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CCNA Voice Official Cert Guide

Sun, 2011-07-24 21:43

Coming soon to a bookstore, web browser shopping cart, or a shelf near you - the CCNA Voice 640-461 Official Cert Guide.

Authored by Jeremy Cioara and Michael Valentine, this book covers the basics of implementing Cisco Voice over IP solutions. Contents include:

  • Basics on VOIP and Unified Communications
  • Managing Endpoints and End Users
  • Handling Calls
  • Telephony Features
  • Voicemail
  • Troubleshooting

Say Goodbye to CCVP and CCSP

Mon, 2010-10-25 06:52

Kiss the CCSP and CCVP titles goodbye. Cisco recently announced that the track specific professional certification exams are going to be changing their names. No more CCSP, it is now the CCNP Security. Same with the CCVP, it's now the CCNP Voice. Throw in the CCNP Service Provider Operations and CCNP Wireless, and you have yourself a plethora of professional tracks. 

The previous exam versions are still available for those of you out there who are halfway through completing the current Security and Voice tracks. Beginning next year, you'll start to see the current voice and security exams be replaced by updated versions. 

VOIP Hacking - Not a good career path

Sat, 2010-09-25 13:34
prison.jpg

If you read How to hack IP voice and video in real-time, you might have realized that with the right tools, network engineers can gain access to a lot of things. You might even find yourself in a situation that allows you to overhear some important calls that include trade secrets or other secret information. Most large organizations realize this and require employees to swear to company oaths or sign waivers. I've personally been subject to background checks and even credit checks to make sure I'm not getting paid by foreign countries to do their bidding. (FYI to all you crooked politicians and evil countries out there, you can't buy me out).

How to hack IP voice and video in real-time

Thu, 2010-09-23 06:50

Network World has an interesting write up on the inherent vulnerabilities in Voice and Video over IP networks and how they can easily be compromised if security is not properly implemented. Securing IP networks has received a lot of attention over the last several years which has brought rise to many products, new standards, and even some new certifications. 

Does your organization have VOIP implemented securely or is it wide open for anyone to eavesdrop on calls? Or is your organization even more bleeding edge with video conference setups in every conference room, or everyone's desk? If so, I hope for your company's security sake that they have someone or a few someone's dedicated to this stuff.

Cisco Live 2010

Mon, 2010-06-28 05:35
LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 12: Traffic travels on t...

I've arrived at Cisco Live 2010 in Las Vegas - someone has said this is the largest Cisco Live event (attendance-wise) ever. With the mobs of people walking by, I believe it! If you're attending the conference, I'll be presenting a CCNA Voice session on Wednesday at 12:30pm...stop by and say hi!

Wireshark Network Analysis...A Small Book Review.

Thu, 2010-04-08 14:28
SVG Wireshark icon, from the GPL'ed Wireshark ...

Well, the day finally came: I've got my Wireshark Network Analysis book in the mail. After paging through it for about an hour, I can definitely tell you that it's a worthwhile book to get for your library. As I hoped, the writing style is kept casual (Sidenote: I really loathe reading 'sterile' books - no passive voice, no contractions, no referring to yourself. The very first book I wrote was like that...please don't ever buy it.)

CCDA

Fri, 2010-03-05 10:28

Cisco has an entry level design certification called the Cisco Certified Design Associate, or CCDA. This is similar to the CCNA in that it is a foundational certification that goes a mile wide and an inch or two deep. If you have passed your CCNA and you are looking for the next challenge, take some time to consider the available options...

  1. Specialize in an area of networking with Cisco's Voice, Security, or Wireless CCNA Certifications.
  2. Take your CCNA level knowledge to the next level and focus on the CCNP
  3. Focus on the design track, starting with the CCDA.

If you are interested in persuing the CCDA, there are some great resources to get started. First, check out the Tekcert articles section for writeups on the CCDA or on specific topics that align with exam topics. Also, check out the Exam Topics, CCO login required.

Bulk April Update

Wed, 2009-04-22 05:22

You may have noticed that my posting has dropped off lately...things have gotten really busy of late, so - rather than individual postings, here's my "Bulk April Update" of the miscellaneous cool items I've found:

Cisco Design Guides...In Style!

