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Dec 25, 2011

Chanikya Niti

15 GREAT THOUGHTS BY CHANAKYA

1) "Learn from the mistakes of others... you can't live long enough to make them all yourselves!!"

2)"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and Honest people are screwed first."

3)"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous."

4)"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth."


5)" Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead."


6)"As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it."


7)"The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman."


8)"Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest."


9)"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction."


10)"God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple."


11) "A man is great by deeds, not by birth."


12) "Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness."


13) "Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends."


14) "Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person."


15) "Education is the Best Friend. An Educated Person is Respected Everywhere. Education beats the Beauty and the Youth.

Dec 9, 2011

HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE TO CD OR DVD


Freeware applications
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GEAR ISO Burn*

Version1.5 (New added February 22 2009)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.gearsoftware.com/GEAR-ISO-Burn.php
Steps to burn an ISO-image
1) Start GEAR ISO Burn
2) Browse for the ISO-file
3) Click "Burn"

 

Active@ ISO Burner
 

Version1.7 (October 10 2008)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.ntfs.com/iso_burner_free.htm
Steps to burn an ISO-image
Steps to create a CD if you have downloaded Active@ ISO Burner:
1) Download the ISO CD image to a folder on your computer.
2) Insert a blank CD in your CD-RW drive.
3) Run Active@ ISO Burner.
4) Type the path to ISO image file or click Browse button to locate it via standard File Open dialog.
5) Click the [BURN ISO!] button to start the process of writing ISO image to CD.

ISO CD Burner
 

VersionUnknown (< December 06 2008)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://bouchez.info/cdburner.html
Steps to burn an ISO-image (Also burns DVD)
1) Choose an ISO file to Burn
2) Choose a Recorder to use
3) Click on "Burn it"

 

Image Burn 
 

Version2.4.2.0 (July 22 2008)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.imgburn.com/
Steps to burn an ISO-image (to CD , DVD , HD DVD , Blu-Ray)
  1. Browse to the ISO-file you want to burn
  2. Select the ISO file and right-mouse-click now
  3. Choose "Burn using ImgBurn"

Burn4Free

Version4.6.0.0 (August 30 2008)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.burn4free.com/
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Start Burn4Free
  2. Choose "Drive"
  3. Choose "Burn ISO"
  4. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd
  5. Select the ISO file
  6. Confirm the dialog now with "Yes"
PS: the language of this program can be changed to many other languages (even Dutch ;-) ). Check it out!

InfraRecorder
 

Version0.45 (April 25 2008)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://infrarecorder.sourceforge.net/
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Start InfraRecorder
  2. Choose, from the Toolbar, "Actions"
  3. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd
  4. Select the ISO file
  5. Click "Ok"
PS: the language of this program can be changed to many other languages (even Dutch ;-) ). Check it out via "Options | Configuration"

Burn Aware Free
 

Version2.2.1 (December 30 2008)
FREEWARE 
Website *http://www.burnaware.com/burnaware_free.html
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Start Burn Aware Free Edition
  2. Choose "Burn ISO Image"
  3. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd
  4. Select the ISO file
  5. Press CTRL-B or click on the Red-button in the right upperhand corner to start the burn

Final Burner Free
 

Version2.7.0.144 (December 23 2008)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.protectedsoft.com/download.php
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Start Final Burner Free
  2. Choose "Burn ISO"
  3. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd
  4. Select the ISO file
  5. Click on "Burn" now.

Alex Feinman's ISO Recorder Power Toy

VersionV2 for Windows XP and windows 2003 (X86/X64)  | V3 for Windows Vista (X86/X64)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm
Steps to burn an ISO-image
See Alex' webpage @ http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/HowTo.htm   

StarBurn

Version10 (March 27 17 2008)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.rocketdivision.com/starburn.html
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. See manual ==> http://www.rocketdivision.com/info/StarBurn_ImageBurner.pdf

CdBurner XP

Version4.2.3.1062 (October 28 2008)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.cdburnerxp.se
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Start CdBurner XP Pro
  2. Choose File
  3. Choose Write Disc from ISO file
  4. Browse for the ISO-image file
  5. Choose "Write Disc"

Deepburner Free
 

Version1.9 (March 18 2008)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.deepburner.com
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Start DeepBurner Free
  2. Choose "Burn ISO Image"
  3. Choose "Next"
  4. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd
  5. Select the ISO file
  6. Click on "Burn ISO"

