This plan integrates the Pomodoro Technique and Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve to maximize retention and efficiency. It is structured into 3 phases: preparation, intensive learning, and review. The plan spans 6 weeks, with a focus on incremental learning, regular reviews, and hands-on practice.

Learning Goals

1. Master the Key Topics:

   • OSPF
   • IS-IS
   • BGP
   • Class of Service (CoS)
   • IP Multicast
   • Layer 3 VPNs
   • Layer 2 VPNs

2. Understand Junos Configuration:

   • Gain proficiency in configuring protocols and VPNs.

3. Pass JN0-664 Certification:

   • Achieve a strong understanding of the exam objectives and complete practice tests confidently.

Study Framework

1. Pomodoro Technique:

   • Work in 25-minute focused intervals with 5-minute breaks.
   • After every 4 sessions, take a 20-30 minute break.
   • Helps maintain focus and avoid burnout.

2. Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve:

   • Review material at specific intervals: after 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and before the exam.

Week 1: Mastering OSPF

Goal: Build a solid foundation in OSPF, focusing on its architecture, LSAs, neighbor relationships, and configurations.

Day 1: OSPF Overview

• Objective: Understand OSPF as a link-state protocol and its use in hierarchical networks.
• Tasks:
  1. Learn how OSPF uses the SPF (Shortest Path First) algorithm to calculate routes.
  2. Study the structure of OSPF areas, focusing on Area 0 (Backbone Area).
  3. Draw diagrams to visualize the concept of OSPF areas and their interconnections.
  4. Write notes explaining why hierarchical design reduces routing complexity.

Day 2: OSPF Areas and LSA Types

• Objective: Dive into OSPF areas and LSAs.
• Tasks:
  1. Study different area types (Backbone, Stub, Totally Stubby, NSSA) and their purposes.
  2. Understand the types of LSAs (Type 1 to Type 7), their roles, and how they propagate.
  3. Write detailed notes on when and where each LSA type is used.
  4. Solve practice questions focusing on area types and LSAs.

Day 3: OSPF Neighbor Relationships

• Objective: Master OSPF neighbor relationships and the DR/BDR election process.
• Tasks:
  1. Learn the states of the OSPF state machine (Down, Init, 2-Way, ExStart, Exchange, Loading, Full).
  2. Study the Designated Router (DR) and Backup Designated Router (BDR) election process in broadcast networks.
  3. Write a step-by-step explanation of how OSPF forms neighbor adjacencies.

Day 4: Hands-on OSPF Configuration

• Objective: Practice configuring OSPF on Junos devices.
• Tasks:
  1. Configure basic OSPF on multiple interfaces and assign them to specific areas.
  2. Enable and test MD5 authentication for OSPF neighbors.
  3. Use commands like show ospf neighbor and show ospf database to verify adjacencies and LSAs.
  4. Test different scenarios, such as adding or removing a router from an area.

Day 5: Review and Troubleshooting

• Objective: Consolidate knowledge and address weak areas.
• Tasks:
  1. Review notes and write summaries of OSPF concepts in your own words.
  2. Solve practice questions related to OSPF configurations and troubleshooting.
  3. Revisit lab exercises to reinforce understanding and test problem-solving skills.

Week 2: Understanding IS-IS

Goal: Gain a thorough understanding of IS-IS, its architecture, hierarchical levels, and configurations.

Day 1: IS-IS Basics

• Objective: Understand the role of IS-IS as a link-state protocol.
• Tasks:
  1. Study the differences between IS-IS and OSPF.
  2. Learn about IS-IS hierarchical levels: Level-1 (intra-area) and Level-2 (inter-area).
  3. Draw diagrams to visualize how IS-IS domains and levels function.

Day 2: LSPs and TLVs

• Objective: Master the structure and purpose of LSPs and TLVs.
• Tasks:
  1. Understand the role of LSPs (Link-State PDUs) in propagating topology information.
  2. Study common TLVs, such as IP Reachability TLV and Router Capability TLV.
  3. Practice interpreting TLVs in IS-IS outputs.

Day 3: Multi-Topology IS-IS

• Objective: Learn how IS-IS supports IPv4 and IPv6 using Multi-Topology IS-IS.
• Tasks:
  1. Study how Multi-Topology IS-IS enables dual-stack networks.
  2. Configure basic Multi-Topology IS-IS for IPv4 and IPv6 in lab scenarios.

Day 4: IS-IS Configuration

• Objective: Practice configuring IS-IS on Junos devices.
• Tasks:
  1. Configure IS-IS Level-1 and Level-2 areas on a simulated network.
  2. Enable authentication for IS-IS adjacencies.
  3. Verify configurations using commands like show isis adjacency and show isis database.

