Topics Covered in CCNP ENCOR (350-401):

• Enterprise Network Design: Understanding enterprise network architecture models, including Cisco's Enterprise Architecture, traditional hierarchical models, and the modern software-defined architecture.
• On-Premises and Cloud Infrastructure: Integrating on-premises data centers with cloud services, understanding multi-cloud architecture, and hybrid cloud environments.
• High Availability: Implementing high availability solutions, including first-hop redundancy protocols like HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol), VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol), and GLBP (Gateway Load Balancing Protocol).

Virtualization:

• Device Virtualization: Implementing and configuring network device virtualization technologies like VRF (Virtual Routing and Forwarding), GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation), and IP Sec tunneling.
• Virtual Network Function (VNF): Understanding and configuring VNFs for network services.
• Virtualization Fundamentals: Understanding virtualization technologies such as hypervisors (e.g., VMware ESXi), virtual machines, and containers.

Infrastructure:

• Layer 2 Technologies: Advanced understanding and configuration of VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), and Ether Channel.
• Layer 3 Technologies: Configuring and troubleshooting IPv4 and IPv6, OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol), and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol).
• Overlay Technologies: Implementing VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) and MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) to extend Layer 2 networks over Layer 3.
• Wireless: Configuring and troubleshooting wireless LANs, understanding wireless architecture, and deploying access points and controllers.

Network Assurance:

• Network Monitoring and Automation: Utilizing tools like Cisco DNA Center, NETCONF, RESTCONF, and model-driven telemetry for network monitoring and automation.
• Device Monitoring: Implementing SNMP, Syslog, and NetFlow for monitoring network devices and traffic.
• Network Performance: Troubleshooting network performance issues using Cisco DNA Assurance, and analyzing traffic patterns with tools like Wireshark.

Security:

• Infrastructure Security: Implementing and configuring AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) using TACACS+ and RADIUS.
• Secure Access: Configuring device access control through secure management protocols (e.g., SSH, HTTPS), and implementing secure access policies.
• Segmentation and Isolation: Implementing segmentation using VLANs, VRFs, and Cisco TrustSec to secure and isolate network traffic.
• Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW): Understanding and configuring NGFW features to protect network perimeters.

Automation:

• Network Programmability: Understanding network programmability concepts and tools such as Python, Ansible, and Puppet for network automation.
• APIs: Using REST APIs, NETCONF, and RESTCONF to interact with network devices programmatically.
• Automation Protocols: Implementing automation protocols to simplify network operations and management.

Quality of Service (QoS):

• Traffic Classification and Marking: Understanding traffic classification, marking, and policing methods.
• Congestion Management and Avoidance: Configuring queuing mechanisms, such as Weighted Fair Queuing (WFQ), Class-Based WFQ (CBWFQ), and Low Latency Queuing (LLQ).
• Traffic Shaping and Policing: Implementing traffic shaping and policing to manage bandwidth and reduce congestion.