This is the practical payoff. How do you connect your enterprise network to two different ISPs for redundancy? Jeremy covers:
In the world of internet routing, the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is the undisputed king. It is the glue that holds the internet together, governing how data packets travel between autonomous systems (ASes). For network engineers looking to move beyond basic routing protocols like OSPF or EIGRP, mastering BGP is a career-defining skill.
For over a decade, one name has been synonymous with engaging, effective, and high-energy Cisco certification training: Jeremy Cioara. And one course, in particular, remains a legendary resource for engineers tackling the now-retired but conceptually rich Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661 exam. Even if the exam code has changed, the foundational knowledge in the CBT Nuggets Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661 by Jeremy Cioara series remains a gold standard for learning BGP.
This article provides an in-depth review of the course, what it covers, why Jeremy Cioara’s teaching style is so effective, and how this legacy content can still help you master BGP for modern networks and certifications like CCNP Enterprise or CCIE.
As a study tool for the retired 642-661 exam: Fail (Obsolete).
As a conceptual introduction to BGP fundamentals: Pass with Honors.
Jeremy Cioara's BGP course is to networking what "The Godfather" is to movies—dated, long, and culturally specific, but the acting (teaching) is so good that it remains a masterpiece of its era. If you need to understand BGP path selection and neighbor relationships at a gut level, watch episodes 2, 4, and 7. If you need to pass a modern Cisco exam, go buy the current CBT Nuggets BGP series by Jeff Kish or Keith Barker.
Recommendation: Skip the $599 CBT Nuggets subscription for this specific old series. If you find a copy in a thrift store or a legacy library, watch it for fun. Otherwise, use Cisco's free whitepapers and EVE-NG labs for BGP study today.
The Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661 exam may be retired in the eyes of Cisco’s official certification roadmap, but the knowledge contained within Jeremy Cioara’s CBT Nuggets course remains the "Gold Standard" for anyone wanting to truly understand the backbone of the internet.
Whether you are a network engineer brushing up on service provider technologies or a student of the CCIE, this specific training series is legendary for its ability to turn one of networking's most intimidating protocols into something digestible and even fun. Why This Specific Series Matters
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is fundamentally different from IGP protocols like OSPF or EIGRP. It doesn’t just find the "fastest" path; it finds the path that aligns with business policies.
Jeremy Cioara is famous for his high-energy, whiteboard-heavy teaching style. In the CBT Nuggets BGP 642-661 series, he moves beyond simple command syntax. He explains the why behind BGP—why we use autonomous systems, how the internet stays stable, and how path attributes manipulate the flow of global traffic. Key Topics Covered in the Training
The course is structured to take you from a "BGP Novice" to a "Policy Architect." Here are the core pillars Jeremy covers:
BGP Fundamentals & Peering: Understanding the difference between Internal BGP (iBGP) and External BGP (eBGP), and the strict rules governing how they form neighbor relationships.
The BGP Table & Route Selection: This is the "meat" of the course. Jeremy breaks down the complex 13-step BGP best-path selection process (Weight, Local Preference, AS-Path, MED, etc.) using real-world analogies.
Policy Control with Route Maps: You learn how to use prefix lists and route maps to filter updates and influence how traffic enters and leaves your network.
Scalability (Reflectors & Confederations): In large networks, the full-mesh iBGP requirement becomes impossible to manage. This series explains how to scale using Route Reflectors and Confederations.
Connecting to the Internet: Real-world scenarios involving single-homed, dual-homed, and multi-homed connections to ISPs. The "Jeremy Cioara" Factor
What makes this CBT Nuggets series stand out from a dry technical manual is Jeremy's enthusiasm. BGP can be a "dry" subject involving thousands of lines of configuration. Jeremy uses his signature "doodles" and real-world stories from his time in the field to show you what happens when a BGP configuration goes wrong—and how to fix it. Is It Still Relevant?
While the 642-661 exam number has been replaced by newer CCNP Enterprise (ENARSI) and Service Provider (SPRI) exams, BGP itself hasn't changed. The core mechanics of the protocol—attributes, finite state machine, and path selection—are exactly the same today as they were when this course was filmed.
