Cisco networking essentials

Overview: An engaging approach for anyone beginning a career in networking. As the world leader of networking products and services, Cisco products are constantly growing in demand. Yet, few books are aimed at those who are beginning a career in IT - until now. Cisco Networking Essentials provides a solid foundation on the Cisco networking products and services with thorough coverage of fundamental networking concepts. Author Troy McMillan applies his years of classroom instruction to effectively present high-level topics in easy-to-understand terms for beginners. With this indispensable full-color resource, you'll quickly learn the concepts, processes, and skills that are essential to administer Cisco routers and switches. Begins with a clear breakdown of what you can expect to learn in each chapter, followed by a straightforward discussion of concepts on core topics -- Includes suggested labs and review questions at the conclusion of each chapter, which encourage you to reinforce and measure your understanding of the topics discussed -- Serves as an ideal starting point for learning Cisco networking products and services -- If you are interested in a career in IT but have little or no knowledge of networking and are new to Cisco networking products, then this book is for you.

Includes index.

Introduction -- Networks: -- Describing network components: -- Defining the benefits of networks -- Identifying the requirements for a network -- Classifying networks by function: -- Understanding LANs -- Understanding WANs -- Defining network architectures: -- Understanding peer-to-peer networks -- Understanding client-server networks -- Essentials and beyond -- OSI Model: -- Using reference models: -- Understanding the benefits of reference -- Exploring reference model examples -- Introducing the layers of the OSI model: -- Understanding the application layer -- Understanding the presentation layer -- Understanding the session layer -- Understanding the transport layer -- Understanding the network layer -- Understanding the Data-Link layer -- Understanding the physical layer -- Describing the OSI encapsulation process: -- Identifying the process on the source device -- Identifying the process on the destination device -- Essentials and beyond -- TCP/IP: -- Understanding the TCP/IP model: -- Exploring the four layers -- Comparing the OSI and TCP/IP models -- Describing the TCP/IP encapsulation process: -- Understanding data and PDUs -- Describing the contents of data -- Describin…