Breakout Sessions
Technical Breakout Sessions are the foundation of Cisco's annual training program and are updated each year based on feedback and advances in the IT and communications industry. Technology Breakout Sessions are led by Cisco experts, partners and customers and are 100% focused on today's most important and innovative technologies for service provider, enterprise, government, and small and midsized business networks.
At Cisco Networkers 2008 you can choose from over 100 unique breakout sessions, all delivered by senior Cisco engineers, Cisco Technology leads and Cisco Partners.
Breakouts will be organised by technology session groups; all session groups will provide a range of introductory through advanced-level courses covering the design, deployment, and troubleshooting of key network technologies. Sessions will focus on critical topics for both enterprise and service provider networks. Each Technology Breakout Session provides the latest and most relevant information so you can immediately apply it when you return to your workplace.
Explore the Content Catalogue!
Technology Tracks
Application Optimisation Technologies
Data Centre
Enterprise Campus and Wireless Networks Evolution
IP & MPLS Infrastructure Evolution
Management and Operations
Mobility
Security
SP NGN Architectures and Technologies
Unified Communications Technologies
Application Optimisation Technologies
The Application Optimisation Technologies Session Group (APP) is a technical session group offering that provides attendee with detailed information on how applications interact with the network and how intelligent services in the network can significantly improve the performance of applications. It covers basic protocols, architectures how to scale applications and technologies how to improve the delivery of content over real life networks that include bandwidth limitations and latency.
This session group offers this program in technical breakout sessions, Techtorial sessions and even hands-on Lab sessions.
Data Centre
The Data Centre track will explore issues like infrastructure simplification and flexibility through consolidation and virtualisation, business continuance and policy-based automation of application provisioning that are enabled though an intelligent network fabric connecting all components of the next generation Data Centre.
A paradigm shift in compute power provisioned through clustered high-density commodity servers, e.g., blade servers, creates unprecedented opportunities for high performance computing applications, utility computing and database clustering in the Data Centre.
The sessions in this track will focus on Cisco's Data Centre architecture and solutions that are built around three interconnected pillars:
- an Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet-based front end IP infrastructure with integrated security and application optimisation services
- a virtualised back end Storage Area Network Fabric using director-class Fibre Channel and iSCSI switches
- a very low latency Server interconnect fabric built with InfiniBand switches.
Each of these technology areas will be addressed by long-term subject matter experts from the US and EMEA. All expert speakers will be available for Meet the Expert sessions.
The Data Centre Track is targeted for Enterprise IT managers, Network Architects, System Integrators and Data Centre Storage managers.
Most sessions assume a basic understanding of a combination of routing and switching, storage networking, application environments and server architectures. For those new to these technologies we suggest attending the Data Centre Techtorials or visit the Cisco Networkers on-line portal which hosts a number of introductory sessions. Product knowledge is not needed, unless specifically stated in the session abstract or prerequisites.
Enterprise Campus and Wireless Networks Evolution
The Campus and Wireless Evolution track will explore emerging network technologies and new applications that are creating opportunities for new Campus Network Services to deploy innovative business solutions. This track offers 11 breakout sessions tailored for Enterprise Campus Network Architects, Systems Integrators and Security Administrators addressing the most critical elements of Campus Networking.
The in depth technical sessions in this track will focus on Cisco's best design practices for Multilayer Campus and Wireless Campus architectures; demonstrate how to best configure and deploy the most recent networking technologies around "Fast Convergence and High availability", "Campus Network Segmentation and Services Virtualisation", and "Quality of Service". These sessions will explore alternative deployment scenarios with examples, especially around applications of new technology to the services offered in the campus network. The track will also incorporate a strong focus on Security in different domains such as Wireless Campus Security and Prevention of Layer 2 Attacks. Cisco recommendations and solutions that best address these Security challenges in Campus Networks will be exposed and covered in great detail.
The Enterprise Campus and Wireless Networks Evolution Track is tailored for Network Architects, Network Engineers and System Integrators with a background in IP routing, switching or wireless technologies and a strong interest in the next generation Enterprise Campus.
IP & MPLS Infrastructure Evolution
Sessions within the IP and MPLS Infrastructure Evolution (IPME) track are ideal for anyone who is responsible for the deployment, maintenance or ongoing development of IP and MPLS based networks. The complimentary range of Techtorials and Breakout Sessions cover a broad array of core IP and MPLS networking technologies in both LAN and WAN environments. Among the many subjects covered key topics include; advanced routing techniques, high availability, VPNs, quality of service, multicast and IPv6.The sessions address the latest developments and deployment techniques that are aimed at increasing the performance and efficiency of both Enterprise and Service Provider networks.
The speakers within the IPME track are some of the most talented experts in their respective fields with knowledge drawn from many years of experience designing, developing and deploying the most advanced IP and MPLS infrastructures.
Whether your need is for an update on the latest innovations or detailed information to help you to exploit your existing infrastructure the IP and MPLS Infrastructure Evolution track will have something to offer you.
Management and Operations
The Management and Operations track is focused on getting more value out of your network by using innovations in network management technology. This track includes exciting developments and in-depth sessions on DNS Security, Data Centre Diagnostics and Congestion Management, Network Planning, Ethernet OAM, Best Practices for Event Correlation, EMS systems for Quad-play networks. These are complemented with Panel sessions covering diverse topics such as Inventory management and Case studies.
In depth one day Techtorials each with a lab component will take a deep-dive into topics such as Unified Communications Management, Operational Lifecycle of MPLS networks, Ethernet OAM and Designing for Manageability by leveraging the network's device manageability instrumentation features.
Lab sessions on NMS topics give a perfect introduction to gain practical experience in IP SLA, Cisco Works LMS 3.0 and MPLS OAM.
