Network Warrior
Author: Gary A. Donahue
Pages: 598
Publisher: O’Reilly
ISBN: 0596101511
Introduction
The Cisco CCNA network associate certification validates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a WAN. “Network Warrior” is a book intended for those who earned CCNA or a similar level of certification and want to push forward with analyzing interesting real world examples.
About the author
Gary A. Donahue is a working consultant who has been in the computer industry for 25 years. Having designed and built networks ranging from simple LANs to world-wide converged VoIP networks, Gary has worked with people from all levels of IT and management.
Inside the book
“Network Warrior” starts off with some basic technicalities related to networking concepts, including VLAN trunking protocol, spanning tree and auto negotiation. Each of these elementary topics get approximately 10-15 pages each and introduce us to the author’s orientation toward the book’s concept – concise information on specific topics, accompanied with valuable diagrams and/or pieces of terminal output if available.
Routers and multilayer switches are covered in details and take almost one third of the content. Both of these important topics are well structured in chapters that host a wealth of advanced topics based on practical examples.
One of the chapters I enjoyed the most is the one that goes deeper with networking technologies used by telecoms, especially T1, DS3 and frame relay.
The book is written by an expert with two decades of experience, so while reading through it, you will stumble upon series of interesting facts that will help you think better in the process of designing, installing and operating your network.
Final thoughts
The book’s cover proudly states that it will teach you everything you need to know that wasn’t on the CCNA exam. You probably won’t learn everything, but Donahue’s book will clearly elevate your networking knowledge, especially if your work is concentrated around Cisco equipment.