Cisco Books

Since computers seem to be the wave of the future I decided to get my certification. I bought Mr. Dively's book hoping to study and pass my CCNA. The book is well written, but it did not help me pass the test. In retrospect, it might have helped. If you get 1/10th of the pleasure out of it that I do then it is well worth the price.

I have been trying for 2 years to get my CCNA. I have purchased 2 hardcover books and 3 test prep books. I purchased this book and passed first time. Wish there were more certification books by this guy.

Ready to take the CCNA exam but want a last minute review. Need to find a book that points out the finer exam objectives for CCNA. Here is the answer to those situations. Tailored made for the final exam prep PASS IT is an excellent choice.

Laid out over the 225 pages are the exam objectives and topics such as OSI model, Cisco 3 Layer design model, topologies, layer 2 devices like bridges and switches. I liked the break down differences of the switch and the bridge.

Also covered is VLANs, router configuration, IOS and management. TCP/IP, IP and IPX routing with the use of access lists for both and SAP as well. WAN protocols like HDLC, Frame Relay, PPP and ISDN.

The book has exam tips to help when taking the test, exam review questions at the end of each section. A cd-rom has been included with more exam tips, practice questions and even a practice exam. For the money there should be more questions included but overall the material covered should make studying easier.

Hats off to Toby Velte for this awesome refernce book. I currently hold CWNA and CWSP wireless certifications as well as CCNA and CCDA, and I find ths book packed with some great reference material.

Usually when you see a "Quick Reference" book means that it has limited information and explanations. Not so with this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who works on wireless networks or are planning on implementing wireless.

Most quick references are litle cut down booklets that usually just give you enough information to get you in trouble. The Velte's idea of a quick reference run for 288 pages. It's a reference all right, but the amount of data contained in it is enough so you can probably really solve the problem that you are looking up.

This is a Cisco book, so the material being discussed is oriented around Cisco products. But remember that Cisco owns Linksys and Aironet, so this book covers the traditional Cisco product line and also those of the other companies. A good bit of the book is on the 802.11 standard itself. This includes such things as frequencies, security procedures, generalized design tips on how to design your network and so on.

Cisco has quite a number of certifications that apply to networking and to wireless. There isn't enough information in this book to enable you to pass the certification test (Or at least, there isn't enough for me to pass it.) but there's probably enough to enable you to get your network going.

The Cisco 802.11 Wireless Networking Quick Reference book by Toby J, Velte, PH.D. and Anthony T. Velte, has pretty much everything you would want to know about wireless networking using Cisco Systems Aironet devices. I was thinking this book would just contain quick commands on configuring access points, configuring Cisco Aironet Wireless cards and so on, boy was I wrong.

Cisco 802.11 Wireless Networking Quick Reference has a lot to offer. First off it is a small size book. Can be easily thrown into someone's admin bag and pulled out for reference. Well organized Table of Contents, easy to find a particular topic. This book would be good for a beginner looking to find some useful info on Cisco Aironet products or a expert looking to refresh on a particular topic pertaining to Aironet devices. The first part of the book goes over technique specs, and the second goes over "after installation issues". The first chapter goes over Cisco Wireless Equipment, Access Points, Bridges, WLAN Controllers, and adapters. You will find useful information on the different models of Access Points, adapters and so on. There is a pretty extensive chart showing and comparing the different properties of access points, different antenna and so forth. Very useful information like signal range, noise ratio's etc.

There is a chapter dedicated just to antenna's. Which antenna to use for the right application, omni directional, bi directional among others. You will also find a comparison chart with information and specs relating to each antenna. Again, very useful information for a WLAN implementation. Cisco 802.11 Wireless Networking Quick Reference has a very in-depth section on WLAN encryption security and authentication. Shows you examples of configuring filtering, RADIUS server setup and WPA. Initial Setup, cabling sections are very well written as well. This book will help you with integrating a wired LAN and your new WLAN. The figures are well displayed, and there are real pictures of the devices mentioned in the book.

I recommend Cisco 802.11 Wireless Networking Quick Reference for a beginner in the WLAN world. Looking for a starting point if they want to pursue a CQS cert in Wireless. As mentioned earlier, it would also benefit a expert as a quick reference when encountering a problem with there existing WLAN or a new implementation. In a rating of 1 to 5, 5 being the highest. This book gets a 5 hands down.

