Network How-To's

The AUX port, or auxiliary port, has been a fixture on the back of Cisco access routers for almost 30 years. It was also used on other distribution and core routers as well. Although these ports have sat right next to their sibling, the console port, they are not functionally used much anymore and have become almost forgotten, especially in the Cisco Network Academy … [Read more...] about HowTo: Configure an AUX port on a Cisco Router

It can be very confusing to understand how Ethernet switch trunks get setup on a switch when using Cisco's Dynamic Trunking Protocol. Understanding how the different modes is critical to designing how you want the ports to behave. Here is a table that represents the different modes a link can come up in based on the DTP/port settings on each end. I have added the Cisco IOS … [Read more...] about HowTo: Understand Cisco DTP

Are you working on getting your CCNA certification? Taking a Cisco Network Academy CCNA/CCNP class? Want get get some more real world experience and use what you are learning on a day-to-day basis? Then you should get a Cisco ISR router for your home and replace your current consumer Internet router. Before I go on any further, the first scenario that I am going to run … [Read more...] about HowTo: Use a Cisco ISR router as your home Internet router

Configuring a Cisco IOS device (router/switch) is probably one of the easiest things that you can do. But there is a little homework you should to do make sure you implement a NTP configuration that will perform well. Define your NTP Strategy Before you start, you need to determine your NTP strategy. The ultimate goal is that all of the devices in your network should … [Read more...] about HowTo: Configuring a NTP server on a Cisco IOS device

Memorizing the Cisco IOS command line editing keys can seem like a tough task. With modern keyboards that have up/down/left/right arrows, we do not find ourselves dependant on these keys. It is difficult to remember them when you are not using them on a daily basis. Here is my thought process behind learning and remembering the keys. Forward and Backwards - Characters and … [Read more...] about HowTo: Learn Cisco IOS Command Line Editing Keys