BGP and the BSCI

[SF18C]

I have been studying for the BSCI routing exam (hopefully the 640-901 if I can get to it in time). My problem is centered on BGP. I use OSPF and EIGRP at my job, so those 2 protocols are "easy" to study for. VLSM and IP routing are okay and even IS-IS seems straight forward. Since I don't use BGP on my network I have been having a hard time getting a full understanding of the protocol. (The same can be said for IS-IS but I think I understand it a little better than BGP)
I have a pretty good lab set up with 5 2500 routers, 1 3600 router and cat 5000 switch so I have been able to set up BGP internal and external AS's and play with the commands but I just don't feel that I understand how the protocol works. Things like how distant routers make routing decisions for a local AS and how does an internal OSPF router figure out what route it should use when there are two separate links to a distant external AS.

So basically I'm trying to figure out how much BGP is needed for the exam. Any tips for those who have traveled this path? Does anyone have a source to a good explanation of BGP? I have been using the Cisco press books (Exam Cert guide and the Exam prep guide) for my studies and have visited the Cisco site for a few papers on the BGP.

I think my main problem is that I'm studying something in the abstract - no real hands on and more theory than practicality in my current position.

Thanks for your time, now I nned to go back and do some more reading.


SF18C
CCNA, MCSE, A+, N+ & HPCC

"Tis better to die on your feet than live on your knees!"

 

[ste1]

Hi

I sat the BSCI 640-901 in Feb and passed with about 910/1000. My recollection of the exam was that the BGP questions were not too in depth.

Learn the Attributes and the 4 types of attribute (Well Known Mandatory etc). Also the order that BGP will use them to select a route. This is a straght forward learning excersise.

If you under stand that BGP uses neighbours and TCP/IP connections (i.e connection orientated) to communicate (TCP Port 179 springs to mind)

Know the difference between IBGP and EBGP and synchronisation etc.

Know the BGP message types Open/Keepalive/Update/Notification.

Learn a bit about what policy routing is.

Understand the requirement for a full mesh or the use of route reflectors (a full mesh in a big network needs a lot of connections which equals money in the real world). Also BGP clients/non clients and who updates are sent to/from. I definitely got a question on that.

Finaly multi homing. I got a question similar to "if a company has a single connection to one ISP what would be the preferred method of routing" answers being something like BGP, Statics, Default etc etc.

One last thing. The exam was 59 questions. 10 chapters on a course/book. That gives you roughly 6 questions per chapter. Some of those questions will be give aways eg if you dont know them you shouldn't even be doing the exam, so as long as you understand the basics of a subject you shouldn't fail the exam on that one subject unless you are very unlucky or you only know a bit about every subjuct.
If you are confident on EIGRP and OSPF then go for it.

If you have Boson then that will give you a good indicator on BGP. Select only the BGP questions and do them a few time trying to understand what you get wrong.

Go For It

Cheers

Ste

 

[SF18C]

ste1,

Thanks for your reply. Maybe I was reading a little to much into BGP, I feel better now. I do have a Boson router test but I have not looked at it yet.

SF18C
CCNA, MCSE, A+, N+ & HPCC

"Tis better to die on your feet than live on your knees!"

 

[SF18C]

SF18C
CCNA, MCSE, A+, N+ & HPCC

"Tis better to die on your feet than live on your knees!"