Cisco Router Configuration (2nd Edition)

The objective of this book is to help you, the novice Cisco users with the basic administration of your internetworking devices. Using straightforward case studies and practical examples, Cisco Router Configuration, 2E teaches IOS fundamentals for configuring, operating, and maintaining internetworking devices. Cisco Router Configuration, 2E provides an overview of Cisco IOS software. It describes basic information on Cisco devices and device interfaces (Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, Frame Relay, ATM). The basics of IP, IPX, and AppleTalk are explained, and the book shows how to use Cisco IOS software to configure addresses, routes, and routing protocols within these three protocols. Finally, the book provides an elaborate example of an entire network setup with complete Cisco IOS configurations. All information in the second edition will include Cisco IOS 12.0 syntax.

The stated goal of Cisco Router Configuration: A Practical Introduction to Cisco IOS Configuration is to make Cisco Internetworking Operating System (IOS) easy for the uninitiated. Believe it or not, authors Allan Leinwand, Bruce Pinsky, and Mark Culpepper actually succeed. And with good reason, as the three wrote this book as employees of an international Internet service provider, Digital Island--itself an all-Cisco shop, from its routers to its switchers and its load-balancing devices--and former employees of Cisco Systems.

Though this book starts out with the usual descriptions of the OSI model and types of devices, things quickly get more interesting as the fictional ZIP Corporation and its globetrotting network are introduced. (ZIP's network serves as the baseline for discussion and illustration.)

In a testament to their knowledge and skills, Leinwand and company are incredibly thorough in their explanations, yet resist the temptation to overwhelm with too much detail. For example, the chapter on configuration takes you each step of the way, even going so far as to explain how to power up your devices. The rest of the discussion stays on course, though, telling you only what you need to know to get your routers, switches, or what have you up and running. In addition, configuring TCP/IP, AppleTalk, and Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX) are covered, as are management and administrative topics --Sarah L. Roberts-Witt