Learn from the experts! The speakers in this track include Distinguished Engineers, experts from Cisco TAC, Engineering and Consulting Engineering. These speakers will be available for Meet the Expert sessions throughout the event.
Most sessions assume a basic understanding of Network Management technology. For those new to this technology we suggest either attending the relevant Techtorial or visit the Cisco Networkers on-line portal which hosts a number of introductory sessions. Product or specific technology knowledge is not needed, unless specifically stated in the session abstract or pre-requisites.
This track is for you if you are responsible for designing, maintaining or troubleshooting your Network either as a Service Provider Enterprise.
Look out too for Management breakouts in the following tracks: IP NGN, and Unified Communication Technologies tracks.
Mobility
The Mobility Track is aimed at existing and future users, as well as providers, of mobility services in the Public Sector, Transportation Industry, Wireless and Wire line Service Providers. Associated sessions on Wireless LAN technologies are included in the "Campus and Wireless evolution" Track, and Core Mobile Service Providers technologies are addressed in the SP Access and Aggregation Track.
The Mobility Track will explore Cisco's Mobility vision where IP is considered the glue between all existing and future access technologies and the application world. The sessions in this Track will focus mainly on the Public Sector, Transportation Environments and Mobile Service Providers Challenges.
Of particular relevance to Public Sector are sessions covering outdoor wireless coverage technologies, Mobile IP as a technology and market enabler for connected vehicles, and new IP appliances.
Mobile Service Providers Security challenges will be addressed, including ITP SS7/IP translation mechanisms and business opportunities. In addition there will be an update on MSP challenges in building an appropriate IP Core, optimising RAN aggregation over IP and facing new services as video delivery.
Security
The Security track will provide an in-depth exploration of network and application security. Session will focus on issues like advanced IPsec/SSL VPN, network infrastructure protection as well as introductions to new concepts like anti-spam and GET VPN.
The track is both for enterprise and for service providers. The former will find sessions about host based IPS, anti-virus, spam-fighter, IPsec and SSL VPN. The later will find sessions on how to protect the network infrastructure, DoS attacks ... Of course, enterprise attendees will also find SP sessions interesting and vice-versa.
Other security related sessions are also available in other tracks such as Data Centre, Application Optimisation Technologies, Unified Communication Technologies,Campus and Wireless Evolution.
The attendees are expected to have a basic knowledge of security or attend the techtorial 'Security for the Enterprise Network Engineer'. For some sessions, understanding networks and applications will also help in getting the most of the sessions.
Please note that there is some overlap between the breakout sessions and the security techtorials (the overlaps are well indicated in the techtorial abstracts).
SP NGN Architectures and Technologies
The SP NGN Track is going to cover all aspects of IP NGN networks, including services, architectures, enabling technologies and standards as well as evolution and convergence. A particular focus is kept on the service's side, providing a deep understanding of the way the NG Networks can be efficiently controlled and managed to enable current and future services for both residential and business customers.
From an architectural perspective, the evolution of Core and aggregation networks are covered, with particular focus on IP MPLS and IP over DWDM in the Core, on Carrier Ethernet and convergence aspects in the aggregation.In the field of broadband access the hottest new technologies - Fiber to the Home, Wireless LAN, WiMAX are treated in great detail. Specific sessions are dedicated to triple-play, Video and Mobile architectures as well as to SP Voice and Fixed Mobile Convergence scenario's.
These sessions are targeted for Service Provider representatives and System Integrators, responsible for network architecture and evolution, focussing on broadband access and aggregation, on convergence and next gen service architectures, for both residential and business services.
To gain maximum benefit from the presentations a good knowledge of the fundamentals of Service Provider networks and service delivery concepts is required.
Unified Communications Technologies
The Unified Communications technologies track covers voice and video technologies and related applications like Contact centres and Unified messaging. This track was previously known as the voice and video technologies (VVT) track but was renamed as Unified Communications more and more goes beyond voice and video. The main focus is on Enterprise technologies: Service Provider related topics are represented in the IP NGN Architectures and Technologies track.
This track is designed for technical professionals who are responsible for the deployment, maintenance or ongoing development of IP based Unified Communications networks. It will give you an up-to-date overview of what current and future possibilities are, provide you with practical advice and real-life examples and offers a great opportunity to interact with our experts. Amongst others, we will address relevant protocol developments (e.g. SIP, SIMPLE), design best practices (e.g. dialplan and video design, security) and updates on recent developments (e.g. fixed mobile convergence, presence, dial plan and Cisco Unified Communications Manager 6.0).
Most sessions assume a basic understanding of voice or video technologies. For those new to these technologies we suggest either attending the relevant Techtorial or visit the Cisco Networkers on-line portal which hosts a number of introductory sessions. Product knowledge is not required, unless specifically stated in the session abstract or prerequisites.
Session Level Descriptions
L1: Introductory. These sessions are intended for the most basic, beginner-level audience. No prerequisites are assumed, and no prior knowledge of the subject matter is expected of the audience for a full understanding of the session content.
L2: Intermediate. These sessions are intended for a technical audience who have some knowledge of the subject matter but who need additional information on the technology, architecture, protocol, design, deployment or troubleshooting details. There is an assumption of prerequisites or recommended sessions for Intermediate level sessions (which are defined in the session detail and listed in the session abstract).
L3: Advanced. These sessions are intended for a very technical audience. The session content is focused on fine detail, therefore a thorough understanding of the intermediate level technical detail on a particular subject is assumed and expected for the audience to gain any benefit from an advanced level session. There is an assumption of prerequisites or recommended sessions for Advanced level sessions (which are defined in the session detail and listed in the session abstract).