Network Warrior

Everything you need to know that wasn't on the CCNA exam

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Network Warrior

Everything you need to know that wasn't on the CCNA exam

By Gary A. Donahue

Publisher: O'Reilly Media

Released: June 2007

Pages: 600

Written by networking veteran with 20 years of experience, Network Warrior provides a thorough and practical introduction to the entire network infrastructure, from cabling to the routers. What you need to learn to pass a Cisco certification exam such as CCNA and what you need to know to survive in the real world are two very different things. The strategies that this book offers weren 't on the exam, but they 're exactly what you need to do your job well.

Network Warrior takes you step by step through the world of hubs, switches, firewalls, and more, including ways to troubleshoot a congested network, and when to upgrade and why. Along the way, you 'll gain an historical perspective of various networking features, such as the way Ethernet evolved. Based on the author 's own experience as well as those he worked for and with, Network Warrior is a Cisco-centric book, focused primarily on the TCP/IP protocol and Ethernet networks -- the realm that Cisco Systems now dominates. The book covers:

The type of networks now in use, from LANs, WANs and MANs to CANs

The OSI Model and the layers involved in sending data
Hubs, repeaters, switches, and trunks in practice
Auto negotiation and why it 's a common problem in network slowdowns
Route maps, routing protocols, and switching algorithms in Cisco routers
The resilient Ethernet -- how to make things truly redundant
Cisco 6500 multi-layer switches and the Catalyst 3750 switch
Telecom nomenclature -- why it 's different from the data world
T1 and DS3
Firewall theory, designing access lists, authentication in Cisco devices
Server load balancing technology
Content switch module in action
Designing QOS and what QOS does not do
IP design and subnetting made easy

The book also explains how to sell your ideas to management, how networks become a mess as a company grows, and why change control is your friend. Network Warrior will help network administrators and engineers win the complex battles they face every day.

