
mikej412 wrote:

Cisco Candidate Conduct Policy 
No candidate will take any action that will compromise the integrity or confidentiality of a Cisco Certification examination or otherwise compromise the integrity of the Cisco Certification program. Such actions include but are not limited to:
• Disseminating actual exam content via web postings, discussion groups, chat rooms, study guides, etc.
Cisco Career Certifications and Confidentiality Agreement

The main guts of the Cisco NDA is "contents of the exam are confidential." 
You agree that the contents of the exam are confidential and that the disclosure of that information could compromise the integrity of the Program and of Certifications. Cisco makes exams available to you solely to test your knowledge of the exam subject matter for which you seek Certification. You are expressly prohibited from disclosing, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting any exam and any related information including, without limitation, questions, answers, worksheets, computations, drawings, diagrams, length or number of exam segments or questions, or any communication, including oral communication regarding or related to the exam (known collectively as “Proprietary Information”), in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, oral or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior express written permission of Cisco.
From Cisco Online Certification Support 
As a matter of policy Cisco Systems, Inc. does not disclose the content of our certification exams. This includes exam pass marks, the exact number of questions on each exam, as well as the number of each type of question a candidate will see during their exam.
:mike: Cisco Certifications -- Collect the Entire Set!
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Comments

  • cisco_troopercisco_trooper Member Posts: 1,441 ■■■■□□□□□□
    Awesome FAQ man. That was a long time coming...
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  • SlowhandSlowhand Mod Posts: 5,161 Mod
    Good lord, you included my drunken rambling. . . err. . . "thread". Seriously, though, it's a damn fine Q&A page, Mike. I'm looking forward to when I'm ready to tackle it.
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  • had303had303 Member Posts: 10 ■□□□□□□□□□
    Awesome share for some newbies trying to get their hands on CCNP. icon_wink.gif
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  • NullCodeNullCode Member Posts: 72 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Maybe u can recheck the ISCW links "the documents have been moved "
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  • DevilWAHDevilWAH Member Posts: 2,997 ■■■■■■■■□□
    Would it be a nice idea to add GNS3 to the simulator list. I know its just a GUI for dynamips but its a lot friendler
    • If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. Albert Einstein
    • An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties. It means that its going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep aiming.
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  • mikej412mikej412 Member Posts: 10,086 ■■■■■■■■■■
    Time to start collecting links for an updated CCNP FAQ.... (time and CCIE permitting)


    icon_confused.gif: TSHOOT
    http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccnp/64065-tshoot-journey-preparation.html#post508987


    icon_confused.gif: Dynamips (Dynagen/GNS3)
    There's either a post here on TE or a TE Post with a link to the QinQ trunk solution to link your Dynagen/GNS3 router rack with real switches.
    http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccna-ccent/61064-how-do-you-guys-complete-labs-gns3-switching-issues.html#post480082

    icon_study.gifSuggested Documentation Links
    :mike: Cisco Certifications -- Collect the Entire Set!
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  • t_patrickt_patrick Registered Users Posts: 4 ■□□□□□□□□□
    this is great stuff!
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  • Danman32Danman32 Member Posts: 1,243
    This page is WAY outdated and needs a complete rewrite. LOTS of changes have been made in the CCNP track, the most recent a rewrite of the CCNP Route and Switch to V2 as of 6 months ago, with CCNP R&S v1 exams just having been retired.
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  • Chamil3001Chamil3001 Registered Users Posts: 2 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Great information
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  • danitechdanitech Registered Users Posts: 3 ■□□□□□□□□□
    I have a question about Scope of CCNP, where should I post ?
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  • networker050184networker050184 Mod Posts: 11,962 Mod
    Post to the CCNP section of the forums.
    An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made.
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