Module 4: IPv6 Addressing...

Starting New Course Module

Yesterday, I F-I-N-A-L-L-Y started "Module 4: IPv6 Addressing" in the Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting Course from the Cisco Networking Academy.

Module 4: IPv6 Addressing

The first three modules in the online course ("Physical Layer", "Data-Link Layer", and "Routing at the Network Layer") took longer than anticipated to complete.

I am far behind where I want to be in terms of completing this online course.

What is IPv6?

In its simplest form, Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the new method for assigning addresses to hosts on a computer network. IPv6 was designed to eventually replace Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), which is/was the most popular method for assigning addresses to hosts on a computer network. IPv4 is starting to lose its usage dominance to IPv6 due to a variety of factors. The main reason why IPv6 is being adopted widely is that we are running out of unique IPv4 addresses to use. Why are we running out of IPv4 addresses to use? Well, for computer netowrks to operate properly, each host on the network needs its own unique IP address IOT communicate with other hosts on the network. Due to the explosion of desktop computers, laptop computers, servers, printers, switches, routers, cell phones, tablets, wearable technology, and the Internet of Things, the pool of available IPv4 addresses has been nearly exhausted. As a result, IPv6 was created to solve the issue of IPv4 address exhaustion. In addition, IPv6 was designed to be more flexible than the rigid structure of IPv4. Thus, IPv6 is in many ways radically different from IPv4, yet IPv6 serves the same purpose. Plus, like everything in IT, the technology changes. When technology changes, there is usually greater flexibility and more options available.

Here are two examples of an IPv4 address:

• 192.168.1.5
• 185.107.80.231

Here are two examples of an IPv6 address:

• 2001:0000:9d38:6ab8:1c48:3a1c:a95a:b1c2
• 0123:4567:89ab:cdef:0123:4567:89ab:cdef

See the differences between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses?

Here is a good chart that shows the differences between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that just happened to show up on my LinkedIn feed recently.

Differences between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses

Anyway, the time to start implementing IPv6 is now.

The time to start learning how to use IPv6 is now.

Like I wrote earlier, the purpose/function of IPv6 is the same as IPv4. However, it is quite different from IPv4 in many ways.

Just know that there is A LOT of information out there on the internet that covers the differences between IPv4 and IPv6. I kid you not. I just might even make my own contribution to about information about IPv6 on the internet. I haven't decided.

That said, I STILL need to read Chapters 11, 12, 13, and 14 on IPv4 Addressing in the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide. I keep putting it off. Well, guess what? That needs to change. I need to sit down and work through those four chapters as IPv4 won't be going away any time soon.

To be honest, when I originally studied for the CCNA certification from Cisco, I got bogged down in the chapters for Part III: Implementing VLANs and STP. Therefore, I never made it to Part IV: IPv4 Addressing.

I will have to work on rectifying that as soon as possible.

Interesting Graphic from Cisco Networking Academy...

Interesting Graphic from Cisco Networking Academy

On Thursday afternoon, I found this interesting graphic posted by Cisco Networking Academy in my LinkedIn feed.

Skills Required in Different IT Specialties

Some Background

Ever since I decided to go into information technology (IT), I have been overwhelmed with all of the various certifications that are out there. After I earned my CompTIA A+ certification a couple of years ago, I tried to study for CompTIA's Network+ certification. It was an ABSOLUTE, COMPLETE, and TOTAL mess!!! Trying to study for the Network+ certification was like trying to study for three or four separate IT certifications at the same time. Let's see, for the Network+ certification, you needed to know about configuring routers and switches, how to configure servers with Microsoft Server, how to use Microsoft Active Directory, and how to use a network monitoring program like Wireshark. The Official CompTIA Network+ study guide that I was following along with used Microsoft's now-defunct Network Monitor program. I even paid $700 to CompTIA for online exercises for Network+ that were WORTHLESS. Ironically, for a certification that was supposed to be vendor neutral, everything about routers and switches was about Cisco routers and switches. Not a single mention about routers and switches from other vendors, such as Palo Alto Networks or Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

As a result, I became HIGHLY DISCOURAGED with studying for Network+. A co-worker at the Tier 1 IT help desk at the Social Security Administration suggested that I give studying for CCNA a try.

