This page shows in one place what I’ve built in the lab and what comes next. The map below follows a path (left to right on wide screens, top to bottom on phones): filled circles are done, dashed ones are next, dotted ones are for later. Plans can change.
DoneNextLaterClick a stop to jump to its description below.
Labs
Certifications
What I’ve done
Labs I turned into posts:
LDP Configuration - Nokia SR OSDoneBuilding an LSP transport tunnel between PEs with LDP over OSPF: label distribution and the push / swap / pop logic.
Command ComparisonDoneBasic commands side by side for Cisco IOS, Huawei VRP and Nokia SR OS.
Next
The upcoming labs, in rough order:
Nokia VPLSNextFinish the VPLS post sitting in drafts: SDP, service id and MAC learning.
Two-customer isolation on HuaweiNextSeparate two customers using the same IP blocks with RD/RT. The Huawei counterpart of what I did on Nokia.
OSPF and eBGP between PE and CENextDynamic routing on the customer side instead of static routes, inside the VRF.
IS-IS underlayNextBuild the backbone with IS-IS instead of OSPF and compare the two.
Hub-and-spoke VPRNNextA customer topology that goes through a hub, using route targets.
Later
Not their turn yet, but on the list:
RSVP-TE and LSPsLaterHow it differs from LDP, and the traffic-engineering side.
Segment Routing (SR-MPLS)LaterLabel distribution with SR instead of LDP.
EVPN/VXLAN comparisonLaterThe same service built side by side on Nokia and Huawei.
BGP route reflectors and attributesLaterRoute reflectors instead of a full mesh, and path selection.
Certifications
What I have:
HPE Aruba Certified AssociateDone
Cisco Networking AcademyDoneNetwork Essentials, Switch/Routing/Wireless, Network Addressing and Troubleshooting, Network Support and Security.
My targets, in this order: CCNA first, then Nokia NRS 1, then Huawei HCIA-Datacom.
Cisco CCNANextFirst target. Backing up my switching, routing and wireless foundation with the certificate.
Nokia NRS 1Next · Nov 2026After CCNA. The closest certification to the telecom field I'm aiming for.
Huawei HCIA-DatacomNext · Feb 2027After NRS 1.