Introduction Zero Trust means never trust, always verify — identity, device posture, and contextual signals (time, location, app) must be evaluated before granting access to resources. Cisco ISE isn’t a full ZTNA gateway by itself, but it’s the policy decision point that tells enforcement points […]
Introduction Cisco TrustSec changes the game by letting us write security policies based on identity (SGT) instead of network constructs like IP or VLAN.The Policy Matrix is the central brain: a two-dimensional grid where rows = source SGT, columns = destination SGT, and each cell […]
Introduction Cisco TrustSec (CTS) is a next-generation access control framework that goes beyond traditional IP-based segmentation. Instead of relying on static VLANs and ACLs, it leverages Security Group Tags (SGTs) to dynamically classify traffic, enforce policies consistently across the enterprise, and scale security for modern […]
Introduction – The Power of Downloadable ACLs in Cisco ISE In modern enterprise networks, security is no longer about simply deciding who gets access — it’s also about controlling what they can do after they get access. This is where Downloadable ACLs (DACLs) in Cisco […]
![[Day 25] Cisco ISE Mastery Training: Dynamic VLAN Assignment in Wired Networks](https://networkjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Day-25-Cisco-ISE-Mastery-Training-Dynamic-VLAN-Assignment-in-Wired-Networks.png)
Introduction Dynamic VLAN Assignment (DVA) is a cornerstone capability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) deployments for wired networks. In traditional environments, VLANs are statically configured on switch ports — meaning every port is tied to a single network segment regardless of who plugs in. […]
![How Do Bridge Domains and EPGs Work Together in Cisco ACI?[CCNP Enterprise]](https://networkjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/How-Do-Bridge-Domains-and-EPGs-Work-Together-in-Cisco-ACI_networkjourney.png)
Today we’re going deep into a topic that often seems overwhelming at first but becomes incredibly exciting once you get the hang of it — Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure). When I first started exploring Cisco ACI in customer data center deployments, I found myself […]
![Security Zones Explained: From Flat Networks to Fortresses [CCNP ENTERPRISE]](https://networkjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/nj-blog-post-security-zone.jpg)
Let’s be honest. At some point, we’ve all created a flat network with just a few VLANs and thought — “Yeh toh kaafi secure hai.” Until… a misconfigured ACL or open port lets someone pivot from the user segment to your server VLAN — and […]
![VLAN Creation_Troubleshooting_Complete Hands-On Guide with EVE-NG Lab_[CCNP ENTERPRISE]](https://networkjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/VLAN-Creation_Troubleshooting_Complete-Hands-On-Guide-with-EVE-NG-Lab_networkjourney.png)
Everything seemed easy on paper until the first trunk port failed, and the whole lab collapsed. That’s when I realized: configuring VLANs is one part, troubleshooting them is another beast altogether. In this post, I’ll walk you through VLAN creation, CLI commands, real-world cases, and […]
![The Hidden Superpower of Routers – Master Virtual Routing & VRF Today [CCNP ENTERPRISE]](https://networkjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/The-Hidden-Superpower-of-Routers-–-Master-Virtual-Routing_VRF-Today_networkjourney.png)
I know how confusing “virtual routing” can sound when you’re just starting to dive deep into enterprise network architecture. Believe me, I’ve been there. When I first stumbled upon concepts like VRF and virtual routers, I thought, “Is this just another fancy way to complicate […]
![VRF Lite Explained: Real-World Use Cases, Commands & Troubleshooting [CCNP Enterprise]](https://networkjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/VRF-Lite-Explained_networkjourney.png)
If you’ve ever wondered how service providers keep customer traffic completely isolated even when using the same physical network, or how enterprises segment their internal departments securely, let me introduce you to a real game-changer:VRF Lite. As someone who’s helped countless students and professionals scale […]