I have two words, David Hucaby! This is a great resource for any Firewall/Security engineer or beginner. The videos are not too long that you lose interest, they are just the right length and have enough information to make you feel comfortable using Cisco firewall products. David discusses basic Firewall configuration fundamentals as well as the more advanced scenarios. David also discuses basic and advanded troubleshooting steps using packet captures and packet tracer. These skills are a must for anyone working with firewalls. You will also learn how to setup a DMZ, customize logging, NAT, Modular Policy Framework and much more. The best thing about this format is the perfect balance between theory and practice and audio/visual learning. All in all this is a great product and you are being trained by one of the most seasoned CCIE's in the field!

I'm a fairly seasoned Cisco PIX/ASA Firewall Administrator. I've been around for a few years supporting several enterprise/campus networks and worked for a few Fortune 500 companies as the Firewall Administrator.

I love this product. Especially the clear and concise explanations for using multiple contexts.

These explanations are very clear and very much build on the previous topic. The author is clear and smooth in his expert delivery of the topic.

This is excellent. I own most of his books and I've used them on the job. But I never heard Huccaby deliver this material. He's top notch and clearly an expert's expert.

I think this product is an excellent value and would highly recommend it to anyone who supports with the Cisco ASA or the Cisco FWSM (Firewall Service Module).

Good job David.

Thanks for an excellent product I can easily recommend to others.

My sincerest compliments.

Darby Weaver

Cisco Firewall Video Mentor by David Hucaby published by Cisco Press (ISBN-13: 978-1-58720-198-1 / ISBN-10: 1-58720-198-4) covers various firewall configuration tasks associated with Cisco's Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) through 16 instructional videos (also referred to as Lab 1 through Lab 16). A printed, ninety (90) page booklet accompanies the DVD. The booklet is also available in PDF format on the DVD. The booklet covers all 16 labs and is consistently formatted. The booklet format for each lab contains 4 sections. The first section describes the objectives of the lab. The second section contains the steps performed in the lab to complete the objectives. The third section contains the initial configuration prior to starting the lab. The fourth section is used as a reference to the video presentation of the lab.

The author uses the Command Line Interface (CLI) to demonstrate how to configure various tasks and many times uses the Graphical User Interface (GUI) called ASDM (Adaptive Security Device Manager) to depict how one can also accomplish the same configuration task through the use of ASDM vice the CLI.

The video is presented well, typically using the upper third of the layout for reference material (i.e. - command formats, diagrams, etc.). The bottom two/thirds of the layout are used to show the terminal emulation session (i.e. - the console session of the ASA) and the ASDM interface. The author has a pleasant voice and the running audio commentary was outstanding and synchronized perfectly with the typing associated with the CLI and ASDM interfaces. I am wondering how many takes was required to get the audio synchronized with the typing that well. It truly is impressive.

The author does a tremendous job presenting the content of the video. The content is presented in a cumulative manner. All content, from rudimentary concepts, such as, exploring the CLI modes to more complex concepts, such as, Modular Policy Framework (MPF) are broken down and thoroughly explained. I found the video to be properly paced. When I did not fully grasp a concept, it was easy to back up the video and watch and listen to it again.

I really enjoyed learning about Cisco's ASA via this video method. It is a nice departure from just reading pure technical documentation. The video mentor presentation is the next best thing to having your own lab equipment. Anyone interested in learning about stateful firewall concepts and configuring the Cisco ASA will benefit greatly from watching and listening to this video.

Most of the time when a book claims to be a complete reference there is quite a lot of information left out. However in this case the information is complete and covers all the releases of the Cisco IOS from Version 9 to 12.

Only 350 pages, but don't be fooled, what is inside is a vast amount of reference information that will help in understanding how the release are built and what changes have been made, as well as what releases work with what routers and switches.

The 3 part breakdown of the book start in part 1 with how the IOS architecture is laid out and how the IOS has evolved over the years. Also you gain an insight into the naming conventions used with the IOS as well.

In part 2 this is where you begin to breakdown each IOS, in a table format that makes it easy to see what changes have been made, what equipment if affects. Covering Versions 9.X. 10.X, 11.0 to 11.3(2) and 12.0/12.0T to 12.0(7)XV.

In part 3, the hardware and IOS section, coverage of basic router and switch functions takes place. Using the ROM monitor and router architecture is also looked at. This book provides and excellent reference by showing you how the router functions and what takes place during the operation.

