Cisco CCSP - Exam-Pack: 642-502 SNRS
Securing Networks with Cisco Routers and Switches
Running Time: 11 Hours If you"re using Cisco routers and switches, much of your security can be accomplished using the features built into the hardware and IOS. That’s what the Exam-Pack: 642-502 SNRS videos are all about:

• Authorize access for legitimate users with the AAA architecture.
• Use Cisco"s IOS Firewall for Context-Based Access Control (CBAC) and Intrusion Prevention.
• Create identity-based networking services to prevent denial-of-service (DoS) and other Layer 2 attacks.
• Block rogue DHCP servers from appearing on your network.
• Configure VPN solutions using IPSEC tunneling for secure branch-to-branch data transmission.
• Establish advanced VPN security by creating a Certificate Authority (CA) on a private subnet.
• Simplify remote VPN management using Easy VPN.
• Manage multiple devices more easily using Cisco"s Security Device Manager (SDM) web interface.

In addition to these useful on-the-job skills taught in Exam-Pack: 642-502 SNRS, the series maps to the exam objectives for Cisco’s 642-502 SNRS exam to prepare you for certification. This exam is one of five required for Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) certification.

If this book were a person, it would be a career bureaucrat. It provides the data you need efficiently enough, but it doesn't go into any details you won't find on spec sheets, is fairly dry reading, and doesn't really seem to know what it wants to be. Cisco Secure Internet Security Solutions is straight from Cisco's course sheets, and it starts off fairly strong. It goes over the basic Internet attacks and explains DoS, SYN floods, SNMP problems, and other typical hacker attacks in clear language that's aimed at the mid-level Cisco professional. It doesn't go into reams of novice-level detail, but rather gives concise summaries. It then covers some of the solutions Cisco has created for the standard array of l33t probes and system invasions. And, in a very nice feature, it actually provides a set of simple global commands that it suggests should be configured on all Cisco products (like denying access from reserved IP addresses), and then explains what each step does and why you should do it, line by line. The next few chapters go into some detail about the Cisco secure product family, discussing PIX Firewalls and Cisco Secure Policy Manager and what you'd use them for. So far, so good.

Cisco administration 101: Five interface commands you should know
Takeaway:
Whether you're a seasoned admin or a newbie, it's always a good idea to review from time to time. When working with routers and switches, you usually don't have to configure an interface using the Cisco IOS every day, and it's easy to become a little rusty on the necessary commands. David Davis lists five Cisco IOS Interface Configuration Mode commands everyone should know.
When working with routers and switches, you usually don't have to configure an interface using the Cisco IOS every day, and it's easy to become a little rusty on the necessary commands. Whether you're a seasoned admin or a newbie, it's important to review from time to time. Let's look at five Cisco IOS Interface Configuration Mode commands everyone should know.