Product Review: Windows Vista Video Training

Recently, I reviewed Train Signal’s Windows Vista Video course covering just about everything you could need to know concerning Vista. This video was created by MCSE Instructor Scott Skinger. He is really a master at explaining how to use Vista, not only as your desktop OS but from an Administrator’s point of view.

After watching the video, I felt confident using and administering Vista. While the video was 19+ hours long, it was broken down into many smaller videos that I could watch just on certain topics that interest me.

I would highly recommend this Windows Vista video series. Take a look at the full course contents, including covering the NEW Windows Vista User Account Control, via the link below!

If you want to learn more about the topics included- Click here for the full list of course topics and the free video sample of the Windows Vista video series

Network summarization — Supernetting and wildcard masks

Supernetting was created as a way to solve the problem of routing tables growing beyond our current ability to manage the exhaustion of Class B network address space. Much like one area code represents an aggregation of telephone numbers in an area, supernetting allows one routing table entry to represent an aggregation of networks. If you need to enter a static route to several subnetted networks, you can use network summarization to reference them all in one route. Just the same, you need to understand how to read routes received from other providers. You must also know how to create an access list that references these multiple networks in a single summarized statement. In this tip, you’ll learn more about the IP addressing-related topics of network summarization, supernetting and wildcard masks.
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Managing IP address allocation during network expansion

When you are designing or expanding your network, it is important to know how to manage IP address allocation properly, because this is crucial to the performance and expandability of your network. Here, we cover how to properly allocate IP addresses for a new network — and what to do if your network runs out of IP addresses. Learn that and more in this exciting article from David Davis, CCIE.
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How to Configure a Cisco Wireless Access-Point (AP) from Scratch

Cisco APs are strong and reliable but require a little more configuration than your typical Linksys, Dlink, or Netgear. In this article, you will find out how to configure this enterprise grade wireless AP (a Cisco 1242G) to allow your wireless users to connect to your LAN, through your Wireless LAN (WLAN). Lots of photos are included!

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FREE Cisco router poster

On my wall, I have a very nice Cisco poster.

It is a great resource if you are not sure what Router or Switch model you need (or even just to look like the coolest Cisco-guy in the office).

With this, you can quickly and easily identify what you need.

This quick reference poster provides information on model capacities, interface cards and available features…and it’s free!

On my wall, I have a very nice Cisco poster.

It is a great resource if you are not sure what Router or Switch model you need (or even just to look like the coolest Cisco-guy in the office).

With this, you can quickly and easily identify what you need.

This quick reference poster provides information on model capacities, interface cards and available features…and it’s free!

This poster is mailed out free from a Cisco reseller called World Data Products.

Cisco Poster

If you are interested in requesting this free Cisco poster for your wall, you can obtain it by clicking here.

The 15 BEST Network Administrator / Cisco Network Management Utilities – EVER

I sat down and tried to make a list of, what I considered to
be, the 15 best network management utilities that I had ever seen. Here is that
list. What do you think? Post your comments on our website!

1. Top 100 Security Tools

2. Switch Inspector

3. PRTG – Free bandwidth graphing application for Windows

4. Boson GetPass, Cisco Password Decoder, and Cisco Password Cracker – all Cisco Level 7 Password Decryption Tools

5. Cain and Able Security Audit

5.5. Train Signal Video CBT training

But wait, there are 10 more to go…..

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Cisco ACL Editor and Simulator

I consider myself fortunate to run across a new program called the Cisco ACL Editor and Simulator. This program allows you to create ACLs in Windows GUI application by filling out fields on a form. Even better, it allows you to then take that ACL and simulate what traffic would pass through the ACL. This way, you can test your ACL’s before you apply them, saving a huge amount of time and effort.

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FREE VIDEO: Harden your Cisco Router with IOS ACLs

Recently, I created a short video that shows you how to secure your Cisco router using Access-control lists (ACL) in the Cisco IOS. It is a step-by-step ten-minute video. It was originally published over at SearchNetworking.com.

In this video, I walk you through the steps you’ll need to take to use Cisco IOS access control lists (ACLs) to define and filter traffic for better network security.

I recommend Train Signal Cisco CCNA Video Training!

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Here is my network diagram (click on it to enlarge it):

Hardening your Router with Cisco IOS ACLs

Here is the actual ACL used in the video:

! SAMPLE ACL
!
!Notes-
!DNS resolution must be happening locally
!Default gateways must be configured on each side of the network
!If you were doing this between a LAN and the Internet, you would have NAT to
take into account
!Reflexive access-lists or firewall features can be used to improve on this

ip access-list extended less-secure
remark allow all hosts on 10 net to access web server
permit tcp 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255 host 192.168.1.200 eq www
permit tcp 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255 host 192.168.1.200 eq 443

remark allow RESPONSE to secure PC’s requets for access to web, ftp control,
data, smtp, and pop3 on 10 net
permit tcp 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255 eq www host 192.168.1.201
permit tcp 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255 eq ftp host 192.168.1.201
permit tcp 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255 eq ftp-data host 192.168.1.201
permit tcp 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255 eq smtp host 192.168.1.201
permit tcp 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255 eq pop3 host 192.168.1.201

ip access-list extended more-secure
remark allow web server to respond to all hosts on 10 net
permit tcp host 192.168.1.200 eq www 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255
permit tcp host 192.168.1.200 eq 443 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255

remark allow PC full access to make requests to less secure network
permit tcp host 192.168.1.201 10.1.1.0 0.0.0.255

int fa4
ip access-group less-secure in

int vlan1
ip access-group more-secure in