Composite Exam

The Composite exam (642-891) is the quickest way for currently certified Cisco Certified Network Professionals (CCNP®) and Cisco Certified Design Professionals (CCDP®) to obtain recertification. The exam tests skills and knowledge pertaining to the Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI) and Building Cisco Managed Switched Networks (BCMSN) courses. Composite may be taken to recertify CCNP and CCDP certifications; it may also be taken in place of the BSCI and BCMSN exams required for CCNP and CCDP certifications. Candidates must successfully pass both routing and switching subsections of the Composite exam to successfully pass the exam.

The following information provides general guidelines for the content likely to be included on the Cisco Composite Exam. However, other related topics may also appear on any specific delivery of the exam.

Describe and implement advanced IP addressing technologies

• Describe IPv6 addressing implementation
• Design a hierarchical IPv4 addressing scheme using VLSM and route summarization

Describe and implement IP routing principles

• Configure default routing on a Cisco router
• Describe RIPv2 characteristics and operations
• Configure and verify RIPv2 operations

Describe and implement Cisco IOS advanced routing features

• Describe and configure route redistribution among different IP routing IGPs
• Describe and configure route-maps
• Describe and configure route filtering using distribute-lists
• Configure passive interface to control routing updates
• Configure policy-based routing to implement source-based routing

Describe and implement EIGRP

• Describe DUAL and EIGRP operation, features, and benefits
• Configure and verify EIGRP routing
• Configure advanced EIGRP features for scalable networks

Describe and implement OSPF

• Describe SPF calculation and OSPF operation, features, and benefits
• Configure and verify OSPF routing
• Configure and verify OSPF area parameters including STUB, NSSA, Totally Stubby, Backbone, and virtual links

Describe and implement integrated IS-IS

• Describe the foundational concepts, features, and benefits of integrated IS-IS operation
• Describe and configure NET addressing
• Configure and verify multi-area integrated IS-IS

Describe and implement BGP for enterprise ISP connectivity

• Describe the foundational concepts of eBGP and iBGP
• Configure and verify BGP operation
• Manipulate BGP path selection using Local Preference and MED attributes

Describe and implement Spanning Tree operation in a hierarchical network

• Describe and configure Spanning Tree, Rapid Spanning Tree, PVST+, PVRST, and MSTP
• Describe and configure Spanning Tree enhancements
• Configure link aggregation using PAgP or LACP
• Identify a Spanning Tree topology and verify operation

Describe and implement VLANs

• Describe best practices for VLAN implementation in the Enterprise Composite Model
• Describe and configure VLANs including, Native, Static, and Voice (Aux)
• Describe and configure VTP to distribute VLAN information
• Implement a voice VLAN (i.e. trust boundary and Catalyst queuing)
• Verify VLAN implementations

Describe and implement High Availability technologies and techniques

• Describe Spanning Tree behavior in high availability environments
• Implement 802.1s (MSTP) or PVRST for High Availability multi-layer switch environments
• Describe and configure gateway redundancy protocols (e.g. HSRP and GLBP)
• Verify High Availability configurations

Describe and implement InterVLAN routing

• Describe and configure Inter-VLAN routing in a LAN environment
• Describe the operation of CEF in a multi-layer switch environment
• Describe and configure SVI and routed ports on Catalyst switches
• Verify InterVLAN routing implementations

Describe and implement multicast forwarding

• Describe and configure IP multicast routing in a LAN environment using PIM-SM/DM/Sparse-Dense Mode
• Describe and verify IGMP and IGMP snooping on a Catalyst switch
• Describe multicast IP addressing to include Layer-3 to Layer-2 mapping
• Verify multicast operations

Describe and implement security features in a switched network

• Describe and configure VACLs, PACLs, Private VLANs, Port Security, and 802.1x.
• Describe and configure AAA
• Verify security implementations

Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI) and Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN) are both recommended training for this exam.

Courses listed are offered by Cisco Learning Partners—the only authorized source for Cisco IT training delivered exclusively by Certified Cisco Instructors. Check the List of Learning Partners for a Cisco Learning Partner nearest you.

A variety of Cisco Press Self-Study titles are available for this exam. These titles can be purchased at the Cisco Marketplace, directly through Cisco Press, or wherever you purchase technical books.