Studying for CCNA

At first, studying for CCNA was a breeze compared to studying for Network+. The study guides for CCNA focused exclusively on Cisco routers and switches. Before I got really busy with work, I made slow, steady progress through the first ten chapters in the first CCNA study guide. Perhaps more importantly, the author of the CCNA 200-301 Official Study Guide, Wendell Odom, had a section about career planning in IT. It was an intriguing read. You can read the series of posts about career planning for those going into IT here. I read each post and actually wrote down some ideas on what I wanted to do with IT. Like I wrote earlier, I had a span of time where I got really busy with my job. I put aside studying for CCNA. I put aside my nascent attempts at some kind of career planning.

After moving from Maryland back to Arizona after 13 years, I have restarted studying for networking. Instead of studying for CCNA directly, I made the decision to work my way through the online networking classes available from the Cisco Networking Academy. My original intent was to complete the online networking classes as a way to establish a foundation in networking PRIOR to making another attempt at studying for CCNA. Another factor for studying the online networking classes was that it became rather apparent to me that I needed to add some IT certifications on my resume IOT get out of working at a Tier 1 IT help desk.

Skills Required in Different IT Specialities

Getting back to the interesting graphic from the Cisco Networking Academy that just randomly appeared in my LinkedIn feed, I was immediately intrigued when I saw it. The graphic gave recommendations on what subjects to study for four different IT specialties. Want to be a software engineer? Then you need to study Python, C++, Java, and Scala. In other words, you will want to study the major programming languages. Want to be a web developer? Then you need to study HTML 5, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. Again, you need to know how to use the most popular applications. Want to go into computer networking? Then it gets tricky. The graphic recommends that you study networking (preferably CCNA), have an analytical mind (for problem solving), have communication skills (for communicating with non-technical customers), and be able to read and understand reams of documentation (researching an answer is a valuable skill). Let's see, I have really good communication skills. I can simplify complex subjects for non-technical people to understand. For the analytical mind piece, I already worked as an intelligence analyst for the Army for almost nine years. All I need is that CCNA certification. Want to work in cyber security? Cisco recommends knowing how to use the Linux operating system, know about computer networking (again, CCNA), know how to program (Python), and have an analytical mind. In addition to computer networking, cyber security is also a field that interests me. For whatever reason, I cannot tell you why I never got around to studying for, say, CompTIA's Security+ certification for cyber security. Cisco also has its own cyber security certification. For Linux, I have played around with Ubuntu on a previous Dell laptop. When I had to buy a new Dell laptop back in November, I wanted to install either Debian or OpenSUSE. Unfortunately, my brand new Dell laptop doesn't have enough memory to do so. Currently, I am learining about computer networking. I have tried to learn how to program in Python on previous occasions. I need to try again, but make it my only focus. Lastly, for the analytical mind piece, I worked as an intelligence analyst for the Army.

In Conclusion

The graphic from Cisco gives me a guide on what to study for CCNA. That said, I also should get certified in Microsoft Windows Server and Microsoft Azure, for example. On their own, those two certifications will add punch to my resume. From what I have seen, those are the certifications that get noticed on a resume. There is always a demand for those certifications. When I complete my last CCST online course, I just might move over to studying Microsoft Windows Server and Azure. We'll see. Another possible option would be to find a location in Peoria, in Glendale, in Surprise, or in northern Phoenix that offers in-class learning for CCNA. With the new CCNA study guides coming out soon, that might be the way to go. On LinkedIn Learning, I found what appears to be a really good class on the Python programming language. I just might give that a try. Again, knowing how to program in Python is a good thing to have on your resume. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in a day.

Module 2: Data-Link Layer...

Module 2: Data-Link Layer

Module Objective: Explain how media access control in the data-link layer supports communication across physical and logical networks.

Topic Title	Topic Objective
Topologies	Compare the characteristics of physical and logical topologies.
Media Access Control Methods	Explain how devices access a LAN IOT send frames.

Module 2: Data-Link Layer

2.1.1 Physical and Logical Topologies

The Data-Link layer prepares network data for the physical network.

The Data-Link layer must know the logical topology of a network IOT be able to determine what is needed to transfer frames from one device to another.

The topology of a network is the arrangement, or the relationship, of the network devices and the interconnections between them.

There are two types of topologies used when describing LAN and WAN networks:

• Physical Topology
• Identifies the physical connections and how end devices and intermediary devices (i.e., routers, switches, and wireless access points) are interconnected.
• The topology may also include specific device location such as room number and location on the equipment rack.
• Physical topologies are usually point-to-point or star.