You must have known that Cisco has a lot varieties of Cisco IOS. Yet do anyone know what 11.2(T) and 11.2 differs ? I bet you dont' know much. This book unleashed all the cisco IOS revisions and their details. So you'll never puzzled out of 'hey what's is on this version'.

Good luck, buy it, CHeap and save time and efforts.

Excellent! This book is full of answers that I have been trying to get for the longest time. Maybe the title should have been " demystifying Cisco IOS Software Releases." Indispensable to net admin. The detachable poster-map of IOS Releases helps me quickly identify the correct software release for my implementation. In several occasions I have already referred to the appendixes which contain the IOS feature set and image naming format, and the IOS product numbering scheme.

I am a bit prejudiced when it comes to this hospital. Our daughter is an RN on 3-W.

I just love this book. It covers a lot of medical issues, both urgent and not-so-urgent. It helps you calm down in a crisis and it is not so overly wordy that you have to keep scanning to find what you're specifically looking for for advice. Not everything can be taken care of at home and they do not hesitate to tell you to seek emergency action. There's humor (ie. Colds, the Flu and the Great American Runny Nose - Your Basic Everyday Head Bonk), a suggested list of items for your medicine cabinet. There is a large range of ages involved, but most advice can be used by adults, too.

This is a GREAT baby shower or newborn gift. I've given several.

P. S. Our RN and her husband is expecting their 1st baby and our 1st grandbaby in June. She already has a copy and has given them as gifts to her side of in-laws and friends.

When a child actually does hurt themselves this book is easy to flip through and find what you need quickly. It gives you helpful suggestions on what to do and what warnings signs to look for that may indicate a trip to the ER or Dr's office.

This is a book you can pick up when faced with the problem and make a decision. And it works for children and grown-up problems. A friend called me over to her house to help her decide if she needed to go to the hospital--she is 60--I am 55 ---she had fallen --we used this book to figure out what to do. We went to the hospital because she did have a broken bone. This is an easy to use reference and it is cute too!

This book is a fantastic resource. It covers all the bases, from fundamental theory, configuration, and troubleshooting. It is very well written and easy to understand. It's nice to finally have a definite guide from Cisco on how to configure faxes and modems over their voice over IP systems. There is even configuration and troubleshooting sections for more obscure Cisco products, like the WS-X6608, ATA, and VG248 platforms.

This is a must have book for any IP telephony administrator that needs to support faxes and modems on their network.

Highly recommended.

- Detailed theory of modems, faxes
- Configuration examples
- Good screenshots
- Good explaination of T37 and troubleshooting t38 and t37


Good for beginners to understand the theory and those who already know the theory can refer the troubleshooting part for faxes and modems

This is a great reference book to understand the latest fax, modem and text for IP telephony technologies. It is certainly not for beginners but more suitable for anyone who has worked with, installed and supported these systems. The prior knowledge of call control protocols, voice gateways, Quality of Services (QoS) and familiarity of Cisco unified voice products and networking is very helpful to understand this book.

The book is divided into four parts starting from fundamental theories, solutions and designs, configuration and troubleshooting. It starts with the basic knowledge on how modem, fax and text telephony works. They come with good illustrations and are very easy to understand. Due to space limitation and various standards, the books only addresses the most common and important protocols for each technology.

The next part describes various switchover methods and transport options to handle fax, modem and text communication. There are so many technical jargons and complex concepts here that readers who are not familiar with these before, can get lost very fast. The book does a good job describing and comparing each method. The best part of this section is on the design guide chapter which shows reader what design considerations they have to review before implementing fax, modem and text communication for different hardware and network.

The configuration part shows various commands and configurations for fax, modem and text for many varieties of Cisco products. I understand that the authors include the configuration parts to complete the reference part of the book. However, since there can be many different commands for different products in different IOS software version, it is best to look up Cisco documentation in the Cisco web site directly rather than using this for configuration basis.

The last part describes the troubleshooting techniques and procedures used by Cisco TAC engineers to resolve fax, modem and text problems. This is the best part of the book to get the insight on how "divide and conquer" troubleshooting is done to find the cause of the problem. It is not easy considering the amount of devices and protocols involved to integrate the fax, modem and text system.

I am usually skeptical on any books that try to claim as definitive resources since they usually come short. However, this book is different. The authors successfully manage to incorporate all these technologies and cover them in details. Some readers might think that the delivery is quite dry but it is expected from a resource book. I rate this book 5 out of 5 starts and recommend this book for people who work with the IP Telephony.

tHE PRODUCT IS SO NICE AND IS RECOMANDABLE FOR ANY ONE WHO WANT TO DEAL WITH A NETWORKING USING jUNIPER EVEN CISCO.

