Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• Self-study course material for CCVP certification

  Our Cisco certification expert recommends these course self-study materials for Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP) exams. Use these resources and books to pass your test if you can't afford training camps.  Continue Reading

• System engineer vs. network administrator

  Our Cisco certifications expert, David Minutella, answers what the responsibilities of a system engineer and network administrator are and what makes the two jobs different.  Continue Reading

• What is a seamless router?

  In this expert response, Sudhanshu Gupta gives us a quick history lesson in routing when he answers the question "what is meant by the term 'seamless router'?"  Continue Reading

• Is it possible to use a Cisco 2950 switch as a DHCP relay?

  In this response, our routing and switching expert, Sudhanshu Gupta, provides a table of commands to enable a Cisco 2950 switch DHCP functionality.  Continue Reading

• Linking PKI and PMK infrastructures

  In this Q&A, Mike Puglia explains how to link PKI and PMK infrastructures.  Continue Reading

• How many wireless devices can connect to an 802.11b?

  In this response, our WLAN expert, Mike Puglia, answers "How many wireless devices can connect to an 802.11b access point if the maximum capacity needed by each device is 2 MB?"  Continue Reading

• Microsoft RADIUS authentication

  Read this Q&A to see how Microsoft RADIUS authentication works in Microsoft/Cisco PEAP 802.11 implementation.  Continue Reading

• How does IPv6 compare to IPv4 in its configuration?

  Silvia Hagen, our IPv6 expert, talks about the IPv6 address and subnetting, in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• High-gain antennas and the near field effect

  In this response, Lisa Phifer explains the use of a high-gain antenna and what the near field effect is.  Continue Reading

• Getting WEP association

  In this Q&A, Lisa Phifer explains why association may not happen when trying to connect a smart bridge with an Atheros radio and Monowall to a Tranzeo TR 6000.  Continue Reading

• Wireless connection in the wilderness

  Lisa Phifer explains how to connect office buildings wirelessly where laying cable is not an option due to trees and rocky terrain.  Continue Reading

• Creating a WPA2 compliant network

  Our expert, Lisa Phifer, goes through the basic principles of creating a WPA2 compliant network, in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• What to do when your server goes down

  When a server goes down at a particular time every night without the prompt of a virus, our expert, Puneet Mehta, can tell you what the problem is and what you can do to avoid it.  Continue Reading

• Host-based firewall for servers

  Puneet Mehta, our expert, talks about the use of having a host-based firewall for W2K3 servers, and, if they are needed, where you can go for resources.  Continue Reading

• The difference between IPsec and SSL

  In this Q&A, our expert, Puneet Mehta, offers a valuable resource on the difference between IPsec and SSL.  Continue Reading

• The difference between RIP, IGRP and EIGRP

  Our expert, Sudhanshu Gupta, goes over the differences between RIP, IGRP and EIGRP, in this explanation.  Continue Reading

• Differences between adapters and modems

  Our expert, Sudhanshu Gupta answers what it means when a router says the connection has been resent by the remote host and what the difference is between a WAN adapter and a modem.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting your network

  In this Q&A, our expert, Lindi Horton, helps with troubleshooting a network that has problems staying up in the evening.  Continue Reading

• Link and port aggregation information

  Need some clarification on link and port aggregation? Here, our expert, Lindi Horton, provides us with just that in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• The most commonly used network operating system

  In this Q&A, Lindi Horton answers the question "What network operating system is more currently and commonly used?"  Continue Reading

• How to prevent former employees and administrators from accessing your server

  What do you do if you have ex-employees or even ex-administrators accessing your server remotely? How do you prevent them from doing this? Our expert, Lindi Horton, can tell you how.  Continue Reading

• Does having a CCNA and MCSE equal a higher-paying job?

  David Minutella answers the question "How helpful will it be if I get a CCNA certificate or MCSE certificate to fetch a high-paying job?" Read on to see our expert's response.  Continue Reading

• What can you get with MCSE, CCNA and CCNP certifications?