Hubs, Switches, and Switching
1. Chapter 1 What Is a Network?
2. Chapter 2 Hubs and Switches
  1. Hubs
  2. Switches
3. Chapter 3 Auto-Negotiation
  1. What Is Auto-Negotiation?
  2. How Auto-Negotiation Works
  3. When Auto-Negotiation Fails
  4. Auto-Negotiation Best Practices
  5. Configuring Auto-Negotiation
4. Chapter 4 VLANs
  1. Connecting VLANs
  2. Configuring VLANs
5. Chapter 5 Trunking
  1. How Trunks Work
  2. Configuring Trunks
6. Chapter 6 VLAN Trunking Protocol
  1. VTP Pruning
  2. Dangers of VTP
  3. Configuring VTP
7. Chapter 7 EtherChannel
  1. Load Balancing
  2. Configuring and Managing EtherChannel
8. Chapter 8 Spanning Tree
  1. Broadcast Storms
  2. MAC Address Table Instability
  3. Preventing Loops with Spanning Tree
  4. Managing Spanning Tree
  5. Additional Spanning Tree Features
  6. Common Spanning Tree Problems
  7. Designing to Prevent Spanning Tree Problems
Routers and Routing
1. Chapter 9 Routing and Routers
  1. Routing Tables
  2. Route Types
  3. The IP Routing Table
2. Chapter 10 Routing Protocols
  1. Communication Between Routers
  2. Metrics and Protocol Types
  3. Administrative Distance
  4. Specific Routing Protocols
3. Chapter 11 Redistribution
  1. Redistributing into RIP
  2. Redistributing into EIGRP
  3. Redistributing into OSPF
  4. Mutual Redistribution
  5. Redistribution Loops
  6. Limiting Redistribution
4. Chapter 12 Tunnels
  1. GRE Tunnels
  2. GRE Tunnels and Routing Protocols
  3. GRE and Access Lists
5. Chapter 13 Resilient Ethernet
  1. HSRP
  2. HSRP Interface Tracking
  3. When HSRP Isn't Enough
6. Chapter 14 Route Maps
  1. Building a Route Map
  2. Policy-Routing Example
7. Chapter 15 Switching Algorithms in Cisco Routers
  1. Process Switching
  2. Interrupt Context Switching
  3. Configuring and Managing Switching Paths
Multilayer Switches
1. Chapter 16 Multilayer Switches
  1. Configuring SVIs
  2. Multilayer Switch Models
2. Chapter 17 Cisco 6500 Multilayer Switches
  1. Architecture
  2. CatOS Versus IOS
3. Chapter 18 Catalyst 3750 Features
  1. Stacking
  2. Interface Ranges
  3. Macros
  4. Flex Links
  5. Storm Control
  6. Port Security
  7. SPAN
  8. Voice VLAN
  9. QoS
Telecom
1. Chapter 19 Telecom Nomenclature
  1. Introduction and History
  2. Telecom Glossary
2. Chapter 20 T1
  1. Understanding T1 Duplex
  2. Types of T1
  3. Encoding
  4. Framing
  5. Performance Monitoring
  6. Alarms
  7. Troubleshooting T1s
  8. Configuring T1s
3. Chapter 21 DS3
  1. Framing
  2. Line Coding
  3. Configuring DS3s
4. Chapter 22 Frame Relay
  1. Ordering Frame-Relay Service
  2. Frame-Relay Network Design
  3. Oversubscription
  4. Local Management Interface (LMI)
  5. Configuring Frame Relay
  6. Troubleshooting Frame Relay
Security and Firewalls
1. Chapter 23 Access Lists
  1. Designing Access Lists
  2. ACLs in Multilayer Switches
  3. Reflexive Access Lists
2. Chapter 24 Authentication in Cisco Devices
  1. Basic (Non-AAA) Authentication
  2. AAA Authentication
3. Chapter 25 Firewall Theory
  1. Best Practices
  2. The DMZ
  3. Alternate Designs
4. Chapter 26 PIX Firewall Configuration
  1. Interfaces and Priorities
  2. Names
  3. Object Groups
  4. Fixups
  5. Failover
  6. NAT
  7. Miscellaneous
  8. Troubleshooting
Server Load Balancing
1. Chapter 27 Server Load-Balancing Technology
  1. Types of Load Balancing
  2. How Server Load Balancing Works
  3. Configuring Server Load Balancing
2. Chapter 28 Content Switch Modules in Action
  1. Common Tasks
  2. Upgrading the CSM
Quality of Service
1. Chapter 29 Introduction to QoS
  1. Types of QoS
  2. QoS Mechanics
  3. Common QoS Misconceptions
2. Chapter 30 Designing a QoS Scheme
  1. Determining Requirements
  2. Configuring the Routers
3. Chapter 31 The Congested Network
  1. Determining Whether the Network Is Congested
  2. Resolving the Problem
4. Chapter 32 The Converged Network
  1. Configuration
  2. Monitoring QoS
  3. Troubleshooting a Converged Network
Designing Networks
1. Chapter 33 Designing Networks
  1. Documentation
  2. Naming Conventions for Devices
  3. Network Designs
2. Chapter 34 IP Design
  1. Public Versus Private IP Space
  2. VLSM
  3. CIDR
  4. Allocating IP Network Space
  5. Allocating IP Subnets
  6. IP Subnetting Made Easy
3. Chapter 35 Network Time Protocol
  1. What Is Accurate Time?
  2. NTP Design
  3. Configuring NTP
4. Chapter 36 Failures
  1. Human Error
  2. Multiple Component Failure
  3. Disaster Chains
  4. No Failover Testing
  5. Troubleshooting
5. Chapter 37 GAD's Maxims
  1. Maxim #1
  2. Maxim #2
  3. Maxim #3
6. Chapter 38 Avoiding Frustration
  1. Why Everything Is Messed Up
  2. How to Sell Your Ideas to Management
  3. When to Upgrade and Why
  4. Why Change Control Is Your Friend
  5. How Not to Be a Computer Jerk

Colophon

Title:

Network Warrior

By:

Gary A. Donahue

Publisher:

O'Reilly Media

Formats:

Print
Ebook
Safari Books Online

Print:

June 2007

Ebook:

December 2008

Pages:

600

Print ISBN:

978-0-596-10151-0

| ISBN 10:

0-596-10151-1

Ebook ISBN:

978-0-596-15869-9

| ISBN 10:

0-596-15869-6

Colophon

The animal on the cover of Network Warrior is a German boarhound. More commonly known as the Great Dane, the German boarhound is an imposing yet elegant and affectionate dog that usually weighs between 100 and 130 pounds and measures between 28 and 32 inches in height. German boarhounds range in color from brindle to light grayish brown to harlequin and have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years.

A bit of controversy surrounds the German boarhound's background, with some claiming the dog originates from Denmark, and others, Germany. However, over time, breeders in Germany have made the dog what it is today.

The name German boarhound comes from the breed's ability in its hunting years to pull boars, wolves, and stags to the ground. The kings of Denmark and England often thought of the hound as holy, and at one time it was said that boarhounds lived in every castle in Germany.

Paintings of the German boarhound can be found on the walls of Egyptian tombs. In Beowulf, the boarhound makes an appearance as the hunting dog Dene. During the Middle Ages, the dogs were buried alongside their owners, as they were thought to be spirit guides to the afterlife. But their spirit selves were not always welcomed--the dog was sometimes thought of as a hellhound, called Black Shuck, a wraith-like black dog that was most likely the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's third Sherlock Holmes novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles.

The cover image is from Lydekker's Library of Natural History. The cover font is Adobe ITC Garamond. The text font is Linotype Birka; the heading font is Adobe Myriad Condensed; and the code font is LucasFont's TheSans Mono Condensed.

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Customer Reviews

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by PowerReviews

oreilly Network Warrior

4.8

(based on 4 reviews)

Reviews

Reviewed by 4 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-4

8/5/2011

4.0

*Cisco* Network Warrior

By Christian

from Chesapeake, VA

About Me Sys Admin

Pros

Accurate
Concise
Easy to understand
Helpful examples
Well-written

Cons

Not comprehensive enough

Best Uses

Expert
Intermediate

Comments about oreilly Network Warrior:

While this book has been quite helpful, it's important to realize that it's very Cisco-centric. Topics are covered in an intelligent and helpful manner and I learned a lot by reading this book. That said, it's not very helpful when you're stuck trying to get a Juniper talking to a Brocade or Force-10. Because many switch OS's are IOS-like, some of the same commands work, but not all of them.

Still, if you're IT-smart but not exactly strong in networking, I highly recommend it.

12/5/2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

This book is a MUST BUY for everyone!

By wbenton

from Tokyo, Japan

About Me Educator, Sys Admin, Technical Expert

Pros

Accurate
Concise
Easy to understand
Helpful examples
It doesn't get any better
Well-written

Cons

Best Uses

Expert
Good for Everyone
Intermediate
Novice
Student

Comments about oreilly Network Warrior:

I am a seasoned (29 year) veteran to networks, but I still find this book (which I purchased 3 years ago) useful from time to time.

Whether you're going up for your first CCNA exam or you just want to expand your knowledge about standard protocols (IP, TCP, UDP, etc.), networking (L2/L3 switching, LaGP, STP/BPDU), routing (BGP, EIGRP, OSPF, VRRP, etc.), it's packed very concisely with literally EVERYTHING you need to know.

I already knew quite a bit about many things written in the book, but not as in depth about all of them as this book explains.

Thus I recommend this book for everybody who has to deal with networks/networking on a daily basis!

It's well worth the cover price!

8/9/2007

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Wow. Not sure how that much information fits between the covers.