If you are looking for a foundational deep dive that makes the concepts "stick," this legacy CBT Nuggets series is still one of the best resources available. Final Thoughts
The CBT Nuggets - Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661 by Jeremy Cioara is more than just a certification prep tool; it’s a masterclass in internet routing. If you want to stop guessing what as-path prepend does and start feeling confident at the edge of your network, this is the series to watch.
Jeremy Cioara’s CBT Nuggets Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661 course provides comprehensive, high-energy training on Border Gateway Protocol fundamentals, path selection, and policy controls. While covering a legacy exam, the material is highly regarded for its real-world application and conceptual clarity in service provider-level routing. For an example of the teaching style, view the introduction on YouTube. IT Expert: Real World, Multi-Carrier BGP - CBT Nuggets
The CBT Nuggets Cisco CCIP BGP (642-661) series, taught by Jeremy Cioara, provides in-depth training on BGP fundamentals, path selection, and policy management for service provider environments, though the specific exam is retired. While the course is legacy, its focus on practical, real-world BGP configuration remains relevant for modern CCNP Enterprise and Service Provider certifications. Explore modern BGP training options at CBT Nuggets. Introductory Nugget: Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661
The Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661 course by Jeremy Cioara for CBT Nuggets is widely regarded as a legendary, high-energy introduction to one of networking's most complex protocols. While the CCIP certification is retired, the technical content remains a foundational resource for engineers needing to understand BGP in service provider and large enterprise environments. Key Highlights CBT Nuggets - Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661 By Jeremy Cioara
Highly Engaging Teaching Style: Jeremy Cioara is renowned for his infectious enthusiasm and ability to make dry technical topics—like bits and protocol headers—feel fun and interesting.
Strong Conceptual Grounding: The series is praised for its "easy to swallow" delivery, providing a solid mid-depth understanding of BGP without unnecessary "fat".
Focus on Real-World Application: Unlike courses strictly following exam blueprints, this series prioritizes how BGP works in practice, making it ideal for those working for service providers.
Clear Visuals: Cioara uses hand-drawn diagrams that help visualize complex path selection and neighborship processes. What to Watch Out For
Depth vs. Detail: While excellent for concepts, some reviewers find that CBT Nuggets courses can lack the minute technical details required for passing modern, high-level exams like the CCNP or CCIE without additional reading.
Legacy Context: Because the CCIP track was being redesigned at the time of release, this series deliberately focuses on BGP knowledge rather than specific certification requirements.
Supplementary Needs: It is highly recommended to pair these videos with labbing—such as GNS3—and an authoritative text like Jeff Doyle's TCP/IP Illustrated to master the protocol fully. Recommendation
This course is a must-watch for anyone new to BGP who finds traditional technical training too dry. It provides the "big picture" needed to then dive into deeper technical documentation. If you are looking for more current training, Jeremy also has a modern IT Expert: Real World, Multi-Carrier BGP course that covers contemporary implementations. Are you studying for a specific Cisco certification, or Introductory Nugget: Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661
The requested resource, "CBT Nuggets - Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661" featuring trainer Jeremy Cioara
, is a legacy IT training course originally designed to prepare students for a now-retired Cisco certification exam.
Here is the "story" behind this famous training series, exploring its context, the instructor's legendary style, and its lasting legacy in the networking community. 🌐 The Era of CCIP and BGP 642-661 In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Cisco offered the CCIP (Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional)
certification. It was the go-to credential for engineers working in Service Provider environments. The 642-661 exam focused entirely on BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)
—the routing protocol that glues the entire internet together. The Challenge:
BGP is notoriously complex, dealing with massive routing tables, intricate path attributes, and complex policy filtering. 🎙️ The Jeremy Cioara Factor
Enter Jeremy Cioara, one of CBT Nuggets' most beloved and energetic trainers. For many network engineers, Jeremy was the voice that got them through late-night study sessions.
