Cisco Collaboration 350-801 CLCOR Exam Guide
Implementing Cisco Collaboration Core Technologies v1.2 (350-801)
The “Implementing Cisco Collaboration Core Technologies” (CLCOR 350-801) exam is an essential step towards obtaining the CCNP and CCIE Collaboration Certifications. This 120-minute exam rigorously tests a candidate’s competence in foundational collaboration technologies, which include infrastructure design, communication protocols, and various collaboration endpoints. The associated course, designed specifically to prepare candidates for this challenging exam, provides a thorough exploration of topics ranging from Cisco IOS XE gateways and media resources to Call Control and Quality of Service (QoS).
The exam covers a broad spectrum of content, with potential for additional topics depending on the specific exam delivery. Key areas of focus include:
1.0 Infrastructure and Design (20%)
Candidates must understand various elements of Cisco’s collaboration solutions, whether implemented on-premises, hybrid, or in the cloud. This section demands knowledge of licensing models like Smart and Flex, sizing considerations, bandwidth management, high availability strategies, disaster recovery, dial plans, and security mechanisms such as SRTP, TLS, and OAuth. The role of edge devices like Expressway and Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE) is also highlighted.
1.1 Cisco Collaboration Solution Design
- Licensing (Smart, Flex): Smart Licensing offers a flexible, software-based licensing model, while Flex Licensing allows usage-based subscription for maximum scalability.
- Sizing: Proper sizing requires evaluating customer needs to determine server capacity, storage, and network requirements to handle expected workloads.
- Bandwidth: Assessing bandwidth needs involves estimating the amount of network traffic generated by collaboration tools to ensure quality performance without delays.
- High Availability: Implementing redundant systems and failover solutions to maintain service continuity during system failures.
- Disaster Recovery: Strategies to restore hardware, applications, and data in a timely manner after a disaster to ensure business continuity.
- Dial Plan: Designing structured number assignments and call routing rules to streamline internal and external communications.
- Security: Implementing security measures like certificates for encryption, SRTP for secure media streaming, TLS for network security, OAuth for authorization, and Single Sign-On (SSO) for user authentication.
- QoS: Ensuring priority is given to critical network traffic, particularly voice and video, to maintain quality communication standards.
1.2 Edge Devices in Cisco Collaboration Architecture
- Expressway and Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE): These edge devices facilitate secure connectivity for users outside the corporate firewall without VPNs, manage voice and video traffic crossing network borders, and ensure protocol interworking.
- Expressway and Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE): These edge devices facilitate secure connectivity for users outside the corporate firewall without VPNs, manage voice and video traffic crossing network borders, and ensure protocol interworking.
1.3 Configuration of Network Components
- Detailed setup of network services such as DHCP for dynamic IP address allocation, NTP for network time synchronization, CDP and LLDP for device discovery, and LDAP for directory services. TFTP and HTTP are used for file transfers and web services, respectively.
- Detailed setup of network services such as DHCP for dynamic IP address allocation, NTP for network time synchronization, CDP and LLDP for device discovery, and LDAP for directory services. TFTP and HTTP are used for file transfers and web services, respectively.
1.4 Troubleshooting Network Components
- Focusing on resolving issues with DNS configurations, ensuring accurate time settings with NTP, and verifying LDAP integrations on Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UCM). The TCP/TLS handshake process is crucial for establishing secure sessions between devices.
- Focusing on resolving issues with DNS configurations, ensuring accurate time settings with NTP, and verifying LDAP integrations on Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UCM). The TCP/TLS handshake process is crucial for establishing secure sessions between devices.
1.5 Components Supporting Cisco Collaboration Solutions
- Explaining the use of SNMP for network management, DNS for domain name resolution, and Directory Connector for synchronizing users and groups with external directories.
- Explaining the use of SNMP for network management, DNS for domain name resolution, and Directory Connector for synchronizing users and groups with external directories.
1.6 Webex Control Hub Features
- A centralized management tool for Cisco Webex services, offering analytics, troubleshooting, and management of users and devices.
