Cisco Networking Essentials

An engaging approach for anyone beginning a career in networking As the world leader of networking products and services, Cisco products are constantly growing in demand. Yet, few books are aimed at those who are beginning a career in IT--until now. Cisco Networking Essentials provides a solid foundation on the Cisco networking products and services with thorough coverage of fundamental networking concepts. Author Troy McMillan applies his years of classroom instruction to effectively present high-level topics in easy-to-understand terms for beginners. With this indispensable full-color resource, you'll quickly learn the concepts, processes, and skills that are essential to administer Cisco routers and switches. * Begins with a clear breakdown of what you can expect to learn in each chapter, followed by a straightforward discussion of concepts on core topics * Includes suggested labs and review questions at the conclusion of each chapter, which encourage you to reinforce and measure your understanding of the topics discussed * Serves as an ideal starting point for learning Cisco networking products and services If you are interested in a career in IT but have little or no knowledge of networking and are new to Cisco networking products, then this book is for you.

Table of Contents:
Introduction xxi Chapter 1 Networks 1 Describing Network Components 1 Defining the Benefits of Networks 2 Identifying the Requirements for a Network 5 Classifying Networks by Function 8 Understanding LANs 8 Understanding WANs 9 Defining Network Architectures 11 Understanding Peer-to-Peer Networks 11 Understanding Client-Server Networks 14 The Essentials and Beyond 17 Chapter 2 The OSI Model 19 Using Reference Models 19 Understanding the Benefits of Reference 20 Exploring Reference Model Examples 21 Introducing the Layers of the OSI Model 22 Understanding the Application Layer 23 Understanding the Presentation Layer 23 Understanding the Session Layer 25 Understanding the Transport Layer 26 Understanding the Network Layer 29 Understanding the Data-Link Layer 30 Understanding the Physical Layer 32 Describing the OSI Encapsulation Process 32 Identifying the Process on the Source Device 33 Identifying the Process on the Destination Device 34 The Essentials and Beyond 35 Chapter 3 TCP/IP 37 Understanding the TCP/IP Model 38 Exploring the Four Layers 39 Comparing the OSI and TCP/IP Models 42 Describing the TCP/IP Encapsulation Process 44 Understanding Data and PDUs 44 Describing the Contents of Data 45 Describing the Contents of Segments 45 Describing the Contents of Packets 46 Describing the Contents of Frames 46 Understanding the Conversion to Bits 47 Describing the Functions at the Transport Layer 48 Understanding TCP 49 Understanding UDP 50 Describing the Functions at the Internet Layer 52 Defining Logical Addressing 52 Performing Routing 53 Accomplishing Packet Forwarding 53 Describing the Functions of ARP 53 Illustrating the ARP Broadcast 54 Describing the Logic of MAC-to-IP-Address Conversion 56 The Essentials and Beyond 58 Chapter 4 Protocols 63 Understanding the Function of Protocols 63 Defining Routed Protocols 64 Defining Routing Protocols 64 Exploring Application Layer Protocols 65 Describing FTP 65 Describing TFTP 67 Describing SMTP 67 Describing DNS 69 Describing SNMP 70 Exploring Transport Layer Protocols 72 Reviewing TCP 72 Reviewing UDP 76 Exploring Internet Layer Protocols 77 Describing IP 77 Describing ARP 79 Describing ICMP 80 Describing IGMP 82 Exploring Network Access Layer Protocols 83 Defining Network Access Layer Protocols on the LAN 84 Defining Network Access Layer Protocols on the WAN 85 The Essentials and Beyond 86 Chapter 5 Physical and Logical Topologies 89 Designing the Physical Topology 89 Implementing a Bus Topology 90 Implementing a Ring Topology 91 Implementing a Star Topology 92 Implementing a Mesh Topology 94 Implementing a Hybrid Topology 95 Implementing a Point-to-Point Topology 96 Implementing a Point-to-Multipoint Topology 98 Designing the Logical Topology 99 Understanding the Token Ring Topology 99 Understanding the FDDI Ring Topology 100 Understanding the Star Topology 101 The Essentials and Beyond 102 Chapter 6 Numbering Systems 105 Exploring Binary Numbering 105 Understanding the Base-2 Numbering System 106 Understanding the Relationship between Binary and Computers 108 Exploring Hexadecimal Numbering 110 Understanding the Base-16 Numbering System 110 Identifying MAC Addresses 113 Applying Conversions 114 Decimal-to-Binary Conversion 114 Hex-to-Decimal Conversion 117 Binary-to-Hex Conversion 119 The Essentials and Beyond 121 Chapter 7 Classful IP Addressing 125 Describing the Function of IP Addresses 125 Identification 126 Segmentation 127 Identifying IP Address Types 128 Defining IP Address Classes 129 Identifying Network and Host Addresses 130 Describing Private IP Addresses and NAT 134 Utilizing Diagnostic Tools 135 Executing the ipconfig Command 137 Executing the ping Command 137 Executing the arp Command 