By jdruin

from Undisclosed

Comments about oreilly Network Warrior:

This book is definitive++ when it comes to network adminstration. Gary Donahue covers nearly all aspects of network administration focusing considerable time on the administration of the appliances themselves. Each topic covered starts with the theory behind the topic. This includes diagrams and picture representations that help clarify the topic. Then the chapter moves into more specific explanations concerning real world implementation. Finally actual adminstration is show by display the actual command typed into the routers themselves and the responses recieved from the command. The author also talks about various misconfiguration issues and the consequences that result. The organization is clear throughout as this theme of starting with the general and moving towards very detailed examples is kept for each topic in the book. Network admins will love the attention to detail and the careful coverage of each topic. One of the best chapters is actually an extra one at the end that talks about the behavior and personalities of computer admins in general. This was quite entertaining and in my opinion quite true. The most informative chapter would be difficult to call because so many issues are covered. Personally I was helped by the spanning tree chapter and the multiple chapters covering the VLANs. This book had the clearest explanations I have seen to date. Put this tool in the network toolbox.

7/6/2007

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

A brain dump of real world information

By Michael B. Morell

from Undisclosed

Comments about oreilly Network Warrior:

I'm a seasoned network and security architect, well versed in the land of Cisco. This is bar none one of the best books out there.

It has something for everyone; for the junior admins just starting out, to intermediate and advanced who can use a no no-nonsense reference. (as well as a reference point to defend your designs)

It's literally a brain dump of useful information that only real world experience can teach. For the more advanced folk out there, you will find plenty of information to sink your teeth into. There are tidbits of information that we all were not sure on or thought was true, but never found in writing in the official Cisco press books.

The best example I can think of in there, is a crucial difference of CSS and CSM. ... Now I have the official Cisco press book (designing content switching solutions); but no where did it tell me that a CSM uses the bus which in turn will cause my 6500's sup720-3b to drop down from using the cross-bar to using the bus, effectively negating the coveted 720gig forwarding rate. (the closest thing they have to referencing it is a picture on page 54 of the CSM, with a line pointing to the connector saying "shared bus connectivity". A far cry from saying this is what is going to happen to your 6500)

It's little things like that which makes this book just as invaluable as the IOS Cookbook and the hacking exposed series.

Junior level admins will find the first chapters enlightening (he explains spanning tree better then I ever could). The chapter on telco is great and goes into enough detail for everyone.

This book is a must have.

Highly Recommended...

Displaying reviews 1-4

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Hubs, Switches, and Switching

Chapter 1 What Is a Network?

Chapter 2 Hubs and Switches

Chapter 3 Auto-Negotiation

Chapter 4 VLANs

Chapter 5 Trunking

Chapter 6 VLAN Trunking Protocol

Chapter 7 EtherChannel

Chapter 8 Spanning Tree

Routers and Routing

Chapter 9 Routing and Routers

Chapter 10 Routing Protocols

Chapter 11 Redistribution

Chapter 12 Tunnels

Chapter 13 Resilient Ethernet

Chapter 14 Route Maps

Chapter 15 Switching Algorithms in Cisco Routers

Multilayer Switches

Chapter 16 Multilayer Switches

Chapter 17 Cisco 6500 Multilayer Switches

Chapter 18 Catalyst 3750 Features

Telecom

Chapter 19 Telecom Nomenclature

Chapter 20 T1

Chapter 21 DS3

Chapter 22 Frame Relay

Security and Firewalls

Chapter 23 Access Lists

Chapter 24 Authentication in Cisco Devices

Chapter 25 Firewall Theory

Chapter 26 PIX Firewall Configuration

Server Load Balancing

Chapter 27 Server Load-Balancing Technology

Chapter 28 Content Switch Modules in Action

Quality of Service

Chapter 29 Introduction to QoS

Chapter 30 Designing a QoS Scheme

Chapter 31 The Congested Network

Chapter 32 The Converged Network

Designing Networks

Chapter 33 Designing Networks

Chapter 34 IP Design

Chapter 35 Network Time Protocol

Chapter 36 Failures

Chapter 37 GAD's Maxims

Chapter 38 Avoiding Frustration

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Gary A. Donahue

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