BurnCDCC
 

Version2.0.a (March 18 2006)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.snapfiles.com/get/burncdcc.html
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Start BurnCDCC
  2. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd
  3. Select the ISO file
  4. Suggestion ==> Check the option "Fix close"
  5. Click on "Start"

ISOBURN
 

Version1.8 (February 06 2008)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://dpaehl.dd6338.kasserver.com/cdr/isoburn.php
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Start ISOBurn
  2. Choose "Open"
  3. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd
  4. Select the ISO file
  5. Choose "Burn"

Express Burn
 

Version4.14 (August 8 2008)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.nch.com.au/burn/
Steps to burn an ISO-image to CD , DVD , Blu-Ray
  1. Start Express Burn
  2. Choose "Burner"
  3. Choose "Write ISO Image to a Disk"
  4. Browse for the ISO-image you want to burn
  5. Select the ISO file
  6. Choose "OK"

DVDDecrypter
 

Version3.5.4.0 (??)
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.dvddecrypter.org.uk
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Start DVD Decrypter
  2. Choose Mode / ISO /Write
  3. Select via "Source" the ISO file you want to burn
  4. Choose File/Write to burn the image to CD/DVD (or click on the HD=>CD / DVD image)

From the "Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools" 
 

Version2003
FREEWARE 
Websitehttp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=9d467a69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&displaylang=en(copy and paste this URL to your browser)

Download here:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/e/c/8ec3a7d8-05b4-440a-a71e-ca3ee25fe057/rktools.exe
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. To burn a CD/DVD from an image file when a drive letter is assigned to the CD/DVD burner type the following at the command line:
  2. cdburn.exe d: c:\your_iso_file.iso for CD ; use Dvdburn.exe  For DVD.
  3. Press ENTER.
  4. Output similar to the following is displayed:
    Number of blocks in ISO image is 2a4e2 - 100.0% done
    Finished Writing Synchronizing Cache: burn successful!

    Notes: The drive letter assigned to the burner in this example is D and the image file being written is located at c:\iso_2003.iso The default burn speed for this tool is 4x with the maximum burn speed being determined by the speed of the burner. Use the speed parameter to set the burn speed. The max parameter sets the burn speed of the CD/DVD burner to maximum.
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Non-Freeware Applications

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Nero Burning ROM
 

Version6.x/7.x /8.x
Websitehttp://www.ahead.de
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Launch Nero.
  2. Choose Recorder / Burn image
  3. Browse to the location of the ISO file and select the ISO file you want to burn to cd/dvd
  4. Check the option "Finalize CD (No further writing possible!)
  5. Click on "Burn" now.
Or just select the file and right-mouse-click to burn directly.

Padus DiscJuggler
Free Trial at 1x burn speed
 

Version4.x
Websitehttp://www.padus.com/
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Open Disc Juggler.
  2. Click the New icon, or select File/New from the menu.
  3. Select “CD Image to CD Recorder”
  4. Under Source, enter the pathname to the .ISO image file, or click the Icon next to the text box to open a Browse dialog.
  5. Under Action, select “Write and Verify” from the drop-down list.
  6. Under Destination, ensure your CD-R/CD-RW drive is selected.
  7. Under Method, Select the desired write speed using the slider.
  8. Click the Start button. The burn process will begin.

NTI CD&DVD-Maker 7.x Platinum Edition
 

Version7.0.0.2201
Websitehttp://www.ntius.com/default.asp?p=product/prod_main
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. After starting NTI CD& DVD-MAKER, click on 'the DATA' icon
  2. Choose Data CD if you want to burn a CD
  3. Choose Data DVD if you want to burn a DVD
  4. Now choose File / Create Disc from ISO Disc Image File
  5. Browse for the ISO file you want to burn
  6. Click "OK"

Roxio Easy Media Creator
 

Version6.x/7.x /8.x
Websitewww.roxio.com
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Launch Creator Classic
  2. Choose "File"
  3. Choose "Burn from Disc Image file" (Version 7.x) / Choose "Record Disc from Image (Version 6.x)
  4. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn
  5. Choose now for "Burn"
Or just select the file and right-mouse-click to burn directly.

CdBurner XP Pro
 

Version3.0.116
Websitehttp://www.cdburnerxp.se (this website has problems currently)
Steps to burn an ISO-image
  1. Start CdBurner XP Pro
  2. Choose File
  3. Choose Write Disc from ISO file
  4. Browse for the ISO-image file
  5. Choose "Write Disc"

Dec 7, 2011

How to Block a Website

How to Block a Website

There are many reason why you need to know how to block a website. Some of the most common reasons are you have been targeted by spammers who use adware and popups to attack your PC. Other reasons may be to prevent your children from having access to certain site content such as porn and gambling.

