Cisco packet tracer for iPhone / Android

I never knew about these apps but they are great! Wish I had them when studying. Good fun for messing about with on the train / commute.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cisco-packet-tracer-mobile/id1015041980?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netacad.PacketTracerM&hl=en_GB (UK Store)

Cisco stumps up $100m for the 'Internet of Things'

A nice light read at 17 pages.

http://internetofeverything.cisco.com/sites/default/files/docs/en/ioe_public_sector_vas_white%20paper_121913final.pdf

Cisco loses fight to reverse Microsoft's purchase of Skype in European court

Er... With their unified products and Google's business app's i'm not sure how they figured that one out..

http://www.neowin.net/news/cisco-loses-fight-to-reverse-microsofts-purchase-of-skype-in-european-court

Bought some gear for Cisco certs...

2x Cisco Unified IP Phone 7906G



2x Cisco Catalyst 2950

Cisco Catalyst 3550 PWR

Not bad for under £160 inc delivery.

Passed my ITIL foundation IT Service Management course

I've passed my ITIL foundation! September has been a good month with that and the CCNA. 

I passed my Cisco CCNA exam today.

Wayhey, about time!

CBT MicroNuggets

CBT provide learning resources for a variety of IT related subject. Often they will put out micro nuggets. Well worth checking out.

Protocol analyser:

Covering the new CCNA ciriculum.

Cisco Live US 2013 Keynote Demo: Internet of Everything

Didn't expect the cannabis joke but hey ho... The keynote is quite interesting but nothing that sounds overly revolutionary.

Cisco Packet Tracer 6.0.1

I'm a little behind with this. With Cisco's whole move to the new NetSpace portal it looks like there was a new version of Packet Tracer. 6.0.1 offers new features but has the same look and feel to it.

Straight from the FAQ:

Packet Tracer 6.0.1 is a major release that includes the following functionality:

● Supports IOS 15.2 and its licensing methodology
● Enhanced IPv6 support
● Supports new devices such as ISR 1941, ISR 2901, ISR 2911, terminal server interface, and servers with 2 network interface cards
● Supports Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) and ACL sequence numbers
● Provides new capability with PT LAN and WAN Multiuser Servers to create multiuser games and activities
● Provides new capability with PT Bridge to connect real network equipment to Packet Tracer environment

Its disappointing to see they have missed OS X once more, it can't be a world away from the Ubuntu install. I haven't tried it on Ubuntu yet but I wonder if you still need to install the dependencies that come with programs like Wine in order for it to work still or if they have started including them like they should!

Comments or thoughts? Leave them below!

Usb to serial adapter

If you need a cheap USB to serial adapter then look no further. I went through a few eBay ones but it looks like a lot use knockoff chipsets and I found issues when using OSX and Windows 7 with them. Plugable are recommended by the chipset manufacturer and only use genuine chipsets. They are also cheap and I have tested them working on OSX and Windows 8!

For a full product break down and drivers see:
http://plugable.com/products/pl2303-db9

Please use my affiliate link below if purchasing to help me cover domain renewal costs if you found this helpful. Thanks!

Ubuntu 13.04 beta touts search privacy - before it hooks in eBay, IMDb etc

Fair positive review of the beta from Th Register.

I haven't had much use / time for ubuntu since moving primarily to OS X. Most linux based stuff is experimented with on the Raspberry Pi and for anything windows based there is always Parallels.

Still I tend to give it a chance every once in a while. I seemed to get a lot of historic hits on this bog commenting on getting Cisco paket Tracer to work with Ubuntu. It'll probably be the same as usual, Cisco neglect to mention there are some dependancies required for 5.3.3 so you simply need to install something like WINE and packet traceer will start to work natively because the dependancies will then be installed.

I was quite interested with what Ubuntu were doing with their tablet specific features. Those did look impressive in a video a while back.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/03/04/ubuntu_13_04_review/

Cisco Evolves Associate-Level Certifications, Redesigns CCNA Routing and Switching Certification to Support Next-Generation Job Roles - The Network: Cisco's Technology News Site

Long over due if you ask me!

