Cisco IP Routing: Packet Forwarding and Intra-domain Routing...

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 656 pages
• Published by: Addison-Wesley Professional November 9, 2001
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0201604736
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0201604733
• Book Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Weighs: 2.5 pounds

Book Info
Focusing on intra-domain dynamic routing protocols this book provides an in-depth understanding of IP routing and forwarding technologies, and their implementation within Cisco routers.

Back Cover Copy


As a networking professional, you will find this practical guide an invaluable resource for understanding routing technologies and configuring and troubleshooting Cisco routers, as well as for studying for the CCIE exam. Cisco IP Routing presents the most thorough information available on the inner workings of Cisco routers. Focusing on intra-domain dynamic routing protocols, the book provides an in-depth understanding of IP routing and forwarding technologies, and their implementation within Cisco routers.

You will find essential background information on IP addressing, general routing and forwarding processes, and routing table maintenance. The book discusses packet forwarding and static routing, and details the specific mechanisms inside the dynamic routing protocols, covering both the distance vector and link-state routing protocols. Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), and Enhanced IGRP (EIGRP), Cisco's proprietary routing protocol, are covered in depth within the context of Cisco's implementation.

Specific topics covered include:

• Variable length subnet masks
• Classful and classless addressing and routing
• Routing and forwarding differences
• Static and dynamic routing
• Routing table structure and maintenance in Cisco routers
• Cisco packet switching mechanisms, including fast, optimum, distributed, NetFlow, and Cisco Express Forwarding
• Cisco load-sharing techniques
• The Bellman-Ford and Dijkstra algorithms
• RIP packet formats, input and outbound messaging, event processing, configuration commands, and more
• IGRP packet formats, input and outbound messaging, events processing, configuration commands, and more
• Comparison between ISIS and OSPF
• OSPF subprotocols and packet formats
• OSPF intra-area, inter-area and external routing
• OSPF flooding algorithm and link-state database synchronization
• LSA installation and SPF scheduling
• OSPF configuration and implementation in Cisco routers
• EIGRP operation and configuration
• EIGRP stub router feature

Numerous examples of logs from real Cisco routers illustrate the concepts presented and their practical application. Useful configuration examples are also presented. In addition, many of the chapters include a Frequently Asked Questions section that clarifies common misunderstandings and confusion about IP routing technologies and Cisco routers.

Comprehensive, yet detailed and accessible, Cisco IP Routing provides the inside information you need to be a truly proficient Cisco router networking professional.

0201604736B07242001

Reader Reviews
With my CCNA exam date staring straight at me, I decided to finally read my copy of Alex Zinin's 'Cisco IP Routing.' This book clearly exceeds the level of knowledge to pass Cisco's entry level certification. It is aimed more at CCNPs or CCIEs who need a deeper understanding of Cisco routing. Nevertheless, I found the book's explanations of certain subjects to be absolutely outstanding, even for a CCNA candidate. I recommend anyone wishing to learn Cisco router operations read 'Cisco IP Routing.' This book seeks to deliver the 'why' as well as the 'how' of Cisco routing. It was published in late 2001 and uses IOS 12.1 as its reference platform. This IOS version is recent enough to meet my expectations, so don't fear that the book may not apply to more recent Cisco software and hardware. Remember that the 2600 series router was introduced in January 1999, and the modular 2600XM series arrived only in May 2002. The first compelling aspect of 'Cisco IP Routing' is its exceptionally well-written and thorough explanations of various routing topics. Although my understanding of the subject was improved by reading Todd Lammle's Sybex CCNA books, Alex Zinin's approach assisted me immensely. For example, he helped me understand that classful addressing offers basic subnetting, which 'was used in the real world long before VLSM [Variable-Length Subnet Masks] appeared' (p. 22). He made it clear on p. 52 that 'when multiple matching routes are available to the same destination, routers choose the longest matching route to forward the packets.' This allows specifying a default route that is only used when more specific routes do not match a given destination. Beyond very insightful routing discussions, Alex makes his point using a variety of methods. In some cases he presents tables that compare protocols. Elsewhere he uses diagrams or figures. Throughout the book he demonstrates syntax and configuration, along with debugging messages showing how protocols work in real life. His innovative use of 'pseudo-code' shows how Cisco might represent protocol information within IOS itself. In many chapters he presents and answers frequently asked questions. These help to dispel myths readers may have concerning Cisco routers. I cannot complain about any real aspect of this book. As a minor point, Alex's thorough examinations of routing packet headers should have been augmented by real packet traces. I would like to see a companion volume introduce topics like spanning tree, BGP, and other routing and switching issues. Readers looking for such coverage now might like Radia Perlman's 'Interconnections, 2nd Ed' and Iljitsch van Beijnum's 'BGP.' If you want to truly learn what your Cisco router does when it makes forwarding decisions, you must read 'Cisco IP Routing.' I have not seen any other books so powerfully expose the inner workings of these critical systems. Comment | | (Report this)