This is a simple lab that consist of 4 catalyst switches 3560
The main aim of the lab is to introduce the most basic concepts of spanning tree.

Well first of all i connected devices as shown in the diagram , now below are the MAC address values start hex value for each switch

Sw1 :  001b
Sw2 :  001b
Sw3 :  0016
Sw4 :  0026

Now here is the result of the spanning tree process , note that by default the running spanning tree protocol mode is PVST which run a seperate 802.11d instance of spanning tree for each vlan.

Now How did we reach this result topology

1- Elected root switch SW3 (since it has lowest MAC address)
2- Each switch choose the interface closest to the root switch (lowest cost) to be elected as root port

Now the question is why did each switch choose the lower ID                                                                                                                             as root port.  The answer lies in the below sequence that  
                                                                                                                  switch choose based upon the root ports
                                                                                                                     – Port with the lowest accumulated path cost based on
                                                                                                                         BW
                                                                                                                    – Lowest next hop bridge ID to the root bridge
                                                                                                                    – Lowest port priority (1B and is 128 by default)
                                                                                                                    – Lowest port ID (1B)


Now since all those links in diagram 1 match in all the parameters except the last tie breaker which is lowest ID we'll notice that root ports are those of lowest interface ID on each link.

Using the same logical thinking you can reach the conclusion on how any STP network converge.

Verification



Rack1SW3-basicIP#show span

VLAN0001
  Spanning tree enabled protocol ieee
  Root ID    Priority    32769
             Address     0016.4737.2100
             This bridge is the root    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Sw3 is root switch
             Hello Time   2 sec  Max Age 20 sec  Forward Delay 15 sec

  Bridge ID  Priority    32769  (priority 32768 sys-id-ext 1)
             Address     0016.4737.2100
             Hello Time   2 sec  Max Age 20 sec  Forward Delay 15 sec
             Aging Time 300
Rack1SW2-basicIP#show span

VLAN0001
  Spanning tree enabled protocol ieee
  Root ID    Priority    32769
             Address     0016.4737.2100
             Cost        19
             Port        18 (FastEthernet0/16)
             Hello Time   2 sec  Max Age 20 sec  Forward Delay 15 sec

  Bridge ID  Priority    32769  (priority 32768 sys-id-ext 1)
             Address     001b.0c7c.a200
             Hello Time   2 sec  Max Age 20 sec  Forward Delay 15 sec
             Aging Time 300

Interface           Role Sts Cost      Prio.Nbr Type
------------------- ---- --- --------- -------- --------------------------------
Fa0/13              Desg FWD 19        128.15   P2p
Fa0/14              Desg FWD 19        128.16   P2p
Fa0/15              Desg FWD 19        128.17   P2p
Fa0/16              Root FWD 19        128.18   P2p
Fa0/17              Altn BLK 19        128.19   P2p
Fa0/18              Altn BLK 19        128.20   P2p
Fa0/19              Desg FWD 19        128.21   P2p

Before we start i created a blog category that will be called DocCD this will include shortcuts to all DocCD's that i find interesting and useful for my CCIE preparation.

You know that college exams that were said to be open book exams , the same applies to the CCIE exam it's actually an open book exam but only allowed to open the documentation CD which contains most of the configuration examples you'll need during the exam. But here's the catch it's quite messy in there and you need to be quick in finding what you really want.

For me to practice using it i have a shortcut link added to my favorites tap so whenever i feel i need a configuration support whether at work or during labing i use it. 

Here's the link : http://www.cisco.com/cisco/web/psa/configure.html?mode=prod

Now for the part am studying now , am actually studying spanning tree so here's the path i found useful for my lab.
---------------------------------->
Products  - Switches - Campus LAN switches- Access - Cisco Catalyst 3560 Series Switches - Configuration guides -  Catalyst 3560 Switch Software Configuration Guide, Rel. 12.2(40)SE  

And here's the link 

Below is a list of topics that i hate and fear the most in the exam , My target is to focus more on those topics during the next few days. My main aim is to be efficient enough in them to carry on with my rest of study plan.

Shitty Topics :

• Implementing Layer 2 Technologies
• Implementing performance routing and Cisco optimized edge routing (PFR/OER)
• Implement IPv6  ( prefer to check it last )
• Implement Network Security
• Implement Quality of service (All topics not related to generic MQC )

I started studying for the CCIE after i passed the Written exam Dec,2012. I kicked it off with INE CCIE lab videos and by the mid year i had some delay events that made me postpone the final studying till those days. My biggest challenge was to get certified by the end of this year but since I have no time i postponed the exam till 27 Feb 2014 giving me only around 100 days to have it all sorted out.

I already finished most parts of INE VOL 1 workbook but i'm still struggling with many parts of it , so here's my plan.

First 20 days : Finish my VOL1 workbook and focus on the shitty topics this leaves me with 3 complete months , i already booked a 1 month off work duty to totally focus on the exam. 

Month 1 : Still review more of the VOL1 and topics i lack knowledge in
Month 2 : CCIE INE VOL 2
Month 3 : Rest of volume 2 + Mock Labs

To be honest am not sure if this a right plan or not but it seems quite good for me , i just hope i stick to it and i don't care if i do pass or not i just hope i get my shot at it. Today i was really thinking about quitting the whole thing but then i thought about this blog and if i make my journey useful for other people that would make it worth taking.