WHAT THIS BOOK COVERS

The following is a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the subject matter covered in this book.

Part I, "Cisco Overview"

Chapter 1, "Cisco and the Internet"-The Internet represents the biggest and fastest economic change in history, and sooner or later all our lives will be profoundly affected by it (if they haven't been already). This chapter surveys the Internet as a phenomenon, with a particular eye toward Cisco Systems and how its IOS operating software has vaulted the company to a position among the computer industry elite, alongside Microsoft, Intel, and IBM. The internetworking industry is outlined, and how Cisco's product line matches up to industry niches is explained.

Chapter 2, "Networking Primer"-Modern internetworking is the culmination of dozens of sophisticated technologies. This chapter explains things from the wire up, starting first with electrons passing over cables, up through binary bits and bytes. The major LAN technologies such as Ethernet and Token Ring are explained, right down to how they differ and which are rising or fading from use, including high-speed backbone technologies such as ATM, Gigabit Ethernet, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet. The seven-layer Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model is explained, including the inner workings of the TCP/IP protocol suite-the software used to run the Internet. You'll learn the difference between connection-oriented and connectionless networking, and how domain names are translated to numerical IP addresses. The important networking fundamentals of IP addressing and subnet masks are explained in detail. Broadband technologies such as DSL and ISDN are covered, as are WAN trunk technologies like T1 and T3, Frame Relay, and ATM.

Part II, "Cisco Internetworking Tools"

Chapter 3, "Router Overview"-This chapter focuses on Cisco router basics. We cover router hardware components from the printed circuit board up through the CPU, and explain how network administrators can log into Cisco routers to work on them, even rebooting to perform such basic tasks as password recovery. The major software components in Cisco routers are also surveyed, including the Cisco IOS command interface and feature sets. Cisco's router product line is reviewed here, including some tips on how to select the best router to solve a particular internetworking problem.

Chapter 4, "Configuring Routers"-Now it's time to delve into the heavier stuff, especially the configuration file. This chapter goes into the Cisco IOS operating mode, command hierarchy, utilities, and how to use the IOS help subsystem. But most of the focus is on the all-important configuration file, and how it's used to set up Cisco routers and configure networks. Reading this chapter introduces you to essential Cisco router commands, command syntax, how to read device status, and how to configure key router parameters. Cisco's ConfigMaker and FastStep configuration software tools are reviewed.

Chapter 5, "Switches"-The so-called access layer is where host devices such as PCs and servers plug into internetworks. This chapter explains internetwork topology basics, cabling specifications, what bandwidth is, what distinguishes collision and broadcast domains, and how hubs and access switches differ. High-end LAN backbone switches are also covered, from the perspective of one of the most important subjects in the industry today-whether to design routed or switched networks. The more technical dimensions of switched networking are introduced, including switching protocols, virtual LANs (VLANs), and multilayered switching. Cisco's switch product lines are reviewed.

Chapter 6, "Security Overview"-Network security that exists beyond firewalls is user-based security, used to set and enforce passwords to access networks and authorizations to use network resources. This chapter first covers the underlying industry standards for security, especially the AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) standard. AAA is covered at the command level, and then the CiscoSecure ACS product suite is reviewed. Cisco offers two user-based security products: RADIUS, an industry standard, and its proprietary TACACS+. Both are reviewed in detail.

Chapter 7, "Security Building Blocks"-There are three types of technologies through which internetworks can be accessed: firewalls, access servers, and virtual private networks (VPNs). This chapter explains each of the three, with a particular focus on firewalls. The access list is explained, as are adaptive firewall security algorithms, the technology at the heart of internetwork security at the packet level. Cisco sells two firewall products: the Cisco PIX Firewall hardware/software combination and the IOS Firewall software feature set, and both are explained in detail. The VPN-the wide area network (WAN) of the future-is covered. How access servers work and the role they play is also surveyed. Further, Cisco's access server product line is reviewed.