Depending on the level of security you wish, learning how to block a website may require a adjustments of your web browser, the use of internet filtering software or editing of your host file. At any rate you can try all methods to see which works best for you.


How to block a Website using Internet Explorer


Internet Explorer version 5 and later offer the ability for heighten security and privacy. You can block a site by following the directions below:
1. Load your Internet explorer
2. Click Tools
3. Click Internet Options
4. Click the Privacy tab
5. Under the Privacy window, Click Sites
6. Type in the site address that you want to Block and Click OK. Remember this technique only blocks on one site at a time. Parental control software will allow you to block multiple sites and categories.


 
Block a website step 1


block a website step 2




Here are alternate instructions to block a website using Internet Explorer.
Tools ->Internet Options->Security->Restricted sites->Sites->Type in the site address and Click ADD then click OK

How to Restrict a Website using Firefox

Firefox requires an add-on to restrict sites. You can find many good ones at Mozilla.org. The best one is BlockSite.

Here is How:
1. In Firefox, click Tools
2. Click Add-ons
3. Click Get Add-ons
4. Choose Browse All Add-ons.
5. Type blocksite in the search bar.After installing the add-on you will be able to block sites with just a few clicks.



How to block a Website using Google Chrome


1. Open your Chrome Web Browser
2. Click the wrench symbol in he upper right corner.
3. Choose Tools
4. Click Under the Hood tab.
5. Choose Change Proxy Settings.
6. Click Security, click Restricted Sites
7. Double click Sites and add the site you want block

google chrome block


How to Block A Website in All Web Browsers


This action will require you to edit your Host file. Your host file is a computer file used to store information on where to find a node on a computer network. For more a more detailed description. Check out this link

In Windows XP
1. Click Start->All Programs->Accessories->Command Prompt.
2. Click Command Prompt This will open a DOS command window.
3. Type: notepad C:/Windows/System32/drivers/etc/hosts
4. Locate the line 127.0.0.1 localhost
5. To block the website google.com for example, just add this text under 127.0.0.1 localhost:

127.0.0.1 google.com
127.0.0.1 www.google.com
You can add as many sites any site, However you will need to prefix it with "127.0.0.1".

6. Save the file
Google will now be blocked in all web browser. This is an advanced but easy method on how to blow a website.

block a website step 3


block a website step 4

Nov 27, 2011

RAID LEVELS


RAID

RAID is a technology that is used to increase the performance and/or reliability of data storage. The abbreviation stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. A RAID system consists of two or more disks working in parallel. These disks can be hard discs but there is a trend to also use the technology for solid state drives. There are different RAID levels, each optimized for a specific situation. These are not standardized by an industry group or standardisation committee. This explains why companies sometimes come up with their own unique numbers and implementations.
The software to perform the RAID-functionality and control the hard disks can either be located on a separate controller card (a hardware RAID controller) or it can simply be a driver. Some versions of Windows, such as Windows Server 2003, as well as Mac OS X include software RAID functionality. Hardware RAID controllers cost more than pure software but they also offer better performance.
RAID-systems can be based with an number of interfaces, including SCSI, IDE, SATA or FC (fibre channel.) There are systems that use SATA disks internally but that have a FireWire or SCSI-interface for the host system.
Sometimes disks in a RAID system are defined as JBOD, which stands for ‘Just a Bunch Of Disks’. This means that those disks do not use a specific RAID level and acts as stand-alone disks. This is often done for drives that contain swap files or spooling data.
Below is an overview of the most popular RAID levels:

RAID level 0 – Striping

In a RAID 0 system data are split up in blocks that get written across all the drives in the array. By using multiple disks (at least 2) at the same time, this offers superior I/O performance. This performance can be enhanced further by using multiple controllers, ideally one controller per disk.

Advantages

  • RAID 0 offers great performance, both in read and write operations. There is no overhead caused by parity controls.
  • All storage capacity is used, there is no disk overhead.
  • The technology is easy to implement.

Disadvantages

RAID 0 is not fault-tolerant. If one disk fails, all data in the RAID 0 array are lost. It should not be used on mission-critical systems.

Ideal use

RAID 0 is ideal for non-critical storage of data that have to be read/written at a high speed, such as on a Photoshop image retouching station.

RAID level 1 – Mirroring

Data are stored twice by writing them to both the data disk (or set of data disks) and a mirror disk (or set of disks) . If a disk fails, the controller uses either the data drive or the mirror drive for data recovery and continues operation. You need at least 2 disks for a RAID 1 array.
RAID 1 systems are often combined with RAID 0 to improve performance. Such a system is sometimes referred to by the combined number: a RAID 10 system.

