OSPF Network Design Solutions

Technical Information Available on CCO

Following is a set of sample URLs intended to provide an example of the depth of information that is available on CCO. Much of this information is accessed via the “Service and Support” section, which is located at the following URL: http://www.cisco.com/ kobayashi/Support_root.shtml. Some of the documentation you can expect to find on CCO is as follows:

•  Internetworking Primer. This documentation provides a high-level overview of the Cisco IOS, LANs and WANs, desktop protocols, modems, and asynchronous protocols. The first three chapters are an excellent starting point for any new network engineers or managers unfamiliar with Cisco Equipment or internetworking. The URL for this documentation is: http://www.cisco.com/univercd/data/doc/hardware/access/2500/ug/techovr.htm.

•  Beginning IP for New Users. This documentation gives you basic information you’ll need to configure your router for routing IP, such as how addresses are broken down and how subnetting works. You will learn how to assign each interface on the router an IP address with a unique subnet. Do not worry; this document will show you many examples to help tie everything together. The URL for this documentation is: http://www.cisco.com/warp/customer/701/3.html.

•  Using BGP for Interdomain Routing. This documentation provides a similarly detailed explanation/tutorial on the design and configuration of the BGP protocol. The URL for this documentation is: http://www.cisco.com/ univercd/data/doc/cintrnet/ics/icsbgp4.htm.

Technical Assistance Available on CCO

Cisco Connection Online (CCO) is also a very important source for online technical assistance. The following are a few examples of the services a CCO user can access—without reliance on Cisco customer support staff.

•  Stack Decoder. This tool lets you decode the output from the show stack command obtained after a Cisco router crashes. Additionally, it locates possible known bugs for your analysis. The URL for this tool is http://cco.cisco.com/stack/stackdecoder.shtml.

•  Bug Navigator II. This tool lets you do your own research for known problems with Cisco hardware or software. In particular, the “IOS Software” section lets you search for bugs within a particular IOS version and release based on one or more software features. This is very useful if you are considering upgrading to a different version of IOS. By using it, you will be able to be aware of any software bugs before you implement the change. The URL for this tool is http://cco.cisco.com/support/bugtools/bugtool.shtml.

•  Search Cisco IOS Bugs by ID Number. This can be used to obtain information on bugs that have been identified by Cisco staff. This is also a very good place to look during troubleshooting. The URL for this tool is http:// cco.cisco.com/kobayashi/bugs/bugs.html.

•  Bug Watcher. Enables you to create collections or bins of defects that you can use to monitor the status of specific defects. Watcher Bins are continuously updated by means of Bug Alert Agents. This is a very good proactive tool that is offered by Cisco. The URL for this tool is http://cco.cisco.com/support/ bugtools/homepage.shtml.

•  Case Open Tool. Open Cisco TAC cases directly from your Web Browser—no more waiting in the phone queue! Please note: This is only for cases that are priority 3 or 4. The URL for this tool is http://cco.cisco.com/kobayashi/ support/case_open.shtml.

•  Case Query Tool. Read the case notes for any TAC cases you have open. The URL for this tool is http://cco.cisco.com/kobayashi/support/case_query.shtml.

•  Case Update Tool. Update the information in cases you have open with TAC online. The URL for this tool is http://cco.cisco.com/kobayashi/support/ case_updt.shtml.

Online Documentation Available on CCO

Almost all Cisco published documentation can be accessed directly from CCO. All available online documentation is indexed at the following URL: http://www.cisco.com/univercd/home/home.htm. The list that follows provides information and URLs for some of the more useful documents.

•  Internetworking Technology Overview. An introduction to Internetworking Technology, the URL for which is http://www.cisco.com/univercd/ data/doc/cintrnet/75818.htm.

•  Internetwork Troubleshooting Guide. Two manuals cover this and are located at the following URLs: http://www.cisco.com/univercd/data/doc/cintrnet/ itg_v1.htm and http://www.cisco.com/univercd/data/doc/cintrnet/75821.htm.

•  Internetwork Design Guide. Presents a set of general guidelines for planning internetworks and provides specific suggestions for several key internetworking implementations. The URL for this documentation is http://www.cisco.com/ univercd/data/doc/cintrnet/idg3/idgpref.htm.

•  Internetworking Case Studies. Case studies on a variety of internetworking technologies and applications. These make use of diagrams and configurations to illustrate the approach taken. The URL for this documentation is http://www.cisco.com/univercd/data/doc/cintrnet/ics.htm.

•  IOS Configuration Guides/Command References. The Cisco IOS manual sets for each IOS version can be accessed online from this URL: http://www.cco.cisco.com/univercd/data/doc/software.htm.

•  Stratacom Online Documentation. The Stratacom document set can be accessed online from the following URL: http://www.cisco.com/ univercd/data/doc/wanbu/8_2/82.htm.

Chapter Summary

This chapter discussed how to effectively monitor and troubleshoot your OSPF network. This information was presented in three sections: “Monitoring OSPF,” “Troubleshooting OSPF,” and “Cisco Technical Support.” The “Monitoring OSPF” section discussed various methods of ensuring that OSPF is operating properly in your network. The “Troubleshooting OSPF” section examined ways to proactively prepare for the inevitable network problems. The “Cisco Technical Support” section discussed the resources available to you within Cisco, including several online troubleshooting tools.