Chapter 8, "Cisco Wireless Solutions"-Until recently, the only way to connect to an internetwork was via a thin piece of cable snaking into the back of your PC. As efficient as this has been, it was only a matter of time until someone figured out how to cut the cord and let devices communicate with each other in a wireless medium. In this chapter, we cover the fundamentals of wireless networking, and then delve into Cisco's solution. Wireless networking is not just a "gee-whiz" technology. Wireless networking brings the power of computing and network connectivity to a range of useful applications and is beneficial to such fields as health care and education. Cisco offers solutions for both wireless LANs and wireless WANs with its Aironet and Airespace series, which we discuss and then show you how to configure.

Part III, "Cisco Business Solutions"

Chapter 9, "Cisco Unified Contact Center"-Networks and internetworks are great ways to move data from place to place. However, it isn't just text files and the fourth-quarter earnings statement that can traverse a Cisco-based network infrastructure. Thanks to Voice over IP (VoIP), your organization can use its internetwork as the backbone of your telecommunications system. Additionally, customers who need to get in contact with your organization will benefit from Cisco Unified Communications. It's a new way to deploy VoIP that delivers rich, robust tools in both voice, video, and overall intelligence.

Chapter 10, "Storage Tools"-With the benefits of the Information Age comes a hefty issue-where do we keep all that information? In this chapter, we examine storage area networks (SANs), which are akin to LANs but are built with the goal of storing information. We'll talk about SAN designs and construction and then look at the products Cisco offers for its SAN solutions, including its Multilayer Datacenter Switches (MDS) line.

Chapter 11, "Cisco Content Networking and Video Solutions"-Organizations are offering more and more information on their Web sites. However, as more people request that data from various locations, the need arises to direct the client to the closest, fastest repository of that information. Content delivery networks (CDNs) help resolve congested networks because clients are given the data they need from the ideal location. This chapter covers CDN basics, along with Cisco's product line for this technology. Additionally, we cover the topic of caching, a way in which service providers and large organizations can maintain frequently accessed Web information so that it can be delivered without having to repeatedly go to the Internet to access it.

Part IV, "Designing Cisco Networks"

Chapter 12, "Routing Protocols"-Large internetworks, or for that matter the Internet, wouldn't be possible without routing protocols. This chapter covers fundamental problems confronting any internetwork, as well as how routing protocols are used to adapt to shifting traffic patterns, emerging problems, and topology changes. Basic routing protocol technology is covered here, as are the various major routing protocols in use today-both open standard protocols (RIP, OSPF, BGP) and Cisco-proprietary protocols (IGRP and EIGRP). Cisco's routing protocols are overviewed, down to the command level where routing metrics are set to modify network behavior to meet enterprise requirements.

Chapter 13, "Network Management"-Network management has become a major issue as internetworks have grown in size and complexity. This chapter covers the standards and technologies that underlie network management systems: the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), remote monitor instrumentation (RMON), and the management information base (MIB). Issues surrounding network management standards are covered, as is Cisco's approach to implementing them. SNMP configuration is introduced at the command level. Cisco's suite of network management software products-Resource Management Essentials and CWSI Campus-are also reviewed.

Chapter 14, "Network Design Process"-There are basics that must be covered when considering any network design decision, whether for a whole new internetwork or a modest expansion of an existing one. The classic three-layer hierarchical design model is reviewed in terms of what to look for in the access, distribution, and backbone layers. Key design subjects such as topology meshing and load balancing are reviewed. How to perform a comprehensive network needs analysis and how to translate it into design solutions using Cisco products is explained, covering such design factors as routing protocols, address design, routing versus switching, WAN services, and traffic load balancing.

Chapter 15, "Troubleshooting Cisco Networks"-You've arrived as a network pro when you can troubleshoot an internetwork. This chapter surveys typical internetwork problems and the proper methodology for diagnosing and fixing them. Key Cisco IOS troubleshooting commands are reviewed in terms of how to handle connectivity problems, performance bottlenecks, and other problems. Particular attention is paid to how to track down and isolate configuration problems, how to tune routing protocol metrics, and how to troubleshoot WAN services such as serial line links. Additionally, we cover common wireless network problems, along with how to troubleshoot network performance issues.