Cisco BGP-4 Command and Configuration Handbook, Mobipocket by William R. Parkhurst - BGP Unveiled

The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is central to communication among the routers that move data from domain to domain. Cisco BGP-4 Command and Configuration Handbook explains how to use all Internetwork Operating System (IOS) commands having to do with BGP-4, documenting the purpose and syntax of each and presenting an example of appropriate use for most. This book is both a fantastic reference--its easy to locate the entry that describes the command that interests you--and an excellent learning tool. Youll want to consult it each time youre presented with an interdomain routing problem, either for the IOS commands you need to implement your ideas or for the authors thoughts about how to engineer your solution.

Coverage of each BGP-4 command goes beyond whats in the IOS documentation. Each entry begins with a syntax summary (in large type, bless the books designers), a concise statement of what the command does, and a note of the IOS version in which the command first appeared. After that, theres a configuration example consisting of input and output listings from the IOS command line and some suggestions (in the form of explicit IOS commands) on how to troubleshoot related problems. Sometimes theres a schematic hockey puck diagram to clarify configurations. This is a valuable reference and--for hardcore IOS fans and Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) candidates--an informative, straight-through read. --David Wall

Topics covered: Border Gateway Protocol 4 (BGP-4) as configured in Ciscos Internetwork Operating System (IOS). All IOS commands relevant to BGP-4 configuration, and all interesting options, are covered in reference form.

BGP Unveiled
The Cisco BGP-4 Command and Configuration Handbook has become another valuable addition to my networking library. This reference by Dr. William Parkhurst is a comprehensive listing of all BGP-4 commands used in Cisco IOS software. Like his reference on OSPF commands, each BGP command is outlined with a syntax description, a purpose for the command, configuration examples and a short troubleshooting section.

The flow of the book was very logically laid out. It begins with basic BGP route aggregation commands and progresses through neighbor configuration commands, route redistribution and ends with chapters on troubleshooting commands. Each chapter begins with basic commands and builds on those commands as the chapter progresses. This way the reader gets a feeling for how each command interacts with other commands.

As with any other command and configuration handbook, the reader must be well versed in the theory behind the technology. This is especially true with this book. I must admit, that before reading this book, I did not have much exposure to BGP-4, but I found the material very easy to comprehend. It also helped me to understand the protocol better. Without the proper background in BGP-4 you can get lost very easily, however if you have had exposure to BGP then you will find this book very useful in configuring the protocol.

Another aspect of the book I really liked was in how the configuration examples were presented. Each example had a network scenario and gave a step by step process on how to utilize the command. A network diagram was included along with outputs from the routers used in the configuration scenario. The configuration examples start with a verification phase where the correct operation is determined. Then the command is applied and the changes are outlined and displayed. The troubleshooting section outlines steps where the most common failures may occur. While the reader can get a lot of information from just reading the configuration section, it really helps if you can have access to live routers.

I also found the appendices very helpful in understanding some of the book's content. Appendix A presents the concepts and terminology contained in RFC 1771 Border Gateway Protocol 4. Appendix B covers regular expression and Appendix C is about route map logic and how route maps are used in BGP-4. Don't be daunted by Appendix A, the author left out most of the details, like packet format and content and instead focused on BGP attributes, path selection and forming BGP connections. Appendix C gave a good refresher on route maps and how they are utilized in BGP.

This book has become an excellent reference source for my studies toward the CCIE. It also helped me to understand BGP better. I would highly recommend this book to anyone studying for Cisco certification or who has to work with BGP-4 in their network. I looked forward to reading more books by Dr. Parkhurst

For More 5 Star Reviews, Complete Product Review and The Lowest Prices Please Visit:
Buy Cisco BGP-4 Command and Configuration Handbook, Mobipocket by William R. Parkhurst At The Lowest Price!