Many tech books put you to sleep within a few pages, but not this one. This book is extremely readable. The authors have a very engaging writing style, and the talent for teaching shines through. This book presents difficult concepts in an easy-to-understand way, and throws in enough humor to make sure you were really paying attention. This book is a valuable every-day reference guide, as well as a roadmap for learning JUNOS and going on to tackle the JNCIE exam.

I had the pleasure of attending a course given by Doug Marschke, and I can say his classes were every bit as wonderful as the book. Doug knows this material inside and out, and he has the teaching skills to be able to share his immense knowledge.

Not all Juniper books are created equal and this one certainly tops my list.

This guy should win a award for his wit and apparent knowledge exhibited in each chapter. This book helped me TREMENDOUSLY. Well written and easy to understand...AND kept my attention. They put quizzes at the end of each chapter to make sure you 'got it'. This book is a definate must if you use Juniper.

I'd pay money to hear this guy teach a class on this!

I am 48 yo and I am studying IT to re-qualify myself to find a new job.
Years ago I studied networks basics but I really didn't grasp the subject.

Now I read this book and I found clear explanations that led me to better understanding what's going on in LANs and WANs.

There are only two chapters that I found hard to follow, because they are heavily focused on the IEEE specifications (that sure are important but also very complex and full of confusing achronyms), but that apart, now I can say that my knowledge about LANs, NICs, MAC, LLC, Hub, Switches, Routers, ecc.. ecc.. is really clear.

It's well written and very useful if you works in IT fields or even if you are curious to understand the fundamentals of networking, that is a very complex subject.

When I first saw the title of this book, I thought is sounded too simple. Not sure that I wanted a "basic" book on my professional bookshelf. Maybe "essentials" or "principles" would have been better. But, I took a look at it. When I saw the section on hexadecimal I thought that, again, it might be simple a book. But, it wasn't.

Yes, it covers the fundamentals, but that's what it is for. I would recommend watching the interactive lessons, first. You get a quick dose of information, some of which you might already know. That will probably help speed up the browsing process.

For the intro level material, I'll probably still keep it on my bookshelf at work.

This book is a general introduction to networking the Cisco way. It is used as a textbook by many of the training academies that are preparing students for the Cisco CCNA exam. It is also recommended by most of those that don't absolutely require it as an additional source of study and practice materials.

This is the first book in the series and begins with 'What's a Network.' From there it goes step by step to the last chapter which is on TCP/IP Transport and Application Layers. The book is written like a text, and when the course of study is finished it should be kept as a reference book. It also contains numerous questions as a way to check your understanding of the material and your readiness to pass the certification exam.

The CD-ROM that is included with the book contains additional information, interactive media that visually demonstrate key topics, and other learning tools.

Product showed up quickly. In excellent condition. I've recommended this seller to all of my co-students.

The online material is fine, but I am a little traditional and like to read from a paper page rather than a screen. I think it's just a matter of what you like.

Although this book is centered on the preparation for the reader to take one of the CCNA examinations, it is more than that. In reality this book is an excellent introduction into the whole concept behind routing as conducted 'a la Cisco.' It covers routing in general and then gives an excellent introduction into the Cisco products that handle routing. Since Cisco is the largest provider of routing equipment this book serves as a source of information as to just which Cisco products are best suited for your particular application.

Beyond simple routing, which is complex enough, in today's world security is always a problem. This book goes into some considerable details in the descriptions of security aspects, including a full chapter on Access Control Lists to limit who has access to what data.

Of course the book is basically oriented to passing the test, and if that is your goal here is the information you need, including sample questions and more. The CD included with the book has more material, including interactive media explaining some 25 activities visually demonstrating key topics and a Flash-based simulation and visualization learning tool.

This is a great book for a student like myself to understand VPN's in depth and how to build them.

Very imformative book, great introduction section on broadband technologies that I found very useful for review purposes. The books provides a fine balance between technical details and readability - in that the technical details are certainly there (config files etc..) but you do not need to read everything in order to get the main points of each topic. I like the organization of the book it is possible to read the chapters as "standalone" depending on your topics of interest rather than in a "cover to cover" approach.This is perfect for those of us that don't have time to dig through 100's of pages for specific information!
I would definately recommend this book to any Service Provider networking professional with an interest in Broadband aggregation technologies.