Designing Advanced HPE Networking Campus Access Architect Solutions v26.21 (DACAAS)

Welcome to this week's class

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• Lab Notes
• webgate: how to copy and paste while doing the labs

Today's Notes:

• SSID: to-be-determined
• password: see whiteboard in class

Day 1 - Lecture Modules & Labs

M01: Update and Existing Network

 

Lab 1 - Design a Campus Network Upgrade

• 1-1: Understand the client’s objectives and requirements
• Read RFP (Don't read the addendum yet)
• 1. What are the key objectives for this customer?
• 2. Submit questions to collect missing details.
• Read RFP Addendum
• 3. Evaluate your performance by comparing your question list to the addendum questions and answers.

• 1-2: Build a high-level design
• Analyze the customer requirements
• Make decisions for the high-level architecture
• 1. How many wireless users and clients must be supported?
• 2. Justify if Gateways are being recommended.
• 3. Justify your recommend of how to meet security requirements.

• 1-3: Plan the Solution in IRIS
• APs and Access Layer switches
• Uplinks and Aggregetion Layer Switches
• Add components for management and security

• in IRIS:
• Create a separate site for each building
• Design each closet in its own Design Group
• Use quantity multipliers for identical components such as APs
• Use quantity multipliers for to multiply each closet for identical floors
• Draw connections between components

1. Which AP model(s) do you recommend?
2. Estimate the number of APs you need for each building.
3. Elaborate your AP design for at least one floor in Floor Plan.
4. If using GWs, select a model and cluster size, at to IRIS.
5. Select appropriate AOS-CX Switches add to IRIS.
6. Setup Access Layer VSF stacks for the Administration & Library buildings in IRIS.
7. Validate VSF stack PoE budget in IRIS.
8. Select transceivers and Connect VSF Stacks to Core/Agg layer(s).
9. Formalize your fiber connection upgrade recommendation between buildings.
10. Add all other required components. (Mgmt, subscriptions, support training, spares)
11. Finalize (draw all connections, export quotation & block diagram)

• 1.4: Present your solution
• Adopt a Stakeholder Mindset:
• Treat this proposal not just as a technical review, but as a defining executive interview.
• Understand the emotional and financial stakes of the client.
• Your tone must balance authoritative expertise with collaborative partnership.
• The "Stress-Test" Lecture Method:
• Do not just practice tomemorize; practice to adapt.
• Run through your presentation aloud multiple times, intentionally pausing at every major architectural decision (e.g., your gateway recommendation or VSF stack PoE budget) to challenge your own logic.
• Build an Adversarial Q&A Matrix:
• As you practice, maintain a running list of the hardest possible questions the customer could ask.
• Formulate precise, data-driven answers for friction points, such as:
• "Why did you recommend this specific AP model over a lower-cost alternative?"
• "How does your design account for unexpected client density spikes in the Library building?"
• "What is the fallback mechanism if a VSF stack member fails?"
• Conduct Blind Simulations:
• Record your lecture or present it to a peer who acts as a skeptical technical auditor.
• Practice handling sudden interruptions or demands to pivot directly to the financial quotation.
• Refine the Narrative Arc:
• Ensure your presentation seamlessly links back to the core objectives discovered in Section 1-1.
• Every hardware component added in IRIS must feel like a direct, undeniable solution to a specific business risk or operational requirement.

Day 2 - Lecture Modules & Labs

M02:  Design a VHD Network 

Lab 2 - Design a Wi-Fi Network

• 2-1: Collect More Information
• Read RFP (Don't read the addendum yet)
• Create a list of missing details.
• Read RFP Addendum
• Evaluate your performance by comparing your question list to the addendum questions and answers.
• Would you recommend Cat6A over the existing Cat6?

• 2-2: Analyze Needs and Make Architecture Decisions
• Plan high level AP placement and mounting.
• How will you manage co-channel interference?
• Justify if Gateways are being recommended, what model?
• What SSIDs are Wireless security measure do you recommend?

• 2-3: Architect the Solution
• For each area, recommend AP / Antenna model.
• How many APs do you recommend?
• What other components do you recommend for the Wireless Network?

• Plan the wired network, for each area:
• Which switch model will you recommend?
• How many switches and what accessories are required?

• What recommendations do you make the wiring design between areas of the venue?

• What do you recommend for meeting the customer’s security requirements?
• You do not need to plan detailed security policies but you should indicate the general features that you plan to recommend.

• What additional subscriptions should you add to the solution?

• Give the customer some high-level tips about the logical design.

• 2-4: Present your solution
• Use the same technique as in 1-4.

Appendix

• Lab Access Errata

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