Customer Reviews

Cisco ASA, PIX, and FWSM Firewall Handbook (2nd Edition)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For the sysadmin of a Cisco firewall product, this book is an up to date survey of what Cisco offers in this arena. The book has a quick going over of the theory behind most firewalls. But the bulk of the text looks at the various product lines and how you can install and, more importantly, easily manage them on an ongoing basis.

The screen captures are helpful. Showing that Cisco has put some thought into the usability of their boxes.

I won't say the book makes for enthralling reading. It is perhaps best suited as a reference manual. Where the only sections you need are for your firewall model.

Cisco ASA, PIX, and FWSM Firewall Handbook
Second Edition
Author : David Hucaby
Publisher: Cisco Press
Reviewed by: Michael Cooter

Pros: Thorough, comprehensive, and in-depth
Cons: Not for ASA/PIX Novices, more suited for Firewall admins with solid experience. More of a reference than a book you would read cover to cover.

Chapter List: Chapter 1, "Firewall Overview", Chapter 2 "Configuration Fundamentals" Chapter 3 "Building Connectivity", Chapter 4 "Firewall Management", Chapter 5 "Managing Firewall Users", Chapter 6 "Controlling Access Through the Firewall", Chapter 7 "Inspecting Traffic", Chapter 8 "Increasing Firewall Availability with Failover, Chapter 9 "Firewall Load Balancing", Chapter 10 "Firewall Logging", Chapter 11 "Verifying Firewall Operation", Chapter 12 "ASA Modules", Appendix A, "Well-Known Protocol and Port Numbers, Appendix B "Security Applicance Logging Messages"

Book Review:

Cisco ASA, PIX and FWSM Firewall Handbook is a comprehensive and up-to-date reference manual that belongs on the shelf of anybody who manages a Cisco Firewall device. At nearly 870 pages, this is not a small book that you would want read cover to cover, but instead an excellent reference that you would use to learn more about a specific topic of ASA and PIX administration.

I am familiar with the author, David Hucaby from reading his CCNP Switching book, written in 2000. Hucaby has a very clear and insightful writing style and has the ability to take complex topics and break them down to a more understandable level for novices.

Chapters of interest to me were on Firewall Load Balancing , Traffic Inspection, also the on Failover.


Summary:

I highly recommend this book for any administrator who is responsible for an ASA or PIX. This book is not an great introduction to the topic, but would be better suited as a companion to "Securing Your Business with Cisco ASA and PIX Firewalls" by Greg Alebar.

Great ASA book, updated for version 8, covers PIX too and helped for exam study. Does not cover anything on VPN! (IPsec or Web) which is one of the major purposes for the ASA - users travelling, work at home, vendor access. Omar Santos' book covers VPN although it is for older version 7. Would have given 5 stars if not for the VPN omission. Edward Huang CCSP/CCDA

I'm unhappy with this book. it says ASA on the cover but this book is clearly written for PIX firewalls. They don't even mention VPN in the book.

I just got some new 5520's to augment my enterprise, and this book does a fantastic job of explaining everything I need to know to set up and configure them. I have seen far worse from both Cisco Press, and others. Chapters are clear, good illustrations and easy to follow. There is a one star review that is NOT applicable to this edition at all -- This book is all about ADSM, ASA, and PIX. The only reason it does not get 5 stars, is that it could have more real world examples given, or perhaps some good troubleshooting tips for ensuring the configuration gives the exact results desired.

Great Cisco 642-524 exam preparation. Hucaby is god when it comes to Cisco adaptive security devices.

I am a network engineer (mainly voice and data) and recently had to start gearing up for ASA's and FWSM's.
This is a great book for engineers who need to get familiar to the security suite and basic configurations.

I now need to start readying on security guide lines and procedures which this book helped with the foundation of.

great book, easy to read, very useful