Advantages

  • RAID 1 offers excellent read speed and a write-speed that is comparable to that of a single disk.
  • In case a disk fails, data do not have to be rebuild, they just have to be copied to the replacement disk.
  • RAID 1 is a very simple technology.

Disadvantages

  • The main disadvantage is that the effective storage capacity is only half of the total disk capacity because all data get written twice.
  • Software RAID 1 solutions do not always allow a hot swap of a failed disk (meaning it cannot be replaced while the server keeps running). Ideally a hardware controller is used.

Ideal use

RAID-1 is ideal for mission critical storage, for instance for accounting systems. It is also suitable for small servers in which only two disks will be used.

RAID level 3

On RAID 3 systems, data blocks are subdivided (striped) and written in parallel on two or more drives. An additional drive stores parity information. You need at least 3 disks for a RAID 3 array.
Since parity is used, a RAID 3 stripe set can withstand a single disk failure without losing data or access to data.

Advantages

  • RAID-3 provides high throughput (both read and write) for large data transfers.
  • Disk failures do not significantly slow down throughput.

Disadvantages

  • This technology is fairly complex and too resource intensive to be done in software.
  • Performance is slower for random, small I/O operations.

Ideal use

RAID 3 is not that common in prepress.

RAID level 5

RAID 5 is the most common secure RAID level. It is similar to RAID-3 except that data are transferred to disks by independent read and write operations (not in parallel). The data chunks that are written are also larger. Instead of a dedicated parity disk, parity information is spread across all the drives. You need at least 3 disks for a RAID 5 array.
A RAID 5 array can withstand a single disk failure without losing data or access to data. Although RAID 5 can be achieved in software, a hardware controller is recommended. Often extra cache memory is used on these controllers to improve the write performance.

Advantages

Read data transactions are very fast while write data transaction are somewhat slower (due to the parity that has to be calculated).

Disadvantages

  • Disk failures have an effect on throughput, although this is still acceptable.
  • Like RAID 3, this is complex technology.

Ideal use

RAID 5 is a good all-round system that combines efficient storage with excellent security and decent performance. It is ideal for file and application servers.

RAID level 10 – Combining RAID 0 & RAID 1

RAID 10 combines the advantages (and disadvantages) of RAID 0 and RAID 1 in one single system. It provides security by mirroring all data on a secondary set of disks (disk 3 and 4 in the drawing below) while using striping across each set of disks to speed up data transfers.

What about RAID levels 2, 4, 6 and 7?

These levels do exist but are not that common, at least not in prepress environments. This is just a simple introduction to RAID-system. You can find more in-depth information on the pages of wikipedia  or ACNC .

RAID is no substitute for back-up!

All RAID levels except RAID 0 offer protection from a single drive failure. A RAID 6 system even survives 2 disks dying simultaneously. For complete security you do still need to back-up the data from a RAID system.
  • That back-up will come in handy if all drives fail simultaneously because of a power spike.
  • It is a safeguard when the storage system gets stolen.
  • Back-ups can be kept off-site at a different location. This can come in handy if a natural disaster or fire destroys your workplace.
  • The most important reason to back-up multiple generations of data is user error. If someone accidentally deletes some important data and this goes unnoticed for several hours, days or weeks, a good set of back-ups ensure you can still retrieve those files.

Sep 16, 2011

Cisco Router Configuration in Command Line Interface


Cisco Router Configuration Tutorial

Josh Gentry, jgentry@swcp.com
v.1.4, 14 May, 2011



This document covers basic Cisco router IP configuration using the command-line interface


Acknowledgments
The following sources where extremely useful:
  • Leinwand, Pinsky, and Culpepper. Cisco Router Configuration. Indianapolis, Indiana: Cisco Press, 1998.
  • Cisco Systems, Inc., http://www.cisco.com
Disclaimer
This document carries no explicit or implied warranty. Nor is there any guarantee that the information contained in this document is accurate. It is offered in the hopes of helping others, but you use it at your own risk. The author will not be liable for any damages that occur as a result of using this document.
Conventions
Important terms and concepts, when they are introduced, may be displayed in bold. Commands included in the body of the text will be displayed in this font. All names and addresses used in examples are just that, examples, and should not be used on your network. Do not type them in verbatim when configuring your system. Finally, in some examples where the command rquires an IP address as an argument, the IP address may be represented in this way, xx.xx.xx.xx, or aa.bb.cc.dd. You will never actually use these strings when configuring your system. They are mearly a convention of this document to specify that you should substitute the appropriate IP address at that point.


