New Domicile

So last night I decided to give the "other" popular blog site a spin and experiment with the differences from this one and that one. I must say, I really like the aesthetic presentation and layout of the other other white meat. It appears much cleaner and more professional looking.

I've been a blogger baby for 4 years now and i'm kinda getting sick of the same look. So for now I'll be working off of the new blog site and if I like it, Ill probably keep it.

So for now, you can find me here:

Route My World

Lab 101.1

Here's a pic of my latest rig so far. I just received my Dantrak rack (dantraknet.com) last night and the 2nd 2950 the night before. But because of some heavy studying, I haven't put it together. Nope, not even the excitement of getting a new rack can pry me away from learning about CDP. ;)

So, I plan to assemble the thing together tonight and start racking up all my routers and switches. For now, I don't really care if it looks neat or not. I'm just trying to get through my scheduled readings and reviews to get ready for my test. And I have a dilemma regarding where to put my equipment. Right now I'm using our nice dining table (that never gets used unless we have special guests visiting) and turned it into a learning center. So the whole table is covered with books, papers, writing materials, cables, and the picture above. I'm thinking of moving my whole base of operation in the extra room upstairs. I call it my jazz room 'cause that's where all my music equipments are (keyboard, guitars, extra computer, etc.) So the room is in even more bad shape as the dining table. I'll pay anyone $0.99 to help me clean it.

Anyway, it's gonna look sweet once I clean it up a little and organize everything.

Score!!!

Scored another router on ebay last night. I've been trying to get a nice 2509 to complete my lab (for now). This would add nice compliment to my collection since I'm probably be utilizing this the most. And I was able to get it for under $50, which I consider a pretty good deal seeing that most of the ones I've bid on went for well over $70.

For those who are not familiar with the 2500 Access Server Series, read this: Overview of the Cisco 2500 Series Access Server.

The Cisco 2500 series access server is a full-featured communication server with multiprotocol routing capability between synchronous serial, LAN, and asynchronous serial ports.

Ok, like that meant something. Basically, I will be using this nice gadget to provide access to multiple routers and/or switches. And how exactly am I going to do that? I don't know. Guess it's time to sit back, pick up the copy of the manual and start learning. I'll post an update of failures and successes when I get to it.

No beginning in sight

So the studying thing didn't work out like I planned yesterday. Until now I'm still on Chapter 9. I'm seriously considering postponing my test date now. Today I almost cancelled the test date but held back because I might still be able to pull off an upset. But who am I kidding, right? As much as I want to get those initials, I don't want to compromise true, solid learning just to get a certificate.

Well, I guess I need to perform another reality check and assess where I'm really at. It's just a little frustrating that some people from another forums that I frequent make you feel a little "inadequate", i guess, when I've been studying for nearly 2 months on only the CCENT part. I get some smarter-than-thou remarks wondering why I'm taking that much time when others prepare for the CCNA in less than 2 months and passing it. I mean, are you kidding me? How can you possibly digest so much information in less than 2 months and still pass a difficult test (unless you cheat, maybe)? I mean I know, it's an entry-level test, but I'd like to come out of it knowing that I have a very solid foundation for the knowledge required to advance to the next level.

So, I guess back to square one again, in terms of the study schedule. I think I'm gonna stretch out the learning phase a little bit longer so that I'm getting less info for more time as opposed to cramming too much info in less time. I think people in general learn better that way anyway. And I'll try not to pressure myself too much with achieving my goals as fast as I can. I think the idea is to achieve your goals the best you can.

Not Good

Progress Report: It has only been 3 days since I started my updated study regimen and already I am over 60 pages behind. I'm supposed to be done with Chapters 10 and 11 today, but I just started Chapter 9. This is going to get ugly tomorrow when I'm supposed to do chapters 12, 13, and 14. No way I can do that.

Well, I guess I'll call it a day and get some rest for an early 7am study session tomorrow. I plan to study all day so I'll log how much I can get done tomorrow.

A Little Break

So tonight my wife and I watched Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer. I thought it was really good. Then again, there's not a lot of movies that I don't like. I'm easy to please like that when it comes to movies.