Day 5: Review and Testing

• Objective: Summarize IS-IS concepts and solve practice problems.
• Tasks:
  1. Write a summary of IS-IS concepts, focusing on TLVs, hierarchical levels, and LSPs.
  2. Revisit IS-IS configurations and test common troubleshooting scenarios.
  3. Solve IS-IS-related exam questions.

Week 3: Mastering BGP

Goal: Develop expertise in BGP attributes, sessions, and advanced configurations.

Day 1: BGP Basics

• Objective: Understand BGP attributes and their impact on path selection.
• Tasks:
  1. Study AS_PATH, NEXT_HOP, MED, and Local Preference in detail.
  2. Practice analyzing BGP routing decisions based on attributes.

Day 2: iBGP and eBGP

• Objective: Explore the differences and use cases for iBGP and eBGP.
• Tasks:
  1. Learn the rules for forming iBGP and eBGP sessions.
  2. Configure basic iBGP and eBGP sessions in a lab environment.

Day 3: Advanced BGP Topics

• Objective: Master Route Reflectors and MP-BGP.
• Tasks:
  1. Learn how Route Reflectors reduce the need for full-mesh iBGP.
  2. Study MP-BGP for supporting VPNv4, VPNv6, and IPv6 routing.
  3. Configure Route Reflectors in a lab.

Day 4: Hands-on BGP Configuration

• Objective: Practice advanced BGP configurations in a lab.
• Tasks:
  1. Configure BGP policies using Local Preference and MED.
  2. Set up MP-BGP for VPN and IPv6 routing.

Day 5: Review and Practice

• Objective: Solve BGP scenarios and strengthen understanding.
• Tasks:
  1. Solve complex BGP practice problems involving policy manipulation.
  2. Summarize BGP concepts in your own words.

Week 4: Advanced Topics – CoS and Multicast

Goal: Build expertise in Quality of Service (CoS) and IP Multicast.

Day 1: CoS Basics

• Objective: Understand traffic classification and scheduling.
• Tasks:
  1. Study DSCP, IP Precedence, and VLAN tags for traffic classification.
  2. Learn about queue management techniques like Strict Priority and WFQ.

Day 2: Traffic Shaping and Policing

• Objective: Master rate limiting and bandwidth management.
• Tasks:
  1. Learn how shaping and policing prevent congestion.
  2. Configure basic shaping and policing on Junos devices.

Day 3: Multicast Fundamentals

• Objective: Study PIM modes and multicast forwarding.
• Tasks:
  1. Understand PIM-DM, PIM-SM, and Source-Specific Multicast (SSM).
  2. Learn about the RPF check and its role in multicast routing.

Day 4: Multicast Configuration

• Objective: Configure multicast in a lab environment.
• Tasks:
  1. Set up PIM-SM and configure Rendezvous Points (RPs).
  2. Verify multicast traffic using commands like show pim neighbors.

Day 5: Review and Practice

• Objective: Consolidate knowledge and solve scenarios.
• Tasks:
  1. Solve CoS and multicast-related practice questions.
  2. Revisit lab setups to troubleshoot configurations.

Week 5: Layer 3 and Layer 2 VPNs

Goal: Master MPLS-based VPN technologies, including configurations.

Day 1: Layer 3 VPN Concepts

• Objective: Understand VRFs, RDs, and RTs.
• Tasks:
  1. Learn how VRFs isolate routing tables.
  2. Study the role of RDs and RTs in route differentiation and sharing.

Day 2: Layer 3 VPN Configuration

• Objective: Practice configuring Layer 3 VPNs.
• Tasks:
  1. Set up VRFs with unique RDs and RTs in a lab.
  2. Verify connectivity using show route table commands.

Day 3: Layer 2 VPN Concepts

• Objective: Learn about VPLS and pseudowires.
• Tasks:
  1. Study how pseudowires enable Layer 2 connectivity over MPLS.
  2. Compare VPLS with EVPN.

Day 4: Layer 2 VPN Configuration

• Objective: Configure VPLS and EVPN in a lab.
• Tasks:
  1. Set up pseudowires using LDP signaling.
  2. Verify connectivity between customer sites.

Day 5: Review and Practice

• Objective: Test knowledge of VPNs and configurations.
• Tasks:
  1. Solve VPN-related scenarios.
  2. Revisit and troubleshoot lab configurations.

Week 6: Final Review and Exam Preparation

Day 1: Review OSPF and IS-IS

Goal: Revisit the foundational link-state protocols, OSPF and IS-IS, focusing on concepts, configurations, and troubleshooting.

• Task 1: Review OSPF concepts.

  • Recap key topics: LSA types, area types (Stub, NSSA), SPF algorithm, and OSPF state machine.
  • Revisit your OSPF lab configurations and understand commands like show ospf neighbor and show ospf database.
  • Solve practice questions related to OSPF design and troubleshooting scenarios.

• Task 2: Review IS-IS concepts.

