Latest Posts

Without going into irrelevant details, someone was recently working with Nexus setup in a lab. As you may know, the N7K requires specifying the FEX type. Or did the last time I tried doing without it, a while back. Why, I don't know, it should be able to figure it out…

In the virtualization community, one of the most frequently debated topics is FC vs. Network-based storage: which is better? Some IT professionals have deeply rooted convictions, some say they don't have a preference, and some give that age-old consultant response: it depends. It's not uncommon to hear that, when performance…

OSPF is a protocol loaded with a myriad of details and a lot of unique behaviors. These always need to be considered at length when designing a solution but CCIE/JNCIE candidates especially need to be very cognizant of these when configuring for a lab scenario or solving a trouble ticket.…

This blog revisits Ruckus Wireless, as followup to their presentations for Network Field Day 5 and prior blogs. The trigger for this blog is the arrival of an eval kit from Ruckus, complete with 7982 model AP, ZoneDirector controller model 1100, and cute stuffed black dog with orange Ruckus Wireless collar. The…

I've been stuck with a picture in my head relating to Firewall and Server Load Balancer designs. This blog represents my best effort to transmit this picture to your head, to get it out of my brain. I've also now seen something like this in print. While that dilutes the novelty…

I thought I would share - one of my customers really dislikes the standard rack mount kit that comes with the Nexus 7009 and only is attached to the front rails. As he puts it "The one that comes with the 7009 chassis is worthless and bends with the weight…

This post will be focusing on the configuration of LDP on IOS and Junos especially within the context of CCIE/JNCIE. The article will take a stepwise approach while comparing and contrasting the two at each step.   For this and future posts on MPLS/VPN topics, the following topology will be…

This is the third CCIE R&S prep blog on IPv6, IPv6 Part 3. For prior CCIE R&S prep blogs and the ground rules blog, see the Related Links section at the end. This blog covers things to know about IPv6 multicast. As with the other blogs, I do not attempt…

As a precursor to an upcoming blog post on various MPLS PE-CE route exchange techniques, I wanted to touch on a somewhat important topic of BGP Extended Communities Attribute. Especially [...]

This is the second CCIE R&S prep blog on IPv6, IPv6 Part 2. On March 1, 2013 I blogged that I intended to start a series of CCIE R&S Written exam prep blogs. That blog contains the "ground rules" and some general advice. The full URL for it is http://netcraftsmen.net/blogs/entry/ccie-ras-written-review-blog-series.html. The first…

Brocade Networks was kind enough to contact me recently and preview some announcements with me. These are fresh Spring Announcements as of 8 AM EST on April 30, 2013. While the bulk of my expertise is Cisco, I'm trying to expand my horizons, particularly in the data center space. So…

In all of the excitement over the release of 5.1 U1, it’s easy to forget about your trusty VCSA. U1 isn’t just for hosts, it’s for vCenter too! It’s easy [...]