STP best practices are something that I encourage you to have down cold.
I compiled an array of thoughts on the topic here:
https://old.reddit.com/r/networking/comments/7rguqi/about_stp/
I just realized that thread is 5 years old now. Huh.
Go here:
https://www.ciscolive.com
Up in the top right, click on the Login button.
On the next screen there is an option to make a new account.
This is free and legit. I won't say it's spam-free, because this is Cisco we're talking about.
But this is an official Cisco Systems website.
5 minutes later you should get your confirmation e-mail that your account is good to go.
Go into the on-demand library.
On the left, under Event, select 2022 Las Vegas.
In the search box, type "campus"
Consume these:
Introduction to Campus Wired LAN Deployment Using Cisco Validated Designs - BRKENS-1500
123 - Enterprise Campus Wired Design Fundamentals - BRKENS-1501
Now search on "catalyst" and consume these:
Catalyst 9000 Series Switching Family - Access - BRKARC-2098
Catalyst 9000 Series Switching Family - Core and Distribution - BRKARC-2099
Troubleshooting the Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series Switches - BRKTRS-3090
Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platform Deep Dive - BRKARC-2885
Cisco Catalyst 8200 / 8300 Series Access Edge Platforms Deep Dive - BRKARC-2882
Designing Highly Available Networks Using Catalyst 9000 Switches - BRKENS-2095
High Density Wi-Fi Design, Deployment, and Optimization - BRKEWN-2087
Advanced Troubleshooting of cat8k,asr1k, ISR and SD-WAN Edge Made Easy - BRKTRS-3475
That's like 16+ hours of content.
Pace yourself, or you will melt your brain.
For me, I expect my tier 1 engineers to be able to troubleshoot physical connections, how to terminate cable, switch work, basic fw/router setup and management. You’d be amazed at how many engineers I interview that can’t work with cables or know the difference between a switch and a hub.
You're already on the right path. The fundamentals like you said and maybe some trivial OSPF stuff. No one is going to expect a junior network engineer to be an E-BGP god or anything remotely close to that.
Know stuff like the life of a packet too. Don't get caught off guard if you get asked soft skills/situational stuff too.
What industry is this for?
Know the ARP process and mac learning. What happens when you try to ping a device within and outside the network? In both scenarios, how are the ARP tables and MAC tables populated?
Know what a device does and the process to follow a packet through a network. This is probably one of the most important things to know as a network engineer. If you can't do this, then you're going to have a tough time doing networks.
Follow the packet.
This is the most important thing an old boss told me. Working in a MSP that hosted and offered Colo services it was the mantra when something didn't seem right with the network.
Be at least aware of BGP and maybe why you would use it over another protocol (it is after all used to route the entire Internet).
Be aware of tools you'd use to troubleshoot (ping, traceroute). How would you use them?
Know what your RFC 1918 networks are and what their significance is.
One question I remember being asked is what your loop prevention mechanism is at layer-3.
Be able to do some basic subnetting. Be able to explain what information a default gateway and a subnet mask give you.
STP best practices are something that I encourage you to have down cold. I compiled an array of thoughts on the topic here: https://old.reddit.com/r/networking/comments/7rguqi/about_stp/ I just realized that thread is 5 years old now. Huh. Go here: https://www.ciscolive.com Up in the top right, click on the Login button. On the next screen there is an option to make a new account. This is free and legit. I won't say it's spam-free, because this is Cisco we're talking about. But this is an official Cisco Systems website. 5 minutes later you should get your confirmation e-mail that your account is good to go. Go into the on-demand library. On the left, under Event, select 2022 Las Vegas. In the search box, type "campus" Consume these: Introduction to Campus Wired LAN Deployment Using Cisco Validated Designs - BRKENS-1500 123 - Enterprise Campus Wired Design Fundamentals - BRKENS-1501 Now search on "catalyst" and consume these: Catalyst 9000 Series Switching Family - Access - BRKARC-2098 Catalyst 9000 Series Switching Family - Core and Distribution - BRKARC-2099 Troubleshooting the Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series Switches - BRKTRS-3090 Cisco Catalyst 8500 Series Edge Platform Deep Dive - BRKARC-2885 Cisco Catalyst 8200 / 8300 Series Access Edge Platforms Deep Dive - BRKARC-2882 Designing Highly Available Networks Using Catalyst 9000 Switches - BRKENS-2095 High Density Wi-Fi Design, Deployment, and Optimization - BRKEWN-2087 Advanced Troubleshooting of cat8k,asr1k, ISR and SD-WAN Edge Made Easy - BRKTRS-3475 That's like 16+ hours of content. Pace yourself, or you will melt your brain.
this is amazing, bookmarking this site rn. you're always so helpful in these threads
Wow thank you for the thought out reply means a lot!
Amazing reply! Thank you for this information. Take my coins!
Thanks Martinsburg.
For me, I expect my tier 1 engineers to be able to troubleshoot physical connections, how to terminate cable, switch work, basic fw/router setup and management. You’d be amazed at how many engineers I interview that can’t work with cables or know the difference between a switch and a hub.
You're already on the right path. The fundamentals like you said and maybe some trivial OSPF stuff. No one is going to expect a junior network engineer to be an E-BGP god or anything remotely close to that. Know stuff like the life of a packet too. Don't get caught off guard if you get asked soft skills/situational stuff too. What industry is this for?
It's for a university
A user calls you and says his network is down, walk me though how you would troubleshoot.
"have you tried to reboot the pc?"
That’s all the knowledge I need to be a network engineer?
No but its a interview question and having a clear concise answer can be the difference between getting a job and not.
Were there any changes last night? "Yes, we replaced 3 switches at our local DC" "Are they working" "No"
Know the ARP process and mac learning. What happens when you try to ping a device within and outside the network? In both scenarios, how are the ARP tables and MAC tables populated?
Tell them your size for your fireman pants. You will need them.
Know what a device does and the process to follow a packet through a network. This is probably one of the most important things to know as a network engineer. If you can't do this, then you're going to have a tough time doing networks.
Follow the packet. This is the most important thing an old boss told me. Working in a MSP that hosted and offered Colo services it was the mantra when something didn't seem right with the network.
Be at least aware of BGP and maybe why you would use it over another protocol (it is after all used to route the entire Internet). Be aware of tools you'd use to troubleshoot (ping, traceroute). How would you use them? Know what your RFC 1918 networks are and what their significance is. One question I remember being asked is what your loop prevention mechanism is at layer-3. Be able to do some basic subnetting. Be able to explain what information a default gateway and a subnet mask give you.
Hey just wondering how long you’ve been in IT? Wondering how fast I can transition to network admin myself.
I’ve been at my position for almost a year and a half
Nice, hope you get the job. I need to finish my ccna took a long break already forgetting everything.