Watch Integrating a ProCurve and Cisco Network Including ProCurve Management Fundamentals (Institutional Use)
- 2009
- 1 Season
Integrating a ProCurve and Cisco Network Including ProCurve Management Fundamentals is a comprehensive tutorial series that explores how to seamlessly blend the networks of two major companies - Hewlett-Packard's ProCurve and Cisco. The show is hosted by John Lancaster, a renowned networking expert, and is aimed at institutional users who aim to create a robust and functional computer network from scratch.
The tutorial series comprises 8 chapters, each about an hour-long, and covers a wide range of topics that cater to the needs of network engineers and administrators. The show directs the viewer through the process of integrating a variety of Cisco appliances, including switches, routers, firewalls, and other devices with an HP ProCurve network. Throughout the show, the viewers get to see how to set up a network from scratch, assign IP addresses, create VLANs, and establish communication channels between different devices. The show also provides additional information regarding the underlying protocols and technologies that the devices use, such as Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Virtual LANs (VLANs), and Manageability.
The first chapter of the show provides a brief overview of the various networking technologies involved in the integration of ProCurve and Cisco networks. Lancaster explains the need for such integration and lists the benefits of doing so. He then moves on to discuss topics such as VLANs, Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols, and the HP ProCurve Management Fundamentals.
The second chapter deals with the installation and configuration of a Cisco switch. The viewers get to understand the various ports on a switch and how to configure them to connect devices to the network. Lancaster also shows how to configure the switch's management interface, specifying aspects such as IP address, default gateway, and network mask.
In chapter 3, Lancaster covers the configuration and management of VLANs on both the Cisco and ProCurve networks. He provides hands-on demonstrations of how to create VLANs, configure ports, and move traffic between VLANs. This chapter also covers the VLAN bridging process, which allows traffic to flow between different VLANs.
Chapter 4 covers STP - a protocol that prevents loops in the network topology. Lancaster provides an in-depth understanding of how the protocol works and discusses how to configure the STP settings on both the ProCurve and Cisco switches. This chapter is very important as configuring STP is essential for maintaining a stable network.
In chapter 5, Lancaster takes on a more technical subject - the Border Gateway Protocol or BGP. BGP is a protocol that enables multiple autonomous systems to communicate and coordinate to ensure data is routed to its destination. Lancaster explains how to configure BGP on both the Cisco and ProCurve networks, including setting up the Router ID and the Autonomous System number.
Chapter 6 deals with the establishment of a firewall system using the Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA). Viewers will learn how to configure ASA policies, Network Address Translation (NAT), and Security levels. The ASA is a vital part of network security and helps to safeguard the network from external threats.
In chapter 7, Lancaster covers the role of Quality of Service (QoS) in maintaining a reliable network. QoS ensures that applications have access to the bandwidth they need to function optimally, by prioritizing network traffic. The chapter includes hands-on demonstrations of how to implement QoS policies and prioritize different types of network traffic.
The final chapter of the show dives into the HP ProCurve Management Fundamentals, which deal with the configuration, monitoring, and management of the HP ProCurve network. Lancaster demonstrates how to use the ProCurve Manager software to manage and configure the ProCurve network. He shows how to perform basic device intercommunication using ProCurve command language, analyze logs, and monitor network performance.
Integrating a ProCurve and Cisco Network Including ProCurve Management Fundamentals is an excellent resource for network engineers, administrators, and IT professionals who are looking to build a robust and functional network. The show is well-organized and provides precise, step-by-step instructions to viewers. John Lancaster's explanations are clear and concise, and the hands-on demonstrations help to reinforce the concepts covered. The show is a great investment for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of computer networking.