David Davis

Did you know that a Windows Server can act as a router? Even better, did you know that a Windows server could be configured to exchange routes with a Cisco router? In Part 1 of this series, we demonstrated how to configure a Windows 2003 Server to exchange routes with a Cisco router using RIP….

If you are like me, you have probably heard about Cisco’s Telepresence video conferencing system but probably didn’t realize that it was much more than a regular video conferencing suite. Sure, I had seen Cisco Telepresence on the TV show “24” and it looked pretty neat but I didn’t envision the scope of what is…

As a network administrator, you must be able to configure your routers to route traffic across the network. Static routes are commonly used on routers to accomplish this. For a network admin, knowing how to use a static route is a requirement. Let’s learn about static routes, and how to properly use them. Static vs….

A Cisco IOS Access-List (ACL) is used to specify network traffic. Once you specify traffic with an ACL, you can then do a variety of things with it. For example, you could allow it, deny it, limit it, or use it to restrict routing updates. In this article, we will learn the basics of Cisco…

In Part 1 of this article, we explained how access-lists work. In this article, we’ll take a sample network and explain how to create and apply an access-list. Remember that an Access-List (ACL) is used to specify network traffic. Once you specify traffic with an ACL, you can then do a variety of things with…

Most Cisco devices do not have a graphical Web-based interface by default.  You must configure them from the command line using the serial-based console port on the switch or router.  While there are a variety of serial terminal emulation programs available, most people use HyperTerminal to do this because it is included free with Windows. …

The ping command is irreplaceable when it comes to troubleshooting. At some point, you will undoubtedly use this command to solve a networking problem. But how do you properly use this command in the Cisco IOS? There is more to it than you might think. What Are The Basics of Ping? The ping command works…

Preventing network loops with Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) 802.1d Have you ever had a loop in your LAN?  You don’t want one and neither do your users.  A loop in your LAN can bring down the whole network.  You can avoid a loop by using Spanning Tree protocol (STP).  Let’s find out what Spanning Tree is,…

Recently, a fellow Cisco administrator told me about a tool he had used to reset a password on a router. He had forgotten the line vty password and the enable password. He could not log in to the router. He did, however, know the SNMP Read/Write password. Using a freeware tool dubbed “Cisco SNMP Tool”…

If you are used to working with home networking gear you are used to an integrated device that “does it all”. On a home network, you may have one box that is a cable/DSL modem, router, firewall, switch, and wireless access point all in one. It is amazing all the functions they can fit into…