In Data Centers today there is one constant; perpetual change. That one element is what drives the limits of business and the foundational technologies that enable it. In a bold effort to keep pace with this concept of change, a very flexible and efficient Data Center is needed. A Data Center that can support scalable Layer 2 networks needed for high performance computing (HPC), resource pooling, workload flexibility and virtualization.

The truth is that today our Layer 2 domains are severely hampered by fundamental issues associated with their most basic governing element; spanning tree protocol (STP). In an effort to block links thus avoiding the creation of bridging loops STP is in effect limiting our scalability by creating bandwidth restriction. More often than not even the mechanism used by STP to converge can cause application disruption as STP maneuvers around failed links. This means that the typical approach to address this issue in most networks is to deploy smaller layer 2 domains with Layer 3 boundaries, thus affording STP more stability and scalability. This approach of scaling down the layer 2 domain however will not work in the Data Center because virtualization and HPC applications require larger Layer 2 domains in order to maintain server capacity and high availability in the same VLAN. This quandary was addressed with the creation of Cisco FabricPath.
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We are happy to announce that our CCNP Voice CIPT1 v8.0 is now complete and ready to be shipped. This product is fully finished after going through the initial development and beta testing phases. To learn more about our this product,  click HERE to chat with a Training Advisor. Don’t forget that all IPexpert Streaming Video Subscriptions can now be streamed on any iPAD, iPOD, or Android device!!

• Initial set up of a Cisco Unified Communications Manager cluster
• CUCM redundancy designs
• Requirements for CUCM use of SHCP, TFTP, DNS, and NTP
• Determine necessary services to support CUCM deployment
• Describe and configure CUCM to support on-cluster calling
• Configure a CUCM group
• Configure CUCM profiles and device pools
• Configure CUCM templates
• Auto-Registered Phones Support functionality
• Describe and configure route plan for CUCM to support off-net calling
• Configure route patterns
• Configure Route lists and route groups
• Implement toll-fraud prevention
• Describe and configure CUCM media resources
• Configure music on hold
• Configure Cisco Unified Mobility

Matt Just – IPexpert, Inc.

CCIE Candidates and Valued Clients,

I’d like to share a few links, created by industry-renowned CCIE Instructor Joe Astorino, that cover – and walk you through our latest and greatest product – the CCIE R&S Blended Learning Solution (BLS).  We’re extremely excited and proud of this latest product, which began shipping Friday. It’s been “in the works” for nearly 15 months and is now 100% completed – covering the latest CCIE R&S 4.0 topics. We *GUARANTEE* that you will not find a more completed, up-to-date, thorough, well-supported, and well-rounded product on the market – it’s absolutely unmatched anywhere in terms of the amount of material received, the professionalism of the interface and presentation and the support you will receive throughout your entire CCIE journey! Also, some great news for our Security and Voice clients – the Security BLS will completely ship *no later than* the 30th of THIS month (10 days from now) and the Voice BLS will ship on or before May 27th (less than 6 weeks away) -maybe, possibly sooner – so check back on our blog daily.

View IPexpert’s Blended Learning Solution (CCIE R&S 4.0) Demo Part 1

View IPexpert’s Blended Learning Solution (CCIE R&S 4.0) Demo Part 2

Regards – Wayne

IPexpert, Inc. Launches High-end Consulting Division

China, Michigan, March 31^st 2010 – IPexpert, Inc., a Michigan-based IT training company, announced today that it has launched a new division that will focus on high-end Cisco consulting services. Platinum Solutions Group, a sister company of IPexpert Inc, is a corporation formed by some of the world’s most distinguished and experienced Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts (CCIEs).

Platinum Solutions Group (PSG) provides high-end consultative services for small to medium business and enterprise-size corporations. Services consist of Planning, Designing, Implementing, Support, and Optimization of large-scale intra, and internetworks. PSG will also provide training for clients who require customized education. PSG will focus its efforts on the Data Center Virtualization, Network Security, Service Provider and Unified Communications arenas.

President of IPexpert, Wayne A. Lawson II, founded IPexpert in 2001, Proctor Labs, Inc. in 2005 and now Platinum Solutions Group, after becoming a CCIE and designing some of the world’s largest networks. “Our team consists of some of the world’s most experienced technical experts. It’s a natural evolution as we’re consistently asked to provide guidance and assistance to our students and their network design teams. We’re excited to offer a level of service that most consulting companies can’t match because of our high-end focus within the CCIE training space,” says Mr. Lawson.

About Platinum Solutions Group:

Founded in 2010, Platinum Solutions Group is a high-end consulting services company that provides technical services pertaining to Data Center Virtualization, Network Security, Service Provider and Unified Communication-enabled networks. For more information, please visit Platinum Solutions Group at www.platinumsolutionsgroup.com.

About IPexpert:

Founded in 2001, IPexpert is an industry-recognized, privately held, training company for computer networking engineers pursuing the highest level career certification offered by Cisco. The company has become a global leader serving its niche market, boasting the most distinguished offering of self-study products, courses and online hardware available for online equipment rental. IPexpert has appeared in Inc. Magazine’s annual list of the fastest growing private companies in America for the past two years. Please visit www.ipexpert.com for more information.

The team here at IPexpert would like to wish our Founder & President a “Happy 10-Year Anniversary”!  10 Years ago (tomorrow) Wayne A. Lawson II earned CCIE (R&S) #5244! Also, even though he’s been focused on running IPexpert for the past 9+ years, he has still been able to keep his CCIE status ACTIVE!

Lastly, we’d like to congratulate the following engineers on their accomplishment:

• Piotr Kaluzny CCIE #25665 (Sec)
• Willans Barboza CCIE #25629 (Sec)

If you’ve used IPexpert or Proctor Labs to help you pass the CCIE lab exam, we want to hear your story. Email us at success@ipexpert.com with your full name, CCIE number, track and testimonial and receive your free personalized (embroidered) polo shirt with your name, CCIE number, the CCIE track and the new CCIE logo on it!