Jeremy’s approach to the BGP 642-661 course became legendary for several reasons: Unmatched Enthusiasm:
Jeremy didn't just teach BGP; he lived it. He would frequently use phrases like or express genuine awe at how protocols worked. The "Living" Whiteboard:
Instead of death-by-PowerPoint, Jeremy used a digital canvas. He would draw messy, beautiful, real-time network topologies with neon colors, crossing things out and circling key concepts as he spoke. Real-World Relatability: He had a unique ability to take abstract concepts—like Local Preference
—and explain them using hilarious real-world analogies, like airport traffic control or sending mail through the post office. 🗺️ The Journey Through the Course
Watching the course felt like going on a guided expedition through the backbone of the internet: The Fundamentals:
Jeremy would start by explaining why we need BGP in the first place, scaling beyond the capabilities of OSPF or EIGRP. The Peering Dance:
He broke down the intricate handshake between eBGP and iBGP neighbors. The Power of Attributes:
This was the meat of the course. Jeremy would meticulously draw out how to manipulate traffic leaving and entering an Autonomous System. The Lab Scenarios: This is the practical payoff
He would frequently jump into live Cisco IOS command lines, making mistakes on purpose to show students how to troubleshoot real-world routing loops and dead ends. 🏛️ Legacy of the Course CCIP certification was retired
by Cisco (eventually evolving into the CCIE/CCNP Service Provider tracks) and the 642-661 exam is long gone, this specific course holds a nostalgic place in IT history.
Many veteran network engineers attribute their core understanding of internet routing to Jeremy's frantic whiteboard drawings and passionate explanations in this very series. It proved that highly complex, dry dry technical topics could be taught with joy, humor, and immense energy. explore current Cisco certifications that cover BGP today, or are you looking for active training resources for modern network engineering?
The CBT Nuggets Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661 course, taught by Jeremy Cioara, is a legacy training series designed to prepare network engineers for the BGP (Configuring BGP on Cisco Routers) exam, which was a core requirement for the now-retired Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP) certification. Course Overview & Instructor
Instructor: Jeremy Cioara, a well-known Cisco expert recognized for his energetic and "real-world" teaching style.
Focus: The series centers on the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), the primary routing protocol of the internet.
Target Audience: Specifically designed for service provider engineers or those managing large-scale enterprise connections to multiple ISPs. Core Training Topics
The course covers both foundational and advanced BGP concepts:
BGP Fundamentals: Manual neighbor configuration, autonomous systems (AS), and the 5-step BGP establishment process.
Path Selection: Deep dive into the BGP Best Path Selection algorithm, including metrics like Local Preference, AS Path Prepending, and MED.
Scalability & Management: Implementing Route Reflectors, Confederations, and Peer Groups to manage large networks.
Filtering & Policies: Using prefix lists, route maps, and community strings to control traffic flow.
Advanced Scenarios: Multihoming to different ISPs, private vs. public ASNs, and blackhole servers for DDoS mitigation. Current Status and Validity Introductory Nugget: Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661
The fluorescent lights of the data center hummed in a monotonous B-flat, a sound that usually soothed Network Engineer Mark. But tonight, the hum was mocking him.
On his laptop screen, a blinking cursor sat at the end of the command show ip bgp. The output was a chaotic jigsaw of asterisks and greater-than signs. Routes were flapping, the routing table was a mess, and the prefix-lists he had written looked less like logic and more like alphabet soup.
Mark groaned, rubbing his temples. He was studying for the Cisco CCIP certification, specifically the dreaded BGP 642-661 exam. He understood the basics—EBGP, IBGP, neighbor relationships—but the intricacies of the protocol were slipping through his fingers like sand.
"I just don't get the attribute manipulation," he whispered to the empty room. "Why is Local Preference overriding MED?"
He needed a lifeline. He opened a new tab and navigated to his training library. He clicked on the folder labeled: CBT Nuggets - Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661 By Jeremy Cioara.
He pressed play on the module regarding BGP Attributes and Path Selection.
Almost immediately, the tension in Mark's shoulders began to drop. On the screen, Jeremy Cioara appeared, sitting behind a desk, looking less like a distant professor and more like a cool, enthusiastic older brother who just happened to know everything about routing.
"Alright, nugget lovers!" Jeremy’s voice burst through the speakers, brimming with energy that the midnight oil had stolen from Mark. "Let’s talk about how BGP makes its decisions. Because if you think BGP is just routing, you’re wrong. It’s politics."
