8 Best-Selling Network Router Books Millions Trust

What started as Thomas Akin's drive to address a glaring gap in network security literature became a focused guide on securing Cisco routers specifically. You learn precise configurations, password management, and protocol security measures tailored to Cisco IOS versions, complemented by FBI-recommended router warning banners and incident response strategies. Each chapter ends with a practical checklist, making it easier to implement and verify security steps. If you manage or audit networks with Cisco gear, this book equips you with straightforward techniques to protect the very gateways of your infrastructure without wading through broader, less focused material.

Drawing from eight years of consulting experience in network design and management, Jim Boney penned this book to demystify Cisco's IOS operating system. You get a well-organized, concise reference that consolidates thousands of complex commands and features into accessible explanations, covering everything from configuring interfaces and access lists to routing protocols and security. The book benefits network administrators and IT professionals who work directly with Cisco routers, offering practical examples like the TCP/IP configuration tutorial and command quick-reference tables. While not a beginner's guide to networking, it excels as a detailed desk companion for managing Cisco equipment efficiently.

This tailored book explores effective and practical Cisco router security techniques specifically matched to your background and goals. It covers foundational concepts such as access control and authentication, then examines advanced protection mechanisms including VPNs, firewall configurations, and intrusion prevention systems. The personalized content focuses on your interests and challenges, revealing how to secure Cisco routers against evolving threats while maintaining network performance. By combining widely validated knowledge with your unique objectives, it offers a learning experience that is both deep and relevant, enabling you to master essential security practices with confidence.

Kevin Dooley, with over a decade of network consulting experience and a physics PhD, addresses the complexity of Cisco's IOS in this detailed guide. You learn practical configurations for interfaces, routing protocols like OSPF and BGP, backup links, access controls, and newer topics such as MPLS and IPv6. The book breaks down complicated tasks into manageable recipes, enabling you to troubleshoot and optimize Cisco routers efficiently. It's particularly useful if you manage Cisco networks and need reliable, tested solutions without wading through conflicting methods. Whether you're new to Cisco routers or seasoned, the explanations offer fresh insights without overwhelming jargon.

Gregg Schudel and David Smith bring decades of hands-on Cisco engineering experience to this detailed exploration of IP traffic plane security. Their work dissects the distinct data, control, management, and services planes within IP networks, providing you with clear explanations of advanced protection techniques and how to implement them. You’ll find practical insights on tools like ACLs, CoPP, and MPLS label control, supported by real case studies from enterprise and service provider networks. This book suits network security professionals aiming to deepen their understanding of router-based defenses rather than beginners seeking general networking concepts.

Scott Ballew's decades of hands-on experience with Cisco routers led to this focused manual for network administrators. You’ll learn how to design and maintain IP networks with clarity, covering everything from selecting routing protocols like RIP, OSPF, and BGP, to configuring security safeguards and troubleshooting common issues. The book’s strength lies in its practical approach to everyday network challenges, illustrated with Cisco’s IOS examples but applicable across vendors. If you’re responsible for running or building IP networks, this guide equips you with essential skills to evaluate equipment, manage protocols, and secure your infrastructure effectively.

This tailored book explores Cisco router configuration with a focus on step-by-step guidance designed to match your background and goals. It reveals key concepts and practical techniques for setting up routers efficiently, helping you gain confidence and speed in managing complex network settings. The content is tailored to your interests, allowing you to focus on the aspects most relevant to your work or learning path. Throughout, it examines real-world scenarios and common challenges in routing, providing clear explanations and examples that illuminate each step in the process. Readers experience a custom learning journey that accelerates their proficiency with Cisco routing systems.

William R. Parkhurst’s decades of experience as a CCIE program expert and former professor shape this focused guide on Cisco’s OSPF protocol. You’ll learn how to design, configure, and implement OSPF 2 networks with attention to both its capabilities and constraints, making complex routing concepts accessible. The book is especially useful if you’re preparing for the CCIE exam or working as a Cisco network engineer aiming to deepen your mastery of OSPF. Detailed explanations and practical examples give you tools to tackle one of Cisco’s most critical routing protocols with confidence.

While working as a principal consultant in computer networking, Innokenty Rudenko noticed a lack of straightforward resources for deploying Cisco routers in complex IP networks. This book walks you through configuring static and dynamic routing protocols like RIPv1/2, IGRP, EIGRP, and OSPF with clear explanations and practical examples, including routing information redistribution and filtering techniques. You gain hands-on skills for real-world network scenarios, from basic setup to advanced routing strategies. If you manage Cisco equipment or design IP routing infrastructures, this guide offers focused insights without unnecessary jargon.

Drawing from his extensive background as a network and security engineer specializing in high-availability systems, Michael W. Lucas crafted this guide specifically for those moments when network administrators face urgent crises. You’ll learn essential skills like installing Cisco routers and switches correctly, troubleshooting hardware versus Internet failures, and implementing basic network redundancy to minimize downtime. The book also addresses securing your network from hackers and setting up private connections between offices, providing practical insights tailored for small network environments. If you're responsible for maintaining reliable Cisco network services and need straightforward guidance during emergencies, this book puts critical knowledge at your fingertips without unnecessary complexity.