In our recent CCDE study group meeting, we covered 6PE (IPv6 Provider Edge). This method integrates IPv6 into an IPv4 MPLS network. Yet, we were unsure of its operation and use. To clarify, I set up an EVE-NG environment and ran a lab test. The key point is that 6PE setups do not use VRFs on PE routers. Instead, they place all CEs in the global routing table. VRFs help isolate customer traffic. This setup prevents unauthorized interference. In L3VPN networks, people usually combine VRFs with MPLS and MP-BGP. But why would you use 6PE in your MPLS network? Your core MPLS network is running IPv4 only, and you cannot change it that easy. You might not need traffic segmentation. You deliver internet service via global routing table to the customers So for a better understanding, let's check the lab topology. We have our IPv4 MPLS network, which uses OSPFv2 as underlay routing and LDP for label exchange. On top, we're running BGP between the loopback IPs of the PE routers. P-Router ...

I just  came back  yesterday from my trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, where I was allowed to attend the CCDE Bootcamp offered by Malcolm Booden. He holds this 5-day course  2  times a year with  a very limited  amount of students (up to 6). I met Malcolm at Cisco Live Amsterdam 2024  and  we  had a very open talk .  After that, I decided to book one of the course seats for the May 2024 course. Lucky for me  my  company was very supportive about that. Concerns Before going there I had 2 main concerns: Will I be able to follow the course? It  is said  that Scottish is very hard for non-native  speakers Since  I´m  at the starting point of the CCDE track  it  might be  too  early to attend the Bootcamp  and  I might not be able to follow the  content Before I answer these 2 questions let me do a short wrap-up of the week. Week in a glance  The preparation and information...

I passed my CCIE Lab exam in January 2023 and since then I have taken some time to rest. I was not sure how to exactly proceed in my career, but after some time I recognized that the CCIE opened new opportunities for me.  My colleagues and customers treated me as an expert from now on and the focus of my work shifted more and more to design and presales tasks. So I decided that the CCDE certification track would be a great future goal and give me more confidence and knowledge in this field. I had a great discussion with my boss and team lead and both of them instantly supported the idea (as with my CCIE efforts). I am very grateful and I know that is not always the norm.  I was allowed to sign up for an in-person CCDE bootcamp in May with Malcolm Booden, whom I was able to meet at Cisco Live in Amsterdam earlier this year. So stay tuned  ....