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Education => Certifications and Careers => Topic started by: SimonV on June 03, 2015, 01:11:31 PM

Title: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: SimonV on June 03, 2015, 01:11:31 PM
TCP/IP
TCP/IP Illustrated: Volume I (http://www.amazon.com/TCP-Illustrated-Protocols-Addison-Wesley-Professional/dp/0321336313/ref=la_B006TZPS20_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443093406&sr=1-1) - W. Richard Stevens

Routing General
Routing TCP/IP, Volume I, 2nd Edition (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/routing-tcp-ip-volume-1-9781587052026) - Jeff Doyle, Jennifer Carroll
Routing TCP/IP, Volume II (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/routing-tcp-ip-volume-ii-ccie-professional-development-9781578700899) - Jeff Doyle, Jennifer Carroll
IP Routing on Cisco IOS, IOS XE, and IOS XR (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/ip-routing-on-cisco-ios-ios-xe-and-ios-xr-an-essential-9781587144233) - Brad Edgeworth, Aaron Foss, Ramiro Garza Rios

OSPF
OSPF Network Design Solutions, 2nd Edition (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/ospf-network-design-solutions-9781587050329) - Tom Thomas

BGP
BGP for Cisco Networks (http://www.amazon.com/BGP-Cisco-Networks-Protocol-Switching/dp/1496169212) - Stuart D Fordham
Internet Routing Architectures, 2nd Edition (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/internet-routing-architectures-9781578702336) - Sam Halabi

MPLS
MPLS for Cisco Networks (http://www.amazon.com/Stuart-Fordham-MPLS-Cisco-Networks/dp/B00RWSY63K) - Stuart D Fordham
Day One: MPLS for Enterprise Engineers (http://www.amazon.com/Day-One-MPLS-Enterprise-Engineers-ebook/dp/B00IU1KCJ0) Darren O'Connor
MPLS Fundamentals (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/mpls-fundamentals-9781587051975) - Luc De Ghein

Quality of Service
End-to-End QoS Network Design: Quality of Service for Rich-Media & Cloud Networks (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/end-to-end-qos-network-design-quality-of-service-for-9781587143694) - Tim Szigeti, Christina Hattingh, Robert Barton, Kenneth Briley

Multicast
Developing IP Multicast Networks, Volume I (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/developing-ip-multicast-networks-volume-i-9781578700776) - Beau Williamson

Network Design
The Art of Network Architecture: Business-Driven Design (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/art-of-network-architecture-business-driven-design-9780133259230) - Russ White, Denise Donohue
Optimal Routing Design (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/optimal-routing-design-9781587051876) - Russ White, Alvaro Retana, Don Slice

Data Center
NX-OS and Cisco Nexus Switching: Next-Generation Data Center Architectures (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/nx-os-and-cisco-nexus-switching-next-generation-data-9781587143045) - Ron Fuller, David Jansen, Matthew McPherson
Data Center Virtualization Fundamentals (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/data-center-virtualization-fundamentals-understanding-9781587143243) - Gustavo A. A. Santana

802.1X
802.1X Port-Based Authentication (https://www.crcpress.com/8021X-Port-Based-Authentication/Brown/9781420044645) - Edwin Lyle Brown

SDN & SD-WAN

Cisco Intelligent WAN (IWAN) (http://www.ciscopress.com/store/cisco-intelligent-wan-iwan-9780134423722) - Brad Edgeworth, David Prall, Jean Marc Barozet, Anthony Lockhart, Nir Ben-Dvora

Please add your suggestions to the topic!  :thankyou:
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: deanwebb on June 03, 2015, 01:33:05 PM
I really enjoy Wendell Odom's CCNA books. Very well written, lots of solid theory. These books can stand the test of time, almost.

I also enjoyed the CCDA official curriculum guide as a brief, but useful intro to disciplines outside my specialization. I found that after reading it, I had a better understanding of what was going on in Voice, Wireless, and the Data Center. It provided me with a vocabulary to help discuss topics in those areas.

Security is tricky business, because it changes so quickly. However, keeping a printed copy of product user guides for the gear you work with is quite handy to have, especially when you need to show someone a piece of information quickly and you don't want to have to waste time scrolling around - just open to the page and bam! get to work.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: icecream-guy on June 03, 2015, 02:31:16 PM
Get a year subscription to Safari Online.  $399/yr. or $39/mo. then you have access to more than just "a few books"  I think it's better training value than purchasing.

if you are looking for reference books. get some that people recommend in pdf format and put them on your phone so in a pinch you can reference.

I would also download configuration guides and command reference guides for your most common managed platforms on put on the phone. but that don't hurt the budget.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: SimonV on June 03, 2015, 03:09:38 PM
Yes, Safari is definitely a great resource but there's only so much you can read in a month. One of the certification books, for example, would take me at least 2 to 3 months and that's rather optimistic with two kids. On the other hand, it would make more sense for an IT company with multiple employees, all needing documentation or study guides.