2.0 Protocols, Codecs, and Endpoints (20%)
This segment tests troubleshooting skills for SIP conversations and deployment strategies for SIP endpoints. Candidates must identify appropriate codecs for different scenarios and manage endpoint registration and configuration processes.
2.1 Troubleshooting SIP Conversations
- Detailed analysis of call setup and teardown sequences, Session Description Protocol (SDP) for media negotiation, and Dual-tone Multi-frequency (DTMF) signaling issues. Also covers call actions like hold, resume, and transfer.
- Detailed analysis of call setup and teardown sequences, Session Description Protocol (SDP) for media negotiation, and Dual-tone Multi-frequency (DTMF) signaling issues. Also covers call actions like hold, resume, and transfer.
2.2 Collaboration Codecs
- Identifying and applying the appropriate audio and video codecs based on performance requirements and bandwidth availability.
- Identifying and applying the appropriate audio and video codecs based on performance requirements and bandwidth availability.
2.3 Deployment of SIP Endpoints
- Various deployment techniques including manual configuration, self-provisioning via the user interface, using the Bulk Administration Tool for large deployments, and activation code-based provisioning for devices.
- Various deployment techniques including manual configuration, self-provisioning via the user interface, using the Bulk Administration Tool for large deployments, and activation code-based provisioning for devices.
2.4 Troubleshooting SIP Endpoints
- Diagnosing and resolving issues related to endpoint registration and functionality within a SIP environment.
- Diagnosing and resolving issues related to endpoint registration and functionality within a SIP environment.
2.5 SIP OAuth on Cisco UCM
- Implementing OAuth with SIP for enhanced security in authentication processes, allowing for more granular control over user permissions and data security.
3.0 Cisco IOS XE Gateway and Media Resources (15%)
Focus is on configuring and troubleshooting voice gateways, understanding dial peers, and identifying the correct IOS XE media resources. It also covers hybrid local gateway solutions for cloud calling.
3.1 Configure Voice Gateway Elements
- Setting up DTMF methods, voice translation rules for number reformatting, and codec preferences for optimal audio quality. Configuring dial peers to determine the call routing path based on number patterns.
- Setting up DTMF methods, voice translation rules for number reformatting, and codec preferences for optimal audio quality. Configuring dial peers to determine the call routing path based on number patterns.
3.2 Troubleshoot Dial-Peer Matching
- Diagnosing issues with dial-peer configurations to ensure correct call routing.
- Diagnosing issues with dial-peer configurations to ensure correct call routing.
3.3 IOS XE Media Resources
- Identifying and configuring the appropriate media resources such as transcoders, conferencing bridges, and Media Termination Points (MTPs) within Cisco IOS XE.
- Identifying and configuring the appropriate media resources such as transcoders, conferencing bridges, and Media Termination Points (MTPs) within Cisco IOS XE.
3.4 Cloud Calling Hybrid Local Gateway
- Describing the integration of on-premises call processing with cloud-based services, allowing for a seamless connection and extension of legacy systems into the cloud.
4.0 Call Control (25%)
Comprehensive knowledge of Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UCM) is necessary here, including understanding digit analysis, implementing toll fraud prevention, and configuring globalized call routing. The section also explores the functionalities of Mobile and Remote Access (MRA) and Webex Calling dial plan features.
4.1 Cisco UCM Digit Analysis Process
- Exploring the internal mechanisms of UCM that analyze dialed numbers for correct routing based on configured rules and patterns.
- Exploring the internal mechanisms of UCM that analyze dialed numbers for correct routing based on configured rules and patterns.
4.2 Toll Fraud Prevention on Cisco UCM
- Implementing measures to prevent unauthorized use of the telephony system, which could result in significant charges.
- Implementing measures to prevent unauthorized use of the telephony system, which could result in significant charges.
4.3 Globalized Call Routing in Cisco UCM
- Configuring UCM for international dialing standards, including route patterns, translation patterns, and more, to handle globalized numbering plans efficiently.
- Configuring UCM for international dialing standards, including route patterns, translation patterns, and more, to handle globalized numbering plans efficiently.