Physical Topology Example

• Logical Topology
• Refers to the way a network transfers frames from one node to the next.
• This topology identifies virtual connections using device interfaces and Layer 3 IP addressing schemes.

Logical Topology Example

The Data-Link layer "sees" the logical topology of a network when controlling data access to the media.

It is the logical topology that influences the type of network framing and media access control used

2.1.3 WAN Topologies

The three most common physical WAN topologies are:

• Point-to-Point
• The simplest and most common WAN topology.
• Consists of a permanent link between two endpoints.

Point-to-Point Topology

• Hub and Spoke
• WAN version of the star topology in which a central site interconnects branch sites through the use of point-to-point links.
• Branch sites cannot exchange data w/ other branch sites w/o going through the central site.

Hub and Spoke Topology

• Mesh
• Provides high availability but requires that every end system is interconnected to every other system.
• The administrative and physical costs can be significant.
• Each link is essentially a point-to-point link to the other node.

Mesh Topology

A hybrid is a variation or combination of any topologies.

2.1.4 Point-to-Point WAN Topology

2.1.5 LAN Topologies

New Cisco Network Academy Online Course...

This morning, I decided to go ahead and start the next networking class over at the Cisco Netowrking Academy website.

The name of the online course is "Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting".

Compared to the previous two courses that I have completed at the Cisco Networking Academy, this course will not take as long to complete all modules and the final exam.

I am also seriously considering re-reading Volume 1 of the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide.

The first couple of chapters cover topics relating to theory, such as the five-layer OSI model, before going in-depth into the Cisco IOS.

In fact, the "Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting" online course covers the Physical Layer of the OSI model, including topics such as copper Ethernet cables, wireless, fiber optic cables, and so on.

Heck, I just might go down to my local Home Depot (in Peoria, Surprise, or Phoenix) and purchase some Klein computer networking tools, a length of Ethernet cable, and some RJ-45 cable connectors. It would be a good exercise to try and create my own crossover Ethernet cables.

Another item to consider is to purchase one of those home networking kits for CCNA study that contains a couple of switches, a router, and a rack. However, that's for another post.

Even more fun would be to create my own server. That's a different kettle of fish entirely.

New Cisco Certifications...

Since I moved from Catonsville, MD to Maricopa County, AZ this past November, I have been working on online computer networking courses available over at Cisco Networking Academy.

So far, I have been taking courses for the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) certification in Networking.

There are four online courses for the CCST in Networking:

• Networking Basics
• Networking Devices and Initial Configuration
• Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting
• Network Support and Security

Thus far, I have completed the courses for "Networking Basics" and "Networking Devices and Initial Configuration".

My current goal is to complete the courses for "Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting" and "Network Support and Security", so that I can then take the certification exam for CCST in Networking.

This sounds good and all (on paper), but there is a problem.

Prior to taking these online courses, I was attempting to study for Cisco's much in-demand CCNA certification.

I emphasize "attempting" because I was working the 12:30 PM to 9:00 PM shift for my Tier 1 IT help desk position at the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn, MD.

That job was like being on a runaway freight train. Every day was just crisis after crisis after crisis.

Plus, real life also tended to happen.

As a result, my progress with studying for CCNA was slow and meandering. It was quite frustrating.

On the plus side, the Pearson Vue Network Simulator tool was a joy to work with. I learned a lot on how to use Cisco's command line interface to configure switches.

Getting back to the CCST in Networking...

The online courses at the Cisco Networking Academy involve a lot of time and effort to complete.

I am taking exhaustive notes on all of the information presented in each module for each course.

However, I can honestly say that I know more about subjects like Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) and TCP/UDP than I did when I studied for CCNA.

Due to the two online courses that I have completed, I can also say that I am much better at using Packet Tracer than I was when I studied for CCNA.

Here is my main criticism about Cisco Networking Academy: In the time I spent on the "Networking Basics" and "Networking Devices and Initial Configuration" courses, I could have used that time to study for CCNA.

On the other hand, what intrigued me about getting the CCST in Networking certification was that I was looking for a way to get my foot in the door of networking.

Should I continue on and complete the final two courses for the CCST in Networking or should I just re-start studying for CCNA?

That is the question.

Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any easy answers.

It would be interesting to read other people's experiences.