How to learn networking?

[Kelemvor]

Howdy,

I've been doing Tech Support type stuff forever but mainly limited to the Desktop side of things. I want to try to move over to the Networking side of things but don't know where to start.

I know how routers and switches work from a consumer standpoint but don't know how to console into them and that sort of thing.

Not really looking to get Cisco certified or anything but just need to learn all the basics. Maybe finding an online Cisco training program is the best way to learn the basics anyway. I just don't know.

If anyone has any websites or anything that have good tutorials, please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[DainBrammage]

look for CBT Nuggets. They have some pretty basic stuff

 

[exdeath]

Google "cisco ios" and start learning. A good way to get started hands on is Cisco CBOS; it's a subset of IOS geared to and found in any cheap easy to get your hands on Cisco model consumer broadband modems/routers, but will introduce you to core Cisco constructs and command line (enable mode, nvram, etc).

It's really not that hard if you understand IP basics. The only difference really over consumer hardware is you can manage every aspect of individual ports, create and trunk VLANs, and much much more.

 

[Jamsan]

I'd start by going the Network+ route to get a better overall foundation of networking before jumping into a vendor specific cert track. While CCNA covers alot of the basics, Network+ will do a better job and remain vendor agnostic.

 

[mammador]

At the outset, simply reading a networking textbook and applying the basics can help. For career purposes though, obviously studying a certification would be better.

You could perhaps start by reading up on switch configuration, STP, etc. Or basic routing protocols (link state, distance vector and hybrids).

 

[AD5MB]

If you get the Network+ certification:

You will study towards a standard set by others
you will demonstrate that you can learn to a standard set by others
you will have to learn things that you might gloss over if you did not have a standard set by others as your goal
when some clueless cluck tells you "you don't know what you're talking about" you can reply

"and yet I somehow managed to fumble my way through A+, Network+, i-Net+, Server+, ..."

Network+ is a defined goal with a clear and unmistakeable finish line.

 

[drebo]

If you simply get an IOS router or any other vendor's equipment and just try to muddle through, you will be doing yourself a disservice.

The absolute number 1 core of everything involved in networking is subnetting. You must learn to subnet. You must know it like the back of your hand. You must be able to recognize masks at a glance and identify subnets by an IP and a mask. You must understand what they are and why they exist. Once you understand that, everything else is easy.

Learn subnetting, and it'll be easy to understand why certain routing protocols work and what they're for. You'll know why subnets exist. You'll understand the fundamental building block of networking.

STP is another concept that isn't nearly as essential, but is very useful once you get to the enterprise. Not so useful in SOHO.

 

[blackangst1]

If you simply get an IOS router or any other vendor's equipment and just try to muddle through, you will be doing yourself a disservice.

The absolute number 1 core of everything involved in networking is subnetting. You must learn to subnet. You must know it like the back of your hand. You must be able to recognize masks at a glance and identify subnets by an IP and a mask. You must understand what they are and why they exist. Once you understand that, everything else is easy.

Learn subnetting, and it'll be easy to understand why certain routing protocols work and what they're for. You'll know why subnets exist. You'll understand the fundamental building block of networking.

STP is another concept that isn't nearly as essential, but is very useful once you get to the enterprise. Not so useful in SOHO.

I tend to agree. HERE is an excellent overview on subnetting.

 

[freegeeks]

If you simply get an IOS router or any other vendor's equipment and just try to muddle through, you will be doing yourself a disservice.

The absolute number 1 core of everything involved in networking is subnetting. You must learn to subnet. You must know it like the back of your hand. You must be able to recognize masks at a glance and identify subnets by an IP and a mask. You must understand what they are and why they exist. Once you understand that, everything else is easy.

Learn subnetting, and it'll be easy to understand why certain routing protocols work and what they're for. You'll know why subnets exist. You'll understand the fundamental building block of networking.

STP is another concept that isn't nearly as essential, but is very useful once you get to the enterprise. Not so useful in SOHO.

I agree 99% with the exception of subnetting and routing protocols. One has nothing to do with the other...
Knowing what a /24 is will learn you little about ospf, IS-IS or BGP

 

[drebo]

Maybe not, but without understanding subnetting, you will have no grasp of why things like auto-summary are bad or how to properly design a network based around one of those routing protocols. You can't properly design a large OSPF network without understanding how to subnet, for instance.

Subnetting is at the core of everything a network engineer does.

 

[Ghiedo27]

Relevant practice link: subnettingquestions.com

 

[MtnMan]

You need to know "how" data is transferred in a network, including all the steps to resolve a URL to an IP, resolve the IP to the MAC, routing tables, establishing a TCP connection, and how it provides reliable data transfers, etc. etc. and a whole lot more.

Then and only when you know how a network communicates are you ready to actually start learning how to setup a network, configure devices, setting up VLANs, QoS, etc.