My guess is some CCNP has migrated downwards as well as some newer technologies which have become more mainstream have entered the syllabus. I'd like to think some redundant technologies have left but I bet they haven't.. 

Well worth checking out the topics (icnd2 v2 here, Cisco login required).

What looks new to me:

• Recognize High availability (FHRP) 
• VRRP 
• HSRP 
• GLBP 
• Cellular 3G / 4G 
• Discuss Multi area (OSPF) 

Not sure if Etherchannels is now more in-depth but it has its own bullet point. Feel free to correct me in the comments section.

As I recently started studying again and passed the ICND1 i'm in the curious position of wondering if I am able to take the ICND2 v2 and have that qualify for a full CCNA. I don't see why it shouldn't. The next big question then is should I bother with an unfamiliar exam format with additional content when the chances of an employer asking between the differences is minimal.
The only argument I have for that is that some fundamental knowledge might be missed on the track into the CCNP.

I think i'm going to keep going on the ICND2 v1 syllabus and hopefully will have an answer to the above question before I sit the exam. If I can find some decent resources I might go and sit version 2 for sheer curiosity (as well as knowing I have an updated qualifications).

So remember:
ICND1 v1.1 640-822 becomes ICND1 v2 100-101
ICND2 v1.1 640-816 becomes ICND2 v2 200-101

You'll be able to take the v1.1 exams up until October 1st 2013.

[Update] It looks like you can mix and match the exams. 

Official link:

Cisco Evolves Associate-Level Certifications, Redesigns CCNA Routing and Switching Certification to Support Next-Generation Job Roles - The Network: Cisco's Technology News Site

More reference:

http://www.globalknowledge.co.uk/content/files/documents/cisco_ccna_update_flyer.pdf

Todd Lammle:
http://www.lammle.com/blog/3344/ciscos-ccent-huge/

Reducing noise on cisco equipment.

Running a home CCNA lab is NOISY to say the least! These aren't routers your generally going to be using under heavy loads for long periods, so if your like me and can't deal with the noise then the guide linked below maybe for you. It seems to cover all the basics such as the voltage and the pin layout although I would recommend testing with a multimeter and not the trial by error method used.


http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Networking_Hardware/A_2570-How-To-CHEAPLY-Replace-Cisco-Device-Fans-Or-Cisco-LED-Fan-Mod.html

Cisco selling home router division Linksys!

"Cisco is planning to sell home router company Linksys, a company it purchased for $500 million in 2003."
http://www.zdnet.com/cisco-plans-to-sell-router-division-report-7000008877/

Huawei offers access to source code and equipment

This really does need the US to come out and reveal the 'smoking gun' that was the base of their ruling.

Yes it looks like Huawei have previously copied source code and been naughty on a few occasions but unless someone can prove they are breaching security then its a bit of a brand demanding exercises and nothing more in my opinion.. Huawei certainly seem keen to open up their source code to particular parties, thats not to say its the same across their products but it certain is a positive move.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20053511

Some interesting technologies.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CLEO_(router)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRIS_(Internet_Routing_in_Space)

Cisco acquires WiFi data firm ThinkSmart Technologies

http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/26/cisco-acquires-wifi-data-firm-thinksmart-technologies/

802.11ac: The Fifth Generation of Wi-Fi Technical White Paper

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps5678/ps11983/white_paper_c11-713103.html#wp9000454

Cisco Visio Stencils

Here you can find a collection of Cisco produced stencils for your MS Visio diagrams.

Technical books and corrections

Todd Lammle is considered a bit of a god to some networking engineers but even good teachers (I do consider him a good teacher ) make mistakes. I'm going through his CCNA book currently.

So when you get that occasional question wrong that you were dead certain was right you go exploring for the truth....

http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470901071,miniSiteCd-SYBEX,descCd-ERRATA.html

I guess it keeps you on your toes...

Lesson: Always check the publishers website for corrections!