Learn Cisco Network Administration in a Month of Lunches

SummaryLearn Cisco Network Administration in a Month of Lunches is a tutorial designed for beginners who want to learn how to administer Cisco switches and routers. Just set aside one hour a day (lunchtime would be perfect) for a month, and you'll start learning practical Cisco Network administration skills faster than you ever thought possible.Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications.About the TechnologyCisco's ultrareliable routers and switches are the backbone of millions of networks, but 'set and forget' is not an acceptable attitude. Fortunately, you don't have to be an old-time administrator to set up and maintain a Cisco-based network. With a handful of techniques, a little practice, and this book, you can keep your system in top shape.About the BookLearn Cisco Network Administration in a Month of Lunches is designed for occasional and full-time network administrators using Cisco hardware. In 22 bite-sized lessons, you'll learn practical techniques for setting up a Cisco network and making sure that it never fails. Real-world labs start with configuring your first switch and guide you through essential commands, protocols, dynamic routing tricks, and more. What's InsideUnderstand your Cisco network, including the difference between routers and switchesConfigure VLANs and VLAN trunksSecure your networkConnect and configure routers and switchesEstablish good maintenance habitsAbout the ReaderThis book is written for readers with no previous experience with Cisco networking. About the AuthorBen Piper is an IT consultant who holds numerous Cisco, Citrix, and Microsoft certifications including the Cisco CCNA and CCNP. He has created many video courses on networking, Cisco CCNP certification, Puppet, and Windows Server Administration.Table of ContentsBefore you beginWhat is a Cisco network?A crash course on Cisco's Internetwork Operating SystemManaging switch portsSecuring ports by using the Port Security featureManaging virtual LANs (VLANs)Breaking the VLAN barrier by using switched virtual interfacesIP address assignment by using Dynamic Host Configuration ProtocolSecuring the network by using IP access control listsConnecting switches using trunk linksAutomatically configuring VLANs using the VLAN Trunking ProtocolProtecting against bridging loops by using the Spanning Tree ProtocolOptimizing network performance by using port channelsMaking the network scalable by connecting routers and switches togetherManually directing traffic using the IP routing tableA dynamic routing protocols crash courseTracking down devicesSecuring Cisco devicesFacilitating troubleshooting using logging and debuggingRecovering from disasterPerformance and health checklistNext steps