1. What this document covers

There are several methods available for configuring Cisco routers. It can be done over the network from a TFTP server. It can be done through the menu interface provided at bootup, and it can be done from the menu interface provided by using the command setup. This tutorial does not cover these methods. It covers configuration from the IOS command-line interface only. Useful for anyone new to Cisco routers, and those studying for CCNA.
Note that this tutorial does not cover physically connecting the router to the networks it will be routing for. It covers operating system configuration only.

1.1 Reasons for using the command-line

The main reason for using the command-line interface instead of a menu driven interface is speed. Once you have invested the time to learn the command-line commands, you can perform many operations much more quickly than by using a menu. This is basically true of all command-line vs. menu interfaces. What makes it especially efficient to learn the command-line interface of the Cisco IOS is that it is standard across all Cisco routers. Also, some questions on the CCNA exam require you to know command-line commands.

2. Getting started with Cisco

Initially you will probably configure your router from a terminal. If the router is already configured and at least one port is configured with an IP address, and it has a physical connection to the network, you might be able to telnet to the router and configure it across the network. If it is not already configured, then you will have to directly connect to it with a terminal and a serial cable. With any Windows box you can use Hyperterminal to easily connect to the router. Plug a serial cable into a serial (COM) port on the PC and the other end into the console port on the Cisco router. Start Hyperterminal, tell it which COM port to use and click OK. Set the speed of the connection to 9600 baud and click OK. If the router is not on, turn it on.
If you wish to configure the router from a Linux box, either Seyon or Minicom should work. At least one of them, and maybe both, will come with your Linux distribution.
Often you will need to hit the Enter key to see the prompt from the router. If it is unconfigured it will look like this:
Router>If it has been previously configured with a hostname, it will look like this:
hostname of router>If you have just turned on the router, after it boots it will ask you if you wish to begin initial configuration. Say no. If you say yes, it will put you in the menu interface. Say no.

2.1 Modes

The Cisco IOS command-line interface is organized around the idea of modes. You move in and out of several different modes while configuring a router, and which mode you are in determines what commands you can use. Each mode has a set of commands available in that mode, and some of these commands are only available in that mode. In any mode, typing a question mark will display a list of the commands available in that mode.
Router>?

2.2 Unprivileged and privileged modes

When you first connect to the router and provide the password (if necessary), you enter EXEC mode, the first mode in which you can issue commands from the command-line. From here you can use such unprivileged commands as ping, telnet, and rlogin. You can also use some of the showcommands to obtain information about the system. In unprivileged mode you use commands like, show version to display the version of the IOS the router is running. Typing show ? will diplay all the show commands available in the mode you are presently in.
Router>show ?You must enter privileged mode to configure the router. You do this by using the command enable. Privileged mode will usually be password protected unless the router is unconfigured. You have the option of not password protecting privileged mode, but it is HIGHLY recommended that you do. When you issue the command enable and provide the password, you will enter privileged mode.
To help the user keep track of what mode they are in, the command-line prompt changes each time you enter a different mode. When you switch from unprivileged mode to privileged mode, the prompt changes from:
Router>to
Router#This would probably not be a big deal if there were just two modes. There are, in fact, numerous modes, and this feature is probably indispensable. Pay close attention to the prompt at all times.
Within privileged mode there are many sub-modes. In this document I do not closely follow Cisco terminology for this hierarchy of modes. I think that my explanation is clearer, frankly. Cisco describes two modes, unprivileged and privileged, and then a hierarchy of commands used in privileged mode. I reason that it is much clearer to understand if you just consider there to be many sub-modes of privileged mode, which I will also call parent mode. Once you enter privileged mode (parent mode) the prompt ends with a pound sign (#). There are numerous modes you can enter only after entering privileged mode. Each of these modes has a prompt of the form:
Router(arguments)#They still all end with the pound sign. They are subsumed within privileged mode. Many of these modes have sub-modes of their own. Once you enter priliged mode, you have access to all the configuration information and options the IOS provides, either directly from the parent mode, or from one of its submodes.