138 Executing the traceroute Command 139 Understanding DHCP 139 Operations 139 Cisco DHCP 141 Introducing IPv6 142 IPv6 Address Format 142 IPv6 Address Types 143 Special IPv6 Addresses 144 Essentials and Beyond 144 Chapter 8 Classless IP Addressing 147 Understanding the Limitations of Classful Networking 147 Exhaustion of the Class B Network Address Space 148 Unmanageable Routing Tables 148 Exhaustion of the 32-Bit IPv4 Address Space 149 Understanding the Benefits of Subnetting 149 Identifying Sources of Network Congestion 150 Deploying Subnetting as a Segmentation Tool 151 Describing the Components of CIDR 152 Introducing Classless Subnetting 152 Understanding VLSM 161 Summarization 166 The Essentials and Beyond 166 Chapter 9 Media 169 Selecting the Proper Media Type 169 Bandwidth 170 Security 170 Convenience 174 Cost 174 Understanding Cabling 175 Describing Cable Behavior and Characteristics 175 Describing Physical Implementations 176 Choosing the Correct Wiring Standard 180 Describing Wireless Standards 184 Identifying Standards Bodies 185 Understanding 802.11 Amendments 185 Understanding Wireless LAN Components and Terminology 187 Describing CSMA/CA Operation 189 The Essentials and Beyond 190 Chapter 10 Network Devices 193 Describing Device Functions 193 Understanding Repeaters 194 Understanding Hubs 194 Understanding Bridges 195 Understanding Switches 197 Understanding Routers 201 Understanding Wireless Access Points and Wireless Routers 205 Understanding Device Placement Principles 207 Defining Broadcast Domains 207 Defining Collision Domains 208 Understanding the Cisco Three-Layer Model 211 Essentials and Beyond 212 Chapter 11 LAN Operations 215 Understanding the Routing Process 215 Describing Routing Tables 216 Understanding Population Methods 219 Understanding Administrative Distance 221 Using Routing Protocols 223 Describing the Switching Process 232 Reviewing MAC and IP Addresses 233 Reviewing Contention Methods 234 Describing MAC Address Tables 235 Understanding Frame Forwarding 236 Describing End-to-End Communications 237 Understanding the Local LAN Process 237 Understanding the Remote Communication Process 238 Essentials and Beyond 239 Chapter 12 Managing the Cisco IOS 243 Describing Components 243 Defining the Contents of RAM 244 Defining the Contents of NVRAM 245 Defining the Contents of Flash 245 Defining the Contents of ROM 246 Describing IOS Navigation 248 Connecting to the Device 248 Accessing User, Privileged, and Global Configuration Modes 252 Understanding and Managing the Boot Process 256 Understanding the Boot Process 257 Managing the IOS 260 Understanding Configuration Files 261 Managing the Configuration Register 263 The Essentials and Beyond 266 Chapter 13 Configuring Routers 271 Cabling the Router 271 Cabling Router to Router 274 Cabling Router to Switch 276 Cabling PC to Router 277 Cabling Router to CSU/DSU 279 Creating a Console Session 280 Connecting with the Console Cable 280 Connecting through Telnet 281 Handling Initial Setup 282 Configuring Passwords 282 Interpreting Prompts 282 Configuring Privileged (Enable) Passwords 283 Configuring Enable Secret Passwords 284 Configuring Line Passwords 284 Configuring Interfaces 286 Accessing Interface Mode 286 Assigning an IP Address 287 Enabling the Interface 288 Verifying the Interface 288 Enabling DHCP 290 Configuring WAN Interfaces 292 Saving Configuration Changes 294 The Essentials and Beyond 295 Chapter 14 Conf iguring Switches 299 Cabling the Switch 299 Cabling Switch to Switch 300 Cabling Router to Switch 301 Cabling Hosts to Switch 302 Creating a Session with the Switch 302 Creating a Session with the Console Cable 303 Creating a Session through Telnet 304 Configuring Passwords 305 Configuring Privileged (Enable) Passwords 305 Configuring Enable Secret Passwords 306 Configuring Line Passwords 306 Configuring Interfaces 306 Accessing Switchports and Using Switchport Mode 306 Enabling the Port 307 Verifying the Port 307 Understanding Advanced Switch Functions 308 Understanding VLANs 308 Understanding Trunk Ports 310 Describing STP 311 The Essentials and Beyond 315 Chapter 15 Conf iguring Static Routing 317 Populating the Routing Table 318 Using the ip route Command 318 Verifying the Route Table 320 Configuring Inter-VLAN Routing 321 Creating a Trunk Link with Encapsulation 322 Creating and Configuring Subinterfaces 323 The Essentials and Beyond 325 Chapter 16 Configuring Dynamic Routing 331 Understanding Routing Protocols 331 Exploring RIP 333 Exploring EIGRP 335 Exploring OSPF 336 Configuring Routing Protocols 336 Enabling a Routing Protocol and Accessing Router Mode 337 Defining the Interfaces on Which the Protocol Is Operational 338 Verifying the Routing Table 340 Appendix Answers to Review Questions 349 Index 359

About the Author :
Troy McMillan holds more than 30 IT certifications, including CCNA and CCNP. He is a product developer and technical editor for Kaplan IT, Inc. He is also a full-time trainer, teaching classes on Cisco, Microsoft, CompTIA, and wireless.