Cisco LAN Switching Fundamentals

Cisco LAN Switching Fundamentals is a well-written, easy-to-understand book, even for people whose first language is not English. The book explains the bases of 4 of the most common families of Cisco Switches: 5000/5500, 4000/4500, 6000/6500 and 3750. It goes quite in depth into showing the differences between these families, and showing where they fit best. Written by two CCIE, David Barnes and Basir Sakandar, this book shows all their expertise in the area managing to clearly explain layer-2 and layer-3 usage. Through several chapters, the authors try to convince the readers to use a different, more modern, approach to networks, like using layer-3 switches at the distribution layer instead of simple routers. Some drawbacks I found reading include some confusion in the QoS chapter and the need to give more depth to the Multicast chapter. After reading them I got the feeling that I did not manage to get a good understanding of these two areas. Another small issue is about chapter one where the ISO/OSI stack is explained, since this is a so often repeated item in all networking books I would have given less explanations about the basics of it and focused more on layer 2 and 3 related arguments. On the contrary I found the remaining of the book to be satisfactory. A detailed explanation of the switches families functions, their features and commands has been given in chapter 3. Chapter 5 focuses on the differences between Hybrid versus Native software versions, giving also a useful chart to compare commands between the two modes. I would rate with a 5/5 score the chapter about Multilayer switching, which is very clear and gives more than a basic knowledge about this argument. Appendix A is a useful hands-on description on how to migrate a 6500 switch from native to hybrid and vice-versa modes. The last two chapters about design and troubleshooting are a good start for those technicians that need to work on switches and do not need too much theory to get their job done. In particular the troubleshooting one shows several modes on how to track the problems both locally and remotely. Overall this CiscoPress book shows the usual quality of this Editor's products even if I would not put it as outstanding. It is a good reading to get a grasp on the switching architecture, but needs to be completed in some areas with other more specific volumes.

This book is only 375 pages and one can read it during a weekend. But do not underestimate it because of its size as it is filled with information and tips which you wont find anywhere else. Do you know what scp is? Do you know what IGMP fallback is? Do you know how to find out for an IP pair, which link in the etherchannel bundle getting used? The book is filled with these kinds of tips throughout. Its your source of quick lookups at work when you are stressed looking for something. It can help you to recall what certain knob is used for? The book covers all major areas of Lan Switching. It has a detailed chapter on Cisco switches architecture and it is indeed very informative. Chapter 11 goes into Campus design details and some common pitfalls are discussed. Overall the book has a great flow. It covers LAN switching concepts, architecture, design and troubleshooting. Youll learn about a varietyof topics, including QoS, IGMP, Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), Multiple Spanning Tree (MST), private virtual LANs (VLANs), and configuration using the native and hybrid software. The book will help new and intermediate professionals and also aspiring CCIEs. This book along with CCNP Practical Studies from Justin Menga can provide everything one needs to know about Lan Switching has to offer these days. Great effort by Basir and David!

After the dot.com bubble burst, a lot of us had serious concerns about Cisco as a company. There was so much used equipment (much of which hadn't even been taken out of the box) that new sales had to fall. But time marches on and Cisco has clearly survived and even thrived. But there have been some changes. New products and even new product directions have come about. Still, however more than half the revenue of the company comes out of ethernet switches. This book focuses on the concepts, architecture, configuration, and troubleshooting of Cisco Ethernet switches. It is designed to fit the needs of the networking professional from the almost beginner through intermediate level. The book begins, just as it should, with a discussion of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model. From here it goes on for a truly excellent first thirty pages, the thirty pages that most computer books seem to leave out. It goes on to giving some description of the older technologies (that many of use still have to maintain) and finally to the newest, latest and greatest. This is an in depth coverage that is truly excellent.

I was very impressed with this book. I didn't know what to expect, as the book has only been available for a short time now. However, I was able to read the entire book over the weekend, and found the book to cover all the major LAN Switching topic areas (and with more in-depth coverage than I was expecting). This is an outstanding intermediate level book which provides thorough topic coverage while also being written in an easy to read format. As a fellow CCIE and author, it is refreshing to find good, quality reference material being developed in the industry. This book is defintely a keeper :) :) :)