Cisco Solutions for Remote Access

Specify Cisco products that best meet the connection
requirements for permanent or dial-up access WAN
connections.


Know the benefits and detriments of WAN connection types.


Select appropriate WAN connection for specific site
connection considerations.


Choose Cisco equipment that addresses the specific needs
of the WAN topology.


Identify the components necessary for WAN connections
such as Frame Relay and ISDN PRI from the central site to a
branch office.


Identify the requirements for ISDN connections.


Understand the placement of cable modem and DSL
technologies in Remote Access solutions.

As the computer industry has evolved, the number of access solutions
available to the network designer has also increased. Modern
networks require a substantial number of solutions to address the
wide array of industry needs. Corporations, home office users, and mobile workers all require
connectivity options that stress the divergent goals of cost control, bandwidth, and availability.
Cisco has greatly augmented its product line to address some of these needs. The material
covered in this book focuses on your ability to apply Cisco-centric solutions to the production
networks of today. Architects and designers should always evaluate all vendors’ solutions for
each problem that they face; however, there is some merit to coming up with a strategic solution
that maintains consistency along vendor and product lines. Many problems can arise from the
interoperability issues that can result from the use of multiple vendors.
This text focuses on two goals. As with other Study Guides, the ultimate goal is to provide
a substantial foundation of knowledge so you can successfully pass the Remote Access exam.
The second goal is to provide information that relates to the live production networks that you
will be challenged by every day. The benefit of this approach is that the live network experience
you will encounter while reading will help you attain certification, and the certification will in
turn provide you with a foundation to get experience with a live network.
This chapter begins with an overview of the fundamentals of remote access. In the first
section, you will learn about the various wide area network (WAN) connection types, WAN
encapsulation protocols, and how to select a WAN protocol. In the next section, you will
learn how to choose from among Cisco’s remote connection products. And, in the final section,
you will learn about WAN cabling and assembly issues. Developing a solid foundation
in these topics is an extremely important part of your preparation for Cisco’s Remote Access
exam, because it provides a framework for the subsequent chapters and the exam, not to mention
real-world applications.