Cisco Platform Development Course

Lesson 1 • How Networks Communicate

Covers OSI and TCP/IP models, packet flow, and encapsulation. Establishes the conceptual framework used throughout all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 2 • Cisco Product Portfolio Overview

Maps Cisco hardware and software families to enterprise use cases. Provides context for platform choices made in later chapters.

Lesson 3 • IP Addressing and Subnetting Basics

Teaches IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, CIDR notation, and subnet calculation. Subnetting skills are prerequisite for all routing and switching labs.

Lesson 1 • Verification and Troubleshooting Commands

Teaches show, debug, and ping commands for systematic fault isolation. Builds a repeatable diagnostic methodology used in advanced chapters.

Lesson 2 • Navigating the IOS CLI

Introduces exec modes, privilege levels, and help system usage. Fluency here is required for every hands-on lab in the course.

Lesson 3 • IOS File System and Image Management

Explains flash storage, NVRAM, and IOS image upgrade procedures. Proper file management prevents configuration loss during platform development.

Lesson 1 • Inter-VLAN Routing Methods

Compares router-on-a-stick and Layer 3 switch SVIs for inter-VLAN routing. Connects switching knowledge to IP routing concepts introduced next.

Lesson 2 • Spanning Tree Protocol Operations

Explains STP root election, port states, and RSTP convergence. Loop prevention is critical before deploying redundant switch topologies.

Lesson 3 • Trunk Links and 802.1Q Tagging

Teaches trunk negotiation, native VLAN, and 802.1Q tag structure. Trunks carry multi-VLAN traffic between switches and routers.

Lesson 4 • Ethernet Switching Fundamentals

Explains MAC learning, flooding, forwarding, and filtering. These mechanics underpin every VLAN and spanning-tree concept that follows.

Lesson 1 • Static and Default Route Configuration

Covers static route syntax, administrative distance, and floating static routes. Static routes provide deterministic paths before dynamic protocols are introduced.

Lesson 2 • OSPF Multi-Area and Advanced Features

Extends OSPF to multi-area designs, summarization, and authentication. Builds scalable routing architectures required in enterprise environments.

Lesson 3 • EIGRP Configuration and Tuning

Covers EIGRP neighbor relationships, DUAL algorithm, and metric tuning. EIGRP's fast convergence makes it common in Cisco-centric enterprise networks.

Lesson 4 • Route Redistribution and Policy

Teaches redistribution between routing protocols and route filtering with prefix lists. Enables integration of mixed-protocol environments encountered in real deployments.

Lesson 1 • PPP and HDLC Serial Encapsulation

Configures PPP authentication and HDLC on serial interfaces. Serial encapsulation knowledge is required for legacy and lab environments.

Lesson 2 • WAN Concepts and Transport Types

Surveys leased lines, MPLS, broadband, and cellular WAN options. Provides the decision framework used when designing branch connectivity solutions.

Lesson 3 • Quality of Service for WAN Links

Covers DSCP marking, queuing, and policing for WAN traffic management. QoS ensures critical applications receive bandwidth priority across constrained links.

Lesson 1 • Access Control Lists Design and Application

Teaches standard, extended, and named ACL syntax and placement rules. ACLs are the primary traffic-filtering tool on Cisco routers and switches.

Lesson 2 • AAA and RADIUS/TACACS+ Integration

Configures local and server-based AAA for device authentication and authorization. Centralized AAA is mandatory in enterprise security policy compliance.

Lesson 3 • Zone-Based Firewall and IOS Hardening

Implements zone-based firewall policies and applies IOS hardening best practices. Reduces attack surface on routers acting as network edge devices.

Lesson 1 • Python Scripting for Network Tasks

Applies Python with Netmiko and NAPALM libraries to automate device configuration. Scripting skills reduce manual effort and configuration errors at scale.

Lesson 2 • Programmability Concepts and APIs

Introduces northbound and southbound APIs, REST principles, and data formats. Establishes the conceptual foundation for all automation labs that follow.

Lesson 3 • Ansible for Cisco Device Automation

Uses Ansible playbooks and Cisco-specific modules to automate multi-device workflows. Ansible's agentless model suits Cisco IOS and NX-OS environments.

Lesson 4 • YANG Models and NETCONF/RESTCONF

Covers YANG data modeling and NETCONF/RESTCONF protocol operations. Model-driven programmability enables structured, vendor-consistent configuration management.

Lesson 1 • Cisco SD-WAN Architecture Overview

Explains vManage, vSmart, vBond, and vEdge component roles. Understanding the control and data plane separation is prerequisite for SD-WAN configuration.

Lesson 2 • Monitoring, Telemetry, and Observability

Deploys model-driven telemetry, gNMI, and streaming to monitoring stacks. Real-time observability is essential for operating advanced Cisco platform deployments.

Lesson 3 • SD-WAN Policy and Traffic Engineering

Configures centralized and localized policies for application-aware routing. Policy-based traffic steering optimizes application performance across WAN transports.

Lesson 4 • Capstone: End-to-End Platform Deployment

Integrates routing, switching, security, automation, and SD-WAN into a complete lab scenario. Validates readiness for real-world Cisco platform development roles.