Understanding Cisco Service Provider Network Foundations (SPFNDU)

In this Understanding Cisco Service Provider Network Foundations course provides a comprehensive introduction to service provider networking architectures, technologies, and operational practices using Cisco routing platforms. It is designed for network engineers who need to understand how large-scale provider networks are built, operated, and automated, with emphasis on core, access, and service layers. The curriculum blends architectural concepts with hands-on configuration and verification across Cisco IOS XE and Cisco IOS XR environments.

Students begin by examining service provider architectures and the role of internet governance organizations, establishing foundational knowledge of how global networks interconnect and operate. The course then explores access and core technologies, routing protocols, MPLS, Layer 3 services, switching, and overlay technologies commonly used in service provider networks. Emphasis is placed on understanding protocol behavior, service delivery models, and resiliency mechanisms required to support large-scale customer and backbone services.

Hands-on labs reinforce these concepts through real-world configuration tasks, including IS-IS, RIP, BGP, MPLS, VRFs, IP SLA, HSRP, and NTP across Cisco IOS XE and IOS XR routers. The course also introduces programmability on IOS XR, using Linux-based tools and Bash scripting to automate configuration and operations. By the end of the course, students are prepared to deploy, operate, and automate service provider networks using Cisco technologies.

How you’ll benefit

This training will help you: 

• Acquire the foundational knowledge to understand the Cisco Service Provider Network methodologies, tools, and functions
• Learn the skills to manage the software and hardware platforms, structures, and protocols within the service provider realm
• Qualify for professional-level job service provider roles
• Earn 30 CE credits towards recertification

Upon completing this course, the student will be able to meet these objectives:

• Describe network architectures, devices, and software used by service providers
• Describe the various Internet governance organizations, their roles, and tools available for governance information verification
• Configure Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS®) and Cisco IOS XE routers
• Describe Cisco IOS XR software, perform initial configuration, and explain platform daily tasks
• Describe various access and core technologies used by service providers
• Describe various major switching technologies used by service providers
• Describe major overlay technologies and their usage, and configure Virtual Extensible LAN (VxLAN)
• Describe various major routing protocols used by service providers
• Configure Layer 3 services used by service providers
• Describe Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), components, protocols, and MPLS usage
• Describe usage of various services used and maintained by service providers
• Introduce Linux networking, Bourne Again Shell (BASH) scripting, and their usage within Cisco IOS XR software

The primary audience for this course is as follows:

• Network Administrator
• Network Engineer
• Network Manager
• System Engineer
• Project Manager
• Network Designer

There are no prerequisites for this training. However, the knowledge and skills you are recommended to have before attending this training are: 

• Knowledge of IPv4 and IPv6 Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networking
• Familiarity with a typical service provider environment
• Basic knowledge about networking devices and their roles

These skills can be found in the following Cisco Learning Offering:   

• Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA)

OUTLINE

Module 1: Introducing Service Provider Architectures

Module 2: Describing Internet Governance Organizations

Module 3: Configuring the Cisco IOS and Cisco IOS XE Router

Module 4: Configuring Cisco IOS XR Router

Module 5: Introducing Access and Core Technologies in the Service Provider Environment

Module 6: Introducing Routing Technologies in the Service Provider Environment

Module 7: Describing MPLS

Module 8: Implementing Layer 3 Services

Module 9: Introducing Switching Technologies in the Service Provider Environment

Module 10: Introducing Overlay Technologies

Module 11: Implementing Service Provider Services

Module 12: Introducing Programmability on Cisco IOS XR Routers 

LAB OUTLINE

• Review Lab Environment
• Examine Governance Data
• Perform an Initial Cisco Internetworking Operating System (IOS XE) Configuration
• Configure Connectivity and Connectivity Verification on Cisco IOS XE Devices
• Perform Initial Cisco IOS XR Configuration
• Configure and Verify Connectivity on Cisco IOS XR
• Configure Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS)
• Configure Routing Information Protocol (RIPv2) and RIP extension (RIPng)
• Configure Basic Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
• Configure MPLS
• Configure Internet Protocol Service Level Agreement (IP SLA)
• Configure Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) with Object Tracking
• Configure Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRFs)
• Configure Network Time Protocol (NTP)
• Use Linux Command Line Interface (CLI)
• Configure IOS XR Using a Bash Script