Getting started in networking
Are you thinking of getting into networking? I’m a network consultant with a strong Cisco focus, and I can make some recommendations on where to get started.
Books are great, but there is no substitute for experience. If I were you, I would push for a few extra dollars to build a test-lab where you can experiment with different configurations. You can then simulate bad situations (like a switching loop) and see how the protocols respond (STP for example).
That said, here are my picks.
Starting Out
Certification Guides. They’re not too expensive and they’re designed for people coming in at the ground level. The CCNA package is about $70 and it will give you a good solid base. I highly recommend that you have a lab with some routers and switches to help you understand what you’re learning.
Cisco SRND - official architectural dogma from Cisco. This stuff is pretty high-level, but there’s nothing saying you have to follow any chronology of learning. This is how Cisco says their gear should be setup so it is good to have this in mind.
Cisco Best Practices. This guide is geared towards the 6500 chassis switch, but 95% of these things apply to the SMB gear (like the 3750) as well.
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps700/products_white_paper09186a00801b49a4.shtml
Switching References
Cisco LAN Switching. I sometimes refer to this book, but it is pretty high-level and pricey so you might hold off for now. Once you start getting into complex switching configurations then go ahead and pick it up.
http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Switching-CCIE-Professional-Development/dp/1578700949
Routing References
Internetworking Troubleshooting Handbook. I think I actually had a print copy of this in my early years…
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/cisintwk/itg_v1/index.htm
Cisco IOS Cookbook. I started out my Cisco career on routers, and I found this book very useful.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/9780596527228/
Firewall References
I’ve gained more experience with the ASA platform over the last few years, but I didn’t get there with a book. That said, anything from CiscoPress is probably pretty good.
http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-ASA-PIX-Firewall-Handbook/dp/1587051583
I find Cisco’s official ASA configuration guides are difficult to comprehend but it is sometimes necessary.
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6120/products_installation_and_configuration_guides_list.html
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