Mark chuckled. That was the magic of Jeremy. He didn't just teach syntax; he taught context.
On the screen, Jeremy pulled up the network topology. "Look at this. You have a route coming in from AS 100. It’s a fine route. A good route. But then, AS 200 sends you a route. BGP has to pick one. It doesn't use metrics like OSPF, folks. It uses a decision tree. It’s a beauty pageant." As a study tool for the retired 642-661
Mark leaned in. He paused the video and looked at his own messy configuration. He unpaused.
"Now, a lot of people get confused about where the weight fits in," Jeremy said, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Remember: Weight is Cisco-proprietary. It’s the bouncer at the club. It’s the first thing checked, and it’s only local to the router. You set the weight, you win. But what if you want to influence traffic leaving your AS? Then you need Local Preference."
Jeremy began drawing on the digital whiteboard, sketching out the flow of packets with bold, confident strokes. "Think of Local Preference as the 'Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.' Higher is better. If I tell my routers that the path through ISP A has a Local Pref of 200, and the path through ISP B is 100, traffic is going to flow through ISP A like water downhill."
Mark stopped the video. He looked at his topology. He had been trying to manipulate the MED (Multi-Exit Discriminator) to influence inbound traffic, but he had neglected Local Pref for outbound.
He opened his terminal. His fingers, previously hesitant, began to move with purpose.
route-map PREFER_ISP_A permit 10
match ip address prefix-list CRITICAL_TRAFFIC
set local-preference 200
He applied the route-map to the neighbor statement. He cleared the BGP process with a quick clear ip bgp * soft. He held his breath.
The screen scrolled lines of text. The routing table re-converged.
Mark typed show ip bgp again.
There it was. The asterisk and the greater-than sign were now firmly next to the route he wanted, via ISP A. The path selection had changed. The network was stable.
He switched back to the video. Jeremy was now explaining the concept of the "BGP Decision Process" using a hilarious analogy involving a grocery store checkout line and a guy named Bob.
"See," Jeremy said, grinning at the camera, "It’s not magic. It’s logic. Once you memorize the decision sequence—Weight, Local Pref, Locally Originated, AS Path, Origin Code, MED, eBGP over iBGP... you own the internet."
Mark felt a rush of adrenaline that usually followed a resolved outage. The confusion had evaporated, replaced by clarity. The 642-661 exam wasn't just about passing a test anymore; it was about mastering the plumbing of the internet.
He looked at the progress bar on the CBT Nuggets player. There were still modules on Route Reflectors and Confederations to go, topics that had terrified him yesterday. Now? He wasn't scared.
Jeremy wrapped up the video. "Go out there, configure those neighbors, and remember: The network is yours. Keep studying, keep labbing."
Mark closed the laptop. The data center still hummed in B-flat, but the chaos in his head was gone. He opened his notebook and wrote down the decision process from memory.
He smiled. He was ready for the exam. He had the Nuggets, and he had the logic.
The CBT Nuggets - Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661 course by Jeremy Cioara is widely regarded as a "gold standard" for learning the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), even though the specific CCIP (Cisco Certified Internet Professional) certification was retired years ago. Why the Content is Highly Rated
Enthusiastic Teaching Style: Jeremy Cioara is famous for his infectious energy and ability to make complex networking topics simple and fun to learn.
Deep Technical Concepts: The series provides a thorough understanding of BGP’s intricacies beyond just exam prep, focusing on how BGP functions as the "routing protocol of the internet".
Real-World Application: Despite being an older series, the fundamental concepts—like iBGP vs. eBGP, path selection (Local Preference, AS Path Prepending), and route filtering—remain essential for service provider and enterprise environments today.
Scalability & Design: It covers high-level ISP topics like route reflectors, confederations, and peer groups which are still critical for large-scale network stability. Course Content Overview Introductory Nugget: Cisco CCIP BGP 642-661
“Just because a neighbor sends you a route doesn't mean you have to accept it.” This module focuses on Prefix Lists, AS-Path Access Lists, and Regular Expressions (RegEx) for matching AS numbers.