Customer Reviews

Cisco IOS in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference for IOS on IP Networks

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One thing I have discovered over the past 12 years is that it is impossible to remember every command associated with a particular operating system, this includes routers. That's why I have this book on my desk to help me out remembering the syntax for the configuration files.

This 590 page must have reference book starts off with the loading of the image and configuration files which included setting up the router and the Line commands needs for this. Then author gives you the commands for the configuration of the line interfaces as the next topic discussed.

From there you find commands for configuration of Frame Relay, ATM, Access Lists, and Queues as the next set of topics, followed up with Interior Routing Protocols like RIP, IGRP, EIGRP and OSPF being tackled.

Moving on BGP and SNMP, DDR, HSRP, NAT, security and troubleshooting rounds out the topics. While this book is written to any exam specifications you may it very useful for most if not all Cisco certification exams.

Finally the book has over 300 pages devoted to the commands and there breakdown to give you the where to use, description and examples of the code. About the only thing left out was the entire book in e-book format or formatted for the palm. Overall this is one book I will have with for a very long time - well done!!!

While some people might find this volume indispensible, I found it to be nearly worthless. Newer IOS features that should be covered, like VTP, are absent. Important basics like crypto key generate are missing too.

If they ever release a new edition that addresses some of these glaring holes, I might recommend it.

The Cisco IOS Command Line Interface (CLI) has burgeoned over the years, and
the consequent wealth of commands can intimidate the most seasoned system admin.

More than half of this book's 592 pages are devoted to a CLI reference section--
and if you are seriously involved with router management, you'll find that your
copy will be well worn.

The other half of the book is a practical coverage of theory -- access lists,
interior and external routing protocols, security, troubleshooting -- each
with real-world examples to back them up.

Think you're already a Cisco Guru? You might need to think again -- do you know
how to optimize your access lists? (page 98) Do you know the difference between
IGRP and EIGRP? (check out Chapter 9 -- interior routing protocols.) And finally,
do you know how to setup multiple-group hot standby routing? (flip to page 213)

This book is a great guidebook for the novice and a solid reference for the
experienced.

The one thing that I really expected in a volume that seems to bill itself as at least covering most of the salient points of the subject but DIDN'T find in this one was any of the commands related to vtp, vlans or trunks. I didn't think those commands would be considered as esoteric for the purposes of this book. Otherwise, it's another excellent title from O'Reilly, and I *do* own many.. I guess if you need everything short of the kitchen sink, the Cisco volume would better meet your needs.

Can't say anything more, the other reviewers have covered everything. A Must have book for the field and covers an aweful lot for 592 pages. Very Happy!

IF you do any IOS commands and ever want to lookup details quickly, you'll LOVE this book. Also, IF you're learning
anything from your 1st "conf t" to advanced BGP, You'll find the tutorial part of this book (first third) SUPERBLY clear.
This book is SOOOO great, even for a beginner, that I just ordered 4 more copies for friends! This might even be the only Cisco book you need. (Note: NO mention of switches, STP, VLAN, etc.)

Depending on what you wish to get you will judge this book.
I was after a quick reference just to check various switches in different IOS commands and to quickly work out how they can be utilized - It did the job! however there some caveats :
The version of IOS used by the Author probably is 12.1 or even earlier , some commands have been changed and some configurations are no longer valid. For instance in order for static RP to work you have to configure the RP itself to make things happen but the nice example in the Multicast chapter does not have this command (since it was not mandatory prior to 12.2). Or in the SNAT section, there is a fantastic example but for a first timer it's pretty much useless because most of Stateful NAT commands are required to be changed in the latest IOS versions. Anyway, I strongly believe that by developing a new edition of this valuable book it still could be one of the best IOS resources.
HTH,

First of all, I love O'Reilly's "Nutshell" books. They are very concise, and they keep the specifics handy for those experienced in the subject matter. IOS in a Nutshell is no different. I use this book every day, and it was crucial for a variety of scripts I've created for use in the workplace. Specifically, this helps in every IP networking scenario, from Frame Relay and ATM, to DDR and access lists. This is great! It's my one stop shop for command-line answers. It also briefly explains each subject so that you get a basic understanding of what you'll be configuring. This is great for seasoned administrators and those just starting to study for the CCNA. Hands on is the key, and this book helps you to do just that.

This is a good reference book, but don't count on it to teach you how to set up a Cisco device or any networking. Even though it is fairly current, I have found a few differences between it and IOS 12.4 T.

this is another all in one book that i have, the other one is cisco ios cookbook. what i found that this book is very good after using it for some time, and also the writing style makes me easy to understand it very well.

i like the part where the author give comment on each line after a command to tell the reader what does that command do.

this book cover wide variety of things, and honestly i haven't read and tried all of the parts, but from what i have read and tried, this book gives very good detail in setting up tunnel and its security, it did help me understand how to set it up from scratch while i didn't know about it at all before.

in qos part, this is why i give this book 4/5, it just tell you briefly what each type of qos method does what it doesn't really give you an example of working configuration. i would like to see the author give an example from a real life configuration, suggestion to choose which type that we should use for particular case or even maybe combining few different type.

another suggestion is maybe to update the book with more information, and more commands that newer ios supports.

my recommendation is to get this book along with cisco ios cookbook, i am pretty sure it will cover the part where this book is missing and vise versa. you might also find this book is easier to read and understand than cookbook as well.