The Accidental Administrator: Cisco ASA Security Appliance: A Step-by-Step Configuration Guide [Paperback]

Don R Crawley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2010 | Series: Accidental Administrator

The Accidental Administrator: Cisco ASA Step-by-Step Configuration Guide is packed with 56 easy-to-follow hands-on exercises to help you build a working firewall configuration from scratch.  Based on software version 8.3(1), it's the most straight-forward approach to learning how to configure the Cisco ASA Security Appliance, filled with practical tips and secrets learned from years of teaching and consulting on the ASA.

There is no time wasted on boring theory. The essentials are covered in chapters on installing, backups and restores, remote administration, VPNs, DMZs, usernames, transparent mode, static NAT, port address translation, access lists, DHCP, password recovery, logon banners, AAA (authentication, authorization, and accounting), filtering content, and more.

Here's what you'll find:

• How to backup and restore software images and configurations
• How to configure four different types of VPNs
• The secrets to successfully building and implementing access-lists

All this information is presented in a straightforward style that you can understand and use right away. The idea is for you to be able to sit down with your ASA and build a working configuration in a matter of minutes. Of course, some of the more advanced configs may take a little longer, but even so, you'll be able to "get it done" in a minimal amount of time!

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

This book, like the others in the Accidental Administrator series, is based on the student workbooks I wrote for my I.T. training workshops.  I specialize in accelerated training and this book reflects that approach to learning:  lots of material, delivered in a short amount of time.  I wrote it with the idea of giving you a lot of hands-on exercises and only the essential bits of theory and background information.  I tried to include lots of tips and shortcuts that I've learned and used in managing Cisco ASA Security Appliances.  This book IS designed to help you get a Cisco ASA up and running quickly.  It is NOT designed to provide a lot of theory or background information on how the device operates.  It was a lot of fun for me to write (especially going back through and testing the exercises) and I hope you enjoy it, too!

About the Author

DON R. CRAWLEY, Linux+, CCNA Security invested his 35 years of workplace technology experience and 15 years as a technical trainer in the Accidental Administrator book series. He is also author of Skillpath Publications best-selling Windows Wit and Wisdom and is President/Chief Technologist of soundtraining.net, the Seattle-based firm specializing in accelerated training for I.T. professionals on Cisco and Linux products, plus workplace skills for I.T. pros.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (August 3, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1449596622
• ISBN-13: 978-1449596620
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Computers & Technology > Networking > Network Administration
  • #61 in Books > Computers & Technology > Networking > Network Security

More About the Author

Don R. Crawley is President/Chief Technologist of the Seattle-based I.T. training company, soundtraining.net. He has more than 35 years experience working with workplace technology and automation and holds multiple technical certifications including Linux+ and CCNA Security. In addition to being a best-selling author, he has spoken before audiences in all 50 states and Canada, plus the United Kingdom and Australia. In his spare time, he plays the pipe organ, watches the ships on Puget Sound, and laughs with his family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I was looking for., May 27, 2011

By 

Bryan Gibson - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Accidental Administrator: Cisco ASA Security Appliance: A Step-by-Step Configuration Guide (Paperback)

If you are new to the world of Cisco IOS and looking for tutorials to basically get the device up and running - this book is perfect. Works well together with "Cisco ASA and PIX Firewall Handbook" ISBN-13: 978-1587051586".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Book covers the very basics of a ASA, November 12, 2011

By 

R B - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Accidental Administrator: Cisco ASA Security Appliance: A Step-by-Step Configuration Guide (Paperback)

This book has a decent amount of basic configuration info. However, I feel that paying almost $30 for a 180 page book is a rip-off. And I can't see someone simply reading this book and configuring a ASA properly without looking online for more info. Also, I noticed on page 165 #2 it shows typing enable when it should be config t. If your trying to set up a ASA device I would check youtube or google before buying a book like this.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for those thrown into setting up an ASA 5505, June 22, 2011

By 

Reggie Powers (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Accidental Administrator: Cisco ASA Security Appliance: A Step-by-Step Configuration Guide (Paperback)

I'll keep this short. This is great for setting up the following on an ASA 5505: IPSEC VPN Client, SSL VPN Client, resetting a lost password, and several other basic tasks for non Cisco IT Pros. Get it if you visit clients or are thinking about setting this up for a small or remote office. It will be worth its weight in gold and will make you look really good.