It was a nice little break for me. My wife has been dropping some hints that I'm sort of neglecting my family from all the studying I've been doing. My wife ended up falling asleep, as she always does when we watch a DVD. So right after I tucked her into bed at 11pm, I run back donwstairs to resume some reading and note taking. I also planned to get a little bit more exposure with IOS commands on the switching topics I'm currently on. I guess I still feel a bit of pressure to stick to my scheduled chapter readings and study topics. My test is coming up in eight days and I still feel so unprepared. I really am considering re-scheduling my test. But I'll see if I can stick it out til the very last minute before I have to re-schedule it.

Tonight I reviewed the following IOS commands:

line console 0
login
password xxxxxx

line vty 0 15
login
password xxxxxx

enable secret
enable password

debug
no debug all

show process
terminal monitor

reload

copy {running-config startup-config tftp} {running-config startup-config tftp}

write erase
erase startup-config
erase NVRAM

show system:running-config
show running-config

show nvram:startup-config
show startup config

If There Aren't Errors..

There would be no need for Erratas. ;)

So I was really bothered by the subnetting problem yesterday. I couldn't seem to figure out how they arrived with the solution it gave. I was very sure it was an error on the part of the author who created the problem.

Sure enough, I was googl-ing the same problem today and the exact same problem appeared on the Sybex CCNA Study Guide, 5th Edition. There it was staring at me as if I should've known it was there all along. And indeed, the problem was an error and the correction was published on their errata page. It seems like I've going to these pages using my own study guide as well. Anyway, here is the correct problem:

Which of the following IP addresses fall into the CIDR block of 110.68.4.0/22? (Choose three.)

A. 110.68.8.32
B. 110.68.7.64
C. 110.68.6.255
D. 110.68.3.254
E. 110.68.5.128
F. 110.68.12.128

Answer: B, C, E.
A Class A network address with a /22 is 255.255.252.0. The subnets in the third octet are 0, 4, 8, 12, etc. The network address in the question is 110.68.4.0, with a broadcast of 110.68.7.255, since the next subnet is 110.68.8.0. Answers B, C, and E are correct host IDs.

Now, working out the problem the Odom way:

The binary equivalent of the prefix notation for /22 is 11111111.11111111.11111100.00000000. Converting that to decimal, you would get 255.255.252.0.

For the network part, just copy the first 2 octets of the subnet number, that is: 110.68

For the host part (the 4th octet, since the binary value is 00000000, the decimal value is: 0

To solve for the 3rd octet, subtract 252 , the 3rd octet of the subnet mask from 256:

256
-252
4

That means that the 3rd octet of the subnet will increment by 4 for each consecutive subnet blocks. Looking at the list of the subnets we can find specific hosts that fall in the given subnet block above. Here are the first few range of subnets:

110.68.0.0 - 110.68.3.255
110.68.4.o - 110.68.7.255
110.68.8.o - 110.68.11.255
110.68.12.0 - 110.68.15.255
and so on...

Going back to the original question, it asks what IP address from the given choices fall in the subnet block of 110.68.4.0. If you look at the list above, the second range is what we want to compare the choices from. Using that, B,C and E are the correct answers.

Stumped!

Found this from one of the forums that another poster posted. There seems to be an obvious error on the question since nothing I do can match the explanation of the correct answer at the bottom:

11.) Which of the following IP addresses fall into the CIDR block of 110.68.4.0/18? (Choose three.)

A. 110.68.8.32
B. 110.68.7.64
C. 110.67.6.255
D. 110.66.3.254
E. 110.65.5.128
F. 110.64.12.128

Answer: B, C, E. A Class A network address with a /18 is 255.255.192.0. The subnets in the third octet are 0, 64, 128, 192. The network address in the question is 110.64.0.0, with a broadcast of110.64.127.255, since the next subnet is 110.64.128.0. Answers B, C, and E are correct host IDs.

Here's how I solved it:

Prefix /18 --> 11111111.11111111.11000000
Decimal equivalent: 255.255.192.0

The zero subnet for the given network should be 110.68.0.0. Based on what we know of Network Classes, this is a class A network with the first octets defining the network. In the explanation given, it mentions that the network address is 110.64.0.0. That doesn't make sense to me because even though it is a Class A network, the first two octets can't change since the first two octets of the given mask is 255.255.

Using Wendell Odom's technique in the ICND1 exam guide:
256 --> Total number of decimal values in an octet
-192 --> decimal value of the masks 3rd octet.
= 64 --> The subnet blocks for the 3rd octet.

