Ping Labz

CCNP-level networking tutorials — OSPF, STP, 802.1X, and BGP explained with real lab configs and topology diagrams.

IPv4 vs IPv6: The Real Differences

IPv4 vs IPv6 in 2026. Header differences, ARP vs Neighbor Discovery, SLAAC vs DHCP, NAT vs end-to-end, and dual-stack as the migration reality.

5 min read Apr 26, 2026

IPv6 public

IPv6 Address Format Explained Byte by Byte

IPv6 addresses are 128 bits as eight groups of four hex digits. The two compression rules, prefix notation, EUI-64 interface IDs, special addresses, and worked examples.

4 min read Apr 26, 2026

HSRP public

HSRP vs VRRP vs GLBP: Choosing the Right FHRP

HSRP, VRRP, and GLBP all solve first-hop redundancy with different trade-offs. The side-by-side comparison, when each wins, failover times, and migration paths.

4 min read Apr 26, 2026

GLBP public

GLBP for Active/Active Load Balancing

GLBP (Gateway Load Balancing Protocol) is Cisco's load-balancing FHRP. AVG, AVFs, three load balancing methods, configuration, and when GLBP is actually the right answer.

4 min read Apr 26, 2026

VRRP public

VRRP Explained: The Vendor-Neutral FHRP

VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol, RFC 5798) is the vendor-neutral FHRP. How it works, master election, IP address owner trap, vs HSRP, Cisco IOS XE configuration, and tracking.

5 min read Apr 26, 2026

MPLS public

Cisco MPLS Configuration on IOS XE

Cisco MPLS configuration on IOS XE: enabling MPLS forwarding, LDP, LDP-IGP sync, VRFs for L3VPN, and MP-BGP between PEs. With a complete PE config example.

5 min read Apr 26, 2026

MPLS public

MPLS L3VPN with MP-BGP and VPNv4

MPLS L3VPN architecture: VRFs, Route Distinguishers, Route Targets, MP-BGP for VPNv4, the two-label stack, PE-CE routing, and the Cisco IOS XE configuration.

7 min read Apr 26, 2026

MPLS public

LDP and MPLS Label Distribution

LDP (Label Distribution Protocol) distributes MPLS labels across the network. Discovery, session establishment, distribution and retention modes, LDP-IGP sync, and Cisco IOS XE configuration.

5 min read Apr 26, 2026

MPLS public

MPLS Labels Explained: Format, Stacking, and Penultimate Hop Popping

MPLS labels byte-by-byte: 20-bit label, EXP/TC, S bit, TTL. The label stack model, reserved labels, Penultimate Hop Popping, TTL handling, and what labels look like in Wireshark.

5 min read Apr 26, 2026

EIGRP public

EIGRP Stub Routing for Hub-and-Spoke

EIGRP stub routing makes hub-and-spoke topologies scale. The five stub options, query suppression, DMVPN integration, and the production patterns for branch deployments.

5 min read Apr 26, 2026

EIGRP public

EIGRP vs OSPF: When to Use Each

EIGRP vs OSPF in 2026. The technical differences, the convergence story, vendor reality (EIGRP is still Cisco-only in practice), and the design implications for new vs existing networks.

5 min read Apr 26, 2026

EIGRP public

EIGRP Configuration on Cisco IOS XE: Classic and Named Mode

EIGRP configuration on Cisco IOS XE: classic mode, named mode, network statements, passive-interface default, summarization, HMAC-SHA-256 authentication, and the production template.

6 min read Apr 26, 2026

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