Cisco DESGN 2.1: Identifying WAN Technology Considerations

The enterprise edge connects campus resources to remote enterprise locations using many of the WAN technologies existing today, as well as will use the new technologies that are constantly emerging. The enterprise edge can include the WAN, Internet connectivity, and remote access and virtual private network (VPN) modules. To connect to remote locations, you need to use WAN technologies and WAN transport media and to consider ownership, reliability, and backup issues. In addition, WAN remote access choices include cable and DSL technologies that are used with virtual private networks (VPNs). This course explains the role of a WAN, the characteristics of the WAN technologies, and the requirements for achieving a reliable and efficient WAN design.

• Describe the basic characteristics of a WAN
• Match the features of WAN transport technologies appropriately
• Classify the features of WAN transport technologies
• Describe the influence enterprise edge requirements have on the WAN design process
• Recognize how classification and marking improve link utilization
• Recognize how queuing algorithms improve link utilization
• Recognize the role of traffic shaping and policing in improving link utilization