Comment by techjuice | Hacker News Reader

Comment by techjuice | Hacker News Reader

I recommend reading the following books/presentations, I have read all of them several times and it has given me a very lucrative, wonderful deep understanding of TCP/IP (including UDP), programming network connected applications, creating complex network diagrams, and being able to perfectly talk with all individuals in networking from the non-technical to telco engineers, work as an embedded engineer, network engineer and more.

  TCP/IP Illustrated Volume 1: The Protocols

  TCP/IP Illustrated Volume 2: The Implementation

  Network Flow Analysis

  Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach

  Introduction to Sockets Programming in C using TCP/IP
  
  Beej's Guide to Network Programming

  Programming and Automating Cisco Networks

  CCNA Routing and Switching Official Cert Guide

  CCNA Datacenter Official Cert Guide

  CCNP ROUTE, SWITCH, and TSHOOT Lab Manuals

  CCIE and CCDE Evolving Technologies Study Guide

I would highly recommend getting a cheap certification rack from Amazon once you get better book knowledge (CCNA/CCNP Collab, Wireless and Routing and Switching) to increase your knowledge 20x. When I did not have my own hardware there were just so many questions and things I wanted to do that were very complex or not possible to do with training simulators, books, etc.

With the high quality managed switches you can see how your apps can affect the network, integrate your work with network connected devices, automate network devices and many more things that wouldn't give you as deep as an understanding when using an unmanaged network (e.g. create your own software that runs on routers, switches, VOIP phones and linux servers).

Any parts list recommendation to build out a cheap network gear from Amazon, newegg etc?

3x Cisco Catalyst 3750G-48PS Port switch, a few GBICs if you want to play with the fiber connectivity. 3x Cisco 2901 Routers, insure you get at least the T1 modules and cables. Make sure you buy the gear with mounting kits so you can rack them, along with purchasing the proper cables. If you want to learn more about VOIP you would need to purchase Cisco CUCM or something similar to Asterisk and possibly the processing modules for the switch/router or buy a switch that already has it licensed.

You may also want to get a rack to rack all the equipment as it can get pretty heavy and looks nice and professional when racked. The benefit of getting the older gear is that you can do all this for a few hundred dollars. If you want to learn the new stuff later on it will cost more, but you will know all of the hands on stuff by then and can truly benefit from virtual labs (remotely connected to physical hardware console port).

FWIW The CCNA books are pretty interesting, since they cover how the networking equipment decides to route packets, and not just what the host side does.

That is true, plus you normally get internals documentation on the entire process even through the ASIC, CPU, and other chips along with how to troubleshoot issues that may occur when trying to speed things up in high packet, volume and throughput environments fully utilizing the equipment.

I'm sorry, what do you mean by "a cheap certification rack from amazon" ?

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3...

Pick a rack that is in line with your budget and goals. The vendors are selling older networking gear that will allow you to get hands on knowledge with real hardware to supplement book knowledge.

This way when you are on the job you know exactly what you are doing and if there is something you don't know or understand you can purchase real hardware to rapidly increase your skills. There are some sites that will allow you to remotely connect to networking equipment, but it just is not the same as having the real hardware and it will show when faced with the real deal on the job.

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