Cisco CCNA Real World Project - Network Upgrade in 5 Days

Plan the upgrade by studying the network diagram before configuring any devices. Understand the network deeply, as you will configure devices later and discover many things.

Plan a five-day network upgrade by replacing core switches with a stacked pair of 3750s and adding an access layer switch, with network diagrams and tests to ensure uptime.

Follow a traditional five-phase project management approach to upgrade a Cisco network in five days, emphasizing planning, design, execution, monitoring, testing, and close.

Outline the three deployment devices, two Cisco 3750 switches and an HP gigabit access switch, and how stacking yields a single management IP for the upgrade from core to access.

Plan and execute a five-day Cisco network upgrade using Microsoft Project 2013, detailing tasks, templates, durations, and old to new network diagrams for core and access layers.

Analyze the old network diagram across the three layers—edge firewalls, core switches, and access switches—covering VLANs, default gateways, and the planned voice router replacement, plus Visio diagram creation.

Inspect the rack, remove unused hardware, plan a gigabit switch, maintain routers for rollback, and host VMware servers, a PC, and an access point with cabling and a proper ups.

Create a final network diagram from scratch in Microsoft Visio, detailing a Cisco 3750 core stack, IP addressing, port labels, two internet connections, firewalls, and an ether channel.

Finalize the network diagram by placing firewalls, configuring isp links, adding a 3g backup with dynamic ips, and detailing port usage for the core and access layers.

Learn how to plan a safe network upgrade by testing changes, performing failover tests, keeping legacy devices for rollback, and communicating with users to minimize outages during core switch replacements.

Refine the first day by applying learned topics to the network upgrade project, understand the network topology, and prepare to set up our call switches as your own project.

Configure the first Cisco switches, a pair of 3750s, create a template, apply it, and test in parallel with the existing network to validate deployment.

Learn how to stack core switches by connecting cables to form a loop and designate a master, then verify stacking status with indicator lights.

Perform a health check of existing network by analyzing running configurations, copying them to the new switch stack with templates, and provisioning a master and slave with verified interfaces.

Perform a real-world core switch upgrade by stacking 3750 switches, copying the running config to notepad, and tweaking settings to avoid downtime while coordinating Cisco and HP equipment.

Apply a prepared core switch template, paste configurations to reveal errors, and fix VLAN IDs, trunking, and spanning-tree issues to ensure proper network connectivity.

Apply a basic network template to the core layer, fix spanning tree issues on the switch, and verify internet reachability and default gateway through IP SLA failover checks.

Learn how ip sla monitors internet reachability to trigger failover from a primary to a backup link, verify route changes with show commands, and test seamless outage handling.

Execute a failover test on the core switch to switch from the primary to the backup route, using an ASA firewall and ICMP-based access control, then re-enable the primary link.

Configure and test trunk links between core switches and edge devices to connect Cybercom and Zeisel into the existing network, set up VLANs, describe interfaces, and validate reachability and failover.

Explore practical insights on switches and the theory behind them, as the presenter highlights why these concepts are important and worth showing across many places beyond CESI.

Access the course's switch and an HP gigabit switch to gain hands-on experience with a real-world network upgrade in this section.

Learn to configure the HP 2520 GS access switch, run commands, and understand trunk versus access ports. Compare HP and Cisco behaviors, including ether channel and untagged versus tagged ports.

Copy and tweak running config on the new switch, apply trunk ports, set gateway IP, and enable spanning tree. Verify connectivity by pinging the Internet via the core router.

Update Microsoft Project to track overtime and progress, apply templates, fix issues, and connect the HP switch and other switches to the network, noting 54 percent completion after day two.

Prepare to upgrade the network by configuring the ready core switches according to the known network topology, while using a head-mounted action camera for a hands-on perspective.

Remove old devices from the rack by starting with core switches and a 3750 axis switch, testing cable reach to the UPS, and managing space with side-door removal.

Rack and mount the core switches using brackets, then connect power and boot them up. Test the integration with the existing network and plan the final cabling and UPS setup.

prepare and assemble PC and UPS devices, show the setup, and test to confirm these devices are good enough for our project.

Unbox a heavy UPS unit, confirm the battery connection, and run built-in tests while navigating settings to ensure readiness to power two or three devices.

Test the Upswell smart seven five zero to verify self-test, power usage, and device stability during a network upgrade. Review status, configuration options, and pass or fail results with runtime.

Test the APC ups with four devices to verify they stay online when the power cord is removed, demonstrating redundancy with two ups powering six switches and three servers.

Track devices and update Microsoft project with day three and four progress, remove the old voice switch, test UPS, and plan final tests focused on monitoring and backups.

Document stage work, monitor progress, and update the network diagram. Confirm backups and logs, stay proactive, and set alerts via email when the primary link fails to aid troubleshooting.

Apply monitoring of documentation and backups by identifying three tools you could use to monitor all new network devices, using CCNA real-world lab insights.

Learn to connect to a switch or router using an SNMP tool and a web browser, view IP addresses and interfaces, and use auto discovery for proactive network monitoring.

Learn how SNMP OIDs monitor network devices, focusing on interface status and static route, and interpret status values where 1 means up and 2 means down.

Update the SNMP server and set up probes to monitor gateway status, interfaces, CPU, and memory; configure alerts by email and test triggers to ensure reliable network monitoring.

Learn to use PRTG for auto discovery and live data monitoring of devices, with reports, and back up running configurations to a TFTP server using archive options.

Update Microsoft Project to confirm completion of the network upgrade, verify the network diagram, confirm backups, and mark the project 100 percent complete.

Enjoy a thoroughly prepared training series with numerous instructional videos and a focus on action camera ideas.

Learn to create network diagrams using Visio and Gliffy with templates, drag-and-drop shapes, labeling, and connectors, plus free online options and Cisco stencils.

Configure your first Cisco router by setting hostname, interface ip addresses, enabling ssh with key generation, saving configurations, applying a login banner and logging, and creating a lookback interface.

Explore data center cabling and rack setups, including patch panels and cable management, to simplify connections and maintenance. Learn about Cisco devices such as ASA firewalls and switches.

Explore core security principles, including man-in-the-middle attacks and how mac addresses, arp, and ip translate on local networks, with a live demonstration of a basic attack.

Learn practical Cisco troubleshooting from layer 2 to topology, using CDP and show cdp neighbors, and building hands-on labs with Wireshark.

Explore a practical network rack setup for a real-world upgrade, featuring pfSense firewall, multi-port devices, proper ventilation, a UPS, and monitoring with PRTG via SNMP.