Month: August 2019

Diagram illustrating Administrative Distance (AD) in Cisco networking with EIGRP (AD 90), OSPF (AD 110), and a table of default AD values for route sources.
CCNA August 23, 2019

What is Administrative Distance – Explain

In network environments, routers often receive multiple routes to the same destination from different sources, such as routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, EIGRP, RIP), static routes, or directly connected networks. To select the most trustworthy route, Cisco routers use Administrative Distance (AD), a critical concept in the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum. This article explains AD’s […]
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Diagram illustrating equal-cost load balancing and EIGRP unequal-cost load balancing with routers R1, R2, and R3.
CCNA August 23, 2019

What is Network Load Balancing

Routers use administrative distance (AD) to prioritize routes learned from different routing protocols when multiple paths to a destination exist. AD is a value assigned to each routing protocol, with lower values indicating higher preference (e.g., EIGRP AD is 90, OSPF AD is 110). If multiple paths exist within the same protocol (same AD), the […]
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Illustration showing three connected routers with a laptop and server, depicting routing paths using solid and dashed lines on a teal background with the title "Router Path Selection".
CCNA August 23, 2019

Mastering Router Path Selection: Best Path Determination (Updated 2025)

Understanding how routers select the best path for packet forwarding is a cornerstone of networking and a key topic for CCNA and CCNP certification exams. Routers use their routing tables to determine the optimal path based on metrics like administrative distance and protocol-specific values. This article dives into the mechanics of path selection, including directly […]
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Illustration depicting Cisco router interface settings verification using CLI commands. A terminal window with “Router# show interfaces” and a Cisco router icon with a checkmark emphasize diagnostics, configuration validation, and network reliability.
CCNA August 20, 2019

How to Verify Interface Settings

As a network engineer, ensuring that Cisco router interface settings are correctly configured is critical for maintaining network performance, security, and reliability. Verifying these settings involves checking interface settings status, IP configurations, duplex settings, and other parameters to ensure they align with the network design. This article provides a step-by-step guide to verifying Cisco router […]
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Diagram of IPv4 loopback interface configuration in a Cisco router, highlighting logical structure, constant “up” state, and usage in BGP, OSPF, and router management.
CCNA August 20, 2019

How to Configure an IPv4 Loopback Interface

The IPv4 loopback interface is logically configured internally in the router. In this lesson, we should discuss this interface configuration, but at this stage, it is necessary to know the IPv4 interface configuration before the IPv4 loopback interface configuration. I discussed the IPv4 interface configuration in one of my previous lessons. The address of the […]
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LAN topology diagram showing two Cisco switches, one router, and four connected hosts. Highlights IP address assignments, VLAN configurations, and default gateways for remote management.
CCNA August 20, 2019

How to Enable IP Address on Network Switches

For CCNA and CCNP students, understanding how to enable IP address on network switches is critical for enabling remote management and ensuring efficient network operations. Network switches, unlike routers, primarily operate at Layer 2, forwarding frames based on MAC addresses. However, to manage a switch remotely using protocols like SSH, Telnet, HTTP, or HTTPS, an […]
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Hand connecting a cable to a Cisco device for console access.
CCNA August 20, 2019

What is Console Access to Cisco Devices

Console Access is an essential topic for networking students, so I will explain console access to Cisco devices in this lesson. All Cisco routers and switches have a console port, the management interface. It connects a computer directly to a router or switch and manages it. The console port is also used for initial configuration. […]
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Visual diagram of network device LEDs—green for link and activity, amber for faults—on Ethernet ports and Cisco switches, highlighting diagnostic cues and typical LED states.
CCNA August 19, 2019

Introduction to Status LEDs of Ethernet and Network Devices

Device status LEDs are essential tools for CCNA and CCNP students, offering quick visual cues to diagnose network issues. These indicators on NICs, hubs, routers, and switches help troubleshoot connectivity, performance, and faults efficiently. This article explores common LED meanings, Cisco-specific indicators, and practical tips to master network monitoring for certification and real-world success. Ethernet […]
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Illustration of IP configuration: one screen shows static IP details (192.168.1.10, subnet mask, gateway, DNS), while the other displays dynamic settings via DHCP for automated network communication.
CCNA August 19, 2019

How to Assign an IP Address to Windows Computer

Assigning IP addresses to host computers and network devices is a critical skill for CCNA and CCNP students, ensuring efficient network communication and management. This article explores two primary methods—static and dynamic IP assignment—providing step-by-step guidance on how to assign an IP address to Windows hosts and Cisco devices. Mastering these techniques to assign an […]
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