CCNP Service Provider SPCOR 350-501 Exam

The “Implementing and Operating Cisco Service Provider Network Core Technologies” (SPCOR 350-501) exam is an essential qualification for professionals seeking to validate their skills with the CCNP and CCIE Service Provider Certifications. This rigorous 120-minute exam challenges candidates to demonstrate their expertise across a broad spectrum of technologies pivotal to service provider networks. Below, I’ll delve into the key areas and offer enriched insights into the exam content to help you understand and prepare effectively.

1.0 Architecture (15%)

This domain focuses on the foundational structures that underpin service provider networks. It covers the design and deployment of various core network architectures such as Metro Ethernet, MPLS, and segment routing, which are crucial for efficient network operation and scalability. Candidates must also understand the transport technologies that enable connectivity across vast geographical areas, including Optical, xDSL, and DOCSIS systems. Additionally, the domain delves into the integration and support mechanisms for next-generation mobile services, particularly the infrastructure required for 4G and 5G networks.

1.1 Describe service provider architectures:

• Core architectures: Including Metro Ethernet, which is pivotal for metropolitan area networks, MPLS for efficient network management and scalability, unified MPLS for extending MPLS capabilities across networks, and Segment Routing for simplified route administration.
• Transport technologies: Covering Optical networking essential for high-capacity backbone infrastructures, xDSL for broadband access, DOCSIS for cable networks, TDM for legacy voice/data transmission, and xPON technology for passive optical networks.
• Mobility: Discusses packet core solutions and Radio Access Network (RAN) transport technologies crucial for 4G and 5G services, focusing on the evolution and support of high-speed mobile data.

1.2 Cisco network software architecture:

• Details the distinct characteristics and uses of Cisco’s IOS, IOS XE, and IOS XR operating systems, emphasizing their adaptability in various hardware environments ranging from compact routers to extensive carrier-grade platforms.

1.3 Service provider virtualization:

• NFV infrastructure: Examines the framework for deploying virtual network functions that reduce reliance on dedicated hardware.
• VNF workloads: Focuses on virtual network functions themselves, crucial for flexibility and scalability.
• OpenStack: Discusses its role in managing and orchestrating virtualized resources in a service provider’s environment.

1.4 QoS architecture:

• Outlines MPLS QoS models like Pipe, Short Pipe, and Uniform, and their application in managing service provider traffic, plus MPLS Traffic Engineering QoS techniques such as MAM, RDM, CBTS, PBTS, and DS-TE.
• Covers foundational QoS models like DiffServ and IntServ, and the role of the IPv6 flow label in enhancing QoS for IPv6 networks.

1.5 to 1.6 Security layers:

• Discusses various security mechanisms across control, management, and data planes, including techniques like LPTS, CoPP for control plane protection, and features like uRPF and ACLs for data plane security.

2.0 Networking (30%)

Networking is a core component of the exam, encompassing a deep dive into the implementation and troubleshooting of advanced routing protocols that support the backbone of service provider environments. Key topics include IS-IS, OSPF, and BGP, each critical for robust and scalable network operations. This domain also addresses IPv6 transition strategies and high-availability configurations to ensure continuous network service and performance. Understanding these protocols and configurations is essential for maintaining efficient, secure, and reliable service provider networks.

2.1 Implement IS-IS (IPv4 and IPv6)

• Route advertisement: In IS-IS, route advertisement involves the dissemination of routing information within an area to ensure all routers have up-to-date path information.
• Area addressing: This refers to the structuring of network segments or areas within IS-IS, which helps in managing routing complexities and scalability.
• Multitopology: Allows for the configuration of IS-IS to support multiple topologies, which can be useful in managing different types of traffic, such as IPv4 and IPv6, separately within the same routing protocol.
• Metrics: In IS-IS, metrics are used to determine the best paths for routing traffic, which can be adjusted based on bandwidth, delay, cost, or other network conditions.

2.2 Implement OSPF (v2 and v3)

• Neighbor adjacency: OSPF requires routers to form adjacencies with neighboring routers to exchange routing information efficiently.
• Route advertisement: In OSPF, routers advertise routes to adjacent routers to dynamically update and manage the routing table as the network changes.
• Multiarea (addressing and types): OSPF can be divided into multiple areas to optimize routing. This segmentation helps in reducing routing overhead and speeding up convergence.
• Metrics: OSPF uses cost as its metric, which can be influenced by bandwidth, making higher bandwidth paths more preferable.

2.3 Describe BGP path selection algorithm

• This involves the criteria BGP uses to select the best path for routing data, which includes attributes like AS path length, origin type, and next-hop reachability.

2.4 Implement BGP (v4 and v6 for IBGP and EBGP)

• Neighbors: Configuration of BGP sessions between routers.
• Prefix advertisement: How routes are advertised to BGP peers, influencing how data paths are chosen.
• Address family: Supports the routing of different network layer protocols, such as IPv4 and IPv6.
• Path selection: Involves choosing the best path among multiple possible routes.
• Attributes: BGP attributes like AS path, MED, and local preference that influence route selection.
• Redistribution: The process of importing routes from one routing protocol into another.

2.5 Implement routing policy language and route maps (BGP, OSPF, IS-IS)

• This involves configuring routing protocols to selectively manipulate routes using route maps and policy-based routing to control route advertisements and path selection.

2.6 Troubleshoot routing protocols

• Neighbor adjacency: Resolving issues with router interconnectivity in routing protocols like IS-IS, OSPF, and BGP.
• Route advertisement: Diagnosing and fixing issues with the propagation of routing information.

2.7 Describe IPv6 transition (NAT44, NAT64, 6RD, MAP, and DS Lite)

• This section covers strategies for transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6, including various NAT technologies and tunneling techniques to ensure compatibility and coexistence.

