Cisco Networking Academy Program

Overview
Initially, TCP/IP networks relied on simple
distance vector routing protocols and
classful 32-bit IP addressing. These
technologies offered a limited capacity for
growth. Network designers must now
modify, redesign, or abandon these early
technologies to build modern networks that
can scale to handle fast growth and
constant change. This module explores
networking technologies that have evolved
to meet this demand for scalability.

Scalability is the capability of a network to

grow and adapt without major redesign or
reinstallation. It seems obvious to allow for
growth in a network, but growth can be
difficult to achieve without redesign. This
redesign may be significant and costly. For
example, a network may provide a small
company with access to e-mail, the Internet,
and shared files. If the company tripled in
size and demanded streaming video or e-
commerce services, could the original
networking media and devices adequately
serve these new applications? Most
organizations cannot afford to re-cable or
redesign their networks when users are
relocated, new nodes are added, or new
applications are introduced.

Good design is the key to the capability of a

network to scale. Poor design, not an
outdated protocol or router, will prevent a
network from scaling properly. A network
design should follow a hierarchical model to
be scalable.

This lesson starts by introducing the

network as the platform for the Information
age. The Cisco vision of the future
Intelligent Information Network (IIN) and the
Service-Oriented Network Architecture
(SONA) are then introduced, followed by the
Cisco Enterprise Architectures and how
they align with the Cisco Enterprise
Composite Network Model (ECNM). Next,
the key characteristics of scalable
internetworks, traffic patterns in converged
networks, and how routing protocols fit into
these models are discussed. This module
also introduces the topology of the
International Travel Agency (ITA), on which
the labs exercises are based.

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Cisco Networking Academy Program

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