3. Configuring your Cisco Router

If you have just turned on the router, it will be completely unconfigured. If it is already configured, you may want to view its current configuration. Even if it has not been previously configured, you should familiarize yourself with the show commands before beginning to configure the router. Enter privileged mode by issuing the command enable, then issue several show commands to see what they display. Remember, the command show ? will display all theshowcommands aavailable in the current mode. Definately try out the following commands:
Router#show interfaces
Router#show ip protocols
Router#show ipv6 protocols
Router#show ip route
Router#show ipv6 route
Router#show ip arp
Router#show ipv6 neighbors
When you enter privileged mode by using the command enable, you are in the top-level mode of privileged mode, also known in this document as "parent mode." It is in this top-level or parent mode that you can display most of the information about the router. As you now know, you do this with the showcommands. Here you can learn the configuration of interfaces and whether they are up or down. You can display what IP protocols are in use, such as dynamic routing protocols. You can view the route and ARP tables, and these are just a few of the more important options.
As you configure the router, you will enter various sub-modes to set options, then return to the parent mode to display the results of your commands. You also return to the parent mode to enter other sub-modes. To return to the parent mode, you hit ctrl-z. This puts any commands you have just issued into affect, and returns you to parent mode.

3.1 Global configuration (config)

To configure any feature of the router, you must enter configuration mode. This is the first sub-mode of the parent mode. In the parent mode, you issue the command config.
Router#config
Router(config)#
As demonstrated above, the prompt changes to indicate the mode that you are now in.
In connfiguration mode you can set options that apply system-wide, also refered to as "global configurations." For instance, it is a good idea to name your router so that you can easily identify it. You do this in configuration mode with the hostname command.
Router(config)#hostname ExampleName
ExampleName(config)#
As demonstrated above, when you set the name of the host with the hostname command, the prompt immediately changes by replacing Router withExampleName. (Note: It is a good idea to name your routers with an organized naming scheme.)
Another useful command issued from config mode is the command to designate the DNS server to be used by the router:
ExampleName(config)#ip name-server aa.bb.cc.dd
ExampleName(config)#ctrl-Z
ExampleName#
This is also where you set the password for privileged mode.
ExampleName(config)#enable secret examplepassword
ExampleName(config)#ctrl-Z
ExampleName#
Until you hit ctrl-Z (or type exit until you reach parent mode) your command has not been put into affect. You can enter config mode, issue several different commands, then hit ctrl-Z to activate them all. Each time you hit ctrl-Z you return to parent mode and the prompt:
ExampleName#Here you use show commands to verify the results of the commands you issued in config mode. To verify the results of the ip name-server command, issue the command show host.

3.2 Configuring Cisco router interfaces

Cisco interface naming is straightforward. Individual interfaces are referred to by this convention:
media type slot#/port#"Media type" refers to the type of media that the port is an interface for, such as Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, serial, etc. Slot numbers are only applicable for routers that provide slots into which you can install modules. These modules contain several ports for a given media. The 7200 series is an example. These modules are even hot-swapable. You can remove a module from a slot and replace it with a different module, without interrupting service provided by the other modules installed in the router. These slots are numbered on the router.
Port number refers to the port in reference to the other ports in that module. Numbering is left-to-right, and all numbering starts at 0, not at one.
For example, a Cisco 7206 is a 7200 series router with six slots. To refer to an interface that is the third port of an Ethernet module installed in the sixth slot, it would be interface ethernet 6/2. Therefor, to display the configuration of that interface you use the command:
ExampleName#show interface ethernet 6/2If your router does not have slots, like a 1600, then the interface name consists only of:
media type port#For example:
ExampleName#show interface serial 0Here is an example of configuring a serial port with an IP address:
ExampleName#config
ExampleName(config)#interface serial 1/1
ExampleName(config-if)#ip address 192.168.155.2 255.255.255.0
ExampleName(config-if)#ipv6 address fe80::230:1bff:fe80:b8ea/64
ExampleName(config-if)#ipv6 enable
ExampleName(config-if)#no shutdown
ExampleName(config-if)#ctrl-Z
ExampleName#
Then to verify configuration:
ExampleName#show interface serial 1/1Note the no shutdown command. An interface may be correctly configured and physically connected, yet be "administratively down." In this state it will not function. The command for causing an interface to be administratively down is shutdown.
ExampleName(config)#interface serial 1/1
ExampleName(config-if)#shutdown
ExampleName(config-if)#ctrl-Z
ExampleName#show interface serial 1/1
In the Cisco IOS, the way to reverse or delete the results of any command is to simply put no infront of it. For instance, if we wanted to unassign the IP address we had assigned to interface serial 1/1:
ExampleName(config)#interface serail 1/1
ExampleName(config-if)#no ip address 192.168.155.2 255.255.255.0
ExampleName(config-if)ctrl-Z
ExampleName#show interface serial 1/1
Configuring most interfaces for LAN connections might consist only of assigning a network layer address and making sure the interface is not administratively shutdown. It is usually not necessary to stipulate data-link layer encapsulation. Note that it is often necessary to stipulate the appropriate data-link layer encapsulation for WAN connections, such as frame-relay and ATM. Serial interfaces default to using HDLC. A discussion of data-link protocols is outside the scope of this document. You will need to look up the IOS command encapsulation for more details.

