Network Warrior: Everything you need to know that wasn't on the CCNA exam by Gary A. Donahue Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Network Warrior: Everything you need to know that wasn't on the CCNA exam
Book Review: Great next read after getting your CCNA!
Summary: 4 Stars
One of the best networking books I have read, period. Not just how it works, but why it works and should be configured. After you study and obtain your CCNA, this is the next read that will fill in many information holes.
Highly recommended.
Book Review: How tech books should be written
Summary: 5 Stars
This is how technology books should be written. Lets be honest, switching and routing is a very dry subject but the author makes the subject matter easy to read, comprehend and enjoy (yes, I said enjoy).
The book is written from the view point of someone who has configured (and broken) networks so when you are reading you get "done that before" and "that makes sense now" moments from beginning to end. The command examples really help as a reference guide too.
I wish more books I need to read where written like this.
Book Review: It's amazing book.
Summary: 4 Stars
More advanced than others, so it's indicate to experienced professionals. If you like to discover special things about network, it's the goal.Book Review: Maybe the best book I will read in 2007
Summary: 5 Stars
Network Warrior is the best network administration book I've ever read. I spend most of my reading time on security books, but because I lean towards network security I like reading complementary sources on protocols and infrastructure. Gary Donahue has written a wonderful book that I highly recommend for anyone who administers, supports, or interacts with networks. Network Warrior may be the best book I will read in 2007.
Why is Network Warrior so great? I think the key is the author's willingness to share personal recommendations. There are plenty of books about technology and syntax. I've read and reviewed many, most of which I liked for what they offered. However, it's rare to read a network book that says "here's how you should implement this," rather than just list options. I'm at the point in my career where I know what I might do; now I want to know what a real expert would do. Donahue provides that wisdom in many sections, but especially in Part VIII on network design.
A second reason I really enjoyed Network Warrior was its coverage of a variety of Cisco features. Sure, I had read of many of these elsewhere, but I thought Donahue made many of them clear, especially in comparison to each other. There are better references for ACLs, like Cisco Router Firewall Security by Richard Deal, but when ACLs are described next to route maps or VLAN maps, Ciscoland becomes a little easier to understand. Donahue's explanations of EtherChannel, switching algorithms, and autonegotiation are other good examples. I even admit that the author corrected my misunderstanding of QoS, as he says "QoS does not limit bandwidth, it guarantees it, which is not the same thing" (p 429). Elsewhere he says "When there is no congestion, any protocol can use any amount of available bandwidth it needs" (p 428) and "while scheduling of packets always takes places, the limits set are really only enforced during congestion" (p 427).
The third reason I like Network Warrior is the attention paid to understanding the fundamentals of certain technologies and products. The author ensures the reader gets a real grounding in telecom terms and technology, like T-1 lines. For products, I liked chapters on the 6500 series switch, content switches, and layer 3 switches.
Finally, the writing is exceptionally clear. The diagrams are excellent and make their point very well. The author's suggestions for being a better administrator apply to any technical operator. I liked Donahue's repeated suggestion to "never assume anything" and to start troubleshooting at layer 1.
Although I rated Network Warrior five stars, in a second edition I would like to see more on layer two fundamentals. I would also like to read about 802.1X and perhaps even Cisco NAC, since it seems to be becoming popular. Overall, however, you should buy and read Network Warrior right now. I loved it and will recommend it to anyone who wants to be a better network administrator.
Book Review: Must have for new CCNAs
Summary: 5 Stars
Just as the book claims - the book has on the job information essential for the new network administrator that can pass the CCNA but lacks experience in the field. While the CCNAs main focus is routing and switching on small networks, this book covers the knowledge gaps in supporting the campus network in areas including the firewall, multi layer switching, SVI's, HSRP, QoS/CoS, supporting VOIP and so on. What was immediately beneficial was the anecdotal chapters on GAD's maxims and chapter 38 titled "avoiding frustration" where the very common problems with "IT politics" always mess with the "perfect design" and the engineers ego. This book, will take your knowledge to the next step after the CCNA and get you set on a path towards supporting larger networks in the "real world" and eventually going after the CCNP. This book is on the top shelf in my library.