Therefore the range of IP addresses for this subnet block are:
110.68.0.0 --> Subnet number
110.68.64.0 --> Next non-zero subnet

Therefore the valid IPs for host are 110.68.0.1 - 110.68.63.254. The only IP addresses in the choices given that fall under this range are choices A and B.

Am I wrong on this?!?!

update (03.11.08):
Link to a few responses from Techexams.net forums:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32073

Yo G! How'd You Get Those Killer L(abs)?

You maybe asking yourself, after seeing my state of the art home lab setup, how and where I got my information on how to put together a better than "good enough" lab for CCNA.

Well, ask no further, cause I got such a link for you. Go to Wendell Odom's CCNA Lab Blog and get all the basic information you need to get started. But make sure you do some leg work as well and research some of the features and capabilities of the item you want to purchase. Ask questions on forums, such as from the good folks of techexams.net. There are a lot of people who are always willing to help. A little hint, if you go to the CCNA/CCENT section, that's where you'll find me lurking about.

And when you're ready to take the plunge, I'm in the know among some of the industry experts where you can pick up some good deals on these babies. But it's just between you and me, ok? We don't want too many competitions. Ready? Here it is: ebay.com

The Test of the Iron Will

Today I planned out my over-achieving and impossibly lofty goal of reviewing the rest of the book (CCENT/ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, 2nd Edition, Wendell Odom) by next week. I just finished reviewing chapters 1-3 yesterday and today and I'll be picking up tomorrow on chapter 4. Mind you, it took me a month and a half to get through 600 pages of materials and I'm trying to review it from cover to cover, again, in a little over a week. Go figure. Although I don't think I can make it happen, I have to at least shoot for it. Just like Jesus said in the great book of Isiah to Thomas, "the only shot that you don't make is the shot you don't take." Ok I'm kidding. Jesus didn't say that and Isiah didnt write an epistle to Thomas. In fact Isiah Thomas is one person who played for the Detroit Pistons in the 80s. The quote is from Wayne Gretzky, and that's not even the exact quote. So go figure.

Top this:

March 4, Tuesday - Chapter 4 & 5
March 5, Wednesday - Chapter 6 & 7
March 6, Thursday - Chapter 8 & 9
March 7, Friday - Chapter 10 & 11
March 8, Saturday - Chapter 12, 13 and 14
March 9, Sunday - Chapter 15, 16 and 17

March 10, Monday - Cbt Nuggets
March 11, Tuesday - Cbt Nuggets
March 12, Wednesday- Practice Tests
March 13, Thurday - Practice Tests
March 14, Friday - Review
March 15, Saturday - SHOWTIME

Lab 101

Here's a couple of pics of my home lab setup I use to study for CCNA.



Ok, I don't know why I put 2 pictures on here since they're essentially the same - just a slightly different angle. But I guess the more of the same thing, the happier the king.

Anway, going from top to bottom we have:

• 1720 router
• Catalyst 2950 Switch
• 2611 router
• 2620 router
• 3620 router
• 2514 router

Right now I'm waiting for another 2950 to arrive.

As far as what my plans are on how I'm going to desing my logical topology, it's coming along. This whole thing is a good learning experience for me. As much fun as it is to receive a new box in front of your door every other day, it's equally fun researching what these babies can and can't do; what parts, modules, add-ons to get; what kind of cabling works for what, and all that jazz. Basically it's forcing me to learn without feeling forced.

Up next is a mount rack to mount all these babies to and either a 2509 or 2511 access server.

Basic Switch Login Tidbits

• console access to switch is allowed by default


• console users can enter the enable command without setting an enable password or enable secret
  
• vty users cannot remote into a switch without login security on the vty lines configured.


• vty users cannot get in the enable mode without enable password or enable secret.

Exex-timout Command

Here's another useful one I like. When I'm connected to my switch or router while practicing a lab, sometimes when I turn my attention to a certain topic for quite a while and my telnet connection remain inactive for over 5 minutes, it will suddenly disconnect. To prevent that from happening:

Router(config)#line vty 0 4 - sets time limit on vty session 0 to 4
Router(config-line)#exec-timeout 0 0 -- 0 minutes and 0 sec, telnet never logs off
Router(config-line)#

Logging Synchronous

Quite often when I'm trying to practice several commands on a router or a switch and all of a sudden, while in the middle of typing a command - a sh run after I changed an IP setting, for example - I get this syslog message on the console as I'm typing my next command. It is quite annoying sometimes.