  • Revisit hierarchical levels (Level-1, Level-2), LSP structure, and common TLVs (e.g., IP Reachability, Router Capability).
  • Practice interpreting IS-IS database outputs using show isis database and show isis adjacency.
  • Solve IS-IS-related questions, focusing on TLVs and LSP behavior.

• Task 3: Compare OSPF and IS-IS.

  • Write a summary of the key differences and similarities between OSPF and IS-IS.
  • Create a quick-reference sheet for both protocols, highlighting their unique features and configurations.

Day 2: Review BGP

Goal: Reinforce your understanding of BGP, including attributes, session configurations, and advanced topics like MP-BGP and Route Reflectors.

• Task 1: Recap BGP path selection.

  • Review how BGP attributes like AS_PATH, NEXT_HOP, MED, and Local Preference influence routing decisions.
  • Solve questions that involve manipulating BGP attributes to control traffic flow.

• Task 2: Revisit iBGP and eBGP configurations.

  • Study key differences between iBGP and eBGP, focusing on session rules and loop prevention mechanisms.
  • Review your lab setups for iBGP full-mesh, Route Reflectors, and eBGP neighbor relationships.

• Task 3: Dive into MP-BGP and advanced features.

  • Revisit how MP-BGP supports VPNv4, VPNv6, and IPv6 routing.
  • Solve practice problems involving advanced BGP scenarios, such as configuring Route Reflectors or modifying traffic behavior using MED and Local Preference.

Day 3: Review CoS and IP Multicast

Goal: Strengthen your understanding of Quality of Service (CoS) and IP Multicast, focusing on real-world applications and troubleshooting.

• Task 1: Review CoS concepts and configurations.

  • Recap traffic classification methods (DSCP, VLAN tags) and queue management techniques (Strict Priority, WFQ).
  • Revisit your lab exercises for CoS, including traffic shaping and policing configurations.
  • Solve practice problems that involve configuring CoS policies in service provider scenarios.

• Task 2: Revisit IP Multicast basics.

  • Review PIM modes (Dense Mode, Sparse Mode, SSM) and the RPF (Reverse Path Forwarding) check.
  • Study your lab setups for PIM-SM, focusing on Rendezvous Points and group membership verification.
  • Solve multicast-related questions, ensuring you can configure and troubleshoot PIM-SM and SSM.

Day 4: Review Layer 3 and Layer 2 VPNs

Goal: Solidify your knowledge of MPLS-based Layer 3 and Layer 2 VPNs, including VPLS and EVPN.

• Task 1: Review Layer 3 VPN concepts.

  • Recap VRFs, RDs, and RTs. Understand their roles in isolating and sharing routes across customer sites.
  • Revisit your Layer 3 VPN configurations and verify your understanding of show route table and show bgp summary.

• Task 2: Revisit Layer 2 VPNs, focusing on VPLS and EVPN.

  • Review how VPLS emulates Layer 2 LANs over MPLS using LDP signaling and pseudowires.
  • Study EVPN’s advantages over VPLS, particularly its support for multi-homed sites and Layer 3 services.

• Task 3: Solve practice problems.

  • Configure a full Layer 3 VPN lab scenario with overlapping customer IP spaces.
  • Set up and troubleshoot a VPLS configuration, ensuring full connectivity between sites.

Day 5: Mock Test 1

Goal: Simulate the actual JN0-664 exam under real conditions and analyze your performance.

• Task 1: Take a timed mock test.

  • Allocate the same amount of time as the real exam (90 minutes).
  • Treat this test as if it’s the actual exam. Do not pause or use external references.

• Task 2: Analyze your results.

  • Identify areas where you struggled or answered incorrectly.
  • Revisit those topics and review your notes, labs, and practice problems.

• Task 3: Plan targeted improvements.

  • Create a list of weak areas and assign extra study sessions to address them.

Day 6: Mock Test 2

Goal: Take another mock test to improve your performance and refine time management skills.

• Task 1: Take another timed mock test.

  • Focus on improving your accuracy and speed based on lessons from Mock Test 1.

• Task 2: Review and refine.

  • Analyze your mistakes and ensure you fully understand the correct answers.
  • Summarize key takeaways and adjust your review strategy if necessary.

Day 7: Final Review

Goal: Perform a comprehensive review of all topics to ensure readiness for the exam.

• Task 1: Review all quick-reference sheets and notes.

  • Summarize each major topic (OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, VPNs, CoS, Multicast) into key points.
  • Use flashcards to reinforce your memory of Junos commands and concepts.

• Task 2: Revisit lab configurations.

  • Run through all your previous lab exercises, focusing on troubleshooting and verifying configurations.
  • Test scenarios involving multiple protocols (e.g., BGP over MPLS VPNs).

• Task 3: Prepare for exam day.

  • Ensure you are comfortable with the exam format and timing.
  • Relax and avoid overloading yourself with new information.