Fri, 2009-03-13 12:58

I stumbled across this link when I was looking for CCIE Voice study information. Pretty nice way of delivering design guides while giving a visual look at some solid network builds! Those Cisco folks are such studs...
Cisco Validated Designs: The Integrated Network

CCIE Voice...Let the Adventure Begin

Fri, 2009-03-13 12:40

Well, my next CCIE R&S renewal date is coming up in May, so I've decided to start my trek through the CCIE Voice. For now, I'll be focusing on the CCIE Voice Written to meet the immediate need of not allowing my CCIE to expire. Maybe I'll look at the lab exam after that... Although, I didn't have any kids when I got my CCIE R&S...this may take a little longer...

So - here's what I'm finding for CCIE Voice study (not much):

CCIE Voice Exam Quick Reference Sheets (Cisco Press)

CCIE Voice Book List (Cisco)

CCIE Voice Written Exam Blueprint (Cisco)

IP SLA Sample Configuration for Voice

Mon, 2009-01-26 11:08

IP SLA has the ability to measure "real-time" WAN connection quality. You can then use the results of the measurement for routing decisions (such as choosing an alternate path). This is especially effective for VoIP connections. The following sample configuration can be used to create a IP SLA Jitter/Packet Loss monitor for use with VoIP deployments:

IP SLA Source

Source(config)#ip sla 100  !Some IOS versions use ip sla monitor
Source(config-ip-sla)#udp-jitter 172.16.1.2 65424 codec g729a
Source(config-ip-sla-jitter)#tos 176 !Marks packets with DSCP EF (IP Precedence 5)
Source(config-ip-sla-jitter)#exit
Source(config)#ip sla schedule 100 recurring start-time now
Source(config)#interface s0/1/0
Source(config-if)#ip address 172.16.1.1 255.255.255.0

An Interview with Me: CCNA Voice

Thu, 2009-01-15 12:07

InformIT just posted an interview with me from the last Cisco Live! event (why'd they rename it from Cisco Networkers anyway? I liked that better) about the CCNA Voice certification. Here's the links, if you're interested; I'm keeping them here for my own reference. It's not every day you get to meet someone like Jeff Doyle!
CCNA Voice Interview, Part 1
CCNA Voice Interview, Part 2
***Disclaimer - these interviews were recorded before the CCNA Voice was announced by Cisco. Up until that point, they informed me that the only pre-req. for the CCNA Voice would be a CCENT certification (which still makes more sense in my mind) rather than the CCNA.

MGCP Configuration for Voice Gateways

Wed, 2008-12-10 07:41

I put this here primarily for my reference. I always end up forgetting one of the global commands when configuring a voice gateway for MGCP...this assumes a Cisco CallManager @ 172.30.100.104:

Router(config)#mgcp
Router(config)#mgcp call-agent 172.30.100.104
Router(config)#ccm-manager mgcp

!Now, the redundant CCM hosts:

Router(config)#ccm-manager redundant-host 172.30.100.105 172.30.100.106

!Now, the TFTP server configuration...gateway should be configured in CCM by this point.

Router(config)#ccm-manager config server 172.30.100.104
Router(config)#ccm-manager config

!In newer IOS/CCM versions, voice dial-peers are created automatically...older versions need this to place each port under MGCP control.

CCNA Voice...It's Finally Here!

Mon, 2008-11-24 08:27

My latest work has finally come to fruition: Cisco Press CCNA Voice. In approaching this book, I took a different strategy of writing. Rather than focusing solely on covering exam topics, it's written from a "let's build a VoIP network...step-by-step." It contains configuration example after configuration example, which is what I love when I'm looking for technical documentation. Check it out!

CCNA Specialties - $250.00/exam? Is This a Typo?!?

Wed, 2008-10-01 05:19

I just went to register to take the CCNA Security exam...it looks like all the CCNA specialty exams are $250.00! I just took the CCNA Voice a couple months ago and it was $150.00... I'm hoping this is a mistake...

UPDATE: Called and spoke with both VUE and Cisco Certification support folks...it's not a typo - the CCNA Specialty Exams are all $250.00/attempt. Ouch. Apparently, the CCNA Voice exam I took earlier was a "pre-release" version & price.

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Dr. Radut