10 Best Books on Cisco IOS

“Todd Lammle’s CCNA IOS Commands Survival Guide” Book Review: This book teaches about Cisco’s basic operating system and how to move to IPv6. It has hundreds of commands, figures, and real-world examples. By reading this book, people can learn about the many IOS commands that Cisco routers and switches use. This knowledge can help them become a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

“Cisco IOS Cookbook” Book Review: This book demonstrates how to perform most router configuration tasks in simple steps. From configuring different interfaces like serial, ATM, and Frame Relay, to using access lists to control the traffic through the router, the book also explains configuring authentication, DHCP, NTP, RIP, EIGRP, OSPF, BGP, and other common IP routing protocols. Readers also learn to set up backup links and use HSRP to configure backup routers. The text also teaches how to manage the router and SNMP. Separate sections on MPLS, Security, IPv6, IP Mobility, and solutions to the most common configuration problems are also included. This book is suitable for both experienced and experienced professionals who work with Cisco routers.

“Cisco IOS in a Nutshell” Book Review: This book provides a clear and straightforward explanation of essential commands and features of Cisco IOS. It covers the IOS configuration for the TCP/IP protocol family in two parts. The first part focuses on the user interface, access lists, routing protocols, configuring lines and interfaces, and dial-on-demand routing and security. The second part describes all the commands for working with TCP/IP and the lower-level protocols. The book includes many examples of the most common configuration steps for routers. It is useful for network administrators who want to refer to it.

“Cisco IOS Cookbook” Book Review: This book teaches readers how to configure a router by breaking down the process into easy-to-follow steps. It covers various types of interfaces such as serial, ATM, and Frame Relay, and explains how to use access lists to control traffic flow. The book also discusses how to set up authentication, DHCP, NTP, and common IP routing protocols like RIP, EIGRP, OSPF, and BGP. Readers can learn how to set up backup links and configure backup routers using HSRP. Additionally, the book covers router management, SNMP, MPLS, Security, IPv6, IP Mobility, and common configuration issues. It is suitable for both new and experienced professionals working with Cisco routers.

“Cisco IOS XR Fundamentals” Book Review: This book serves as a systematic guide to configure routers with Cisco IOS XR and the In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU). Frequently used commands that are used to configure and troubleshoot Cisco IOS XR-based routers in both service provider and enterprise environments are demonstrated with the help of numerous examples and illustrations. A walkthrough of the Cisco IOS XR architecture and commands in the new Cisco IOS XR CLI is provided for simplifying migration as well as minimizing downtime and cost. Service provider requirements and internetwork theory are explained using proven sample configurations for IOS XR services, MPLS, multicast, system management, system security, routing, and interfaces. The book is suitable for designing, implementing, troubleshooting, administering, or selling networks containing Cisco IOS XR–supported routers.

“Cisco IOS Quick Reference | Cheat Sheet” Book Review: This book presents a quick reference to the essential Cisco commands. Each command has been directly linked to Cisco’s website for more information and examples. This cheat sheet can be used during emergencies and acts as a great study guide for CCNA or any other type of Cisco Certification. Network administrators or engineers can refer to this cheat sheet for fast access to all Cisco commands.

“IP Routing on Cisco IOS, IOS XE, and IOS XR” Book Review: This book serves as a detailed guide to understanding and implementing IP routing protocols for enterprise and service provider environments. After introducing the fundamentals, the book delves deeper into static routing, EIGRP, OSPF, IS-IS, and BGP routing protocols. Advanced routing with policies and redistribution, sophisticated BGP-based traffic engineering, multicast, and advanced high availability techniques like fast routing convergence are also discussed in detail. Each protocol is explained using illustrations, realistic configurations, and appropriate output. Differences between the IOS XE and IOS XR operating systems are also highlighted. The multicast implementation of IOv6 is covered right up to its completely revamped address structure. The book can be referred for multiple Cisco Career Certifications, including CCIE Routing & Switching, CCNA/CCNP/CCIE Service Provider, Cisco IOS XR Specialist Certification, and the routing components of several additional Cisco Certifications.

“Cisco Networks: Engineers’ Handbook of Routing, Switching, and Security with IOS, NX-OS, and ASA” Book Review: This book explains how to install, configure, and troubleshoot networks with Cisco devices. All aspects of IOS, NX-OS, and ASA software are covered with special focus on solving real-world challenges in configuring network devices. The book also addresses network security from a hacker’s perspective and describes how to use black-hat tools such as oclHashcat, Loki, Burp Suite, Scapy, Metasploit, and Kali to test the security of the network. After reviewing the basics of configuring routers, switches, and data center devices in typical corporate network architectures, the book describes how to implement secure network configurations and configure the Cisco ASA firewall while implementing networks of Cisco devices supporting WAN, LAN, and data center configurations. Replete with cheat sheets, lab configurations, and advanced commands, the book is suitable for beginning and experienced network engineers, CCENT, CCNA, and CCNP exam takers as well as preparation for Cisco certification.

“Cisco IOS Software Reference Guide” Book Review: This book introduces the IOS life cycle, hardware support and file naming conventions. Starting from feature set requirements and Cisco Feature Navigator to IOS release version, bug scrub and interoperability matrix, an effective methodology for selecting IOS release version and feature set package is described. Step-by-step instructions to upgrade the most common Cisco Catalyst switches and routers are also provided. Standard IOS commands to configure interfaces, system management, campus switching, routing and security are discussed in detail. In addition to explaining how to connect to network devices and configuration modes for initial setup, the book also studies the techniques used for troubleshooting IOS problems such as password recovery and fixing corrupt image files. The book is ideal for network engineers.

“Cisco IOS Show Commands Desk Reference” Book Review: This quick reference contains 180+CISCO IOS show commands and also explains numerous industry standard troubleshooting tools. Hardware platforms including Cisco Routers, Catalyst Access Switches, Catalyst 4500 and 6500 Switches, Nexus 5000 and 7000 Switches, Nexus 1000V for VMware Switch, Wireless LAN Controllers, ASA 5500 Firewalls, and WAAS Devices are incorporated with the Cisco kindle desk reference. It is designed for network engineers and preparing for CCNA exams.