Cisco’s Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI) 642-801 exam focuses on the technology and experience required to design and implement
scalable enterprise-wide Cisco networks. This exam tests knowledge of major routing protocols that can be implemented in a standalone network
environment, or at an Internet service provider (ISP) level, or when you want to make a presence in the global Internet arena by interfacing with the ISPs.
To successfully pass the BSCI exam, you must be familiar with general networking concepts and have relevant experience using Cisco routers. You must
also be proficient in the knowledge of TCP/IP and the difference between routing protocols and routed protocols. I highly recommend that you either
have Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification or a minimum of 3 to 4 years of experience in a Cisco environment before you take this exam.
The BSCI is a required exam for three Cisco professional-level certifications: Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Cisco Certified Design
Professional (CCDP), and the Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP). You can learn more about all Cisco certifications by visiting the Cisco
Learning & Events Web pages.
BSCI 642-801 Exam Details
So what does the exam entail? The official BSCI exam objectives are available online. However, I cover the objectives in the following sections and
give detailed examples of topics you should know thoroughly before taking the exam. It’s imperative that you understand and master each exam objective
not only to pass the exam but to be a successful internetworking guru!
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of each exam objective, let’s look at the various topics that are covered in this exam (per the Cisco Web site):
List the key information routers need to route data.
Describe classful and classless routing protocols.
Describe link-state router protocol operation.
Compare classful and classless routing protocols.
Compare distance vector and link state routing protocols.
Describe concepts relating to extending IP addresses and the use of VLSMs to extend IP addresses.
Describe the features and operation of EIGRP.
Describe the features and operation of single area OSPF.
Describe the features and operation of multi-area OSPF.
Explain basic OSI terminology and network layer protocols used in OSI.
Identify similarities and differences between Integrated IS-IS and OSPF.
List the types of IS-IS routers and their role in IS-IS area design.
Describe the hierarchical structure of IS-IS areas.
Describe the concept of establishing adjacencies.
Describe the features and operation of BGP.
Explain how BGP policy-based routing functions within an autonomous system.
Explain the use of redistribution between BGP and Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs).
These topics can be grouped into three main categories, as follows:
Implementation and configuration
Design
Troubleshooting
In the following sections, I discuss the exam objectives and offer insights into special topics that you should pay close attention while
preparing to take the BSCI exam.
Implementation and Configuration
The Implementation and Configuration objectives deal primarily with, you guessed it, the implementation and configuration...
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CCNA & CCNP Lab Suggestions
Many people ask me what would make a good CCNA lab? Well, that can be a tricky question based upon your budget and future Cisco aspirations. So let’s start off with a few basic concepts I hope we can
all agree on. Real Routers. Read more…
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