Finishing The Configuration - Cisco CCNA 2 Instructor Manual

3.2 Finishing the Configuration

Essential Labs:
Optional Labs:
Core TIs:
Optional TIs:
Course-Level Claim: Students can configure additional administrative functionality on a router
Certification-Level Claim: Students can configure a router for additional administrative
functionality.
Hands-on skills: none
3.2.1 Importance of configuration standards
This section introduces the importance of configuration standards. The following topics are
covered:
•
Configuration of interface descriptions
•
Message-of-the day banners
•
Configuration of host tables
•
Backup configuration documentation
In many organizations, standards are either treated very seriously or there are no standards. It
is important to develop standards for configuration files within an organization. These can be
used to control of the number of configuration files that must be maintained, how the files are
stored, and where the files are stored.
In organizations where standards are treated seriously, students need to understand that it is
very important for the standards to be followed. In organizations where there are no standards,
students can introduce standards to add value to the organization.
Students need to understand why standards are important and begin to apply them in the lab.
Encourage students to create and use standards. Remember to simulate real-world
environments in the classroom and lab.
A centralized support standard is necessary to manage a network. Configuration, security,
performance, and other issues must be adequately addressed for the network to function
properly. The creation of standards for network consistency helps reduce network complexity,
the amount of unplanned downtime, and exposure to network impacting events. Emphasize
that there should be a standard for everything and that each standard should be a written part
of the documentation and procedures. These should include how configuration files are
named, how interfaces are addressed, and the description used on interfaces.
The use of these standards is very important for troubleshooting. Explain to students that the
same network associate will not always troubleshoot the network device. If the previous
33 - 238 CCNA 2: Routers and Routing Basics v3.1 Instructor Guide – Module 3
3.2.3, 3.2.5, 3.2.7, and 3.2.9
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