4.4 Mobile and Remote Access (MRA)
- Providing secure, remote connectivity for end-users to access voice, video, IM, and presence services outside the enterprise network without a VPN.
- Providing secure, remote connectivity for end-users to access voice, video, IM, and presence services outside the enterprise network without a VPN.
4.5 Webex Calling Dial Plan Features
- Configuring and managing call behaviors such as location-based routing, call permissions, and call forwarding and transfer restrictions.
QoS (10%)
Quality of Service is critical in maintaining the integrity of voice and video communications over a network. This section addresses issues such as latency, jitter, packet loss, and bandwidth constraints, along with QoS models and DiffServ values for prioritizing network traffic.
5.1 Voice and Video Quality Issues
- Identifying common network issues affecting real-time communication quality, such as latency, jitter, packet loss, and insufficient bandwidth.
- Identifying common network issues affecting real-time communication quality, such as latency, jitter, packet loss, and insufficient bandwidth.
5.2 QoS Requirements for Voice and Video
- Defining specific network policies to prioritize voice and video traffic to meet stringent performance standards.
- Defining specific network policies to prioritize voice and video traffic to meet stringent performance standards.
5.3 Class Models for QoS
- Detailed explanation of different QoS models, including 4/5 Class, 8 Class, and the comprehensive 11 Class QoS Baseline model, which categorize network traffic to apply appropriate quality policies.
- Detailed explanation of different QoS models, including 4/5 Class, 8 Class, and the comprehensive 11 Class QoS Baseline model, which categorize network traffic to apply appropriate quality policies.
5.4 DiffServ Values for Collaboration
- Understanding the significance of Differentiated Services Code Points (DSCP) such as EF for expedited forwarding and various AF classes for assured forwarding, which help in prioritizing collaboration traffic on the network.
- Understanding the significance of Differentiated Services Code Points (DSCP) such as EF for expedited forwarding and various AF classes for assured forwarding, which help in prioritizing collaboration traffic on the network.
5.5 QoS Trust Boundaries
- Discussing the importance of maintaining secure and effective QoS marking at network boundaries to ensure consistent traffic handling.
- Discussing the importance of maintaining secure and effective QoS marking at network boundaries to ensure consistent traffic handling.
5.6 Location-Based CAC Bandwidth Requirements
- Determining the bandwidth allocation necessary for call admission control (CAC) to prevent network congestion and maintain quality standards.
- Determining the bandwidth allocation necessary for call admission control (CAC) to prevent network congestion and maintain quality standards.
5.7 Configuring LLQ (Low Latency Queueing)
- Setting up class maps, policy maps, and service policies to prioritize critical business applications, particularly voice and video, ensuring minimal delay.
6.0 Collaboration Applications (10%)
The final part focuses on configuration tasks for Cisco Unity Connection, including mailbox setup and SIP integrations, along with deploying Webex App Hybrid or Cloud registration.
6.1 Configuration of Cisco Unity Connection Mailbox and MWI
- Setting up individual voicemail boxes and configuring Message Waiting Indicators (MWI), which alert users to new messages.
- Setting up individual voicemail boxes and configuring Message Waiting Indicators (MWI), which alert users to new messages.
6.2 SIP Integration Options for Cisco Unity Connection
- Detailed steps to integrate Unity Connection with call control solutions using SIP, enhancing voicemail support across the network.
- Detailed steps to integrate Unity Connection with call control solutions using SIP, enhancing voicemail support across the network.
6.3 Cisco Unity Connection Call Handlers
- Configuring call handlers for automated call answering and routing services, providing callers with menu options, information, and routing to appropriate departments or voicemail.
- Configuring call handlers for automated call answering and routing services, providing callers with menu options, information, and routing to appropriate departments or voicemail.
6.4 Deployment of Webex App Hybrid or Cloud Registration
- Strategies for registering Cisco Webex applications in either a hybrid setup, leveraging both cloud and on-premises infrastructure, or a fully cloud-based environment, to optimize collaboration tools access and management.
Responses