For actual studying, I prefer paper books over PDF. The thing with PDF is that you have to read it on an iPad or PC, and I can't stay focused on a screen. Paper, much easier on the eyes with no popups or notifications :mrgreen: I do have an e-reader, but afaik those don't handle drawings too well.

I was thinking more of those must-read books, like for the CCIE. Internet Routing Architectures, Routing TCP/IP I & II, OSPF Network Design Solutions, etc. Those are probably the most well-known, but there must be many others.

By the way - how would Safari compare to the Amazon Prime deal?
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: config t on September 11, 2015, 05:47:16 AM
This is what I've picked up so far for my ccie studies:

Routing TCP/IP - Doyle Carroll
BGP for Cisco Networks - Stuart Fordham
MPLS for Cisco Networks - Stuart Fordham
CCIE R&S Official Cert library v5
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: deanwebb on September 11, 2015, 08:38:35 AM
If you work with security or wireless:

802.1X Port-Based Authentication - Edwin Lyle Brown

This book reads very well. It is worth every penny of its monetary cost in terms of what great information it conveys. Given that the number of people I've had introduced to me as "dot1x experts" I can count on 2 fingers, I decided that I would need to be my own expert. This is the book those other 2 experts recommend.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: that1guy15 on September 11, 2015, 11:40:37 AM
Quote from: config t on September 11, 2015, 05:47:16 AM
This is what I've picked up so far for my ccie studies:

Routing TCP/IP - Doyle Carroll
BGP for Cisco Networks - Stuart Fordham
MPLS for Cisco Networks - Stuart Fordham
CCIE R&S Official Cert library v5

This. Also add
Art of Network Architecture
IP Routing on Cisco IOS, IOS XE and IOS XR
CCNP SWITCH
TCP/IP Illustrated
End to End QoS
MPLS Fundamentals
NX-OS and Cisco Nexus Switching Next-Generation DC Architecture
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: SimonV on September 11, 2015, 01:21:05 PM
Keep 'em coming, I'll divide them into categories :)
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: config t on September 14, 2015, 08:45:34 AM
Quote from: deanwebb on September 11, 2015, 08:38:35 AM
If you work with security or wireless:

802.1X Port-Based Authentication - Edwin Lyle Brown

This book reads very well. It is worth every penny of its monetary cost in terms of what great information it conveys. Given that the number of people I've had introduced to me as "dot1x experts" I can count on 2 fingers, I decided that I would need to be my own expert. This is the book those other 2 experts recommend.

Worth a read for me.. I've been supporting a dot1x environment ever since I got to the ME. I'm no expert, that's for certain, but I know enough about it to prove that it's not the network* :D

*or the firewall
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: SimonV on September 24, 2015, 06:24:02 AM
First post updated with all that was added to the topic. Not sure if we should keep track of cert-specific books?
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: wintermute000 on September 24, 2015, 06:28:17 AM
I'm afraid I disagree with the NX-OS book, it was terrible. I just go straight to the online documentation and Cisco Live presentations.

Data Centre Virtualization Fundamentals is a great read, if dated and a lot more 'fluff'/solutions design focused than hard tech/'this is how you configure XYZ'. Personally, I found it helped solidify a lot of concepts in between knowing your Nexus and your Vmware hard skills.

finally, Developing IP Multicast Networks is absolutely fundamental for multicast, even if a lot of it is now depreciated/no longer used, its still THE PIM book.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: SimonV on September 24, 2015, 07:34:44 AM
Added  :matrix:
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: deanwebb on September 24, 2015, 08:26:34 AM
Awesome. You, SimonV, have earned a "helpful". :awesome:
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: routerdork on September 24, 2015, 09:00:09 AM
Quote from: wintermute000 on September 24, 2015, 06:28:17 AM
I'm afraid I disagree with the NX-OS book, it was terrible. I just go straight to the online documentation and Cisco Live presentations.
Terrible as in dry and boring? Or just doesn't explain well? I  was just looking at buying it right before reading this thread. I need to get up to speed on my Nexus fu. Did some 7K/5K/2K work for a few weeks but not enough to claim greatness.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: wintermute000 on September 24, 2015, 06:22:32 PM
Poorly explained, out of date, very little design/best practices/integration info. The Cisco design guides are where it's at
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: that1guy15 on September 24, 2015, 08:00:19 PM
Quote from: wintermute000 on September 24, 2015, 06:22:32 PM
Poorly explained, out of date, very little design/best practices/integration info. The Cisco design guides are where it's at

