Introduction to Cisco Router Configuration

Formed in the classic textbook mold, Introduction to Cisco Router Configuration is designed as a supplement to the eponymous Cisco certification and training course. This is made abundantly clear in the end-of-chapter tests, the "Key Concepts" that dot the pages and the bounty of diagrams, charts, and tables. But regardless of whether you plan to enroll in the class, this volume should be part of your networking library.

The book's three sections deal handsomely with internetworking basics, networking protocol suites and wide-area networking.

Internetworking (which editor Laura Chappell defines as that which ties LANs, WANs, software, and extraneous devices together) is effectively put in historical perspective in the first chapters. In addition, LANs, WANS and the OSI model are all clearly defined both individually and in relationship to each other. The remaining chapters of part one address the OSI layers and data transport in more detail as well as basic router operations and configuration. The section on networking protocol suites is straightforward in its explanations of TCP/IP, Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX), and AppleTalk in terms of the Cisco networking world.

The "Wide-Area Networking" section addresses the complex but essential topics of WAN connections, as well as X.25 and frame relay configuration. In the eight appendices tucked in the back of this book you'll find answer keys for those pesky tests, discussions of DECnet and Banyan VINES and a host of other topics. --Sarah L. Roberts-Witt

View other editions of Introduction to Cisco Router Configuration.
View books by Laura Chappell, Inc., CISCO Cisco Systems.
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Very much information except on how to configure a router - Rated
I bought this book aswell as the Advanced Cisco Router Configuration book and after reading both I still didn't have the knowledge required to configure my Cisco 3640 router. 3 pages without examples cover NAT, my router can't work without it. The lack of useful examples is what makes this book rather useless when configuring a router, although it provides plenty of theoretical information.

Great Book BUT FULL OF ERRORS - Rated
I enjoyed reading this book. It is very well written and easy to understand, BUT there are many syntax errors in the examples (incorrect Cisco IOS command). Buy it for the explainations, but get yourself another book for configuration commands.

If you can't take the course, read this book - Rated
I took the course but then I bought this book for reference, it contains all material covered in the actual course and more.

Great, but order the video library for more info. - Rated
I thought that this book gives great details of information on the subject, but if you are like me, you understand and learn more by seeing and doing. not just by reading and memorizing. That is why when I found this video library of the subject I purchased it right away. The video library gives you step by step instructions on how and what it takes to configure a Cisco Router from start to finish. The videos do expect you to know a little about protocols and other fine detail networking concepts, but if you know these already and you're ready to take the next step. These videos are great. (Especially if you can get a hold of two routers, three or more workstations and a MAU. You then can follow along with the videos.) I think that this book can elaborate on what you learn from the videos, though. So I would recommend you get this book, but also look for the videos. The title of the video library, I think, is: "CCNA Routing and Switching - video library" Look for it. You won't regret it.

pretty good but has too many errors, doesnt cover ISDN! - Rated
I took the ICRC class and bought this book to study for the CCNA book. The book maps pretty well to the ICRC class but it has a lot of errors in it and it does not cover the ISDN details. But the coverage of IP addressing and subnetting is awesome. Get this book and the Lammle CCNA book for the CCNA test.