Cisco ENARSI 300-410 study plan
Cisco ENARSI 300-410 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Layer 3 Technologies
Configure and verify EIGRP named mode with multiple address families, stub routing, and summarization on a three-router lab
Compare EIGRP and OSPF path selection by tracing feasible successor and successor selection with show commands
Tune EIGRP metrics and timers to force a specific path, then document which command changed the outcome
Explain and test EIGRP query scope using stub and summary boundaries to limit SIA risk
Your checkpoint
A written lab report containing router configs, show ip eigrp topology output before and after metric tuning, and a table mapping each tuning command to the resulting path change
Layer 3 Technologies
Configure OSPFv2 and OSPFv3 multi-area topologies including virtual links, totally stubby, and NSSA areas
Differentiate LSA types 1 through 7 by capturing and labeling each in a single topology
Implement OSPF route filtering with distribute-list, area range, and summary-address and state where each applies
Configure and verify policy-based routing and VRF-lite route leaking between two VRFs
Your checkpoint
An annotated LSA map showing which router originates each LSA type, plus a verification log proving each filter or summarization command suppressed the intended prefix
Layer 3 Technologies
Configure BGP eBGP and iBGP peering including route reflectors and confederations
Manipulate path selection using weight, local preference, AS-path prepending, MED, and origin code in a defined order
Implement prefix lists, route maps, and maximum-prefix to control BGP advertisements and protect sessions
Verify BGP convergence and troubleshoot a stuck Active neighbor using debug and show output
Your checkpoint
A decision-tree document listing the BGP best-path steps in order with the exact command used to influence each step, validated against lab output
Layer 3 Technologies & Infrastructure Services
Configure bidirectional redistribution between OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP while preventing loops with tags, route maps, and administrative distance
Configure DMVPN Phase 3 with mGRE, NHRP, and IPsec protection, and verify spoke-to-spoke direct tunnel formation
Implement first-hop redundancy with HSRP, VRRP, and GLBP and tune priority and preemption
Troubleshoot a redistribution loop and document the tagging strategy that resolved it
Your checkpoint
A redistribution matrix showing seed metrics, tags, and AD values per protocol pair, plus packet captures proving spoke-to-spoke traffic bypasses the hub
VPN Technologies
Configure site-to-site IPsec IKEv2 with pre-shared key and certificate authentication and compare the two
Build a FlexVPN or GET VPN scenario and explain when each design is preferred over classic DMVPN
Configure MPLS Layer 3 VPN concepts including VRF, RD, and route targets on a provider edge simulation
Verify tunnel state and troubleshoot Phase 1 and Phase 2 mismatches using show crypto ikev2 and debug output
Your checkpoint
A troubleshooting flowchart for IPsec phase failures mapping each syslog or debug message to its likely misconfiguration, backed by at least three reproduced failures
Infrastructure Security
Configure AAA with TACACS+ and RADIUS including command authorization and fallback
Implement infrastructure ACLs, CoPP, and uRPF to protect the control plane and verify with show policy-map control-plane
Configure zone-based firewall with class and policy maps and verify stateful inspection
Harden device access with SSHv2, VTY ACLs, privilege levels, and login block-for
Your checkpoint
A hardened baseline configuration template with a control-plane policy map and a test log showing permitted and denied traffic classes
Infrastructure Services
Configure SNMPv3, syslog, NTP with authentication, and verify each collector receives data
Implement DHCP relay, DHCP snooping, and IPv6 first-hop security including RA guard
Configure NetFlow export and interpret top-talker output for a simulated incident
Troubleshoot a device clock drift caused by NTP authentication failure
Your checkpoint
An operations runbook listing each service, its verification command, and expected output, validated on at least two lab devices
Infrastructure Automation
Configure EEM applets to react to a syslog pattern and take an automated action
Build and apply configuration templates using NETCONF or RESTCONF and compare with CLI-based automation
Implement IP SLA tracking with object tracking to influence static route failover
Complete a timed mixed-domain troubleshooting drill and record weak areas for review
Your checkpoint
A working automation artifact such as an EEM applet or Python script that configures or monitors a device, plus a scored self-assessment of the drill by domain
Milestones
Week 2: Explain without notes how OSPF LSA types 1 to 7 differ and where each is flooded; score at least 80 percent on a 20-question self-quiz covering weeks 1 and 2
Week 4: Complete a full redistribution lab from a blank configuration in under 45 minutes with no loops, verified by routing table and traceroute output
Week 6: Troubleshoot three pre-broken VPN or security scenarios within 30 minutes each, documenting the fault and fix for every case
Week 8: Pass a 60-question timed practice exam across all five domains with at least 85 percent overall and no domain below 70 percent