Today we will take a quick look at some of the differences between the old CCNP BCSI and the new CCNP ROUTE (642-902) exam.

The first thing you will note is that most of the content has stayed the same. We generally find as Cisco does their various exam upgrades 85% of the core concepts stay the same and then they pepper in 15% or so of new concepts while removing some legacy items. The first thing you might notice as you review the blueprint is that Cisco has thrown in there the phrasing “given a network design and a set of requirements”. It seems like they are going to expect you to be able to really understand the underlying theory so you design and not just simply know how to configure the routers. So expect more scenario based questions.

Next you may also note the exclusion of ISIS and MPLS in this exam. ISIS is a protocol you will find more likely implemented in a Service Provider's space. So it will make sense to assume you will see ISIS on the Service Provider exam. MPLS on the other hand is more commonplace in the large corporate enterprise. So while you will also see it in a Service Provider's space, you may see it on the Service Provider exam and possibly the new SWITCH exam.

New ROUTE 642-902 Objectives

  • Determine network resources needed for implementing EIGRP on a network
  • Create an EIGRP implementation plan
  • Determine network resources needed for implementing OSPF on a network
  • Create an OSPF implementation plan
  • Document results of OSPF implementation and verification plan
  • Determine network resources needed for implementing eBGP on a network
  • Create an eBGP implementation plan
  • Document results of eBGP implementation and verification plan
  • Determine network resources needed for implementing IPv6 on a network
  • Create an IPv6 implementation plan
  • Document results of IPv6 implementation and verification plan
  • Create a redistribution implementation plan based upon the results of the redistribution analysis
  • Document results of a redistribution implementation and verification plan
  • Create a Layer 3 path control implementation plan based upon the results of the redistribution analysis
  • Document results of a Layer 3 path control implementation and verification plan
  • Implement basic teleworker and branch services
  • Describe broadband technologies
  • Configure basic broadband connections
  • Describe basic VPN technologies
  • Configure GRE
  • Describe branch access technologies

Changed ROUTE 642-902 Objectives

  • Create an EIGRP verification plan
  • Create an OSPF verification plan
  • Create an eBGP verification plan
  • Create an IPv6 verification plan
  • Create a redistribution verification plan
  • Create a Layer 3 path control verification plan

Removed ROUTE 642-902 Objectives

  • Describe the features and benefits of integrated IS-IS.
  • Configure and verify integrated IS-IS.
  • Configure and verify integrated IS-Describe IP Multicast (e.g., Layer-3 to Layer-2 mapping, IGMP, etc.).
  • Describe, configure, or verify IP multicast routing (i.e., PIM Sparse-Dense Mode).