I can see that. I read it when it first came out and it was solid and gave good insight into the Nexus family. The design guides and CiscoLive presentations is where I spent most of my time when creating my Nexus blog series.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: NetworkGroover on September 24, 2015, 09:09:08 PM
Quote from: wintermute000 on September 24, 2015, 06:22:32 PM
Poorly explained, out of date, very little design/best practices/integration info. The Cisco design guides are where it's at

+1 from what I remember when I was learning Nexus a few years back....
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: routerdork on September 25, 2015, 08:49:13 AM
Cool thanks for the heads up. I'll save my money and take the free docs.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: deanwebb on June 01, 2017, 12:16:52 PM
This is now a sticky topic, thanks to SimonV's suggestion.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: DuneTroop on June 03, 2017, 09:17:09 AM
Over the past few months I've been working a Cisco solution with several types of DMVPNs, point-to-point and multipoint, with NHRP OSPF and BGP encryption with IPsec for more security. I've gotta say, Google didn't provide too much for examples. So I got CISCO Intelligent WAN and man its been a huge help and a pretty good read IMO.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: SimonV on June 03, 2017, 01:20:23 PM
Ok, I've added it to the first post in a new category for SDN and SD-WAN. Any more recommendations on this topic, and perhaps Automation?
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: deanwebb on August 05, 2017, 08:19:21 AM
For TCP/IP:

The TCP/IP Guide: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Internet Protocols Reference
by Charles M. Kozierok

It's available online for free, but it's so awesome, I'm buying a copy.

For a great history of computing from a security perspective:

Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage
by Gordon Corera

I enjoyed this read not only for the cool stuff about how computers arose out of the espionage community, but how that relationship actually hampered the development of security countermeasures. It also examines high-level motivations and methods of state-sponsored espionage and how it is conducted with entities that are at an arm's length from the government that sponsors them.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: SimonV on August 30, 2017, 09:43:20 AM
Quote from: deanwebb on August 05, 2017, 08:19:21 AM
For TCP/IP:

The TCP/IP Guide: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Internet Protocols Reference
by Charles M. Kozierok

Is that this version of 2005?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TCP-Guide-Comprehensive-Illustrated-Protocols/dp/159327047X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504104149&sr=8-1&keywords=The+TCP%2FIP+Guide%3A+A+Comprehensive%2C+Illustrated+Internet+Protocols+Reference

Missed your last post, was on vacation then.  8)
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: wintermute000 on August 30, 2017, 04:07:03 PM
Dunetroop DMVPN stuff is everywhere.... Something's not right with your Google fu

Cisco live slides, CCIE tutorials, CCDE tutorials, numerous CVDs, ipspace.net has an entire design book... Ffs I cut my teeth on the configuration and phase two to three migration guides

Iwan is a bit of a dumpster fire and that book is already out of date....
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: deanwebb on September 07, 2017, 07:17:34 AM
Quote from: SimonV on August 30, 2017, 09:43:20 AM
Quote from: deanwebb on August 05, 2017, 08:19:21 AM
For TCP/IP:

The TCP/IP Guide: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Internet Protocols Reference
by Charles M. Kozierok

Is that this version of 2005?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TCP-Guide-Comprehensive-Illustrated-Protocols/dp/159327047X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504104149&sr=8-1&keywords=The+TCP%2FIP+Guide%3A+A+Comprehensive%2C+Illustrated+Internet+Protocols+Reference

Missed your last post, was on vacation then.  8)

That's the one, yes. Still relevant.

I started reading Mitnick's book "The Art of Deception" from my Humble Bundle purchase, but it's very dated. Lots of reliance on landline phone technology, lots of reliance on phones and fax lines in general. Nowadays, if someone asked me to fax them a document, I'd decline unless it was some wacked-out lawyer office needing a specific legal document. And then I'd send it by courier service. There's some interesting stuff in it, but once you get to the point where you're able to guess what happens next ("OK, at this point the scammer asks for the victim to install the malware after establishing trust"), you've gotten your value from the book.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: deanwebb on July 17, 2021, 08:33:17 AM
Time to epically gravedig:

Everyone needs to be up on soft skills when it's around review time. Chester Karrass' Give and Take is still my go-to for negotiation skills, and I'm using Earl Nightingale's recording "The Strangest Secret" to get me to set goals and to keep them. It's great to play often and on days I can't play it, I review my Notepad++ tab that has my goals and key phrases from his presentation. I chose it to be my motivator, and therefore it motivates me.



After the first listen, the second half is all you need for a refresher. But there are days I like the whole thing, the guy's got a great speaking voice. His other recordings are pretty solid, too.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: networkloser on September 30, 2023, 11:24:12 PM
you guys are so motivated.
Title: Re: Network Engineers' Reading List
Post by: deanwebb on October 13, 2023, 02:09:36 PM
Quote from: networkloser on September 30, 2023, 11:24:12 PMyou guys are so motivated.
Gotta do what you gotta do.