Switching Commands not supported on NM-16ESW Module

As I mentioned before, I have a GNS3 lab on my laptop in which I'm using a Cisco 3725 with a NM-16ESW card.
As I am progressing through the chapters, I'll post all the commands that are not supported by it, in comparison with a regular layer3 switch.

Here's the list:

"switchport trunk encapsulation isl"
"switchport trunk encapsulation negotiate"
"switchport mode dynamic desirable|auto"
"switchport nonegotiate"
"show interfaces vlan {vlan-id}"
"show vlan" --> "show vlan-switch"
"show vlan id {vlan-id}" --> "show vlan-switch id {vlan-id}"
"show vlan brief" --> "show vlan-switch brief"
"show vlan name {vlan-id}" --> "show vlan-switch name {vlan-id}"
"ip route-cache cef", under interface configuration level.
"spanning-tree guard root", under interface configuration level.
"spanning-tree bpduguard", under interface configuration level.

When I write the arrow sign ( -->) it means: here's the command that replaces it.

VLANs Trunk shutdown from one side

I have two switches on which I created twoVLANs. There's also a trunk link between them.

I shutdown the trunk port on side A.

No more VLANs are detected on the local trunk port

However, side B’s trunk port is still untouched and it shows allowed VLANs on the trunk, as if nothing special has happened:

So even if the trunking seems to be OK on one switch, we should check the whole trunk across switches.

IBM Work Ethics. I'm Impressed !

I recently had the opportunity to work with an IBM network engineer. We wanted to check interoperability between old Nortel switches and Cisco 2960/3750 switches in terms of STP, RSTP and VLAN trunking.
Even I'm supposed to be his advisor in these Nortel switches, I was impressed by his learning abilites. We gave him the switch the last evening, and today he already plays with it better than me.
Besides, he was eager to learn and had quick responses to situations.
I loved the way we worked together. I was learning a lot and we were trying to push the features to their limits.
When I asked him about the casual 9-to-5 working hours, he replied that they don't have such a thing in IBM. You're free to come almost when you want and leave when you want, as long as you do the job on schedule. He said he often works late at night, managers are cool and the financial advantages are quite interesting.
This is the kind of jobs that I should be aiming at, in the future. But first, I need to become CCNP.

Useful Links to set up BCMSN Labs with GNS3

This lab will allow me to do most of the switching games of BCMSN exam. For example, I can enter the vlan database mode to configure VLANs. It's a deprecated feature but we need to know it, for the exam and for any situation that may imply legacy cisco switches.

Actually, I still don't know which switching features aren't supported in this "special" lab. But I'll figure it out along the road. And I'll keep you informed.
This is what I have:

• latest GNS3 version
• latest VPCS version
• Cisco c3725-adventerprisek9-mz.124-15.xx.bin, with xx>= T5 (don't ask me where I got it; Google is your best friend)
• Windows XP as a Vmware box

Here's the final result:


I checked actual CCNP labs for sale. Here's one I found on ciscokits.com:


It's 2,434$ only. two times my salary.

Isn't that beautiful? I have a mobile switching lab that costed me absolutely no penny. I can bring my laptop with me anywhere and still mess with my toys. Cool.
Thanks for the GNS3 and VPCS teams.

Material to be read:
gns3 tutorial (a pretty good document about GNS3 features)
Adding VPCS hosts to GNS3
Weather forecast in Tunisia; so that you know how you'll spend the weekend. just kidding

BCMSN Exam Guide - Errata

I often make sure to read the Errata before studying the book. It saves time, obviously.
Here's the link: BCMSN Exam Guide 4th Ed- Errata

BCMSN started

I'm studying the Cisco Student Guide vol1 right now. Here's the new techniques I 'm going to use:
- keep a sheet of my study time. I'm using an egg timer. During study, there's no facebook, no msn, no blogging; just me and the book.
- write mini-tutorials about the topics I find difficulties dealing with.

A motivational mini-movie

I liked this one. It says that we should enjoy our life more than accomplishing it.
http://www.simpletruths.tv/movies.php?movie=RMIT

Windows Live trick: Who blocked you?

This is useful for me to know who's interested in me and who's not. Well, I got a little shocked to see that there are many contacts that are blocking me:). I don't care, I'll just block them too :)
In your Windows Live main menu, go to Tools --> Options--> Privacy. You'll notice there are two columns of contacts. Those that are allowed, and those that aren't. Let's consider the first column.

If you right-click on a contact, there are two possible displays:
- the "delete" option is greyed. This means that the contact didn't block you,
-the "delete" option is available. This means that the contact has already blocked you.

Hmm. Time to reconsider who's a friend and who's not.