Setting up Trunks and exec banners

I had to set up a lapsafe in the library this week. I had to configure the link between the lapsafe switch to one of the other switches in the cabinet by creating a trunk link and making sure only certain vlans were on the trunk port.

I also wanted a way to be able to tell which room these switches were going to be so manage to put in a useful command:

lapsafe_switch(config)#exec banner
Enter TEXT message. End with the character '^'
This lapsafe switch is in Classroom 102
^

Now I am able to log on to the various lapsafe switches knowing which room they are in.

Troubleshooting network problems

Went to one of the offsite this week to troubleshoot some network problems. In the end it turned out one of the PC's was in the wrong vlan, faulty network cables, faulty port panels and possibly faulty switch interfaces. One thing I've learnt when going anywhere to troubleshoot problems make sure I've got my network toolkit, tester and screwdriver and some spare network leads.

Since the interface for the PC was a normal access port, the command was easy enough changing it to vlan 20:

Switch1(config-if)#switchport access vlan 20

Role of a network engineer

I've worked with network switches and routers before in my IT Support role, I passed my CCNA a few weeks ago now I need to get my teeth into some meaty networking. I've been passed a project to re-address all the switches and networking equipment on my site plus I suspect all the IOS will need to be upgraded as well. I'm quite tempted to do an in-depth network diagram of spanning-tree for all the switches but may not have the time to do it, we'll see.

I'm trying to get into a network engineer role at my workplace but there may not be an opening for that position as they are really looking for a senior network engineer. For now, I need to keep on developing my skill and knowledge, most of all I'm enjoying the journey.

Hmmm...CCNP, shall I go for it?   :-)

I've passed my CCNA!

I passed my CCNA exam on Fri31st of October (about 2 weeks ago). I'm still in shock, I still can't believe it. I gave myself 2 hours to get to Manchester but due to the traffic and finding the place I got there about 10:45am and my exam started at 11am! so it was a close call. I had to empty all the contents in my pockets and it felt like I was going through airport security. Fortunately they did not strip search me. The invigilator logged onto a PC for me and I read the instructions before starting the exam.

The scary bit was I could not go back if I thought I had answered a question wrongly. During one of the lab fix I did not know how to get back to the network diagram, called the invigilator he had no clue either. I eventually worked it out, you had to click on a button on the bottom left hand corner (can't remember what it's called now to get back).

Once I finished I went next door where the invigilator was and he printed out my result: 100%..woohoo! It feels surreal, I felt like crying with all the hard work and effort I had put in studying and labbing. I'll need to get a nice bottle of red wine to celebrate.

Cisco CCNA exam...here I come!

My Cisco CCNA exam is now booked at the end of the month. Currently brushing up on various subjects and labbing as much as I can. Topics I'm still getting my head around:
1) Frame Relay (remembering the commands)
2) IPv6, remembering the various different types of addressing

One of the difficulty I find with preparing for the exam is that there is so much information, by the time I start a new topic I'm forgetting some of the things I've previously learned (as if they're being dumped into null0!). I think this is why labbing is the key to remembering as well as reviewing one's notes.