  In this Q&A, our expert, David Minutella, tells us what you can get career-wise after obtaining MCSE, CCNA and CCNP certifications.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between DNS and WINS?

  In this response, our expert, Chris Partsenidis, explains the differences between DNS and WINS.  Continue Reading

• How to study for CCNA VoIP certification

  Our expert, Ed Tittel, gives advice on how to review questions to study for CCNA regarding VoIP certification, in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• Configuring managed and unmanaged switches

  In this Q&A, Sudhanshu Gupta answers which cable to use with managed and unmanaged switches.  Continue Reading

• How close are Cisco practice exams to the actual test?

  David Minutella explains here how close the CCNA practice tests are to the real thing and mentions a few to check out.  Continue Reading

• Connecting ISDN PRI to a VPN via a Cisco AS5350

  Sudhanshu Gupta examines how to connect an ISDN PRI to a VPN using a Cisco AS5350.  Continue Reading

• Optimize network space for IP addresses

  Sudhanshu Gupta explains how to use a Cisco 2600 Router to get networks to talk to each other.  Continue Reading

• Routing phone calls to a POTS

  Sudhanshu Gupta explains how to route all phone calls to a POTS, in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• How to get recertified as a CCNA.

  Can I be recertified as a CCNA if I pass one of the CCNP exams, or must I take the CCNA over again to start my recertification as a CCNP?  Continue Reading

• The best book for CCDA certification

  In this Ask the Expert, David Minutella recommends the best book resource for CCDA certification  Continue Reading

• Can you distinguish between 802.11n and 802.11g?

  In this response, Mike Puglia describes the difference between 802.11n and 802.11g.  Continue Reading

• Avoid congestion when fitting a new facility for wireless

  Mike Puglia goes through the options of fitting a hospital for wireless offered to patients and visitors to avoid access point congestion.  Continue Reading

• Cable types for CAT5e

  Learn about the different cable types for CAT5e cables in this Ask the Expert response from our network infrastructure and new technologies guru, Carrie Higbie.  Continue Reading

• Finding the culprit to network delays

  In this response, Lindi Horton gives us some product options to find network delays.  Continue Reading

• Fast and secure FTP server options

  Lindi Horton suggests certain options for FTP servers that need to be fast but secure.  Continue Reading

• QoS implementation basics

  In this response, Lindi Horton discusses some of the basics of implementing Quality of Service.  Continue Reading

• What is a cause of crosstalk in UTP cables?

  Higbie provides a useful link to understand crosstalk in UTP cables.  Continue Reading

• How different 802.11 standards work in various channels

  Here, Phifer explains how different 802.11 standards work with 5 MHz and 40 MHz wide channels.  Continue Reading

• Multicasting on a wireless network

  In this response, Phifer discusses multicasting on a wireless network.  Continue Reading

• Differences between Wi-Fi and HPNA_338

  Here, Phifer explains the difference between Wi-Fi and HPNA_338.  Continue Reading

• Wireless LAN setup for hotels

  Phifer discusses the requirements for WLAN setups in hotels.  Continue Reading

• What are the best tools to ensure maximum security in an organization?

  Here, Gregg touches on the basics of network security building blocks.  Continue Reading

• Difference between audits, assessments and pen tests

  Gregg distinguishes the differences between audits and assessments.  Continue Reading

• Differences between open-source and commercial IDS

  Here, Michael Gregg explains the differences between open-source and a commercial IDS.  Continue Reading

• What structure can I follow for penetration testing?

  In this question, Michael Gregg discusses the basics of penetration testing on your network.  Continue Reading

• Firewall purchasing advice

  In this Q&A, Michael Gregg offers quick advice about purchasing a firewall.  Continue Reading

• Wi-Fi hot spot plan or 3G wireless data service

  Should you use a Wi-Fi hot spot plan or a 3G wireless data service?  Continue Reading

• Should I buy new APs with 802.11g or pre-802.11n?

