Cisco SPCOR 350-501 study plan

Configure and verify OSPFv2 multi-area adjacencies, including ABR/ASBR roles, virtual links, and LSA type filtering on a three-router lab.

Design and validate a BGP peering topology with eBGP and iBGP neighbors, route reflectors, and prefix-list/route-map policy enforcement.

Compare IS-IS Level 1/Level 2 behavior and configure a basic multi-level IS-IS domain to observe L1-to-L2 redistribution.

Troubleshoot a broken OSPF neighbor adjacency and a BGP session stuck in Active/Idle using show/debug output only.

Implement and compare MPLS L3VPN, VRF-lite, and route leaking between VRFs on a service-provider edge topology.

Configure segment routing (SR-MPLS) with an IGP, verify prefix and adjacency SID behavior, and compare it with LDP-based label distribution.

Build a multicast distribution tree using PIM-SM with a rendezvous point and verify source registration and SPT switchover.

Apply QoS classification, marking, and queuing policies on provider edge interfaces and measure their effect on a simulated voice stream.

Configure LDP and RSVP-TE label-switched paths, then compare their signaling, path control, and failure behavior.

Implement MPLS Traffic Engineering with explicit paths, affinity constraints, and fast reroute (FRR) protection.

Deploy an L3VPN using MP-BGP with route targets, verify VRF route import/export, and test customer route isolation.

Diagnose a label mismatch and a PHP (penultimate hop popping) issue using label stack traces and MPLS OAM commands.

Explain and configure inter-AS VPN options A, B, and C on a two-carrier topology, documenting the control-plane differences.

Design a hierarchical network architecture using Cisco valid design principles (core/distribution/access, modularity, summarization boundaries).

Configure MPLS L2VPN (AToM) and VPLS pseudowires and verify MAC learning and split-horizon behavior.

Evaluate high-availability design choices (NSF/SSO, BFD, TI-LFA) and select the appropriate mechanism for three stated failure scenarios.

Configure and verify a full-featured branch: DHCP, NAT/PAT, PPPoE, and QoS on a single router.

Implement a site-to-site IPsec VPN and a DMVPN Phase 3 hub-and-spoke topology, then compare scalability and encryption behavior.

Configure a GRE tunnel and a VTI, and explain when each is preferred over the other in a service-provider context.

Apply SNMP, Syslog, and NetFlow on a service edge and validate that telemetry records reach a collector.

Deploy Cisco SD-WAN control-plane and data-plane components in a lab (vManage, vSmart, vBond, vEdge/cEdge) and verify overlay tunnel establishment.

Configure SD-WAN application-aware routing and a localized data policy, then observe path selection changes under an injected latency condition.

Describe Cisco SD-Access fabric roles (control plane, border, edge) and configure a basic fabric site in a simulated environment.

Map a stated enterprise requirement to an SD-WAN vs. SD-Access vs. traditional WAN design, justifying the choice.

Write and run Python scripts using NETCONF/RESTCONF and YANG models to retrieve and modify device configuration.

Build an Ansible playbook that pushes a standardized interface configuration to three devices and reports idempotency.

Use model-driven telemetry (gNMI/gRPC) to stream interface counters to a collector and visualize the data.

Automate a compliance check that compares running configuration against a golden template and flags drift.

Integrate assurance tooling (Cisco DNA Center or equivalent) to run a health check and interpret assurance findings for a lab network.

Design an automation and assurance architecture that covers configuration management, telemetry, and closed-loop remediation for a stated scenario.

Complete two timed full-length practice exams and score each domain to identify remaining gaps.

Re-mediate the two weakest domains with targeted labs and document the fix for each missed objective.