3.3 Configuring Cisco Routing

IP routing is automatically enabled on Cisco routers. If it has been previously disabled on your router, you turn it back on in config mode with the commandip routing.
ExampleName(config)#ip routing
ExampleName(config)#ctrl-Z
To enable IPv6 routing, use the command ipv6 unicast-routing.
ExampleName(config)#ipv6 unicast-routing
ExampleName(config)#ctrl-Z
There are two main ways a router knows where to send packets. The administrator can assign static routes, or the router can learn routes by employing adynamic routing protocol.
Static routes are generally used in very simple networks or in particular cases that necessitate their use. To create a static route, the administrator tells the router operating system that any network traffic destined for a specified network layer address should be forwarded to a similiarly specified network layer address. In the Cisco IOS this is done with the ip route and ipv6 route commands.
ExampleName#config
ExampleName(config)#ip route 172.16.0.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.150.1
ExampleName(config)#ctrl-Z
ExampleName#show ip route
ExampleName#config
ExampleName(config)#ipv6 route fe80::230:1bff:fe80::/64 fe80::230:1bff:fe80::1
ExampleName(config)#ctrl-Z
ExampleName#show ipv6 route
Two things to be said about this example. First, the packet destination address must include the subnet mask for that destination network. Second, the address it is to be forwarded to is the specified addres of the next router along the path to the destination. This is the most common way of setting up a static route, and the only one this document covers. Be aware, however, that there are other methods.
Dynamic routing protocols, running on connected routers, enable those routers to share routing information. This enables routers to learn the routes available to them. The advantage of this method is that routers are able to adjust to changes in network topologies. If a route is physically removed, or a neighbor router goes down, the routing protocol searches for a new route. Routing protocols can even dynamically choose between possible routes based on variables such as network congestion or network reliability.
There are many different routing protocols, and they all use different variables, known as "metrics," to decide upon appropriate routes. Unfortunately, a router needs to be running the same routing protocols as its neighbors. Many routers can, however, run mutliple protocols. Also, many protocols are designed to be able to pass routing information to other routing protocols. This is called "redistribution."
Routing protocols are a complex topic and this document contains only this superficial description of them. There is much to learn about them, and there are many sources of information about them available. An excelent source of information on this topic is Cisco's website, http://www.cisco.com.

3.4 IPv6 configuration with IOS

This is a seperate section because IPv6 is new to most people, and they will be looking specifically for information about configuring IPv6. Examples of configuring IPv6 are included throughout the document, however, alongside IPv4. That is a more accurate reflection of how you will work with IPv6 on a day-to-day basis. Once the newness of IPv6 passes, it will be one more piece in the familiar puzzle.
The important concept to understand when configuring IPv6 is that IPv4 and IPv6 exist in parrallel. One is not a replacement for the other, at least not in the way it is treated by the operating system. A term for this is dual stack. An interface can have an IPv4 address and no IPv6 address. Or an IPv6 address and no IPv4 address. Or both an IPv4 address and an IPv6 address. Examples:
IPv4 only
!
interface FastEthernet0/0
ip address 192.168.1.138 255.255.255.0
!

IPv6 only
!
interface FastEthernet0/0
ipv6 address fe80::230:1bff:fe80::/64
ipv6 enable
!

IPv4 and IPv6
!
interface FastEthernet0/0
ip address 192.168.1.138 255.255.255.0
ipv6 address fe80::230:1bff:fe80::/64
ipv6 enable
!
Notice that there are seperate but similiar commands for IPv4 and IPv6. To assign an IPv4 address,
ExampleName(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.138 255.255.255.0To assign an IPv6 address,
ExampleName(config-if)#ipv6 address fe80::230:1bff:fe80::/64There are some bigger differences between IPv4 and IPv6 IOS commands. For example, the IPv6 equivilant of show ip arp, is show ipv6 neighbors.