  Wireless networking expert Lisa Phifer explains which access points (APs) -- 802.11g or pre-802.11n -- are the most valuble purchase for your enterprise upgrade.  Continue Reading

• What is the purpose of Wi-Fi ad-hoc mode?

  Our wireless networking expert, Lisa Phifer, defines and explains Wi-Fi ad-hoc mode and its pros and cons, in this Ask the Expert response.  Continue Reading

• How I can get hands-on routing experience via the Internet?

  Discover how to gain routing experience using online simulators.  Continue Reading

• Dynamic and static routing

  The pros and cons associated with dynamic and static routing.  Continue Reading

• What are the fundamentals of ATM and ISDN?

  Lisa Phifer explains the fundamentals of ATM and ISDN and why they are used.  Continue Reading

• SMB wireless LAN setup

  Advice for setting up a WLAN for a SMB.  Continue Reading

• Jack of all trades -- master of none

  Ed gives advice to the 'Jack of all IT' -- master of none.  Continue Reading

• Studying for the CCNA is boring -- what would make it more interesting?

  Studying for the CCNA is boring -- Dave Minutella tells you how you can make it more interesting in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between cat5, cat5e and cat 6?

  Carrie Higbie explains the difference between cat5, cat5e and cat 6 cables.  Continue Reading

• Is there an industry standard for monitoring network/device availability?

  Is there an industry standard for monitoring network/device availability?  Continue Reading

• How to configure Cisco 1720 routers to allow VPN traffic through

  Our routing and switching expert, Sudhanshu Gupta, explains how to configure your Cisco 1720 router to allow VPN traffic through to an internal server, in this Ask the Expert answer.  Continue Reading

• What is the best way to tackle the descriptive questions on the CCNA 640-801 exam?

  What is the best way to tackle the descriptive questions on the CCNA 640-801 exam?  Continue Reading

• What are the advantages to completing the illusive CCIE cert versus having multiple CCNP certs?

  What are the advantages to completing the illusive CCIE cert versus having multiple CCNP certs?  Continue Reading

• How can I stop my server from allowing unauthorized access?

  How can I stop my server from allowing unauthorized access?  Continue Reading

• Can you suggest some third party monitoring solution for Cisco Call Manager?

  Can you suggest some third party monitoring solution for Cisco Call Manager?  Continue Reading

• Why does my network go down every night?

  Our networking fundamentals expert, Chris Partsenidis, explains why a network server might go down at a certain time every night, in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• Which network cards are best for Gigabit Ethernet?

  Which network cards are best for Gigabit Ethernet?  Continue Reading

• Why is the cable supporting my LAN experiencing abnormal attenuation?

  Why is the cable supporting my LAN experiencing abnormal attenuation?  Continue Reading

• Is there really a big difference between cheap, residential-grade wireless APs and expensive, busine

  Is there really a big difference between cheap, residential-grade wireless APs and expensive, business-grade wireless APs?  Continue Reading

• Can you help me understand the differences between WPA2 and Cisco's LEAP security?

  Expert Lisa Phifer explains the differences between WPA2 and Cisco's LEAP security and takes a look at stronger EAP types that can be used with 802.1X.  Continue Reading

• Why can't our wireless NIC get an IP address?

  Wireless association followed by DHCP failure is not uncommon. Learn why your wireless NIC is unable to get an IP address from an access point (AP) that it can see and detect a signal from, in this Ask the Expert answer.  Continue Reading

• Looking for a career change

  Network career, training and certification expert Ed Tittel explains how to make a career change into the networking feild. How many certifications do you need to get your foot in the door? What's the average starting salary for someone CCNA ...  Continue Reading

• Should I worry about studying IGRP protocol?

  Should I worry about studying IGRP protocol?  Continue Reading

• How do I connect my printer to the network without Ethernet cables?

  How do I connect my printer to the network without Ethernet cables?  Continue Reading

• What do you think about all-in-one security devices?

  What do you think about all-in-one security devices?  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between an IT audit and SOX audit?