Well it turns that these messages are there by default and cannot be turned off. However there is a way to make it so the messages don't interrupt you while in the middle of typing something at the prompt. You can actually change the setting so that the message appears at a more convenient time. To do this you can use the logging sychronous command.

What is does is it will tell the router that if any informational items need to be displayed on the screen, your prompt and command line should be moved to a new line. This will prevent the message from being displayed in the middle of what you are typing.

Router(config)#line con 0
Router(config-line)#logging synchronous

TCP/IP and OSI Networking Models...

... go together like horse and carriage. or something like that.

There's no doubt the OSI and TCP/IP networking models are important in all aspects related to networking. No matter what platforms, OSI and TCP/IP are a mainstay in the industry and you have to know and understand what it is, for troublshooting purposes, testing purposes, and for cocktail hour discussion.

Here are some notes and multitudes of sources I use to supplement the information I have from my CCNA exam guide:

1.) TCP/IP Model from Wikipedia
2.) OSI Model from Wikipedia
3.) Need I use more sources than the mighty wiki?

For more info, I just go to the bottom of each pages of the above sources and follow additional links.

Of course, it wouldn't be complete without the obligatory, accompanying images:

I kinda like this one cause it has the encapsulation headers on the layers

Here's a comparison of OSI to TCP/IP model

Images stolen from: http://www.cs.indiana.edu/classes/a338/misc.html

Study Materials

This is the primary study material I'm using for my CCNA preparation. It's a set of two books that covers the ICND1 640-822 and ICND2 640-816 exams.

I don't really have a specific reason for picking this set of books. Being new to this, I don't really know what a good resource is. All my research just made me even more confused about what the right study material is. So, instead of getting a migraine trying to decide which materials to go for, I thougt a Cisco Press publication can't go too wrong.

After all I read in some forum that most of these books (primarily the sybex and cisco press sets) pretty much cover everything you need to know to pass the test. How well I do will really depend, not on finding the perfect study guide, but the method and system I use to study. So far, the book has been pretty straight-forward and very easy to understand. It is as lay as laymen can be. ;) Although I wouldn't mind getting a little bit more technical being this is a technical subject.
Anyway, I'll post more thoughts as I progress through the book in the next few weeks.

The Beginning of Good Things to Come

Ok well, maybe. But I'm here aren't I. And hopefully for the next few months (or years) I'll still be here.

So I'm taking the plunge towards attaining a CCNA certification and hopefully proceeding to the professional level after that.

A little bit background about myself: I'm Aragoen Celtdra and I have been in the IT industry for about 9 years now. My path towards this industry did not arise from a conscious decision to pursue technology but rather, more of a response to a trend that we all infamously call the dotcom era. I graduated college in 2000, and not knowing what to do with my life, and still "searching" for my "true calling", I found it very easy to land a job in the technology field. Back then anyone and everyone who can say "comp-yu-ter" could easily get their foot in the door. And so that's what I did. With a minimal experience working as a PC technician in my university computer store, I had lined up 3 jobs with dotcom companies 2 months before I even graduated. My first job was a dsl installer. I was a dsl "cable guy". =) I didn't know anything about telecom or networking back then, so they trained me.

Fast forward to today, I still don't know anything. So, that brings us to the overall purpose of this web/blog page. I plan to train myself with more advanced knowledge with a goal of landing a higher level position in this industry we love and hate - maybe I'll post a little something about this love/hate dichotomy. ;) My plan is to take over the world. Not really. Truth be told, I've been more or less relegated to what you equate to "mop up" duties in my support position. I've been doing tech support for over 6 years now and yet there doesn't seem to be a way out for me. It's not that I don't have any technical acumen or anything - I created this website just by thinking it, didn't I? It's just that I've never really set out to pursue a deliberate and stated goal or purpose. I was always content where I was. No, change that. I was always content about complaining where I was. Then I decided it's time to stop complaining and bitching and start doing something. Most of what happens in our lives are not caused by other people's actions or influence. Where we are in life is usually a result of our thoughts, decisions, and actions. I decided to change that. I'm no longer going to be a lowly tech. I'm gonna be a rock star of tech. And it begins with this journey....