CCNA Exploration 2: Routing Protocols and Concepts Labs


NDG has worked closely with the Cisco CCNA lab team to develop CCNA Exploration labs that are compatible with several NETLAB+ router pods.

CCNA Exploration 2 is supported by one or more of the following NETLAB+ pods:

The supported lab list (below) provides a list of CCNA Exploration 2 compatible labs and the pod types that can be used for each lab.

  • Most labs may use Basic Router Pod Version 2 and Cuatro Router Pod, allowing existing NETLAB+ pods to service both CCNA and CCNP labs.
  • The CRP has a vast coverage for the new CCNA, CCNPv5.0 and CCNA Security.
  • Skills exams are contained in separate lab package and are enabled in the class settings separately from the core CCNA Exploration 2 labs. This allows instructors to defer access to the exams until the end of the course.
  • The MAP and MAP w/ASA support CCNA Exploration 2, 3 and 4 labs, in addition to the CCNA Security labs.

Enabling the Labs

To enable the CCNA Exploration 2 labs, create a class and check the appropriate global labs in the class settings as described in the table below, depending on the pod(s) that will be used.

MAP MAP MAP CRP BRPv2
Pods Global Labs Instructions
Cuatro Router Pod and/or
Basic Router Pod v2 		AE CCNA V4.0.5.0 EXP 2 English On the "Global Labs" section of the class settings, check "AE CCNA V4.0.5.0 EXP 2 English" if the CRP and/or the BRPv2 will be used to perform the labs.
Multi-purpose Academy Pod AE CCNA V4.0.5.0 EXP 2-MAP-English On the "Global Labs" section of the class settings, check the "AE CCNA V4.0.5.0 EXP 2-MAP-English" if the MAP will be used to perform the labs.
Multi-purpose Academy Pod with ASA AE CCNA EXP 2 V4.0.5.0 - MAP/ASA - Eng On the "Global Labs" section of the class settings, check the "AE CCNA EXP 2 V4.0.5.0 - MAP/ASA - Eng" if the MAP w/ASA will be used to perform the labs.
(Cuatro Router Pod and/or
Basic Router Pod v2) and
(Multi-purpose Academy Pod and/or Multi-purpose Academy Pod w/ASA) 		AE CCNA V4.0.5.0 EXP 2 English and
(AE CCNA V4.0.5.0 EXP 2-MAP-English and/or AE CCNA EXP 2 V4.0.5.0 - MAP/ASA - Eng 		On the "Global Labs" section of the class settings, check both the "AE CCNA V4.0.5.0 EXP 2 English" and ("AE CCNA V4.0.5.0 EXP 2-MAP-English" and/or "AE CCNA EXP 2 V4.0.5.0 - MAP/ASA - Eng" if the (CRP and/or BRPv2) and the (MAP and/or MAP w/ASA will be used to perform the labs.

You may also allow the class to make "pod-only" reservations using the pod types listed above. To enable pod-only reservations, check the box in the class settings for the appropriate pod type. Options include:

These reservations are not tied to specific lab exercises. Therefore, the pod will be configured using the default network configuration. Please note however, not all CCNA labs use the default network configuration and must be completed by selecting the correct lab exercise (see the following discussion).

Using the Labs

Always select the correct lab exercise for the lab being performed. Students or teams should schedule the correct lab exercise from the catalog. NETLAB+ will only show those labs for which the required pod type is available. A lab that works on different pod types may appear more than once if your system is so equipped. Instructors should select the correct lab from the Exercise tab during instructor-led lab reservations. This can be done as many times as needed during the reservation.

Importance of Choosing the Correct Lab Exercise

Several of the labs may differ from the standard pod topologies. This is handled by NETLAB+ Dynamic VLAN Mapping technology. Always select the correct lab exercise for the actual lab. This insures that NETLAB+ will set up VLANs on the control switch such that lab devices and PCs are placed in the correct LAN segment for the exercise being performed. Selecting the correct exercise will also make the completed lab output easier to find in the archive.

Supported Lab List

Lab Description Pod Required Comments
1.5.1 Cabling a Network and Basic Router Configuration MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2 In order to open a console connection, click on a router picture.
1.5.2 Basic Router Configuration MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
1.5.3 Challenge Router Configuration MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
1.6.1 Packet Tracer Skills Integration Challenge Activity MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
2.8.1 Basic Static Route Configuration MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
2.8.2 Challenge Static Route Configuration MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
2.8.3 Troubleshooting Static Routes MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2 In order to load the router configuration, if using the NDG Java Applet, use the copy and paste feature.
3.5.2 Subnetting Scenario 1 MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2 PC2 and PC5 are not implemented.
3.5.3 Subnetting Scenario 2 Lab not supported.
3.5.4 Subnetting Scenario 3 MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2 PC2 and PC5 are not implemented.
4.6.1 Routing Table Interpretation Lab MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
5.6.1 Basic RIP Configuration MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
5.6.2 Challenge RIP Configuration MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
5.6.3 RIP Troubleshooting MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
6.4.1 Basic VLSM Calculation and Addressing Design MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
6.4.2 Challenge VLSM Calculation and Addressing Design No equipment required.
6.4.3 Troubleshooting a VLSM Addressing Design MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
6.4.4 Basic Route Summarization CRP The topology varies slightly.
6.4.5 Challenge Route Summarization No equipment required.
6.4.6 Troubleshooting Route Summarization CRP The topology varies slightly.
7.5.1 RIPv2 Basic Configuration Lab MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2 PC1 is not implemented.
7.5.2 RIPv2 Challenge Configuration Lab MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2 PC2 and PC4 are not implemented.
7.5.3 RIPv2 Troubleshooting Lab MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2 PC2, PC4 and PC6 are not implemented
8.4.1 Scenario A Investigating the Routing Table Lookup Process MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
8.4.1 Scenario B Investigating the Routing Table Lookup Process MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
8.4.2 Show IP Route Challenge Lab Lab not supported.
9.6.1 Basic EIGRP Configuration Lab MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2 By using the CRP, you can use all four routers for this exercise. In this case the topology will vary slightly.
9.6.2 Challenge EIGRP Configuration Lab MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2 By using the CRP, you can use all four routers for this exercise. In this case the topology will vary slightly.
9.6.3 EIGRP Troubleshooting Lab MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
11.6.1 Scenario A Basic OSPF Configuration MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
11.6.1 Scenario B Basic OSPF Configuration MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
11.6.2 Challenge OSPF Configuration Lab MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
11.6.3 OSPF Troubleshooting Lab MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2
Skills Exam EIGRP MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2 Enabled separately.
Skills Exam OSPF MAP, MAP w/ASA, CRP or BRPv2 Enabled separately.