Cisco Systems CCNA 2 manual Finishing the Configuration, Importance of configuration standards

3.2 Finishing the Configuration

Essential Labs:	3.2.3, 3.2.5, 3.2.7, and 3.2.9
Optional Labs:	None
Core TIs:	All
Optional TIs:	none

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 Copyright ♥ 2004, Cisco Systems, Inc.