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6.11. Reflection Checkpoint

Key Takeaways

Before proceeding, ensure you can:

  • Configure and verify standard and extended ACLs for traffic filtering
  • Implement Layer 2 security features: port security, DHCP snooping, and DAI
  • Explain WHY defense in depth is essential—no single control provides complete protection
  • Configure device access security using local authentication and SSH
  • Distinguish between site-to-site and remote access VPN use cases

Connecting Forward

In Phase 7, you'll learn how to automate the security configurations you've mastered. Configuration management tools like Ansible can deploy ACLs consistently across hundreds of switches. REST APIs let you query device security status programmatically. The security controls become more effective when they're deployed consistently through automation.

Self-Check Questions

  1. An ACL denies all traffic when it should permit SSH (TCP 22) from a specific subnet. Using your knowledge of ACL processing order, what's the most likely configuration error?
  2. Port security is configured with maximum 2 and violation restrict. What happens when a third MAC address is learned, and how can you verify this occurred?
  3. Why would an organization choose TACACS+ over RADIUS for network device authentication, and what trade-off are they accepting?