Designing Cisco Networks [Hardcover]

Diane Teare (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1578701058 | ISBN-13: 978-1578701056 | Publication Date: August 15, 1999 | Edition: 1st

Cisco authorized self-study book for CCDA foundation learning * Prepare for CCDA certification while mastering the network design process * Learn to characterize existing networks and determine new customer requirements * Develop appropriate network topologies for various environments * Design device naming schemes and IP and IPX addressing schemes * Understand how to select the best routing and bridging protocols and provision software features and hardware for LANs and WANs * Learn how to create design documents and build prototypes and pilots * Optimize your network with valuable information on PIX(r) firewalls, router performance, ISDN, and Windows(r) NT Designing Cisco Networks is a Cisco authorized, self-paced learning tool for CCDA exam 640-441. It teaches you how to become proficient in network design methodologies. Created for those seeking to attain CCDA certification as well as networking professionals seeking an introduction to networking design concepts, this book focuses on small to medium-sized networks. It provides a step-by-step process to follow when designing internetworks to ensure that all important issues are considered, resulting in optimal network design. By using this book, you will be able to identify customer needs, design LAN and WAN network structures, create network management strategies, write design documents, and build and test prototypes and pilots. Filled with case studies, procedures, charts, and checklists, Designing Cisco Networks will help you understand how to analyze and solve existing network problems while building a framework that supports the functionality, performance, and scalability required of any given environment. Self-assessment through exercises and chapter-ending tests starts you down the path for attaining your CCDA certification.Designing Cisco Networks is part of a recommended learning path from Cisco Systems that can include simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.Diane Teare is the director of e-learning for Global Knowledge, the largest Cisco authorized learning partner. Diane has more than 17 years of experience in design, implementation, and troubleshooting of network hardware and software. She also has been involved in teaching, course design, and project management. Diane is the course directory/master instructor for the BSCI and DCN courses at Global Knowledge (Canada).

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A typical entry in Cisco's Certification Training Series, Designing Cisco Networks is jammed with good technology and business information. Intended as an accompaniment to an eponymous course that is part of the Cisco Certified Design Associate certificate program, the book's goal is to provide a blueprint for designing networks for small and medium-size companies. And it does a good job of that, even though it's never clear how the editor, the technical reviewers, or Cisco define that particular market segment.

Because the authors assume a fairly sophisticated level of networking knowledge, they buzz through the basics--technologies, protocols, and devices--in the first chapter. This section, and the rest of the book for that matter, is characterized by pithy phrasing that leaves no room for interpretation, which is a blessing for this type of publication. For example, local area networks (LANs) are given these attributes: "fast, belongs to you, is there all the time."

Later sections deal with the steps involved in characterizing an existing network and determining how to update it for the customer's needs. Obvious but good points are made, such as identifying technological and business-related bottlenecks. In addition, readers are pointed to a series of tools, such as NetFlow and CiscoWorks, that can help with network assessment and design. From there, the inner workings of developing a network technology are explored, as is the challenge of figuring out which protocols, devices, and management tools and strategies make the most sense for the environment. Case studies and sample CCDA test questions are woven throughout the book, and it wraps up with 12 appendices on topics such as PIX firewalls and DNS spoofing, plus a glossary. --Sarah L. Roberts-Witt

From the Back Cover

Cisco authorized self-study book for CCDA foundation learning

* Prepare for CCDA certification while mastering the network design process
* Learn to characterize existing networks and determine new customer requirements
* Develop appropriate network topologies for various environments
* Design device naming schemes and IP and IPX addressing schemes
* Understand how to select the best routing and bridging protocols and provision software features and hardware for LANs and WANs
* Learn how to create design documents and build prototypes and pilots
* Optimize your network with valuable information on PIX(r) firewalls, router performance, ISDN, and Windows(r) NT

Designing Cisco Networks is a Cisco authorized, self-paced learning tool for CCDA exam 640-441. It teaches you how to become proficient in network design methodologies. Created for those seeking to attain CCDA certification as well as networking professionals seeking an introduction to networking design concepts, this book focuses on small to medium-sized networks. It provides a step-by-step process to follow when designing internetworks to ensure that all important issues are considered, resulting in optimal network design. By using this book, you will be able to identify customer needs, design LAN and WAN network structures, create network management strategies, write design documents, and build and test prototypes and pilots.

Filled with case studies, procedures, charts, and checklists, Designing Cisco Networks will help you understand how to analyze and solve existing network problems while building a framework that supports the functionality, performance, and scalability required of any given environment. Self-assessment through exercises and chapter-ending tests starts you down the path for attaining your CCDA certification.

Designing Cisco Networks is part of a recommended learning path from Cisco Systems that can include simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit cisco/go/authorizedtraining.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 848 pages
• Publisher: Cisco Press; 1st edition (August 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578701058
• ISBN-13: 978-1578701056
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,241,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars CCDA - It's whats for dinner., February 17, 2001

By 

"it_countryboy" (O-HI-O) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designing Cisco Networks (Hardcover)

I wish I could give this book 5 stars but, I can't. It's kind of hard to read and understand the layout of the subjects. However, the material is good once you do grasp the layout. Maybe, I'm a little thick for this field,....who knows? Anyway, I used this book and only this book to prep for exam. I passed with an 870 which is above the 745 minimum. I'm also a CCNA. It might do one good to get that CCNA first before wrestling this critter. I have to mention that this book emphasizes "Good Design Principle," using Cisco equipment to give the network design, "functionality". The design principle in the book is out-freaking-standing. One could use these concepts in any network design.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, once you get the CCDA, you will find out that not too many IT Recruiters or employers know what it is. I have had several IT Recruiters and employers ask me what the acronym CCDA means. You can tell them that this is one more link in the chain to achieve your CCIE. They will understand that, believe me.

Buy the book, understand the case studies(35-40% of real exam), go down and get that certification.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for the Experienced ...., January 9, 2000

By 

mreza - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designing Cisco Networks (Hardcover)

This book is a summary of the DCN course taught by Cisco around the world. This course leads to the CCDA certification. If you have been working with Cisco for more than two to three years, just go and take the test. If you havent, get the book. If you just have to purchase one book, get Top-Down Network Design book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!, October 15, 1999

By 

P. Powers (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designing Cisco Networks (Hardcover)

I used this book alone to pass the CCDA exam, with minimal hands-on experience or study time. It logically summarized the major concepts of the exam, in a clear and easy to interpret manner. I would definitely recommend it!