3.5 Saving your Cisco Router configuration

Once you have configured routing on the router, and you have configured individual interfaces, your router should be capable of routing traffic. Give it a few moments to talk to its neighbors, then issue the commands show ip route and show ip arp. There should now be entries in these tables learned from the routing protocol.
If you turned the router off right now, and turned it on again, you would have to start configuration over again. Your running configuration is not saved to any perminent storage media. You can see this configuration with the command show running-config.
ExampleName#show running-configYou do want to save your successful running configuration. Issue the command copy running-config startup-config.
ExampleName#copy running-config startup-configYour configuration is now saved to non-volatile RAM (NVRAM). Issue the command show startup-config.
ExampleName#show startup-configNow any time you need to return your router to that configuration, issue the command copy startup-config running-config.
ExampleName#copy startup-config running-config

3.6 Example Cisco Router configuration

  1. Router>enable
  2. Router#config
  3. Router(config)#hostname N115-7206
  4. N115-7206(config)#interface serial 1/1
  5. N115-7206(config-if)ip address 192.168.155.2 255.255.255.0
  6. N115-7206(config-if)ipv6 address fe80::230:1bff:fe80:b8ea/64
  7. N115-7206(config-if)ipv6 enable
  8. N115-7206(config-if)no shutdown
  9. N115-7206(config-if)ctrl-z
  10. N115-7206#show interface serial 1/1
  11. N115-7206#config
  12. N115-7206(config)#interface ethernet 2/3
  13. N115-7206(config-if)#ip address 192.168.150.90 255.255.255.0
  14. N115-7206(config-if)#no shutdown
  15. N115-7206(config-if)#ctrl-z
  16. N115-7206#show interface ethernet 2/3
  17. N115-7206#config
  18. N115-7206(config)#ip name-server 172.16.0.10
  19. N115-7206(config)#ctrl-z
  20. N115-7206#ping archie.au
  21. N115-7206#config
  22. N115-7206(config)#enable secret password
  23. N115-7206(config)#ctrl-z
  24. N115-7206#copy running-config startup-config
  25. N115-7206#exit

4. Troubleshooting your Cisco router

Inevitably, there will be problems. Usually, it will come in the form of a user notifying you that they can not reach a certain destination, or any destinattion at all. You will need to be able to check how the router is attempting to route traffic, and you must be able to track down the point of failure.
You are already familiar with the show commands, both specific commands and how to learn what other show commands are available. Some of the most basic, most useful commands you will use for troubleshooting are:
Router#show interfaces
Router#show ip protocols
Router#show ipv6 protocols
Router#show ip route
Router#show ipv6 route
Router#show ip arp
Router#show ipv6 neighbors

4.1 Testing connectivity

It is very possible that the point of failure is not in your router configuration, or at your router at all. If you examine your router's configuration and operation and everything looks good, the problem might be be farther up the line. In fact, it may be the line itself, or it could be another router, which may or may not be under your administration.
One extremely useful and simple diagnostic tool is the ping command. Ping is an implementation of the IP Message Control Protocol (ICMP). Ping sends an ICMP echo request to a destination IP address. If the destination machine receives the request, it responds with an ICMP echo response. This is a very simple exchange that consists of:
Hello, are you alive?
Yes, I am.
ExampleName#ping xx.xx.xx.xxIf the ping test is successful, you know that the destination you are having difficulty reaching is alive and physically reachable.
If there are routers between your router and the destination you are having difficulty reaching, the problem might be at one of the other routers. Even if youping a router and it responds, it might have other interfaces that are down, its routing table may be corrupted, or any number of other problems may exist.
To see where packets that leave your router for a particular destination go, and how far, use the trace command.
ExampleName#trace xx.xx.xx.xxIt may take a few minutes for this utility to finish, so give it some time. It will display a list of all the hops it makes on the way to the destination.

4.2 debug commands

There are several debug commands provided by the IOS. These commands are not covered here. Refer to the Cisco website for more information.

4.3 Hardware and physical connections

Do not overlook the possibility that the point of failure is a hardware or physical connection failure. Any number of things can go wrong, from board failures to cut cables to power failures. This document will not describew troubleshooting these problems, except for these simple things.
Check to see that the router is turned on. Also make sure that no cables are loose or damaged. Finally, make sure cables are plugged into the correct ports. Beyond this simple advice you will need to check other sources.

4.4 Out of your control

If the point of failure is farther up the line, the prolem might lie with equipment not under your administration. Your only option might be to contact the equipment's administrator, notify them of your problem, and ask them for help. It is in your interest to be courtious and respectful. The other administrator has their own problems, their own workload and their own priorities. Their agenda might even directly conflict with yours, such as their intention to change dynamic routing protocols, etc. You must work with them, even if the situation is frustrating. Alienating someone with the power to block important routes to your network is not a good idea.