  What is the difference between an IT audit and SOX audit?  Continue Reading

• What does the future hold for Power over Ethernet (PoE)?

  What does the future hold for Power over Ethernet (PoE)? Find out from our network infrastructure and developing technologies guru, Carrie Higbie, in this Ask the Expert response.  Continue Reading

• How do I configure a Cisco 507 Web cache engine?

  How do I configure a Cisco 507 Web cache engine? FInd out from our network routing and switching expert, Sudhanshu Gupta.  Continue Reading

• Can you help with an Active Directory authentication problem?

  Can you help with an Active Directory authentication problem?  Continue Reading

• Is it possible to have multicast traffic on wireless APs sent to a certain stations and have no affe

  Is it possible to have multicast traffic on wireless APs sent to a certain stations and have no affect on the rest of the associated stations?  Continue Reading

• Is there any difference in regard to QoS between IPv4 and IPv6?

  Is there any difference in regard to QoS between IPv4 and IPv6?  Continue Reading

• Why is my network running so slowly?

  Why is your network running so slowly? Find the answer to your network latency problems from our network monitoring and management expert, Dwight Barker.  Continue Reading

• What to look for in network management software?

  What to look for in network management software?  Continue Reading

• What is the relationship between application errors and network performance?

  Have you done any analysis of the relationship between application errors and network performance and, if so, what are your conclusions? When setting threshold condition traps, it's important to know what impact, for example, CRC errors have on ...  Continue Reading

• What effects will IPv6 have on managing network applications?

  What effects will IPv6 have on managing network applications?  Continue Reading

• How do I apply an access-list to a router?

  Learn how to apply an access-list to a router in this Ask the Expert response from our network routing and switching expert, Sudhanshu Gupta.  Continue Reading

• Can Windows XP incoming connections handle L2TP with IPsec?

  Can Windows XP incoming connections handle L2TP with IPsec?  Continue Reading

• Why is our WLAN experiencing throughput dropping even where signal strength is excellent?

  Why is our WLAN experiencing throughput dropping even where signal strength is excellent?  Continue Reading

• What is the future of thin access points relative to wireless network security?

  What is the future of thin access points relative to wireless network security?  Continue Reading

• Steps to make WLAN security configuration easier

  How can you secure a wireless network connection but also make it easy for authorized users to have access?  Continue Reading

• Can you help me with my FTP server?

  Can you help me with my FTP server?  Continue Reading

• Which cert should I go for next: MCSE or CCNP?

  Which networking certification is the best to take after completing the CCNA? Find out whether an MCSE or CCNP is the best next step from our Cisco certifications expert.  Continue Reading

• Is there a worthwhile vendor-neutral certification in IP telephony?

  Is there a worthwhile vendor-neutral certification in IP telephony?  Continue Reading

• How can I make the successful jump into networking with only rudimentary networking skills?

  How can I make the successful jump into networking with only rudimentary networking skills?  Continue Reading

• How do I monitor network utilization?

  How do I monitor network utilization?  Continue Reading

• What are the advantages of a KVM switch over a Layer 2 or Layer 3 switch?

  What are the advantages of a KVM switch over a Layer 2 or Layer 3 switch?  Continue Reading

• What is a loopback jack?

  What is a loopback jack? Find out from our infrastructure and project management expert, Carrie Higbie, in this response.  Continue Reading

• How can I reduce interference issues when installing Cat 5e and 6 cable?

  How can I reduce interference issues when installing Cat 5e and 6 cable?  Continue Reading

• What is a network collision?

  What is a network collision and why does it occur on the Ethernet instead of the Token Ring? Find out from our networking security expert, Michael Gregg.  Continue Reading

• What is a star bus network?

  Learn from our network infrastructure and project management expert what a star bus network is and how to design one.  Continue Reading

• Can you recommend good network analysis and diagnostic tools that diagnose at the application layer?

  To diagnose the application layer, network application expert Karl Triebes recommends these network analysis and diagnostic tools.  Continue Reading