2.8 Implement high availability

• NSF / graceful restart: Ensures the network continues to operate without interruption during a protocol restart.
• NSR: Network State Recovery helps maintain protocol states during disruptions.
• BFD: Bidirectional Forwarding Detection quickly detects faults between adjacent routers.
• Link aggregation: Combines multiple network connections in parallel to increase throughput and provide redundancy.

3.0 MPLS and Segment Routing (20%)

This domain explores the specialized technologies used in managing and optimizing data flows across service provider networks. MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) and segment routing are examined for their roles in enhancing network efficiency, scalability, and flexibility. Topics such as LDP (Label Distribution Protocol), traffic engineering, and the operational aspects of MPLS like OAM (Operations, Administration, and Maintenance) are covered. Candidates will learn how these technologies contribute to the creation of tailored paths and services within large-scale networks.

3.1 Implement MPLS

• LDP sync: Ensures that LDP is fully synchronized between routers to maintain label information consistency.
• LDP session protection: Protects LDP sessions from interruptions that might affect traffic flow.
• LDP neighbors: Configuration and maintenance of relationships between routers for label distribution.
• Unified MPLS: Extends MPLS capabilities across core and edge networks for streamlined management.
• MPLS OAM: Tools and protocols used for operation, administration, and maintenance tasks in MPLS networks.

3.2 Describe traffic engineering

• ISIS and OSPF extensions: Enhancements to these protocols to support MPLS traffic engineering.
• RSVP functionality: Reservation Protocol functionalities that help reserve network resources for specific traffic flows.
• FRR: Fast Reroute techniques for maintaining traffic flow even in case of a link or node failure.

3.3 Describe segment routing

• Segment types: The different types of segments such as index, node, and adjacency segments used in segment routing.
• IGP control plane: How IGP is used to distribute information about the topology and segment routing.
• Segment routing traffic engineering: Application of segment routing to direct traffic across a network to optimize resource use.
• TI-LFa: Topology Independent Loop-Free Alternate for ensuring network resilience.
• PCE-PCC architectures: Communication between Path Computation Element (PCE) and Path Computation Client (PCC) for optimal path computation.

4.0 Services (20%)

The Services domain is focused on the configuration and deployment of network services that are pivotal to service provider operations. This includes VPN technologies like EVPN and Inter-AS VPNs, which are essential for creating secure and efficient network segments for different customers or operations. L2VPN and Carrier Ethernet configurations are also highlighted, emphasizing the provision of varied services over a shared infrastructure. Understanding these services allows service providers to offer reliable, scalable, and flexible solutions to meet diverse customer needs.

4.1 Describe VPN services

• EVPN: Ethernet VPN services for layer 2 VPNs.
• Inter-AS VPN: VPNs spanning multiple Autonomous Systems.
• CSC: Carrier Supporting Carrier configurations.
• mVPN: Multicast VPN for delivering multicast services over a VPN.

4.2 Configure L2VPN and Carrier Ethernet

• Ethernet services: Configuration of various Ethernet services to provide flexible connectivity options.
• IEEE standards and ITU recommendations: Compliance with standards for robust service delivery.
• Ethernet OAM: Operations, Administration, and Maintenance for Ethernet networks.
• VLAN tag manipulation: Techniques for modifying VLAN tags in Ethernet frames for traffic segregation and management.

4.3 Configure L3VPN

• Intra-AS VPN: VPN configurations within a single Autonomous System.
• Shared services: Configurations that allow extranet and internet services across the VPN.

4.4 Implement multicast services

• PIM modes: Different modes of Protocol Independent Multicast for efficient multicast routing.
• IGMP and MLD: Internet Group Management Protocol and Multicast Listener Discovery for managing host group memberships on networks.

4.5 Implement QoS services

• Classification and marking: Identifying and marking packets to treat them differently based on their class.
• Congestion avoidance, traffic policing, and shaping: Techniques to manage network congestion and maintain quality of service.

5.0 Automation and Assurance (15%)

Automation and assurance are critical in modern service provider networks to reduce operational complexity and enhance service reliability. This domain covers the use of programmable APIs, network automation tools (like NSO), and data modeling languages such as YANG to integrate and manage network devices efficiently. Additionally, it includes the implementation of network monitoring and management techniques such as telemetry, NetFlow/IPFIX, and configuration protocols like NETCONF and RESTCONF. These tools and practices are key to improving the responsiveness and agility of service provider networks.

5.1 Describe the programmable APIs

• Details how Cisco devices can be integrated into automated network solutions using programmable interfaces.

5.2 Interpret an external script

• Explains how to use a REST API to configure Cisco devices, leveraging external scripts.

5.3 Describe the role of Network Services Orchestration (NSO)

• Discusses how NSO can automate and simplify complex network operations across different hardware and software components.

5.4 Describe the principles of YANG

• A data modeling language used for API data exchange, particularly in network configuration and management operations.

5.5 Compare configuration management tools

• Analysis of agent-based vs. agentless tools like Chef, Puppet, Ansible, and SaltStack, which automate and manage network configurations.

5.6 Describe data analytics and model-driven telemetry

• Covers how analytics and telemetry are used in service providers to gain insights into network performance and operations.

5.7 Configure gRPC

• Details setting up gRPC-based telemetry streams, allowing for real-time data collection and analysis.

5.8 Configure and verify NetFlow/IPFIX

• Demonstrates setting up and verifying network traffic monitoring using NetFlow/IPFIX for detailed insight into traffic flow and volume.

5.9 Configure and verify NETCONF and RESTCONF

• Explains how to use these protocols for network management and configuration tasks.

5.10 Configure and verify SNMP

• Discusses setting up and managing Simple Network Management Protocol for network monitoring and device management.