Cisco routers are everywhere that networks are. They come in all sizes, from inexpensive units for homes and small offices to equipment costing well over $100,000 and capable of routing at gigabit speeds. A fixture in today's networks, Cisco claims roughly 70% of the router market, producing high-end switches, hubs, and other network hardware. One unifying thread runs through the product line: virtually all of Cisco's products run the Internetwork Operating System, or IOS.

If you work with Cisco routers, it's likely that you deal with Cisco's IOS software--an extremely powerful and complex operating system, with an equally complex configuration language. With a cryptic command-line interface and thousands of commands--some of which mean different things in different situations--it doesn't have a reputation for being user-friendly.

Fortunately, there's help. This second edition of Cisco IOS in a Nutshell consolidates the most important commands and features of IOS into a single, well-organized volume that you'll find refreshingly user-friendly.

This handy, two-part reference covers IOS configuration for the TCP/IP protocol family. The first section includes chapters on the user interface, configuring lines and interfaces, access lists, routing protocols, and dial-on-demand routing and security. A brief, example-filled tutorial shows you how to accomplish common tasks.

The second part is a classic O'Reilly quick reference to all the commands for working with TCP/IP and the lower-level protocols on which it relies. Brief descriptions and lists of options help you zero in on the commands you for the task at hand. Updated to cover Cisco IOS Software Major Release 12.3, this second edition includes lots of examples of the most common configuration steps for the routers themselves. It's a timely guide that any network administrator will come to rely on.

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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!!!

9 of 9 found the following review helpful:

Desperately needs a new editionDec 21, 2005
By Patrick Gavin "Weasel Boy"
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.

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:

CISCO IOS in a nutshellOct 07, 2003

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.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

95+ percent of what you needMar 01, 2003
By Ombudsman
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.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

"As Good As It Gets"Feb 08, 2002

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!

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