Chapter 3 - section 3.1 - Explain the purpose of organizational processes and procedures.

section 3.1

Objective – Documentation, Lifecycle, Change, and Configuration Management

• Documentation
▸ Physical vs. logical diagrams
▸ Rack diagrams
▸ Cable maps and diagrams
▸ Network diagrams
▸ Layer 1
▸ Layer 2
▸ Layer 3
▸ Asset inventory
▸ Hardware
▸ Software
▸ Licensing
▸ Warranty support
▸ IP address management (IPAM)
▸ Service-level agreement (SLA)
▸ Wireless survey / heat map
• Life-cycle management
▸ End-of-life (EOL)
▸ End-of-support (EOS)
▸ Software management
▸ Patches and bug fixes
▸ Operating system (OS)
▸ Firmware
▸ Decommissioning
• Change management
▸ Request process tracking / service request
• Configuration management
▸ Production configuration
▸ Backup configuration
▸ Baseline / golden configuration

Documentation – Purpose

• Provides visibility into network design
• Supports troubleshooting and audits
• Required for change and lifecycle management
• Exam critical for N10-009

Diagrams – Physical vs. Logical

• Physical diagrams
▸ Show hardware placement and cabling
• Logical diagrams
▸ Show IPs, VLANs, routing, and traffic flow
• Both are required for full documentation

Documentation – Rack Diagrams

• Visual layout of rack-mounted equipment
• Shows device position and size (U)
• Helps with airflow and power planning
• Used during installation and upgrades

Documentation – Cable Maps and Diagrams

• Show cable paths and endpoints
• Identify port numbers and media types
• Reduce troubleshooting time
• Critical for large environments

Network Diagrams – Layer 1

• Physical layer view
• Cables, connectors, interfaces
• No IP or routing info
• Focus on connectivity

Network Diagrams – Layer 2

• Switching and VLAN topology
• MAC addressing and trunks
• Shows broadcast domains
• Important for troubleshooting loops

Network Diagrams – Layer 3

• IP addressing and routing
• Subnets and gateways
• Routing protocols and paths
• Used for traffic flow analysis

Asset Inventory – Overview

• Tracks network resources
• Supports budgeting and audits
• Required for lifecycle planning

Asset Inventory – Hardware

• Routers, switches, APs, firewalls
• Model, serial number, location
• Supports warranty and replacement

Asset Inventory – Software

• OS and application versions
• Patch levels
• Helps with vulnerability management

Asset Inventory – Licensing

• Tracks license type and expiration
• Prevents compliance violations
• Exam-relevant for enterprise networks

Asset Inventory – Warranty Support

• Vendor support contracts
• Replacement timelines
• Critical during outages

IP Address Management (IPAM)

• Centralized IP tracking system
• Prevents IP conflicts
• Tracks subnets and assignments
• Essential for IPv4/IPv6 networks

Service-Level Agreement (SLA)

• Defines expected service performance
• Uptime, latency, response time
• Used with ISPs and vendors
• Exam critical definition

Wireless Survey / Heat Map

• Visual RF coverage representation
• Identifies dead zones and interference
• Used during wireless planning
• Important for performance tuning

Lifecycle Management – Overview

• Manages devices from deployment to removal
• Reduces risk and downtime
• Supports budgeting and upgrades

Lifecycle – End-of-Life (EOL)

• Vendor stops selling product
• No new hardware availability
• Signals upcoming replacement need

Lifecycle – End-of-Support (EOS)

• Vendor stops updates and support
• No security patches
• High security risk
• Exam critical distinction from EOL

Software Management – Patches and Bug Fixes

• Fix security and performance issues
• Must be tested before deployment
• Reduces vulnerabilities

Software Management – Operating System (OS)

• Network device OS (IOS, JunOS, etc.)
• Must match hardware compatibility
• Updated during maintenance windows

Software Management – Firmware

• Low-level hardware control software
• Impacts performance and stability
• Often updated less frequently

Lifecycle – Decommissioning

• Secure removal of devices
• Data wiped or destroyed
• Licenses reclaimed
• Prevents security leaks

Change Management – Purpose

• Controls network changes
• Reduces unintended outages
• Required in enterprise environments

Change Management – Request Process Tracking

• Formal service request submission
• Approval and documentation
• Tracks impact and rollback plans
• Exam relevant process concept

Configuration Management – Overview

• Ensures consistent device settings
• Supports recovery and auditing
• Critical for stability

Configuration – Production Configuration

• Active running configuration
• Currently in use
• Must be documented and approved

Configuration – Backup Configuration

• Saved copy of device settings
• Used for recovery
• Stored securely and regularly updated

Configuration – Baseline / Golden Configuration

• Approved standard configuration
• Used for deployment and comparison
• Ensures consistency and compliance