Table of Contents

Cisco CCIE Service Provider Training

96:02:27 Hours
242 Lectures
Expert

$799

IS-IS Training

05:14:41 Hours
12 Lectures
Intermediate

$39

Routing Protocols Design and Deployment Course

47:00:55 Hours
51 Lectures
Intermediate

$200

Flat/Single Level vs. Multi Level IS-IS Design Comparison

Flat/Single Level vs. Multi Level IS-IS Design Comparison. Flat routing means, without hierarchy, entire topology information of the network is known by each and every device in the network. IS-IS has two levels. Thus, for IS-IS, Multi Level means Two Level IS-IS. Level 1 and Level 2. When we have two levels, Level 1 routers don't know the topology of Level 2 and vice versa. By hiding topology information of different level routers, scalability is achieved.

Reason we achieve more scalable network is when there is a failure or new information added or metric changes in one Level, another level doesn't run SPF algorithm.   But what are the design consideration when we have Flat or Multi Level IS-IS networks. Is Multi Level IS-IS design, which mean, Hierarchical IS-IS design always good? Answer is no. Although Multi Level provides Scalability, it comes with extra complexity and end to end routing convergence time increase.

So, I prepared below comparison charts to discuss different design aspects when it comes to IS-IS Single vs. Multi Level design.   If you like this comparison chart, you can see more of them in my CCIE Enterprise Training.   

Created by
Orhan Ergun

Orhan Ergun, CCIE/CCDE Trainer, Author of Many Networking Books, Network Design Advisor, and Cisco Champion 2019/2020/2021

He created OrhanErgun.Net 10 years ago and has been serving the IT industry with his renowned and awarded training.

Wrote many books, mostly on Network Design, joined many IETF RFCs, gave Public talks at many Forums, and mentored thousands of his students.  

Today, with his carefully selected instructors, OrhanErgun.Net is providing IT courses to tens of thousands of IT engineers. 

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